Wayne Couzens attempt to wipe data from his phone

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.24.035329

I note you seek access to the following information:

From the Independent (9 July 2021):

Couzens tried to wipe data from his mobile phone around 40 minutes before he was arrested, but cell site data still linked him to the place she disappeared and the area where her body was found.

(Link Deleted)

1. Did you investigate the timing of Couzens' attempt to wipe data from his mobile phone?
2. Please provide brief details of the outcome of your investigation and/or public statements you have made regarding the matter.

Decision

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

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

Q1 - Did you investigate the timing of Couzens' attempt to wipe data from his mobile phone?

Yes.

Q2 - Please provide brief details of the outcome of your investigation and/or public statements you have made regarding the matter.

The MPS has provided the statement below to the media.

Once Couzens was identified as a suspect a fast-time arrest was made within a matter of hours, with a strictly limited number of officers being made aware of his identity. There is no evidence to suggest a member of the MPS was involved in his actions regarding his phone.

DUTY TO ADVISE AND ASSIST
Under Section 16 of the Act, there is a duty to advise and assist those that have made, or intend to make, a request for information. In accordance with this duty, I can confirm that the Angiolini Inquiry was established to investigate how an off-duty police officer was able to abduct, rape and murder a member of the public. The findings and recommendations of this investigation have been published. I have provided a link to this report below.

The Angiolini Inquiry Website - Part 1 Report

Additionally, the MPS publishes information about various types of crime on its website. I have provided a link to this information below.

MPS Website: Stats and Data

The MPS also publishes all disclosures made in response to requests made under the Act on its website. I have provided a link to this information below.

MPS Publication Scheme

The MPS Publication Scheme can be searched using keywords. This website may accordingly hold information that is of interest to you.