Training for Offences Under S144 of the Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offender Act from January 2012 to May 2022

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.22.024933

I note you seek access to the following information:

1. What training (both initial and continuation) do officers receive in the powers for landowners to remove trespassers under the Common Law principle of "Self Help"?

2. As part of officers training (both initial and continuation) regarding Breach Of The Peace are they made aware of the precedents established in the judgement Bibby v Chief Constable of Essex?

3. Since inception in 2012 how many persons have been charged by the Metropolitan Police with an offence under section 144 of the Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of offenders Act?

Decision

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

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

Q1 - What training (both initial and continuation) do officers receive in the powers for landowners to remove trespassers under the Common Law principle of "Self Help"?

The entire principal of “Self Help” is that there are no ‘powers’. It gives members of the public the ability to act, without recourse to the courts. Probationary constables are taught about this, as a part of their foundation training, without specific mention of “Self Help.” The reason for this, is that when police officers eject a member of the public from a public place, (supermarket, café, cinema, etc.) they do so without any police power. Rather, they themselves rely on “Self Help”. Under such circumstances, police officers are considered to be assisting the landowner. Both police officers, and members of the public, may use only necessary force in this aim.

This is covered in a lesson titled “Use of Force Powers.” There is no continuation training which reinforces this principle.

Q2 - As part of officers training (both initial and continuation) regarding Breach Of The Peace are they made aware of the precedents established in the judgement Bibby v Chief Constable of Essex?

The case of Bibby v Chief Constable of Essex is included in a lesson, “Breach of the Peace & Public Order.” This is delivered to officers during their foundation training. There is no continuation training which also relates to this stated case.

Q3 - Since inception in 2012 how many persons have been charged by the Metropolitan Police with an offence under section 144 of the Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of offenders Act?

Please find attached to this email, a spreadsheets in which the requested information has been provided.

IMPORTANT:
• Please ensure that the note section within the spreadsheet is read in conjunction with the data in this report to ensure that it is interpreted correctly.