Under what power non-police individuals were stopped and swabbed on 2 January 2022

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.22.022581

I note you seek access to the following information:

On 2 January 2022, the Metropolitan Police Twitter account (@metpoliceuk) released a video.

I'd like the following information concerning the Taskforce and this specific operation shown in the video (for clarity: not just the specific shots in the video, but the general operation):

1. Under what power were the non-police individuals in the video stopped and swabbed? If there is no such power, were those individuals informed that they could refuse to engage with this?

2. How many individuals were swabbed during this operation. Where recorded, what was the ages and ethnicities of those stopped?

3. What criteria were the officers using to decide which individuals to stop and swab?

4. How many positive drug tests were found (separated by drug), and upon a positive test, what action was taken by the officers?

Decision

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

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

Q1 - Under what power were the non-police individuals in the video stopped and swabbed? If there is no such power, were those individuals informed that they could refuse to engage with this?

This was a condition of entry for two licensed premises working in partnership with the MPS. These conditions were set by the licencee. No statutory powers were used to obtain the swabs. The use of the itemiser is part of the conditions of entry to the licenced premises, which are set by the Licencee. The Police Officers who operate the Itemisers are specialist officers from the Central Licencing Team. As people approach the testing area, the operating officers explain that providing a swab is voluntary, but it is a condition of entering the venue. If a person did refuse to be swabbed, the officers would discuss the situation with that person, advising them again that they would not be allowed into the venue, but no other action would be taken, unless evidence of an offence is disclosed.

Q2 - How many individuals were swabbed during this operation. Where recorded, what was the ages and ethnicities of those stopped?

The operation recorded that 250 swabs taken. Whether the test was positive or negative was not recorded. No other information, such as age and ethnicity was not requested and not recorded.

Q3 - What criteria were the officers using to decide which individuals to stop and swab?

This was a condition of entry for two licensed premises working in partnership with the MPS. These conditions were set by the licencee.

Q4 - How many positive drug tests were found (separated by drug), and upon a positive test, what action was taken by the officers?

Positive or negative information was not recorded. One positive tests resulted in an arrest for possession of Cocaine, but this was after a result of further investigation and was not solely based on the result of the swab.