MPS vehicles damaged/written off since 2017

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.22.026178

I note you seek access to the following information:

1. The VRM of MPS vehicles written-off / damaged such that they were considered salvage

2. This and question 2 would take approximately 4 hours to complete as the information is not readily available on an easy to search data base the date of loss – See response to Q1.

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) – Law Enforcement

Reason for decision

The MPS is pro-active in publishing Vehicle Fleet lists with the first half of the VRM, where we are able to do so. However, we will not provide details of full VRNs. This is because decommissioned police vehicles are sold at public auction and will re-appear in domestic use, usually driven by members of the public.

Once released and in the public domain, these lists of VRNs are accessible by criminals, such as organised crime gangs and, even if out of date, it may potentially expose unaware members of the public to direct challenge and/or risk of harm. This could negatively impact on public safety and undermine the policing purpose. For this reason we have utilised Section 31 Exemption.

Section 31(1)(a) – Law Enforcement - A Freedom of Information Act request is not a private transaction. Both the request itself and any information disclosed, are considered suitable for open publication. This is because under the Act, any information disclosed is released into the public domain, effectively to the world, not just to an individual. The prevention and detection of crime is a core function of the MPS and whilst not questioning the motives of any applicant, providing the information requested would undermine the work of the MPS and enable those with criminal intent to interfere in the MPS’ safeguarding of the capital and the people that we serve.

As explained above, once this information is released into the public domain, it could be utilised by those with criminal intent to potentially expose unaware members of the public to direct challenge and/or risk of harm which would negatively impact upon public safety and undermine the policing purpose.

The MPS has a duty to deliver effective law enforcement ensuring that the prevention and detection of crime, apprehension or prosecution of offenders and administration of justice is carried out appropriately.

As stated previously, a release of information under the Freedom of Information Act is not a private transaction, it is a release to the public and details could therefore be used to the advantage of those seeking to engage in, or already engaged in criminal or terrorist activity. To provide the details requested would undermine the work of the MPS and provide intelligence to those with criminal intent.

The MPS is charged with enforcing the law, preventing and detecting crime and protecting the communities which we serve and as much as there is public interest in the transparency of policing functions, there is also a strong public interest in safeguarding the integrity of the MPS.

To release all of the information requested could place the community at increased unnecessary risk of harm which will impact upon police resources. This is especially the case if additional tactics and resources need to be put in place to counter harm caused by an adverse FOIA request regarding police vehicles. This cannot be in the public interest.

As articulated above, if this list of VRNs is released into the public domain, it would then be accessible to criminals, such as organised crime gangs and, even if out of date, it may potentially expose unaware members of the public to direct challenge and/or risk of harm. This could negatively impact on public safety and undermine the policing purpose and this cannot be in the public interest.

Disclosure

DUTY TO ADVISE & ASSIST
Under Section 16 of the Act, there is a duty to advise and assist applicants in making requests for information and, as a gesture of goodwill, I am pleased to provide the attached list which contains partial VRNs.