Operation Safeguard

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.23.030760

I note you seek access to the following information:

1 Frequency of cell use
1a The number of occasions on which the force’s cells have been used to house prisoners under the terms of Operation Safeguard in the following time periods:
i. the calendar year 2022;
ii. the period from 1st January 2023 to 6th March 2023;
iii. the period from 6th March 2023 to present.
In the event data is not available for periods (b) or (c), please provide the number for the most recent available time period, and specify the dates covered.

1b If held, please list the occasions on which cells were used by Operation Safeguard in the periods specified in i, ii and iii, including the name of the custody location and the date(s) on which the cells were used.

2 Number of cells
Please confirm the number of cells requested by the Ministry of Justice / HMPPS under Operation Safeguard in 2023.

3 Costs of Operation Safeguard
3a Please confirm whether any costs have been incurred by the force as a result of cells being used during Operation Safeguard in 2022 or 2023.

3b In the event costs have been incurred, please confirm whether the force is recapturing costs from HMPPS or the MOJ.

3c If the answer to 3a or 3b is yes, please provide the total figure for:
i) costs incurred
ii) reimbursement requested from the MOJ
iii) costs recaptured.

Decision

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

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

With regards to question 3c(i) -

If the answer to 3a or 3b is yes, please provide the total figure for:
i) costs incurred

The MPS do not currently hold the complete data as costs are still being processed.

DUTY TO ADVISE AND ASSIST -
Under Section 16 of the Act, there is a duty to advise and assist those making requests for information. In accordance with this duty, you may wish to resubmit a request for Q3(i) costs incurred - around October 2023.

Q1 Frequency of cell use:
1a The number of occasions on which the force’s cells have been used to house prisoners under the terms of Operation Safeguard in the following time periods:
i. the calendar year 2022; Answer - Zero
ii. the period from 1st January 2023 to 6th March 2023; Answer - Zero
iii. the period from 6th March 2023 to present. Answer - Zero
In the event data is not available for periods (b) or (c), please provide the number for the most recent available time period, and specify the dates covered.
1b If held, please list the occasions on which cells were used by Operation Safeguard in the periods specified in i, ii and iii, including the name of the custody location and the date(s) on which the cells were used.

Q2 Number of cells:
Please confirm the number of cells requested by the Ministry of Justice / HMPPS under Operation Safeguard in 2023 – Answer - Thirty cells reserved – Zero used

Q3 Costs of Operation Safeguard:
3a please confirm whether any costs have been incurred by the force as a result of cells being used during Operation Safeguard in 2022 or 2023. – Answer - Yes
3b In the event costs have been incurred, please confirm whether the force is recapturing costs from HMPPS or the MOJ. – Answer - Yes
3c If the answer to 3a or 3b is yes, please provide the total figure for:
i) costs incurred – Answer - No Complete Information Held at this stage
ii) reimbursement requested from the MOJ – Answer - Yes
iii) costs recaptured. – Answer - Yes