Purchases of tomahawks by or for MO19

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.23.029411

I note you seek access to the following information:
Please disclose all purchase orders or equivalent for tomahawk axes purchased by or for MO19 in the last 5 years.

If relying on security or policing exceptions, please give examples of a tomahawk being an appropriate and legitimate tool for police officers in London to be using.

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 40(2) and 40(3A) - Personal Information

Reason for decision

I have decided to disclose the information requested subject to the redaction of Personal information pursuant to the provisions of Section 40(2) and 40(3A) - Personal Information of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 ('the Act').

Disclosure

Please find below a redacted version of the requested information.

As the public would expect the Met is carefully considering the findings of Baroness Casey’s review of the Met’s culture and standards. This includes the detailed findings that Baroness Casey has made regarding the Met’s firearms commands including MO19. This includes considering any potential misconduct matters and wider non-misconduct related learning that the Met needs to consider and implement.

In relation to your request, the Met have no record of orders for any tomahawk axes by or for MO19. However, it is believed that the reference within Baroness Casey’s report relates to the purchase of 120 MFE-01 Incident Response Tool’s by MO19 in October 2020. These are an emergency rescue tool originally developed for the Australia Defence Force. The tool’s primary function is that of a lever or pry tool. These were ordered with the intention of establishing whether they could enhance our officers’ capability and safety when deployed within a building or premises. The Met is currently considering further evaluation of the tool for operational use. At this time none of the tools are deployed operationally and this will remain the case until further evaluation is complete.

The Met’s initial response to Baroness Casey’s report is available on the Met’s website.