Law breaking/crime at Downing Street from March 2020 to 31 December 2021
Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.21.022788
I note you seek access to the following information:
Please could I receive a copy of any policy and guidance relating to the reporting, by police officers on duty at Downing Street, of potential lawbreaking/crime by anyone on the premises at Downing Street.
Please could you tell me the number of times that officers have reported potential law breaking/crime at Downing Street, between the dates 1 March 2020 and 31 December 2021.
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 30 - Investigations and proceedings conducted by public authorities
Reason for decision
In regards to the second part of your request, the MPS has recently launched an investigation into a number of events that took place at Downing Street and Whitehall in the last two years in relation to potential breaches of Covid-19. Therefore, the disclosure of any information which relates to the reporting of potential law breaking/crime at Downing Street, between the dates 1March 2020 and 31 December 2021, may impact upon a current investigation. As such, Section 30(1)(a) of the Act is engaged.
Section 30 - Investigations and proceedings conducted by public authorities - The release of any details that may relate to an ongoing investigation could hinder the prevention or detection of crime and impact upon that investigation. The MPS released press lines on 25 January 2022, which outlines our position.
Therefore, we would not wish to reveal any further details, such as what and when information is recorded and the extent of our investigation as this would clearly undermine the law enforcement and investigative process. This would impact on police resources and more crime would be committed, placing individuals at risk.
The release of information which provides assurance to the public that the police service is appropriately and effectively engaging with the threat posed by various groups or individuals, can only build confidence in the role of the police in protecting the citizens of London.
However, the strongest reason against disclosure of the requested information is there is a public interest in safeguarding the integrity of any police investigations and operations that may be ongoing. There is a need to ensure that any investigation is not compromised by releasing information before the conclusion of a case.
The Police Service is charged with enforcing the law, preventing and detecting crime and protecting the communities we serve. As much as there is public interest in knowing that policing activity is appropriate and balanced this will only be overridden in exceptional circumstances. The area of police interest is a sensitive issue that reveals local intelligence. In order to safeguard the integrity of any police investigations and operations that may be ongoing, there is a need to ensure that any investigation is not compromised by disclosing what evidence is held, that may give those who were involved, an insight into the nature and scope of each investigation.
I have determined that disclosure of the information which falls within the Section 30 exemption, would not be in the public interest. Disclosure may lead to further intelligence that would undermine these enquiries and the role and the effectiveness of any ongoing investigation. Although this information would no doubt be of interest to the public, given the serious and high profile nature of the investigation and the likely individuals concerned, there is less public interest in releasing any information to the wider public at this time.
Disclosure
In relation to the first part of your request, there is no policy or guidance specific for police officers in this situation. All officers are expected to act within the law and their training. This would fall within the MPS value of integrity and is applicable to all officers and staff regardless of the role performed. Please see link below.
College of Policing - code of Ethnics - 2021/02.pdf (See pages 5 and 10)