Project Alpha

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.24.036454

I note you seek access to the following information:

1. What is the core operational business of project alpha.
2. How many Police staff are assigned to project alpha.
3. How many Police forces are linked to project alpha.
4. Do project alpha officers give evidence in criminal trials and do they analyse lyrics to do this? if so, what content analysis method is used.
5. How is/has the Home Office funding been allocated and used within the project.
6. How has the home office funding been spent per operational year between 2019 - 2023.
7. How is the home office funding shared between constabularies or is it predominantly used by the MET as a central operations channel.
8. In an equality impact assessment (updated January 2022) you state, The MPS recognises that many within the black community believe the police view certain music styles, particularly ‘drill’ music, as criminal in nature. The MPS does not take this position and has produced guidance and training to staff on social media and drill music videos that explicitly makes this clear. The guidance sets out clear criteria for what may support evidence of gang membership within social media.

We understand that the training matrix cannot be disclosed, but would it be possible to see a copy of the guidance mentioned.

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full. Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

Q1 - What is the core operational business of project alpha.

The primary objective of Project Alpha is to enhance the capabilities of the MPS in addressing serious youth violence & County Lines offending through the strategic use of social media. Project Alpha provides specialist support and expertise in social media and online platforms to operational teams for the investigation of criminal offences. This support may include recording criminal intelligence on activity observed online, reviewing online content and identifying material breaching a platform's community guidelines. The majority of work conducted by Project Alpha is directly linked to ongoing criminal investigations.

Q2 - How many Police staff are assigned to project alpha.

There are currently 42 posts for police officers and staff on Project Alpha, actual numbers in post fluctuate.

Q3 - How many Police forces are linked to project alpha

Project Alpha is a Home Office funded, MPS hosted initiative.

Q4 - Do project alpha officers give evidence in criminal trials and do they analyse lyrics to do this? if so, what content analysis method is used.

As with all police officers, officers working within Project Alpha will provide evidence in criminal trials as required. The nature of evidence provided will vary depending on their knowledge, skills and the specifics of the investigation. Project Alpha does not provide evidential material in relation to the analysis of lyrics or musical content.

Q5 - How is/has the Home Office funding been allocated and used within the project.

The Home Office funding has been used to pay for costs, overtime, equipment, training and other operational expenses.

Q6 - How has the home office funding been spent per operational year between 2019 - 2023.
Q7 - How is the home office funding shared between constabularies or is it predominantly used by the MET as a central operations channel.

The MPS do not hold this information. Please send an FOI request to the Home Office at the below link as they may be able to answer this request: Home Office | Home page

Q8 - In an equality impact assessment (updated January 2022) you state, The MPS recognises that many within the black community believe the police view certain music styles, particularly ‘drill’ music, as criminal in nature. The MPS does not take this position and has produced guidance and training to staff on social media and drill music videos that explicitly makes this clear. The guidance sets out clear criteria for what may support evidence of gang membership within social media.

We understand that the training matrix cannot be disclosed, but would it be possible to see a copy of the guidance mentioned.

If this question relates to the Gang Violence Matrix (GVM) this and all guidance has now been discontinued, please see the link below:

MPS | Gang Violence Matrix