Information about the speed limit/camera and incidents on the A20

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.24.035654

I note you seek access to the following information:

A20 – Eastbound.
1. When exactly were the current speed cameras introduced;
2. What signage (with dates) has been put up since a decision was taken to reduce the speed limit to 40mph
3. How many alleged speeding incidents have been logged in each week of January 2024;
4. How do the number of recorded incidents in January 2024 compare with the incidents logged in January 2023, and logged in the last full month before the speed limit was reduced to 40
5. What accidents/incidents have occurred on the A20 involving flooding/water in 2023 -eg on the slip road to the BP garage

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

The MPS is able to disclose the answer to Questions One (1) and Five (5).

The MPS does not hold the requested information for Question Two (2).

The MPS is required to refuse disclosure of information held for Question Three (3) and Four (4) by virtue of the following exemptions;

Section 31(1)(a)(b) - Law Enforcement - 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.

In these circumstances the information requested would, 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 and the community at a tactical disadvantage. The MPS and law enforcement community 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.

Disclosure

Q1 - A20 -Eastbound. When exactly were the current speed cameras introduced;

The new 40 mph speed limit came into force on 18 October 2023

Q2 - What signage (with dates) has been put up since a decision was taken to reduce the speed limit to 40mph

Signage is a TfL responsibility. We are aware of signage issues but not the exact dates they were installed.

Please refer directly to Transport for London (TfL) for recorded information they may hold that answers this request, should you wish to do so;

[email protected]
Freedom of Information - Transport for London (tfl.gov.uk)

Q3 - How many alleged speeding incidents have been logged in each week of January 2024;
Q4 - How do the number of recorded incidents in January 2024 compare with the incidents logged in January 2023, and logged in the last full month before the speed limit was reduced to 40

The MPS is not required by statute to release information on camera detections/activations. We have therefore exempted this part of your request under Section 31(1)(a)&(b) of the Act.

To provide the number of violations/detections and Notices of Impending Prosecutions (NIPs) issued by this site specific speed camera, would cause operation harm to the MPS.

Q5 - What accidents/incidents have occurred on the A20 involving flooding/water in 2023 -eg on the slip road to the BP garage

There was a nil return in searches undertaken for this request relating to water or flooding. The return for this request is therefore zero.