Information on non-collision related traffic incidents
Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.23.031819
I note you seek access to the following information:
1. Recently the Met police has cut the time to report non-collision related traffic incidents i.e. allegations of traffic offenses supported by evidence (vide from dash cam from 10 to 7 days so a NIP can be issued within the 14 days stipulated under legislation for certain offences).
Why has this been done? Has any analysis been done on Met not reviewing submissions from the public in time and thus reports not been acted on in 2022 and 2023?
2. Also, normally the allegations team sends an email to the witness who reports an incident from "[email protected]" saying the driver details have been requested. Has this practice stopped now or in every case where an action is being taken this email is still being sent? Or sometimes the email to the submitter is not sent despite the policy.
3. Lastly, the Met's policy document says that submitters of reports will be given an update if they ask but limited to basic details. However, the allegations team does not seem to be following this and just replies to say that they cannot give any update due to resourcing issues - what are the plans to address this so that the people submitting reports can get an update?
Policy document from MPS extract:
"Should a submitter make contact with the allegations team requesting an update on proceedings, only the bare minimum details will be given advising them that to do otherwise would be deemed a breach of Data protection regulations"
4. Some other police forces like Extra Eyes in Essex
Safer Essex Roads or West Yorkshire police
West Yorkshire Safer Roads - Op Snap have a website
where the outcome can be seen or publish monthly data in Excel. Is there a plan for the Met to do the same as this will reduce the burden on the Met to respond to update requests if the outcomes are published automatically via a website or Excel every month?
Q5. Is there a plan to update the MPS policy document here:
https://www.met.police.uk/SysSiteAssets/foi-media/metropolitan- police/disclosure_2021/july_2021/alleged-traffic-offences-investigated-served-the-traffic-prosecutions-team2
Please share the most up-to-date document
6. Are there any other plans to change or enhance the allegations (of third party traffic offences) unit in the Met police and related processes and resources?
Decision
I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.
Please find below information pursuant to your request above.
Q1 - Recently the Met police has cut the time to report non-collision related traffic incidents i.e. allegations of traffic offenses supported by evidence (vide from dash cam from 10 to 7 days so a NIP can be issued within the 14 days stipulated under legislation for certain offences).
Why has this been done? Has any analysis been done on Met not reviewing submissions from the public in time and thus reports not been acted on in 2022 and 2023?
The reporting time has been decreased from 10 days to 7 days by Single On Line Home which is a National system that all Forces use. This was to ensure that there is time for a Notice of Intended Prosecution to be received by the offender within the 14 day period to comply with legislation. Analysis is carried out on a regular basis.
Q2 - Also, normally the allegations team sends an email to the witness who reports an incident from [email protected] saying the driver details have been requested. Has this practice stopped now or in every case where an action is being taken this email is still being sent? Or sometimes the email to the submitter is not sent despite the policy.
No, this practice has not stopped, an e-mail is sent in accordance with directions on Single On Line Home.
Q3 - Lastly, the Met's policy document says that submitters of reports will be given an update if they ask but limited to basic details. However, the allegations team does not seem to be following this and just replies to say that they cannot give any update due to resourcing issues - what are the plans to address this so that the people submitting reports can get an update?
Policy document from MPS extract:
"Should a submitter make contact with the allegations team requesting an update on proceedings, only the bare minimum details will be given advising them that to do otherwise would be deemed a breach of Data protection regulations"
Due to the volume of alleged offences submitted and owing to resources issues, a Standard Operating Procedure was created to amend the process that no updates could be supplied.
Q4 - Some other police forces like Extra Eyes in Essex
Safer Essex Roads or West Yorkshire police
West Yorkshire Safer Roads - Op Snap have a website
where the outcome can be seen or publish monthly data in Excel. Is there a plan for the Met to do the same as this will reduce the burden on the Met to respond to update requests if the outcomes are published automatically via a website or Excel every month?
No, there is no plan to introduce this at present.
Q5 - Is there a plan to update the MPS policy document here:
https://www.met.police.uk/SysSiteAssets/foi-media/metropolitan- police/disclosure_2021/july_2021/alleged-traffic-offences-investigated-served-the-traffic-prosecutions-team2
Please share the most up-to-date document
We are unable to access this document and therefore cannot comment.
Q6 - Are there any other plans to change or enhance the allegations (of third party traffic offences) unit in the Met police and related processes and resources?
There have been a number of growth posts in the last 9 months for this team, this is an ongoing process. There has also been a new computer system introduced to aid in streamlining the process.