FOI 889-2024 / Oct 2024 / Officers
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: 889-2024
I write in connection with your request for information which was received on 9th October 2024 as follows:
Please can I have the data on the numbers of on duty police officers covering the Shipston on Stour, Brailes and Compton areas (CV36) on the night of Monday 24th September 2024 between 16:00 and 23:59hrs.
Please find the Warwickshire Police response set out below.
Response: Information in relation to officers on duty is recorded by policing areas of North, South and East and the areas mentioned within the request fall within the South. I can advise that the information is held in relation to the number of officers on duty in the South policing area on Monday 24th September 2024 between 16:00 and 23:59 hrs; however, this information has been deemed unsuitable for disclosure.
When refusing to provide information (because the information is exempt), section 17 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, requires Warwickshire Police to provide 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.
The exemption which applies in this case is:
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. Please find this set out below.
Harm
Requests under the Freedom of Information Act are ‘applicant blind’, which means that the motives of anyone requesting information are not questioned, and in providing a response to one person, we are expressing a willingness to provide the same information to everyone. In view of this, information regarding police officer numbers is a valuable commodity to individuals intent on committing crime as it provides an insight into tactics and resources, as well as a greater understanding of the policing methods and techniques employed by Warwickshire Police, thereby enabling steps to be taken to counter them. It may also suggest the limitations of police capabilities at certain times, especially where multiple FOI requests are made for similar information relating to different date/time parameters, which may further encourage criminal activity by exposing potential vulnerabilities. This detrimental effect would also increase if a request is made to several different law enforcement bodies. In addition to the local criminal fraternity now being better informed, those intent on organised crime throughout the UK will be able to ‘map’ officer numbers during specific hours and target specific areas for crime and disorder. This could potentially leave the force vulnerable to increased criminal activity, which could stretch the allocated resources and have a detrimental impact upon members of the public living or travelling within Warwickshire.
Section 31 - Factors Favouring Disclosure
Disclosure of the requested information may add value to the accuracy of public debate with regards to resources allocated for the prevention and detection of crime and show that Warwickshire Police is open and transparent.
Section 31 - Factors Against Disclosure
Warwickshire police 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.
Whilst a request for the number of officers on duty in a specific area, on a specific date and time, may appear innocuous when considered in isolation, it is important to consider the effect that multiple requests of a similar nature would have. In this case, repeated requests could be used to build up a picture of resources over a longer period, therefore providing a tactical advantage to those wishing to cause harm, which could ultimately impact upon the safety of the public and officers and undermine the policing purpose.
Balance Test
For a public interest test, issues that favour disclosure need to be measured against issues that favour non-disclosure. 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.
The strongest argument for disclosure is increased public awareness and scrutiny around officer numbers, allowing for accurate debate around this subject and demonstrating a willingness by the force to be open and transparent. However, this needs to be weighed against the strongest argument for non-disclosure, which, in this case, is that releasing the requested information could provide a tactical advantage to those intent on criminal behaviour and would not only impact on the force’s ability to prevent and detect crime and apprehend offenders, but also 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 this request.
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