Issue of NIPS on the Eastbound A20 from December 2023 to March 2024
Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.24.037827
I note you seek access to the following information:
- From December 2023 to the end of March 2024 how many NIPS have been issued by the Camera Processing Services for offences on the A20 between Eastbound, West of Sandy Lane to East of Cookham Rd,
- How much money has been raised from the cameras at the above location during the dates above.
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
Awareness of the cameras could assist individuals in gaining an understanding of road safety in areas where cameras are deployed. This would help them gain awareness regarding road safety issues.
The release of this information would provide an insight into how and when the police use their resources, which would reveal an understanding of the tactical capabilities and effectiveness of the police. There is a public interest in the community being made aware of all the facts relating to policing, in order to ensure complete openness and transparency and for the avoidance of speculation and rumour.
Harm to road safety - There are a number of factors which effect the ability of the MPS to prevent and detect crime. One of which centres on public trust. It could be argued that by providing you with the recorded speed or NIP’s issued due to excessive speeding on this section of road would contribute to a ‘mosaic effect’ of information being in the public domain that represents a harm to road safety. You may ask how?
- 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 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.
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 such information 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.
Disclosure
Q2 - How much money has been raised from the cameras at the above location during the dates above.
With regard to the second part of your request on how much money has been raised from the cameras at the above location, we wouldn’t know as a number of the cases would have been referred through the judicial system (courts) and we would therefore be unaware of court outcomes to assist us in knowing the exact monetary value. Further, all monies collected from fines are paid to His Majesty’s Treasurer Department and you will need to contact them direct for this part of your request (link provided below).