Information about the Mark Duggan operation

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.22.022982

I note you seek access to the following information:

Additional Request

1. What was the total bullet count at the start of the operation for all weapons issued?

2. What was the bullet count at the end of the operation for all weapons issued?
Request

Can you confirm what terminology is used for the G36 ammunition?
Do you have the bullet count for the G36 rifles? 3 were issued for the operation and would have been issued with ammunition.

The ammunition would then be returned to the armoury at the end of the operation at which time a bullet count would take place.

Clarification -
I am referring to the Operation in which Mark Duggan was shot.
Regarding terminology I was asking essentially what do you call the ammunition used by the G36 rifle?

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 24(1) - National Security
Section 31(1) - Law Enforcement

Reason for decision

You have asked questions regarding

Q1 - What was the total bullet count at the start of the operation for all weapons issued?
Q2 - What was the bullet count at the end of the operation for all weapons issued?
Request
Do you have the bullet count for the G36 rifles? 3 were issued for the operation and would have been issued with ammunition.

The MPS refuses access to the requested information (Question 1, 2 and 4) By virtue of the following exemptions

Section 24 National Security - By providing a bullet count could render Security measures less effective by revealing the tactically sensitive capacity of the MPS. This would be of use to the criminal fraternity and or any terrorists who may seek to harm the public. This could lead to the compromise of ongoing or future operations to protect the security or infra-structure of the UK and increase the risk of harm to the public

The security of the country is of paramount importance and the MPS will not release information if to do so could undermine National Security or compromise law enforcement. Whilst there is a public interest in the transparency of policing operations and in this case providing assurance that the police service is appropriately and effectively engaging with the threat posed by the criminal fraternity, there is a very strong public interest in safeguarding both national security and the integrity of police investigations and operations in this area.

Section 31(1)(a)(b) Law Enforcement - is engaged in this case as disclosure under the Act would, or would be likely to, prejudice the prevention and detection of crimes and the apprehension or prosecution of offenders.

By providing a bullet count would compromise law enforcement tactics and undermine the prevention or detection of crime. This would impact on police resources, more crime would then be committed and individuals placed at risk by revealing the amount of ammunition used would provide knowledge on capacity of the MPS in respect of firearms capability. This would be of use to the criminal fraternity and or any terrorists who may seek to harm the public. This could lead to the compromise of ongoing or future operations to protect the security or infra-structure of the UK and increase the risk of harm to the public

As much as there is public interest in knowing that policing activity is appropriate and balanced in matters of national security and Law enforcement this will only be overridden in exceptional circumstances. Full disclosure of questions 1, 2 and 4 would render security measures less effective and would be of use to those with a nefarious purpose in mind, to use that information to disrupt ongoing or future operations to MPS services. Transparency of our policies and the way we manage resources should be provided where necessary unless the negative effect of doing so would cause an unreasonable and unjustified risk to the public. I believe the non-disclosure of questions 1, 2 and 4 would be the greater good and in the public interest.

Disclosure

Q3 - Regarding terminology I was asking essentially what do you call the ammunition used by the G36 rifle?

In respect of the terminology for G36 ammunition, there is no particular parlance used by the MPS. Ammunition for the G36 can often be referred to as ‘rounds of 556’ by officers.