FOI 768-2025 / Jul 2025 / Palestine Action
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: 768-2025
I write in connection with your request for information which was received on 28th July 2025 as follows:
Q1. Please provide copies of all documents, powerpoint presentations, and/or guidance materials regarding the identification of support for "Palestine Action".
Q1a. I note that a document was disclosed https://www.met.police.uk/foi-ai/metropolitan-police/disclosure-2024/july-2024/instructions-tackling-hate-speech-actions-hamas-supporters-marches/ by the Metropolitan Police regarding "instructions about tackling the hate speech and actions by HAMAS supporters on the marches." I am seeking similar, equivalent, and/or updated documents that may include mention of "Palestine Action".
Q1b. Please also disclose documents related to this that may have been delivered to the police constabulary from the Home Office, Counter Terrorism Policing, or other organisations. Please disclose from which organisation the document originated.
Q2. Please disclose relevant documents related to the identification of Hamas, Houthi, and/or Hezbollah supporters that have been used/published since July 2024 (not including the one I included in the link above)
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.
When refusing to provide such 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.
Q1, Q1a, Q1b, Q2 response: I can advise that information falling within the scope of your request was identified as being held, however, some of the information, either in its entirety or in part, has been deemed not suitable for disclosure by virtue of both the following exemptions:
Section 24(1) - National Security
Section 31(1) - Law Enforcement
Some of the information was in part also deemed not suitable for disclosure by virtue of the following exemption:
Section 24(1) - National Security
Both Sections 24 and 31 are prejudice based qualified exemptions which require both evidence of harm and public interest considerations to be articulated to the applicant.
Evidence of Harm
Disclosure of the information would reveal specific strategies, rationale, intelligence and tactics in relation to the identification and policing of proscribed terrorist groups. This could be used by criminals, those with criminal intent, members of proscribed organisations, and terrorists, to undermine and obstruct operational policing, as well as to amend their current practices to evade detection. This would consequently be detrimental to the police’s ability to ensure the law is enforced, offenders apprehended, public safety maintained and threats to the security of the UK are identified and prevented.
In addition, disclosure of information from multiple forces would result in patterns of police activity, tactical capabilities and operational planning in respect of terrorist proscription and the policing of proscribed groups being identified. Identification via this mapping effect of what may appear less resourced or actively policed areas, risks those areas becoming targets for individuals with criminal intent, to exploit. This undermines policing, increasing the risk of crime and threatens public safety. Given the information in question is directly relevant to counter terrorism strategy and policing of proscribed terrorist groups, this in turn impacts upon the overall security of the UK.
Furthermore, disclosure of all the information captured by this request would undermine the effectiveness of current and future police operations and proceedings. It would reveal details of police intelligence and strategy used to counter criminal activity and apprehend offenders.
Public Interest Considerations
Section 24 - Factors favouring disclosure
The public are entitled to know how public money is spent in areas of operational policing, and therefore the release of the information would facilitate transparency. It would also encourage public debate about how the police prevent and detect crime and uphold the law in terms of proscription of terrorist groups in order to protect the security interests of the UK.
Section 24 - Factors against disclosure
To disclose information would render security measures less effective by revealing details of individual force capabilities, which could be put together to formulate a national picture of operational counter terrorism strategy. Taking into account the current security climate within the United Kingdom, no information that may aid a criminal, terrorist or proscribed organisation should be disclosed. To what extent the information may aid terrorism in the UK is not precisely known, but it is clear that disclosure of some of the information held will impact on the force’s ability to monitor and police proscribed terrorist groups and terrorists effectively, compromising the security of the UK.
Section 31 - Factors favouring disclosure
Disclosure of information would provide the public with better understanding of operational policing, increase public debate and provide information which may allow the public to take steps to better protect themselves. This awareness may also lead to more information being passed to police by the public as they become more alert to suspicious activity.
Section 31 - Factors against disclosure
By disclosing the information, law enforcement tactics would be compromised which would hinder the prevention and detection of crime specific to terrorism. More crime would be committed because members of proscribed terrorist organisations as well as terrorists more widely, would have knowledge of operational capability, tactics, strategy and intelligence, which would allow them to operate more effectively as well as avoid detection. This places the public at a significant risk of harm, particularly in areas which may have been perceived to be more vulnerable than others as a result of the mapping effect explained within the harm. Any information which undermines operational law enforcement or places the public at risk is not in the public interest to disclose.
Balancing Test
Whilst there is a public interest in transparency of policing and promotion of public debate, there is a far stronger public interest in safeguarding national security, the integrity of operational policing and keeping the public safe. The security of the country is paramount, and the police service will not divulge any information if to do so would place the safety of an individual, the public at large, or the national security of the UK at risk.
For these reasons we believe that the balancing test for disclosing all of the information held is not made out in this case.
Please find the information I am able to disclose set out in the attachments.
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