FOI 549-2023 / May 2023 / Dangerous dogs
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: 549-2023
I write in connection with your request for information which was received on 31st May 2023, and your revised request received on 2nd June 2023, as follows:
Initial request:
- How many dog attacks have been recorded in your police force area in the last five years for which data is available? If possible, please provide data broken down by year. I don’t mind if the data is broken down by calendar year, financial year, or other 12-month reporting period.
- How many of the dog attacks in the last five years for which you have data have involved injury to a person or persons? If possible, please provide data broken down by year. I don’t mind if the data is broken down by calendar year, financial year, or other 12-month reporting period.
- How many deaths have been recorded in your police force area from dog attacks in the last five years for which data is available? If possible, please provide data broken down by year. I don’t mind if the data is broken down by calendar year, financial year, or other 12-month reporting period.
- How many arrests has your police force made for incidents involving dog attacks in the last five years for which data is available? If possible, please provide data broken down by year. I don’t mind if the data is broken down by calendar year, financial year, or other 12-month reporting period.
Revised request:
I submitted a request on Wednesday 31 May but after discussions with other forces, I am aware that the request as currently drafted might engage the time exemption. I would be willing to refine my request as follows:
- Provide all recorded crimes under HOCR 008/21 - Owner or person in charge allowing dog to be dangerously out of control injuring any person or assistance dog. Other forces have said their system shows these offences began recording at the end of 2018, so to provide full yearly data the refinement would be to provide the last 4 years from 01/01/2019 to 31/12/2022.
- Provide all recorded outcomes for these crimes.
Please find the Warwickshire Police response set out below.
Q1 response:
|
Year |
Number of offences |
|
2019 |
178 |
|
2020 |
190 |
|
2021 |
210 |
|
2022 |
266 |
|
Grand total |
844 |
Q2 response:
|
Outcome Type |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
Grand Total |
|
Type 1 - Charged/Summonsed/Postal Requisition |
16 |
17 |
11 |
18 |
62 |
|
Type 1A - Charged/Summons - alternate offence. Offender has been charged under the alternate offence rule. |
2 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
7 |
|
Type 3 - Caution Adult |
|
|
|
2 |
2 |
|
Type 8 - Community resolution (Crime) |
15 |
22 |
21 |
10 |
68 |
|
Type 10 - Formal Action Against Offender is not in the Public Interest (Police) |
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
Type 12 - Prosecution Prevented-Named Suspect Identified But Is Too Ill (Physical Or Mental Health) To Prosecute, or confirmed died either before crime reported or before enough evidence to charge |
|
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
Type 14 - Evidential Difficulties Victim Based- Suspect Not Identified: Crime Confirmed But The Victim Either Declines Or Unable To Support Further Police Investigation To Identify The Offender |
17 |
19 |
38 |
37 |
111 |
|
Type 15 - Named Suspect Identified: Victim Supports Police Action But Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action |
19 |
12 |
23 |
26 |
80 |
|
Type 16 - Named Suspect Identified: Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action: Victim Does Not Support (Or Has Withdrawn Support From) Police Action |
74 |
80 |
78 |
111 |
343 |
|
Type 17 - Prosecution Time Limit Expired: Suspect Identified But Prosecution Time Limit Has Expired |
1 |
2 |
2 |
|
5 |
|
Type 18 - Investigation Complete; No Suspect Identified. Crime Investigated As Far As Reasonably Possible-Case Closed Pending Further Investigative Opportunities Becoming Available |
18 |
33 |
31 |
45 |
127 |
|
Type 20 - Further action resulting from the crime report will be undertaken by another body or agency subject to the victim (or person acting on their behalf) being made aware of the act to be taken |
6 |
2 |
|
6 |
14 |
|
Type 21 - Further investigation resulting from crime report which could provide evidence sufficient to support formal action against the suspect is not in the public interest - police decision. |
6 |
1 |
1 |
|
8 |
|
Type 22 - Diversionary, educational or intervention activity, resulting from the crime report, has been undertaken and it is not in the public interest to take any further action. |
3 |
|
2 |
|
5 |
|
Not yet outcomed |
|
|
1 |
9 |
10 |
|
Grand Total |
178 |
190 |
210 |
266 |
844 |
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