Access to MPS buildings

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.22.027816

I note you seek access to the following information:

Q1: Who, specifically, is allowed inside of Met Police building (including at what times)?

Q2: Are Met Police officers and staff able to enter non-MPS police building i.e. (City Police or BTP)?

Q3: Are Police officers allowed to bring their friends/ family into Police stations (with or without red lanyards)?

Q4: What legal power do you use to remove a member of the public from a Police station?

Decision

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

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

Q1 - Who, specifically, is allowed inside of Met Police building (including at what times)?

(1) Persons authorised by the Met in respect of conducting Met business and operations and (2) where a public access point (for example a 24/7 Front Counter) is located at a site, members of the public. The public are restricted to the designated public areas unless invited into the site, by appointment, where they will be escorted by a police officer. Operational policing is conducted around the clock. Public access point opening times vary, depending on location and site type.

Q2 - Are Met Police officers and staff able to enter non-MPS police building i.e. (City Police or BTP)?

No Information Held
This question should be addressed to the organisations in question, as their arrangements may differ.

Q3 - Are Police officers allowed to bring their friends/ family into Police stations (with or without red lanyards)?

Family and friends of officers are not permitted to access police stations (or the wider estate), except where invited as part of the official business of the Met, for example Passing Out parades and commendation ceremonies.

Q4 - What legal power do you use to remove a member of the public from a Police station?

Police officers/staff can rescind the right to be in the police building, even public areas and can then ask the person to leave as the occupier or an agent acting on behalf of the occupier. If they refuse to leave then they can be removed from premises by that member of staff, officer or security guard using reasonable and necessary force under common law.

In addition, there is also the offence of aggravated trespass under s68 of The Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994. Basically, if a person does an act whilst trespassing with the intention of intimidating, obstructing or disrupting the lawful activity of others it then becomes a criminal offence.