Sustainable Regeneration Directorate

Business Development & Partnerhsip Division

Salford City Council,

Civic Centre

Chorley Road, Swinton, Salford M27 5BY

[FOI #21275 email]]

Ms M Griffiths

Phone

Fax

Email

Web

My Ref

Your Ref

0161 793 2878

0161 793 2477

[email address]

www.salford.gov.uk

FOI/LBF/FOI/LBF/Kennedy/130209

Dated 5 November 2009

Subject: Environment Information Regulation Request

Dear Ms Griffith

Thank you for your letter received at this office on16 October 2009. Your request has been processed under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Our response is as follows:-

You requested a full list of fixed CCTV camera locations in Salford Greater Manchester.

Although the Salford City Council does hold information about the location of fixed CCTV cameras in Salford, this information is exempt from disclosure by virtue of Section 31 (law enforcement) of the Freedom of Information Act.

Subject to the application of a public interest test, section 31 of the Act provides that information is exempt if its disclosure would, or would be likely, to prejudice the prevention or detection of crime, or the apprehension or prosecution of offenders.

Having considered the information requested, it has been concluded that the exemption afforded by Section 31(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act does apply, as disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the prevention or detection of crime and Section 31(1)(b) the apprehension or prosecution of those offenders.

We are suitably convinced by the argument that if such information were to be released into the public domain, certain individuals may well use it to draw conclusions about the likelihood of criminal offences being detected by cameras. This would render camera deployment less effective; and any lessening of the deterrent effect of such cameras would consequently be likely to present a direct threat to communities and could result in an increase in the number of criminal offences.

In considering the public interest test, we acknowledge that, as a general principle, there is a strong public interest in public authorities being as open and transparent as possible. However, this principle needs to be balanced in this case against the need to enforce the law and to improve the prevention or detection of crime for the public at large by ensuring that effective measures are taken to reduce the risks of criminal offences.

On this occasion, it is considered that in all the circumstances of the case the greater public interest lies in withholding the information you have asked for, and as such, your request is refused at this time.

Should you disagree with the above, or if you wish to make a formal appeal against this decision, please contact Graham Edge, Senior Business Development Manager, Business and Partnerships Division at the above address or telephone on 0161 922 8739. Guidance on how to make a formal appeal against a decision under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 is also available on our web site at www.salford.gov.uk.

Should you further disagree with the decision following the appeal, you may wish to contact the Office of the Information Commissioner.

Office of the Information Commissioner

Wycliffe House

Water Lane, Wilmslow

Cheshire SK9 5AF

www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk

Tel: 01625 545700

Fax: 01625 524510

Yours sincerely

Lynn Faulkner

Principal Information Governance Officer