Speed cameras in the congestion charge zone in Central London from June 2022 to June 2023

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.23.033695

I note you seek access to the following information:

Data on the increase number of speed cameras in central London (Congestion charge zone in Central London) from June 2022 to June 2023.

1. How many was there in this area in June 2022 and how many are there in June 2023?

2. Data on the number of people who have received a speeding ticket between June 2022 and June 2023 in this same area (congestion charge zone in Central London)?

3. Data on the number of car accidents/road collisions and what type of collisions that have taken place in this same area (congestion charge zone in Central London) between June 2022 and June 2023?

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
Section 21 - Information reasonably accessible by other means

Reason for decision

Section 21 - information requested has been identified as being accessible via other means - Where information is already in the public domain we are not required to re-publish the data; instead public authorities are required to direct you to the information, which we have done in this instance.

Section 31(1)(a)(b) - Law Enforcement - In deliberating whether or not this information should be disclosed, I have considered the potential harm that could be caused by disclosure.

The Mosaic effect
The Mosaic Effect: FOIA disclosures are placed into the public domain. Disclosures which appear harmless, pieced together with other disclosures can be used in a ‘mosaic effect’ to give a fuller picture to those wishing to disrupt operational policing challenges in London. This ‘cumulative prejudice’ or the ‘mosaic effect’ whereby the information requested may be of increased significance when combined with other information obtained through other means and/or at a later date. Combining the items illuminates their interrelationships and breeds analytic synergies, so that the resulting mosaic of information is worth more than the sum of its parts.

The information would provide a national picture of where work is being undertaken, creating a mosaic effect on data disclosure and allowing criminals to map together information to target identified weaknesses. This would clearly hinder the Met’s effectiveness to enforce the law and place risk on public safety.

To provide the number of people who have received a speeding ticket in the congestion charge zone in Central London, would cause operational harm to the MPS. It would also affect our ability to fulfil our core function of law enforcement and place the MPS at a tactical disadvantage, revealing capability in a way which is likely to be beneficial to criminals as the information could assist in avoiding detection and prosecution.

To provide NIPs data is likely to cause harm as the cameras could be targeted by vandals. In addition it can reveal an enforcement pattern that could undermine our operational effectiveness.

In order to counter criminal behaviour it is vital that the police have the ability to operate effectively and where necessary covertly, to assist in the investigative process to ensure the successful arrest and prosecution of offenders who commit or plan to commit crime.

The prevention and detection of crime is the foundation upon which policing is built and the police have a clear responsibility to prevent crime, arrest those responsible for committing crime or those that plan to commit crime.

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 using the ‘Mosaic effect’ as described above.

In these circumstances the information requested would, with other information already in the public domain, 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 NIPs issued 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 NIP 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.

With regards to Q2, your request is asking for information relating to an area which is relatively small. To disclose the number of people who have received a speeding ticket (NIP – Notices of Impending Prosecution) between June 2022 and June 2023 in this same area would likely cause operational harm to the MPS.

I have also applied S21 to Q3.
Q3. Data on the number of car accidents/road collisions and what type of collisions that have taken place in this same area (congestion charge zone in Central London) between June 2022 and June 2023?

Please refer to KSI Data (Killed or Seriously Injured) on Transport for London (TfL) website.
Transport for London - Road Safety

Disclosure

Q1. How many was there in this area in June 2022 and how many are there in June 2023?

We confirm that there are 17 speed cameras in Central London (Congestion Charge zone) from 2022 to 2023. The number hasn’t changed in that time period.