Copy of DMC Major Incident Plan

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.22.026069

I note you seek access to the following information:

I request that you send me an up-to-date copy of your Directorate of Media and Communications' Major Incident Plan. My enquiries have led me to believe this was released in September 2016 to another requestor but is no longer available on your website.

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)(a)(b) – Law Enforcement
Section 40(2)(3) - Personal information

Reason for decision

The disclosure of some of the information contained within the Major Incident Plan (MIP) would identify the tactics employed by the MPS when managing a major incident.

Whilst it is appreciated the role communications plays at the time of a major incident, to disclose all aspect of DMC’s responsibilities during different types of incidents would allow those with a criminal or terrorist intent the possibility of disrupting police activity. By fully disclosing this document, this could result in those intent on causing harm to frustrate an investigation, through providing misleading information, understanding the processes for managing such an event and being aware of police tactics. This would ultimately compromise law enforcement and hinder the MPS’s ability to apprehend an offender and effectively undertake investigations, which would be detrimental to the force’s role in law enforcement and protecting national security.

Section 24(1) – National Security - A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request is not a private transaction. Both the request itself and any information disclosed, are considered suitable for open publication, and as such is a release to the public at large. Whilst not questioning the motives of the applicant, releasing full details of the MIP would provide valuable intelligence to those with a criminal intent that could undermine the integrity of operational activities. To provide full details of the nature of DMC involvement in the response to major incidents would adversely affect public safety and have a negative impact on national security.

Based on this definition national security encompasses a wide spectrum and it is our duty to protect the people within the UK. Public safety is of paramount importance to the policing purpose and must be taken into account in deciding whether to disclose any requested information.

Modern day policing is intelligence led and the public expect police forces to use all powers and tactics available to them to prevent and detect crime and maintain public security. Therefore, to provide certain elements of the information contained within the MIP would be detrimental to the investigative process following major incidents, including counter-terrorism activity, and therefore negatively impact upon national security.

Disclosure of the full content of the MIP would be detrimental to the management of major incidents and the integrity of the investigative process. Disclosing information which concerns the nature of policing activities and investigations in response to a major incident, including terrorism-related incidents, would render security measures less effective. This would lead to the compromise of ongoing or future operations to protect the security or infrastructure of the UK and increase the risk of harm to the public.

Section 31(1)(a)(b) – Law Enforcement - Release of the withheld material within the MIP would have the effect of compromising law enforcement tactics by disclosing the methods being employed to mitigate the risk of a terrorist or criminal incident, which would clearly hinder the prevention and detection of crime. More crime would be committed and individuals would be placed at risk.

Disclosure would technically be releasing sensitive operational information into the public domain which would enable those with the time, capacity and inclination to try to map strategies used by the MPS and assist them in committing crime or evading capture. In particular, disclosing tactical or strategic details relating to where and whom information flows to and from during a major incident would be of value to those who may seek to disrupt the police response to any such incident.

The MPS is reliant upon the techniques used during investigations and the public release of the modus operandi employed during these would prejudice the ability of the MPS to conduct similar investigations.

Additionally, MPS resources and its ability to operate effectively and efficiently would directly be affected as this information could be manipulated by those with criminal intent to operate in those areas.

The security of the country and the public is of paramount importance and the Police service will not divulge whether information is held if to do so would place the safety of an individual or people at risk or undermine law enforcement or national security. #
Whilst there is a public interest in the transparency of policing operations and providing assurance that the police service is appropriately and effectively engaging with the threat posed by various groups or individuals, there is a very strong public interest in safeguarding the integrity of police investigations and operations in the highly sensitive area of crime and terrorism prevention.

The most persuasive reason for disclosing the information would be transparency surrounding investigations conducted by the MPS and the liaisons which take place during the course of enquiries. This would lead to greater public awareness and increased debate.

However, this needs to be weighed against the strongest negative reasons which, in this case, are the release of information which would compromise and undermine the MPS’s law enforcement capabilities and its ability to prevent and detect crime and apprehend and prosecute offenders.

It is for these reasons I have determined that the balance test favours non-disclosure of some of the requested information.

Disclosure

Please find attached a copy of the redacted Major Incident Plan.