Locations of speed cameras

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.22.024233

I note you seek access to the following information:

The location (road name, city/town name) of each speed camera in your area and how many times they have ‘flashed’ or caught someone speeding since the beginning of 2019 (1 January), if possible.

This would ideally cover both fixed and mobile speed cameras in your area.

Decision

I have today decided to disclose some of the requested information. However, some data is not held (how many times the cameras have been activated) and some data (the number of Notices of Intended Prosecution issued) has been withheld as it is exempt from disclosure and therefore this response serves as a partial Refusal Notice under Section 17(1) 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

Section 31(1)(a)(b) – Law Enforcement - Information released under the Freedom of Information Act is released into the public domain, and not just to the individual requesting the information. While some individual requests for site specific safety-camera data may pose no threat to the prevention or detection of crime or to public safety, it is possible that subsequent requests of a similar nature could enable camera deployment and enforcement patterns to be plotted.

In these circumstances the information requested would, with other information already in the public domain, enable individuals to draw conclusions about the likelihood of being caught on camera at specific locations. If numbers of offence detection were released, it may enable the public to predict likely camera deployment patterns. This could potentially lead to individuals making decisions about where it is and is not “safe” to speed or jump the lights.

In addition, there is documented evidence that the release of information relating to safety cameras which generate the most offences has resulted in those camera sites being subject to criminal damage.

To disclose information in relation to NIPs issued would therefore reveal tactical capability and would place the MPS at a tactical disadvantage. The MPS has a duty to protect the public from harm and that duty of care to all involved must be the overriding consideration. It cannot be in the public interest to disclose information which would undermine our ability to detect crime and bring offenders to justice. Specific information would reveal resource information and intelligence that would be extremely valuable to those wishing to carry out such infractions.

As detailed within the 'harm', the disclosure of any information that provides information in relation to the deployment and use of police resources would be a valuable asset to individuals and/or organisations wishing to commit crimes. In addition, more crimes would be committed which would place the safety of the general public at risk.

Whilst there is public interest in the transparency of policing resources and providing reassurance that the MPS is appropriately and effectively ensuring that their resources are used effectively and appropriately, there is also a strong public interest in knowing that policing activity with regard to the delivery of law enforcement is operationally effective.

Public safety is of paramount importance and any information which would undermine policing tactics and consequently place individuals at risk is not in the public interest. The effective delivery of operational law enforcement is crucial and of paramount importance to the MPS. Any disclosure in relation to which cameras were or were not operationally active would have a negative impact on law enforcement and public safety.

Disclosure of information that would undermine the operational integrity of effective law enforcement and will undoubtedly adversely affect public safety as more crimes would be committed.

We are therefore unable to disclose the NIP data to you, as we believe that there is a stronger public interest in ensuring that the overall effectiveness of speed cameras is not undermined or compromised.

In relation to the number of times each camera has ‘flashed’, or the number of activations, this information is not held by the MPS. This is data that is held by the manufacturers of the cameras.

However, the MPS do hold the number of NIPS issued by each camera. Providing this number would reveal which cameras are operational. It is widely known that not all cameras are actively operational at the same time and in previous FOI requests, we have provided the total number of cameras which are operational and the total number which are not. What we protect through exemptions however are the exact locations of operational/non-operational cameras, so as not to highlight exactly which cameras drivers can speed past without fear of detection and prosecution.

If a list of camera locations were to be provided and the number of NIPs issued given for each one, any cameras which showed a “0”, particularly over such a long period of time, would strongly imply that the camera in question was not operational.

Although some of the cameras you have requested information about are mobile, which could account for some of the ‘0’ readings, other information readily available in the public domain from reputable sources does differentiate between which cameras are fixed and which are mobile.

Therefore, where it was established that a camera was fixed, and the number of NIPs issued was zero, this would reveal the camera is switched off, undermining the camera’s use as a deterrent i.e. drivers could establish exactly where they are able to speed without fear of apprehension or prosecution. This would lead to an increase in speeding offences being committed and endanger the safety of road users, thus undermining law enforcement.

Disclosure

Please find the list of speed cameras below.