Basic Command Unit (BCU) that each PNC owner relates too

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.24.041369

I note you seek access to the following information:

Having reviewed Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.21.021977 which gave a list of all active PNC owner/creator codes within the Met.

Can you provide inside this format another column that shows the relevant matching Basic Command Unit (BCU) that each PNC owner relates too.

The output to show 3 columns:

PNC ID NUMBER
UNIT NAME
BCU

as an example

01NI
ISLINGTON POLICE STATION
CENTRAL NORTH (CN)

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) – Personal Information

Reason for decision

Can you provide inside this format another column that shows the relevant matching Basic Command Unit (BCU) that each PNC owner relates too.

The output to show 3 columns:

PNC ID NUMBER
UNIT NAME
BCU

as an example

01NI
ISLINGTON POLICE STATION
CENTRAL NORTH (CN)

Please note that requests made under the Freedom of Information Act are for information held by a public authority at the time of the request. When responding to such requests, public authorities are not required to create information or provide opinion, unless previously recorded.

Despite reasonable searches no map meeting your criteria was located, therefore this information is not held by the MPS.

Section 31(1)(a)(b) – Law Enforcement - Before I explain the decisions that I have made in relation to your request, I thought that it would be helpful to outline the parameters set out by the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act), within which a request for information can be answered. The Act creates a statutory right of access to information held by public authorities. A public authority in respect of a request must, if permitted, state under Section 1(a) of the Act, whether it holds the requested information and, if held, then communicate that information to the applicant under Section 1(b) of the Act.

The right of access to information is not without exception and is subject to a number of exemptions which are designed to enable public authorities to withhold information that is unsuitable for release. Importantly, the Act is designed to place information into the public domain, that is, once access to information is granted to one person under the Act, it is then considered public information and must be communicated to any individual should a request be received.

In deliberating whether or not all of the PNC codes starting with 01 or 02 should be disclosed, I have considered the potential harm that could be caused by disclosure.

PNC force station codes, in addition to identifying police stations, are also assigned to specific units or operations for policing purposes.

To release all of the PNC force station codes (whether active or not) would in fact reveal tactical and operational capabilities of the MPS. These tactical capabilities could be negatively used, should those with unlawful intentions, use them to gain access to a police system, to disrupt local policing or avoid detection and as a consequence, negatively affect our law enforcement functions.

It cannot be in the public interest to disclose information which would undermine our ability to detect crime and bring offenders to justice. The infiltration of police communication/intelligence systems would disrupt our law enforcement functions in the prevention and detection of crime or the apprehension of offenders.

I consider that the benefit that would result from any further disclosure does not outweigh the considerations favouring non-disclosure. In addition, I consider that the public interest has been met in this case by the information already provided in this response.

This decision is based on the understanding that the public interest is not what interests the public, but what would be of greater good to the community as a whole.

Disclosure

Can you provide inside this format another column that shows the relevant matching Basic Command Unit (BCU) that each PNC owner relates too.

Please see the list below containing the PNC force station codes as requested. Some codes have been removed as deemed harmful to Law Enforcement, by virtue of section 31(1) of the Act.

East Area BCU (EA = JI / KG / KD)
Central North BCU (CN = NI / EK)
South West BCU (SW = TW / VK / VW / WW)
West Area BCU (WA = XB / XH / TX)
North East BCU (NE = JC / KF)
Central East BCU (CE = GD / GN / HT)
North West BCU (NW = SX / QK / QA)
South Area BCU (SN = PY / ZD / ZT)
North Area BCU (NA = YE / YR)
Central South BCU (AS = LX / MD)
South East BCU (SE = PL / RG / RY)
Central West BCU (AW = CW / BS / FH / RO - Royal Parks)

Can only provide for the 12 Borough Command Units (BCU) as other codes don’t fit into this MPS structure.