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FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: 341-2023
I write in connection with your request for information which was received on 29th March 2023 as follows:
Q1. The total number of vehicles in your fleet at 1st January 2023?
Q2. Could I have this number at 1st January for every year since 2010.
Q3. Please can you confirm your annual spend on fleet damage repair (in the year to 2022)?
Q4. What was the oldest vehicle in your force fleet commissioned into active service?
Please find the Warwickshire Police response set out below.
Response: Section 1 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 places two duties on public authorities. Unless exemptions apply, the first duty at section 1 (1) (a) is to confirm or deny whether the information specified in a request is held. The second duty at section 1(1) (b) is to disclose information that has been confirmed as being held.
Section 17 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 requires Warwickshire Police, when refusing to provide such information (because the information is exempt) to you the applicant with a notice which
(a) states that fact,
(b) specifies the exemption in question and
(c) states (if that would not otherwise be apparent) why the exemption applies.
I can confirm that Warwickshire Police do hold the information requested; however, the following exemption applies to information relating to makes and models of some unmarked vehicles and some marked vehicles in specialised/covert roles:
Section 31(1)(a)(b) – Law Enforcement
Section 31 exemption is a prejudice-based qualified exemption and as such, there is a requirement to evidence the harm disclosure would cause and to carry out a public interest test.
Harm
Unmarked vehicles used in certain specialised roles are unmarked for the specific purpose of being unidentifiable. There are concerns associated with the release of any information that would identify any unmarked vehicles in such roles, or in any role which could lead to the compromise of law enforcement. Disclosing details of such vehicles, together with other information already in the public domain would assist those intent on criminal behaviour in identification of such vehicles. This would render those vehicles useless for future use in such roles and would therefore hinder the prevention and detection of crime and could compromise ongoing and future operations.
Disclosure of information in relation to some specialised marked vehicles would enable criminals to map resources across the force and therefore increase the likelihood of crime being committed in specific areas. This would be especially true in providing information regarding the details of armed response vehicles. There are concerns associated with any release that would identify and provide information surrounding vehicle capability. The release of this information in relation to police vehicles and policing activities would equip individuals involved in criminal activity with an indication of Warwickshire Police capabilities. This information, together with that already in the public domain, would build up a mosaic picture of resources and thereby assist those involved in criminal behaviour. This in turn would hinder the prevention and detection of crime and place the community at increased unnecessary risk of harm.
Section 31 - Factors Favouring Disclosure
There is a legitimate public interest in the public being satisfied that the police force has up to date and well-maintained vehicles to deliver services to the public, when and where required, and disclosure would show accountability of Warwickshire Police in performing a key policing function.
Disclosure may add value to the accuracy of public debate with regards to resources allocated for the prevention and detection of crime.
Section 31 - Factors Against Disclosure
The Police Service has a duty to ensure that the prevention and detection of crime, apprehension or prosecution of offenders, and administration of justice is carried out appropriately and effectively. Disclosing information that would allow the identification of all vehicles may reveal what resources are available for a given role and this information could enable police strength to be determined and circumvented by those intent on committing crime. The release of this information could therefore provide a tactical advantage to offenders which would negatively impact on public safety and undermine the policing purpose.
Disclosing the details of vehicles in specialised roles would provide sufficient information to those involved in criminal activity of the capabilities available to the force when carrying out activities in certain areas. This could result in them taking steps to evade detection and to destroy evidence if they believe that their movements are being monitored. This could also lead to vehicles and officers being identified which would render their capabilities useless.
Balance Test
For a public interest test, issues that favour disclosure need to be measured against issues that favour non-disclosure.
Whilst the value of accountability and the legitimate interest in the public being satisfied that the force has up to date and well-maintained vehicles to deliver services is recognised, there is no further tangible benefit to the public interest in identifying information in relation to vehicles.
It is not in the public interest for law enforcement tactics and operational capability to be compromised with the disclosure of all fleet details. The ability to deliver effective law enforcement is of paramount importance and Warwickshire Police will not divulge information if to do so would have an adverse effect on the force’s ability to prevent and detect crime. To disclose the details would not only affect the force’s ability to do so, but would also impact upon its core responsibility of protecting the community it serves and its officers.
Therefore, on balance, it is considered that the public interest in providing the information is outweighed by the potential impact release would have on future law enforcement activities and this represents a refusal notice for information in relation to makes and models of some unmarked vehicles and some marked vehicles, in specialised roles.
Please find information I am able to provide set out below.
Q1 response: 238
Q2 response: Warwickshire Police were in a strategic alliance with West Mercia Police between 2014 and April 2020 and therefore fleet figures for years prior to 2020 are not held. Please also note that fleet figures for the below years are not held as of 1st January 2021.
2020 – 233 (as of April 2020)
2021 – 237 (as of Dec 2021)
2022 – 234 (as of July 2022)
Q3 response: No information held in relation to calendar year 2022. Please see below information for financial years 2021/22 and 2022/23:
2021/22: £115,697
2022/23 (not yet finalised): £155,986
Q4 response: A Vauxhall Vivaro.
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