Communications with the Metropolitan Police

Steve Elibank made this Freedom of Information request to British Transport Police

The request was refused by British Transport Police.

From: Steve Elibank

12 March 2010

Dear British Transport Police,

Please treat this as a request under the Freedom of Information Act
2000.

I would like an electronic copy of all written communications,
received during the last two years, directed to any person holding
a "Group 1" rank in your police force, from any person holding a
"Group 2" rank in the Metropolitan Police Service.

"Group 1" ranks are Chief Constable, Deputy Chief Constable and
Assistant Chief Constable.

"Group 2" ranks are Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, Assistant
Commissioner and Deputy Assistant Commissioner.

If you require any clarification, please contact me as soon as
possible.

Yours faithfully,
Steve Elibank

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From: Coleman, Brian
British Transport Police

17 March 2010

Dear Sir

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUEST REFERENCE NO: 231/10

I write in connection with your request for information dated 12^th March
2010 made to British Transport Police. I note you seek access to the
following information:

I would like an electronic copy of all written communications, received
during the last two years, directed to any person holding a "Group 1"
rank in your police force, from any person holding a "Group 2" rank in
the Metropolitan Police Service.

This is to inform you that BTP cannot identify specific records /
documents that will satisfy your request based on the details you have
provided, without exceeding the `Appropriate Limit' as laid down in the
Freedom of Information and Data Protection (appropriate limit and fees)
regulations 2004. British Transport Police do not have electronic
management of documents that are received from any source so any searches
would have to be carried out manually. In addition BTP has moved towards
a functional file plan, therefore documents are not stored against an
individual's name or rank which means that every document would need to be
examined to see if it meets your criteria.

You can find information about the Appropriate Limit at
[1]http://www.btp.police.uk/pdf/FOI_publica...
.In accordance with the Act and guidance from the Information
Commissioner's Office BTP are required to explain what can be offered
within the 18 hours limit. In this case it is impossible to do this as
BTP have no idea how many documents are received annually that would need
to be checked to trace the information you have requested.

If you could be more specific by stating what it is you are actually
looking for then BTP would be in a better position to consider your
request. If you would like help in formulating your request please do not
hesitate to contact me.

Yours faithfully

Brian Coleman BA MSc

Information Standards Manager, Professional Standards Dept.

British Transport Police, FHQ, 25 Camden Road, London, NW1 9LN

office 020 7830 6751

mobile 0788 050 3079

fax 020 7023 6953

email [email address]

www.btp.police.uk

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Pete Impey left an annotation ( 7 September 2010)

This request was not refused. The responder quite clearly identifies that the Appropriate Limit would be exceeded in attempting to answer the request. This is not a refusal.

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Steve Elibank left an annotation ( 7 September 2010)

So, of the options which WhatDoTheyKnow.com makes available, how would you suggest labelling it, then?

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M Bimmler left an annotation (18 October 2010)

Pete, I am not quite sure why you are suggesting that they did not refuse the request.

Refusal on "cost threshold" grounds is covered by Section 12 FOIA "Exemption where cost of compliance exceeds appropriate limit.". For these purposes, this is an exception just like the one on (e.g.) national security: it exempts the public authority from its Section 1 duties to release the information requested.

I fail to see a formal difference between rejecting on cost grounds and rejecting on any other grounds.

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