Academic research on police wellbeing
Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.23.031645
I note you seek access to the following information:
I am working with some colleagues and the Police Federation on a project that’s looking into the effects of the loss of canteens and other shared spaces on police wellbeing. We want to try to get a sense of what the current provision is nationally, and if at all possible, how that’s changed over the last 10-15 years.
However, I’m conscious that this might be a very large request to make of bigger forces, especially a force like the Met, and I was wondering if you might be able to advise on how I could shape such a request so that it would be feasible for you and other forces to answer.
I’d be grateful for any advice. I've listed my draft questions below; the earlier questions are probably more important to the research than the later ones if that's helpful at all.
1. How many stations or bases are there within the force's estate?
2. How many stations or bases have been closed since 2010?
3. Does the force currently operate any canteens or other provision for hot food at any of its sites?
4. Have any canteens or other provision for hot food been closed or otherwise discontinued since 2010? When did this take place?
5. How many vending machines for food and drink does the force operate, and at which sites?
6. How many dedicated rest/break spaces with seating areas are there within the police estate, and at which sites?
7. How many kitchen areas are there within the police estate, and at which sites?
8. Are there any bases or sites without provision for hot food, vending machines, or kitchen areas?
Clarification received 08/08/2023:
• Are you referring to a full kitchen where hot or cold food can be prepared before being offered to employees?
• Are you referring to kitchenettes / tea points where employees can make hot drinks and microwave food?
I'm referring to the second: kitchenettes and tea points.
Decision
I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.
Please find below information pursuant to your request above.
Q1 - How many stations or bases are there within the force's estate?
Please the attached spreadsheet that lists the current MPS estate. With specific reference to publically accessible Police Stations (defined as an operational building with a front counter), there are 36 Front Counters that are publically accessible across the MPS area.
Q2 - How many stations or bases have been closed since 2010?
Please see the attached spreadsheet listing Disposals. With specific reference to publically accessible Police Stations, at the end of 2010 there were 142 front counters open, there has been a net closure of 106 Front counters since 2010.
Q3 - Does the force currently operate any canteens or other provision for hot food at any of its sites?
Yes, there are four catered sites (café spaces) across the MPS estate and 11 micro-markets installed which have a self-service hot food provision.
Q4 - Have any canteens or other provision for hot food been closed or otherwise discontinued since 2010? When did this take place?
Unfortunately we do not hold data going back to 2010 to answer this question. At present we have four catered sites at ESB, Hendon, NSY and Lambeth, we also have 11 (soon to be 23) micro-markets that have some hot options, and we have operational sites like Gravesend that serve hot food. Provision exists across the MPS estate based on operational needs.
Q5 - How many vending machines for food and drink does the force operate, and at which sites?
There are 62 across Hendon, Cobalt Square, Lambeth, Marlowe House, Barking, Belvedere, Greenwich, Romford, Catford, Chadwell Garage and Croydon.
Q6 - How many dedicated rest/break spaces with seating areas are there within the police estate, and at which sites?
Areas such as rest or break spaces have not been categorised using this terminology. There are however 177 refreshment areas currently recorded on the plans that have been mapped so far. Seating areas are not specifically recorded, however refreshment areas would typically have enough area for some form of seating. We are unable to confirm which sites do not have these facilities as this level of detail is not recorded for all buildings.
The sites that have been mapped are contained within this list as at our response re Q1, however as information is not recorded for all sites we cannot confirm definitively which sites do not contain either refreshment areas, kitchenettes or night kitchens.”
Q7 - How many kitchen areas are there within the police estate, and at which sites?
There are 365 Kitchenettes and Night Kitchens recorded across the buildings where we have mapped plans, there may be similar facilities in areas that have not yet been mapped. We are unable to confirm which sites do not have these facilities as the information is not recorded for all buildings.
The sites that have been mapped are contained within this list as at our response re Q1, however as information is not recorded for all sites we cannot confirm definitively which sites do not contain either refreshment areas, kitchenettes or night kitchens.”
Q8 - Are there any bases or sites without provision for hot food, vending machines, or kitchen areas?
The sites that have been mapped are contained within this list as at our response re Q1, however as information is not recorded for all sites we cannot confirm definitively which sites do not contain either refreshment areas, kitchenettes or night kitchens.”