COVID-19 impact in resolving missing person cases from 2019 to 2021
Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.22.022707
I note you seek access to the following information:
I am looking at 2019, 2020 and 2021 data and would appreciate it if you could provide the data for each separate year.
Missing persons
1. How many persons were reported missing during 2019, 2020, 2021? Wat percentage were Men, Women and Children? (please provide data for each individual year)
2. How many of the reported missing person cases were resolved (person found) during 2019, 2020, 2021? (please provide data for each individual year)
Resolved cases
1. How many cases were resolved within the first month, within three months, within six months and within nine months from the date they were reported missing during 2019, 2020, 2021 (please provide data for each individual year)
Staff absences
1. How many Police Officers were reported absent due to sickness NOT relating to COVID-19 during 2019, 2020, 2021 (please provide data for each individual year)
2. How many Police Officers were absent due to self-isolation relating to COVID-19 during 2020, 2021 (please provide data for each individual year)
3. How many Police Staff were absent due to self-isolation relating to COVID-19 during 2020, 2021 (please provide data for each individual year)
Decision
I have today decided to disclose some of the requested information. Some data has been withheld as it is exempt from disclosure and therefore this response serves as a Refusal Notice under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) by virtue of the following exemptions:
Section 31(1)(a)& (b) – Law Enforcement
Reason for decision
The Section 31 Exemption applies to ‘Staff Absences’. The MPS believes that release into the public domain of this information would enable those with criminal intent to build a picture of our staffing capabilities which will undermine future operational resilience.
When a request for information is made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act), a public authority must inform you, when permitted, whether the information requested is held. It must then communicate that information to you. If a public authority decides that it cannot comply with all or part of a request, it must cite the appropriate section or exemption of the Act and provide you with an explanation.
It is important to note that a Freedom of Information Act request is not a private transaction. Both the request itself and any information disclosed are considered suitable for open publication, that is, once access to information is granted to one person under the Act, it is then considered public information and must be communicated to any individual should a request be received. Any information released under the Act is also published on the MPS website.
Section 31(1)(a)& (b) – Law Enforcement - In deliberating whether or not this information should be disclosed, we have considered the potential harm that could be caused by disclosure. We believe that release of this information would enable those with criminal intent to build a picture of staffing capabilities which will undermine the work of the MPS. This would have the effect of compromising law enforcement and hinder the ability of the MPS to fulfil its primary function of enforcing the law.
The publication of information that could reveal operational strength would have a prejudicial impact on law enforcement in general. It cannot be in the public interest to disclose information which would compromise the effective delivery of operational law enforcement. More crime could be committed and individuals placed at risk.
I consider that the benefit that would result from the information being disclosed does not outweigh the considerations favouring non-disclosure. The MPS would not release details that could compromise future policing. It may also suggest the limitations of police capabilities in this area, which may further encourage criminal activity by exposing potential vulnerabilities.
This decision is based on the understanding that the public interest is not what interests the public, but what would be of greater good to the community as a whole.
Disclosure
With reference to Missing Persons & Resolved Cases, please find attached Excel Spreadsheet with the details requested.