Operation Farmack

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.22.022668

I note you seek access to the following information:

I request documentation relating to Operation Farmack. On 18 March 2018 I was notified by email by a DI of Operation Winter Key that the remit of this Operation was: 'Operation Farmack deals with all the allegations on non recent Child Sex Abuse that emanate from Islington Care Homes'. Information I wish to know should include the following basics:

1. When Operation Farmack began and if it continues.
2. If it has been closed when was this?
3. Why was Operation Farmack set up?
4. How many officers have been employed to work on this Operation and during which timeframe?
5. Did Operation Farmack report to IICSA? Please provide reference to open source IICSA material if relevant.
6. Which officers were or are in charge of Operation Farmack?
7. How much funding was allocated to Operation Farmack over what period?
8. What sources of evidence were within the remit of Operation Farmack to access?
9. How many referrals to child protection agencies (Childrens Services/ LADO/ Police CPT) were made as a result of Operation Farmack & over what time period?

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

Q1 - When Operation Farmack began and if it continues.

Operation Farmack commenced in October 2017 and concluded in December 2019; it is not a current investigation.

Q2 - If it has been closed when was this?

Operation Farmack was closed in December 2019 however, one of the complainants made further contact with Police wishing to pursue the allegations they had made previously. This investigation became known as Operation Farmack 2 which concluded in November 2021.

Q3 - Why was Operation Farmack set up?

This followed a referral received from Islington Survivors Network (ISN) on 31/10/2017

Q4 - How many officers have been employed to work on this Operation and during which timeframe?

Operation Farmack MPS allegations were investigated by one officer who assumed the role as ‘Case Officer,’ responsible for the day to day running of the investigation and assisted by team members to complete enquiries.

Q5 - Did Operation Farmack report to IICSA? Please provide reference to open source IICSA material if relevant.

No, it was not part of IICSA.

Q6 - Which officers were or are in charge of Operation Farmack?

The day to day supervision of Operation Farmack sat with a Detective Sergeant (DS) and was supported by each allocated investigating officer. Operation Farmack 2 was also supervised by a Detective Sergeant.
Above the rank of DS, sat a DI whom each reported to.

Q7 - How much funding was allocated to Operation Farmack over what period?

No additional Funding was provided to the investigation, enquiries were conducted during rostered working hours and within the remit of Operation Winterkey.

Q8 - What sources of evidence were within the remit of Operation Farmack to access?

My understanding of the question is:
Sources of evidence would be witness testimony / visually recorded interviews / written statements / third party material to name only a few.

Q9 - How many referrals to child protection agencies (Children Services/ LADO/ Police CPT) were made as a result of Operation Farmack & over what time period?

All complainants were adults at time of reporting and where applicable, contact was made with relevant Social Services and support groups.
ISN made contact direct with officers in 2017, culminating in the allegations being investigated.