Call signs and divisions within Met Ops 7

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.21.022464

I note you seek access to the following information:

Please may I have the callsigns and divisions within MO7.

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 – Law Enforcement

Reason for decision

When a request for information is made under 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.

The Section 31 Exemption applies to the request for call signs. Although the MPS has released this information in the past, over time, the call sign structure and policy has radically changed. The MPS’ new approach to call signs better identifies the skills and capabilities of each unit and would be of value to offenders, should they be released.

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. This is because, under Freedom of Information, any information disclosed is released into the wider public domain, effectively to the world and not just to one individual.

I have claimed this exemption because the MPS believe that the release and publication of call signs would provide those intent on disrupting the work of the MPS and/or evading detection by police, with information that would assist them in this endeavour.

Call signs are assigned to specific MPS units, vehicles and/or officers and are used to contact them, provide them with information and/or direct them to incidents. Should a criminal gain access to a police radio, the call signs would inform the offender of the location and capability of MPS assets and/or the information that has been relayed to them. This would be likely to disrupt local policing and assist the offender to avoid detection. Ultimately the public release of this information would be likely to adversely affect the ability of the MPS to prevent and detect crime and apprehend those that commit offences, contrary to the public interest.

It is of note that whilst the MPS has previously released call signs under the Act, with the passage of time, the call sign structure and policy has radically changed. The Met’s new approach to call signs better identifies the skills and capabilities of each unit and would therefore be of value to the offender should they be released.

Having considered your request, I accept that there is a public interest in transparency when any request is made for police information. The public interest favouring release must be balanced against any associated risk and/or prejudice that would be caused through disclosure. Having carefully considered this, I have found that the public release of the Met’s current call signs would inform an offender of the location and capability of MPS assets and/or the information that has been relayed to them, should a criminal gain access to a police radio. This would disrupt local policing and assist the offender in avoiding detection.

Disclosure

The following divisions are included within MO7:
o Air Support
o TSG
o Marine
o Dog Support
o Mounted Branch