DEVON & CORNWALL

C O N S T A B U L A R Y

RECORD 1

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUEST NO 597/2009-2138

Further to FOI Request 565/2009-01985

Thanks for your reply. I've had a listen to The World Tonight interview linked, and read the attachment. There are a few points I'd like to clear up.

1) Your reply says that the event was billed as the "Exeter Music and Drinking Party" on Facebook. I'm assuming that Devon and Cornwall Constabulary saved a copy of the page, as it was part of the reason given for the operation. Could you supply a copy? Facebook event search shows no events with this name.

2) You have said that you don't hold any information relating to the costs of the operation. Could you please square this with the statement on this page:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/8155441.stm "A police spokeswoman said the helicopter was deployed for less than 20 minutes at a cost of about £200." Is this information incorrect, or is the information that the Finance Department supplied incorrect?

3) You've stated that the event was not licensed. Can you advise which license the event should have had?

4) You've said there were previous incidents at this location which generated considerable complaints and damage. Can you supply details please?

5) You've stated that the decision was made to close the event under Section 63 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act. In the Freedom Of Information Act request, I asked what process was used to assess the appropriate policing level. News reports say that in addition to the helicopter, a riot van and four squad cars attended. How was this level of response decided?

The Devon Basic Command Unit have provided the following information:

1) Your reply says that the event was billed as the "Exeter Music and Drinking Party" on Facebook. I'm assuming that Devon and Cornwall Constabulary saved a copy of the page, as it was part of the reason given for the operation. Could you supply a copy? Facebook event search shows no events with this name.

Devon & Cornwall Constabulary does not hold any information relating to this part of your request.

2) You have said that you don't hold any information relating to the costs of the operation. Could you please square this with the statement on this page:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/8155441.stm "A police spokeswoman said the helicopter was deployed for less than 20 minutes at a cost of about £200." Is this information incorrect, or is the information that the Finance Department supplied incorrect?

This information came from the press office and is a generic figure.

3) You've stated that the event was not licensed. Can you advise which license the event should have had?

All public events should be licensed by the Local Authority. This is standard practice. The Local Authority would be better placed to comment upon the relevant legislation, which is not a police matter.

4) You've said there were previous incidents at this location which generated considerable complaints and damage. Can you supply details please?

It is recorded that there were two other `raves' at this location in July and August of last year. There have been two complaints this year, one in March and the other in July. Both were for Anti social behaviour/Rowdy nuisance behaviour.

5) You've stated that the decision was made to close the event under Section 63 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act. In the Freedom Of Information Act request, I asked what process was used to assess the appropriate policing level. News reports say that in addition to the helicopter, a riot van and four squad cars attended. How was this level of response decided?"

The information available was assessed in relation to the information available and experience in dealing with similar situations. A riot van was not deployed. One of our operational support units was in the vicinity. The helicopter was travelling back from another deployment and was already airborne. The deployment of the additional police vehicles was suitable for the situation as reported upon.