Dear Mr Fox,

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NUMBER 1692.09

I write in connection with your request for information dated 12 April 2009 which was received by North Yorkshire Police on 12 April 2009. I note you seek access to the following information:

The registration details of every vehicle owned by North Yorkshire Police.

Following receipt of your request searches were conducted within North Yorkshire Police to locate information relevant to your request. I can confirm that the information you have requested is held by North Yorkshire Police.

Extent Of Searches To Locate Information

To locate the information relevant to your request searches were conducted at the Fleet Department.

Result Of Searches

The searches located records relevant to your request.

Decision

I have decided to:

disclose the registration details of all marked police vehicles. Please see attached document,

fully exempt the registration details of all unmarked police vehicles pursuant to the provisions of section 31 and 38 of the Act.

Reasons For Decision

Section 31 Law Enforcement, a qualified, prejudiced-based exemption.

Section 38 Health & Safety, a qualified, prejudiced-based exemption.

Harm Test

The current or future law enforcement role of the force may be compromised by the release of this information.

Public Interest Test

I have been unable to identify any considerations favouring disclosure in this case.

Public interest considerations favouring non-disclosure

Efficient and Effective Conduct of the Force - The current or future law enforcement role of the force may be compromised by the release of the information, i.e., where the prevention/detection of crime, the apprehension/prosecution of offenders or the administration of justice may be hindered as a result of the release of this information. Disclosure of the requested information would also impact on the ability of the force to gather valuable intelligence in some situations.

Public Safety - There may be occasions where the release of information may affect public safety. Public safety is of paramount importance to the policing purpose and must be considered in respect of every release. In this instance it is likely that some police officers or police staff may be placed at risk if this information was released. Furthermore, releasing the registration numbers of all unmarked police vehicles may adversely affect wider public safety if the criminal fraternity/less law abiding individuals have access to these.

Complete Balancing Test

After weighing up the competing interests I have determined that the disclosure of the above information would not be in the public interest. I consider that the benefit that would result from the information being disclosed does not outweigh the benefit of disclosing the registration numbers of unmarked police vehicles.

Complaint Rights

Your attention is drawn to the attached sheet which details your right of complaint.

Should you have any further inquiries concerning this matter, please write quoting the reference number above.

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