List of all active PNC owner/creator codes within the Met

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.21.021977

I note you seek access to the following information:

I wish to obtain a list of all PNC owner/creator codes within the Met using the "01" start. If possible can this include all areas used within a certain PNC code however I'm aware some codes are for the use of a unit as opposed to a geographical area.

I also wish to obtain a full list of owner/creator PNC codes starting "02".

Do you have a map of the area you cover with corresponding PNC area codes, if so could a copy be provided?

Decision

This is a follow up request to 01/FOI/21/020243, in which the MPS advised that it was not possible to determine which PNC codes were ‘active’, within the 18 hour threshold.

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

Before I explain the decisions that I have made in relation to your request, I thought that it would be helpful to outline the parameters set out by the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act), within which a request for information can be answered. The Act creates a statutory right of access to information held by public authorities. A public authority in respect of a request must, if permitted, state under Section 1(a) of the Act, whether it holds the requested information and, if held, then communicate that information to the applicant under Section 1(b) of the Act.

The right of access to information is not without exception and is subject to a number of exemptions which are designed to enable public authorities to withhold information that is unsuitable for release. Importantly, the Act is designed to place information into the public domain, 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.

Section 31(1)(a)(b) - Law Enforcement - In deliberating whether or not all of the PNC codes starting with 01 or 02 should be disclosed, I have considered the potential harm that could be caused by disclosure.

PNC force station codes, in addition to identifying police stations, are also assigned to specific units or operations for policing purposes.

To release all of the PNC force station codes (whether active or not) would in fact reveal tactical and operational capabilities of the MPS. These tactical capabilities could be negatively used, should those with unlawful intentions, use them to gain access to a police system, to disrupt local policing or avoid detection and as a consequence, negatively affect our law enforcement functions.

To disclose information on PNC force station codes would reveal tactical and operational capability and would place the MPS at a tactical disadvantage as outlined in the harm above. It cannot be in the public interest to disclose information which would undermine our ability to detect crime and bring offenders to justice. As detailed within the 'harm', this would be a valuable asset to individuals and/or organisations wishing to commit offences or evade detection. The infiltration of police communication/intelligence systems would disrupt our law enforcement functions in the prevention and detection of crime or the apprehension of offenders.

Do you have a map of the area you cover with corresponding PNC area codes, if so could a copy be provided?

Please note that requests made under the Freedom of Information Act are for information held by a public authority at the time of the request. When responding to such requests, public authorities are not required to create information or provide opinion, unless previously recorded.

Despite reasonable searches no map meeting your criteria was located, therefore this information is not held by the MPS.

Disclosure

I wish to obtain a list of all PNC owner/creator codes within the Met using the "01" start. If possible can this include all areas used within a certain PNC code however I'm aware some codes are for the use of a unit as opposed to a geographical area.
I also wish to obtain a full list of owner/creator PNC codes starting "02".

Please see the attached spreadsheet containing the PNC force station codes 01 and 02 as requested. Some codes have been removed as deemed harmful to law enforcement, by virtue of section 31(1) of the Act.

ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE

Although PNC displays the FS codes, the MPS now use a Basic Command Unit (BCU) structure. To provide you with some assistance I have included the codes for these areas below:
AS South Central
AW West Central
CE Central East
CN Central North
EA East Area
NA North Area
NE North East
NW North West
SE South East
SN South Area
SW South West
WA West Area

Further reference can be found in the attached link which indicates which Borough stations now form the new BCUs