Information about A20 speed camera’s, signage, speeding incidents & accidents

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.24.035683

I note you seek access to the following information:

Location: A20 Eastbound, West of Sandy Lane to East of Cookham Road (48114821)

1. When exactly were the current speed cameras introduced;
2. What signage (with dates) has been put up since a decision was taken to reduce the speed limit to 40mph
3. How many alleged speeding incidents have been logged in each week since the speed limit was reduced to 40
4. What accidents/incidents have occurred on the A20 involving flooding/water in 2023 - eg on the slip road to the BP garage

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 31 (1)(a)(b) – Law Enforcement.

Reason for decision

For question three above, you are asking for information in relation to how many speeding incidents have been logged each week since the speed limit was reduced to 40mph on the A20 Eastbound, West of Sandy Lane to Cookham Road, however, this information is exempt.

To provide the number of speeding incidents logged in relation to a specific speed camera, would cause operation harm to the MPS.

Section 31(1)(a)(b) - Law Enforcement - Information released under the Freedom of Information Act is released into the public domain, and not just to the individual requesting the information. While some individual requests for site specific safety-camera data may pose no threat to the prevention or detection of crime or to public safety, it is possible that subsequent requests of a similar nature could enable camera deployment and enforcement patterns to be plotted.

In these circumstances the information requested would, enable individuals to draw conclusions about the likelihood of being caught on camera at specific locations. If numbers of offence detection were released, it may enable the public to predict likely camera deployment patterns. This could potentially lead to individuals making decisions about where it is and is not “safe” to speed or jump the lights.

In addition, there is documented evidence that the release of information relating to safety cameras which generate the most offences has resulted in those camera sites being subject to criminal damage.

To disclose information in relation to speeding incidents logged would therefore reveal tactical capability and would place the MPS at a tactical disadvantage. The MPS has a duty to protect the public from harm and that duty of care to all involved must be the overriding consideration. It cannot be in the public interest to disclose information which would undermine our ability to detect crime and bring offenders to justice. Specific information would reveal resource information and intelligence that would be extremely valuable to those wishing to carry out such infractions.

As detailed within the 'harm', the disclosure of any information that provides information in relation to the deployment and use of police resources would be a valuable asset to individuals and/or organisations wishing to commit crimes. In addition, more crimes would be committed which would place the safety of the general public at risk.

Whilst there is public interest in the transparency of policing resources and providing reassurance that the MPS is appropriately and effectively ensuring that their resources are used effectively and appropriately, there is also a strong public interest in knowing that policing activity with regard to the delivery of law enforcement is operationally effective.

Public safety is of paramount importance and any information which would undermine policing tactics and consequently place individuals at risk is not in the public interest. The effective delivery of operational law enforcement is crucial and of paramount importance to the MPS.

Disclosure of information that would undermine the operational integrity of effective law enforcement and will undoubtedly adversely affect public safety as more crimes would be committed.

We are therefore unable to disclose the speeding incidents data by the location requested, as we believe that there is a stronger public interest in ensuring that the overall effectiveness of speed cameras is not undermined or compromised.

Disclosure

1. When exactly were the current speed cameras introduced;

The new 40 mph speed limit came into force on 18 October 2023.

2. What signage (with dates) has been put up since a decision was taken to reduce the speed limit to 40mph

Please contact Transport for London (TfL) as they are responsible for the signage on road.

4. What accidents/incidents have occurred on the A20 involving flooding/water in 2023 - eg on the slip road to the BP garage

The MPS can confirm, for the 2023 period in question, the MPS recorded four accidents on the A20 but only one occurred on the BP Garage Forecourt, near junction with A20 Swanley By Pass. No flooding/water was recorded to be a contributory factor.