Information on Met Operations 8

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.22.025205

I note you seek access to the following information:

What is Met Operations 8 - what additional training do they have from frontline policing, what additional responsibilities are they tasked with and what vehicles do they use (make, model, liveried, covert, number plates, ANPR equipped, matrix board equipped and roof number).

What 'subdivisions' or specialist units are apart of Met Operations 8 - within these subdivisions what is the names of them, what are there objectives, what additional training to they receive, officers who are employ within these specialist units, what are their day to day duties and responsibilities. Within these specialist units I am also looking for a fleet list including make and model, liveried or covert, ANPR or matrix board equipped and roof number.

I am also looking for a callsign list for all callsigns across met Operations 8 including regular patrol callsigns, specialist units callsigns and any supervision callsigns.

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(1)(a)(b) - Law Enforcement.

Reason for decision

Law Enforcement - In deliberating whether or not this information should be disclosed, I have considered the potential harm that could be caused by disclosure.

Call signs are assigned to specific units, vehicles or officers. Call signs are used to contact these specific units, vehicles or officers so that they can be directed to incidents. As such, the use of call signs will identify where those units, vehicles or officers are at a specific time.

The MPS is charged with enforcing the law and preventing and detecting crime. Any information released under the Act which provides an indication of the makes and models commonly used as unmarked vehicles for covert operations would therefore be likely to hinder our ability to prevent and detect crime and apprehend offenders.

To release call signs and specifics with regards to vehicles used would reveal tactical capability, as outlined above. These tactical capabilities could be negatively used, should those with negative intentions be used to gain access to a police radio, to disrupt local policing, avoid detection and negatively affect the MPS law enforcement function.

In addition to this if this information were released into the public domain there could potentially be substantial harm to the Police Service, as it could inhibit its ability to fulfil its core functions. The release of this information would furnish individuals or groups having the necessary intent to disrupt police activity with the necessary information to effectively do just that, thereby hindering future operational activity.

Any release of information that would be likely to prejudice a police services' ability to prevent and/or detect crime could only be viewed as being harmful to members of the public.

To disclose information on call signs and specifics on all vehicle details would reveal tactical 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 crimes. The infiltration of police communication/intelligence systems would disrupt the deployment of units and officers to any crime which, in turn, would enable offenders to destroy evidence and evade apprehension.

As crime prevention/detection is in the 'public's interest', any release of information which would be likely to prejudice our ability to prevent and/or detect crime could only be viewed as being harmful to the public interest.

Disclosure

MO8 Roads & Transport Policing Command (RTPC) is jointly funded by Transport for London (TfL) and the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), and is the largest policing command in the UK, with over 2,000 uniformed officers. The RTPC’s focus is to deny criminals use of the roads and surface transport network and reduce serious injury and road deaths within London.

The RTPC works towards the Majors Vision Zero action plan to eliminate all road deaths and serious injuries on London’s roads by 2041. The Vision Zero commitments ensure an increase in road danger reduction activity by intensifying police focus on the most dangerous drivers and amplifying the deterrent effect at identified high risk locations, through widespread high-visibility roadside operations. The RTPC primarily focuses on the biggest causes of death and serious injuries on the road, which are Speed, Seatbelt, Mobile phone, No Insurance and Drink/Drug driving. These are known as the fatal 5 offences. In addition, the MPS are working with TfL to increase the levels of safety camera enforcement and has recently purchased additional speed-detection equipment to support this. The RTPC also supports and advices Borough Policing Units and other specialist Operation Command Units, with their unique skills and training.

MO8 Roads & Transport Policing Command use a variety of vehicles that include Traffic Cars, Response Cars, Minibuses, Large Minibuses, Covert cars, and motorcycles.

MO8 Roads & Transport Policing Command consists of a number of units/teams, which has been listed below with a brief description and detail of each. Officers working within these units have a range and varied qualifications, having completed various training courses during their service (internally and externally).

Safer Transport Teams - Responsible for keeping Londoners safe across the bus network and at transport hubs. They are in the front line tackling knife crime and violence every day, routinely arresting violent offenders, seizing weapons, drugs, and of course their vehicles. They proactively patrol the bus network providing a visible presence and respond to emergency calls & calls for help. They also work towards reducing road casualties by conducting regular operations to reduce road danger and restrict the use of the road for criminals through targeted operations. Training includes response driving.

Roads Policing Team - Officers work shifts, 24/7 365 days of the year policing London’s road network. They respond to serious and fatal collisions, incidents on fast roads, and assist Borough Command Units (BCUs) and specialist teams with technical or specialist skills, advice or equipment. They work towards reducing road casualties by enforcing road traffic legislation. Training includes fast roads training, traffic induction course, towing, speed detection, drug impairment detection, vehicle examination, response motorcycle course, advanced driving course, Tactical Pursuit and Containment Tactics, escort techniques, tachograph examination & collision scene examination.

Commercial Vehicle Unit - The CVU concentrate their patrols in collision hotspots and use various tactics to detect and enforce offences causing danger to other road users. They also police at pre planned stop sites removing the most dangerous vehicles from the road. They also conduct operations with Counter Terrorism (CT) Command to capture high risk individuals travelling to and from the UK. They also provide Pan London response to serious and fatal collisions involving large vehicles, and attend all bridge strikes. Training includes tachograph examination, vehicle examination, response driving, drug impairment, heavy vehicle vocational driving & HAZMAT training.

Tasking Teams - Provide support to other teams as well as pre planned operations to execute warrants, or support in the form of level 2 public order requirements. They support Op Vision Zero by targeting high harm offenders, and denying the criminals use of the road. Training includes public order training, method of entry, rapid entry training, response driving & surveillance.

Road Crime Team - A taskable proactive team with a Pan-London focus on targeting high risk offenders and reducing road casualties. Training includes response & advanced driving, drug impairment, Tactical Pursuit and Containment & motorcycle response.

Taxi & Private Hire Team - Primary purpose is to prevent and tackle cab-related sexual offences, and crackdown on illegal cab activity. Training includes response driving.

Motor Cycle Safety Team - The team deliver Bikesafe courses which is a TfL funded initiative in partnership with the Metropolitan Police to reduce the disproportionate number of serious and fatal collisions involving powered two wheelers. They also work towards reducing road casualties with a focus on power two wheel vehicles. Training includes response driving & response motorcycle and advanced motorcycle courses.

Cycle Safety Team - Educate the public on cycle safety as well as enforcing offences such as close-passing against dangerous drivers with their headcams. They also work towards reducing road casualties with a focus on the cycle safety. Training includes cycle training.

Serious Collision Investigation Unit - Investigate the most serious collisions, which result in either life changing injuries or fatalities. Training includes PIP, Detective, Family Liaison Officers, Achieving Best Evidence (ABE), CCTV and Advance Exhibits Trained.

Forensic Collision Investigation Unit - Respond Pan London to all fatal collisions. They gather the physical evidence at the scene and produce detailed reports reconstructing the circumstances leading to the collision. They are regarded as expert witnesses. Training includes response & advanced driving, response motorcycle course, C/E/CE driving licence, vehicle examination, scene examination & degree level qualification in collision investigation.

CID, Reactive CID and Desktop Investigations - Investigate crimes including serious and complex crimes occurring on the bus network, taxi & private hire related crime, and linked series sexual offences, robbery and organised theft person. Training includes PIP, Detective, Family Liaison Officers, Achieving Best Evidence (ABE), CCTV and Advance Exhibits Trained.