MEPO file 38/176

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.25.049138

I note you seek access to the following information:

I would like access to the file MEPO 38/176, listed in the catalogue of the Nation Archives. I am advised 'This record has been retained by the Metropolitan Police Service under section 3 (4) of the Public Records Act 1958 and is therefore not held by The National Archives'.

I want to consult this material as part of my historical research into the activities of Cecil Herbert Attfield, who was also defendant in the trial covered by the material in this file. Attfield was also heavily involved in the bootlegging trade with the United States during Prohibition, was my main interest.

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 23(1) - Information supplied by, or relating to, bodies dealing with security matters
Section 40(2)(3) - Personal Information.

Reasons for decision

Certain content within MEPO 38/176 have been withheld under Section 23(1) of the Act due to disclosure of any material that would reveal the extent of involvement by security bodies through the release of the records. In addition, parts of the file contain personal residential addresses that remain in active use. As this information constitutes personal data, Section 40(2) of the Act has been applied.

Disclosure

Please find below redacted copy of the released publications contained in MEPO 38/176, separated into five parts.