FOI 441-2023 / April 2023 / LEAD Initiative
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: 441-2023
I write in connection with your request for information which was received on 24th April 2023 as follows:
Q1. Has your Police Force received any information about the LEAD Initiative?
Q2. Have you ever engaged in-person with someone involved in running the LEAD Initiative to find out more?
Q3. Have you looked into implementing the LEAD Initiative or something similar in your Police Force?
Q4. Why/why not?
Q5. Have you introduced the LEAD Initiative or something similar in your Police Force?
Q6. Why/why not?
Q7. If you have not:
- is there anything that would encourage you to consider introducing the LEAD Initiative or something similar in your Police Force?
Q8. If you have:
- Have you seen an improvement in the frequency and seriousness of dangerous dogs incidents handled by your Police Force?
- What is the process of training staff?
- Have there been any drawbacks to the LEAD Initiative or similar scheme?
Please find the Warwickshire Police response set out below:
Response:
Q1. Has your Police Force received any information about the LEAD Initiative?
Q1 response: Two of our Dog Legislation Officers attended an event that included content on the LEAD Initiative.
Q2. Have you ever engaged in-person with someone involved in running the LEAD Initiative to find out more?
Q2 response: See response to Q1 above.
Q3. Have you looked into implementing the LEAD Initiative or something similar in your Police Force?
Q3 response: No.
Q4. Why/why not?
Q4 response: This is not a valid request for information under Section 8 of the Act as (as set out in Section 84), the Act only extends to requests for recorded information and does not require public authorities to answer questions if this would mean creating new information or giving an opinion or judgement that is not already recorded.
However, outside of the act, and in order to provide assistance, the business area has advised that, going forward, they do intend to have a professional discussion on whether the LEAD Initiative can be implemented into the Policing of Warwickshire.
Q5. Have you introduced the LEAD Initiative or something similar in your Police Force?
Q5 response: No.
Q6. Why/why not?
Q6 response: This is not a valid request for information under Section 8 of the Act as (as set out in Section 84), the Act only extends to requests for recorded information and does not require public authorities to answer questions if this would mean creating new information or giving an opinion or judgement that is not already recorded.
Q7. If you have not:
- is there anything that would encourage you to consider introducing the LEAD Initiative or something similar in your Police Force?
Q7 response: No information held.
Q8. If you have:
- Have you seen an improvement in the frequency and seriousness of dangerous dogs incidents handled by your Police Force?
- What is the process of training staff?
- Have there been any drawbacks to the LEAD Initiative or similar scheme?
Q8 response: Not applicable.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is as accurate as possible.
Your attention is drawn to the below which details your right of complaint.
Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please write or email the Freedom of Information Unit quoting the reference number above.
Yours sincerely
Freedom of Information Officer
Freedom of Information Unit
Warwickshire Police
PO Box 4
Leek Wootton
Warwickshire
CV35 7QB