Specialist vans used by the MPS

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.23.034196

I note you seek access to the following information:

1) Do you have any working at height vans and are they also used for protester removal. If you do what make do you use?

Do you also have any specialist search vans and what make are they?

When I said protester removal I meant if there is a unit in the Met Police which deals with removing protesters like for example just stop oil, if they come and remove them from the road and unstick their hands. If that is the case i was also asking what kind of vehicle they use to transport them and their equipment.

When I also said work at heights I meant if there is any sort of unit in the Met Police that deals with policing at heights where they have a harness and ropes to get to high places. If they do I was also wondering what kind of vehicle they use to transport them and their equipment. I hope this can clarify what I meant

When I use the term specialist search team I am referring to a search team that will search woodland, urban areas and premises for body recovery, weapons or forensic evidence. Is there a specialist kit and vehicle used in this?

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) - Law Enforcement

Reason for decision

Section 31(1)(a) - Law Enforcement - any information is exempt if its disclosure under the Act would, or would be likely to, prejudice the prevention or detection of crime.

I have claimed this exemption in that the release of information pertaining to the specialist search vans and the specialist kits will provide those with negative intentions with an awareness of our resources and capabilities. This would indicate where we can search and the equipment we have to do this. This information can be used by person’s intent on disrupting the work of the MPS, with information that would assist them in this endeavour.

In deliberating whether or not this information should be disclosed, I have considered the potential harm that could be caused by disclosure. Information pertaining to the specialist search vans and the specialist kits are assigned to specific units to conduct relevant searches in relation to specific incidents. As such, the release of information surrounding specialist search vans and the specialist kits will identify our resources and tactical capabilities. It will indicate the equipment we have to conduct those searches. This may then be used by those with negative intention to evade detection and ultimately disrupt policing, assist people to avoid detection and negatively affect the MPS law enforcement function.

Disruption to the Work of MPS Officers and Harm to the public - The release of information pertaining to the specialist search vans would be a valuable asset to individuals and/or organisations wishing to commit crimes. In this regard, a person with this intent would be likely to use this information to possibly disrupt the peace at the detriment of the MPS Law Enforcement functions thereby placing 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.

I consider that the benefit that would result from the information being disclosed does not outweigh the considerations favouring non-disclosure.

Disclosure

Q1 - Do you have any working at hight vans and are they also used for protester removal. If you do what make do you use?

The MPS has vehicles dedicated to Working at Height / Protestor removal. These being the Ford Transit Jumbo panel van, A JCB 540-14 and Mercedes Unimog U218 Cherry Picker.

Q2 - Do you also have any specialist search vans and what make are they?

We have a unit which uses specialist vans and equipment. However this information is exempt under S.31 of the Freedom of Information Act governing Law Enforcement.

This would not be suitable for disclosure because this information can be used by those with negative intentions to gain intelligence of our resources and capabilities. This will be used negatively to hinder our Law Enforcement functions.