Dear Mr Roberts,

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000 - INFORMATION REQUEST

Thank you for your Freedom of Information request received on 16 January in which you asked for a full list of fixed CCTV camera locations in the London Borough of Hackney.

Information which is reasonably accessible to the applicant is exempt by virtue of section 21 of the Act. I would advise you that a general list of areas in which CCTV cameras are installed is available on our website via the following link:

http://www.hackney.gov.uk/ca-cctv-locations-2.htm

However the Authority has the right to refuse to comply with a request if an exemption applies. The Authority believes that to provide you with the exact locations of the CCTV cameras in the Borough is exempt under section 31(1) (a) of the Act which provides that information is exempt if its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the prevention or detection of crime and disorder, and section 31(1)(b) where disclosure would prejudice or be likely to prejudice the apprehension or prosecution of offenders.

Section 31 is a qualified exemption in that the Authority must apply the public interest test in weighing up whether there is a stronger public interest in disclosing the information or applying the exemption. In this case the Authority has decided that the public interest lies in maintaining confidence in law enforcement and the criminal justice system and the confidentiality of specific operations. The Authority therefore believes that these would be prejudiced if this information was made available.

The Authority also believes that an exemption also exists under section 38 of the Act which provides that information is exempt if its disclosure would be likely to endanger the safety of an individual.

Section 38 is a qualified exemption in that the Authority must apply the public interest test in weighing up whether there is a stronger public interest in disclosing the information or applying the exemption. In this case the Authority has decided that the public interest lies in applying the exemption as the public interest lies in protecting the health and safety of employees of the Authority. It believes that releasing this information would be likely to endanger the health and safety of employees.

If you are dissatisfied with this response and wish to appeal, please write to the Information Governance Team, Appeals, 6-15 Florfield Road, Hackney London E8 1DTand your complaint will be dealt with through our Internal Review procedure.

If you are still not satisfied following the Internal Review, you have a right to appeal to the Information Commissioner. He can be contacted at:

Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF 
Telephone: 01625 545 700

Yours sincerely

Reaz Khedarun

Information Governance Officer

ICT

Christine Peacock, Head of ICT, 6- 15 Florfield Road, Reading Lane, London E8 1DT

E8 1DT