Dear Sir or Madam,

I'd like to know how much was spent on fuel, what type of fuel and
how much fuel (in litres or gallons) was burned by the Essex Police
helicopter under the auspices of "Operation Oasis" at the 2008
Climate Camp.

I also want to know the type of helicopter and any details that you
have as to its fuel efficiency and the distance it flew. I want to
know this information so that I can work out the amount of carbon
dioxide that was dumped into the atmosphere by the helicopter
during your operation. I trust that Kent Police Authority concerned
as it is with the health and safety of the public is considering
offsetting the considerable pollution that it must have created for
example by replacing routine city centre car patrols with bicycle
units.

I'd also be interested in seeing the environmental impact
assessment that was carried out into the use of the helicopter and
other police resources. At nighttime, Kent Police's disruption of
the life of the local community due to noise pollution as well as
by the burning of fossil fuels was very serious - I'm sure that a
proper assessment must have been carried out, if not I believe that
this is an issue that should be addressed in future operations.

Yours faithfully,

From the Chief Executive of the Authority
Mark Gilmartin

Mr Harvey Temple
First Floor

Gail House

Lower Stone Street

Maidstone

Kent ME15 6NB

Tel:
01622 677055

Fax:
01622 604489

e-mail
[Kent Police Authority request email]

Ask For:
Mark Gilmartin

Date:
19 August 2008

Dear Mr Temple

Freedom of Information request - Cost Of Helicopter Fuel At Climate Camp

Thank you for your Freedom of Information request dated 18 August 2008. While the Kent Police Authority may have some information pertinent to your request, the Kent Police Force are more likely to hold the specific information you require.

Therefore, and in accordance with section 10 of the Freedom of Information Act, we have transferred your request to the Freedom of Information team at Kent Police Headquarters. Kent Police will undertake to respond to your request within 20 working days from their receipt of your request, and should acknowledge your request within 6 working days.

I trust that this approach is satisfactory and I have included the contact details of the FOI team at Kent Police for your information and convenience.

Contact the Kent Police Freedom of Information team at:
Freedom of Information Team
Information Compliance Unit
Professional Standards Dept
Kent Police Headquarters
Sutton Road, Maidstone
Kent ME15 9BZ
Tel: 01622 654413
[email address]

Yours sincerely

Mark Gilmartin
Chief Executive

Mark Gilmartin
Chief Executive
Kent Police Authority
01622 604488 (w)
07989 992198 (m)

show quoted sections

Dear Sir or Madam,

I'd like to know how much was spent on fuel, what type of fuel and
how much fuel (in litres or gallons) was burned by the Essex Police
helicopter under the auspices of "Operation Oasis" at the 2008
Climate Camp.

I also want to know the type of helicopter and any details that you
have as to its fuel efficiency and the distance it flew. I want to
know this information so that I can work out the amount of carbon
dioxide that was dumped into the atmosphere by the helicopter
during your operation. I trust that Kent Police Authority concerned
as it is with the health and safety of the public is considering
offsetting the considerable pollution that it must have created for
example by replacing routine city centre car patrols with bicycle
units.

I'd also be interested in seeing the environmental impact
assessment that was carried out into the use of the helicopter and
other police resources. At nighttime, Kent Police's disruption of
the life of the local community due to noise pollution as well as
by the burning of fossil fuels was very serious - I'm sure that a
proper assessment must have been carried out, if not I believe that
this is an issue that should be addressed in future operations.

Yours faithfully,

show quoted sections

Dear Harvey Temple

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST

Thank you for your request received by Kent Police on 18/08/2008andI
note you seek access, in summary, to the following information:

I'd like to know how much was spent on fuel, what type of fuel and; how
much fuel (in litres or gallons) was burned by the Essex Police;
helicopter under the auspices of "Operation Oasis" at the 2008; Climate
Camp.; I also want to know the type of helicopter and any details that
you; have as to its fuel efficiency and the distance it flew. I want to;
know this information so that I can work out the amount of carbon;
dioxide that was dumped into the atmosphere by the helicopter; during
your operation. I trust that Kent Police Authority concerned; as it is
with the health and safety of the public is considering; offsetting the
considerable pollution that it must have created for; example by
replacing routine city centre car patrols with bicycle; units.; I'd also
be interested in seeing the environmental impact; assessment that was
carried out into the use of the helicopter and; other police resources.
At nighttime, Kent Police's disruption of; the life of the local
community due to noise pollution as well as; by the burning of fossil
fuels was very serious - I'm sure that a; proper assessment must have
been carried out, if not I believe that; this is an issue that should be
addressed in future operations.

Your interest in Kent Police is appreciated and pending a specific
response to your request, I enclose a sheet, which summarises your
rights. Should you have any further inquiries concerning this matter,
please write or contact me on telephone number 01622 654413 quoting the
reference number above.

Yours sincerely,
Karen Hicks
Freedom Of Information Team

Enc.
Your Rights – A Summary

Freedom of Information Team
Data Protection Unit
Kent Police
Force HQ
Sutton Road
Maidstone
Kent ME15 9BZ

E-mail: [email address]
Tel: +44 (0)1622 654429/654413
Fax: +44 (0)1622 654437
Internal: 19-4429/4413

This email and any accompanying document(s) contain information from Kent Police, which is confidential or privileged.
The information is intended to be for the exclusive use of the individual(s) or bodies to whom it is addressed.
If you are not the intended recipient, be aware that any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of the contents of this information is prohibited.
If you have received this email in error, please notify us immediately by contacting the sender or telephoning 01622 690690.
The copyright in the contents of this email and any enclosure is the property of Kent Police and any unauthorised reproduction or disclosure is contrary to the provisions of the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1998.

Dear Karen Hicks,

Times up. Its been 20 days and I don't seem to have received a
response from you. You have now not only broken Kent Police's
policy, but also broken the law i.e. FOIA 2000.

Being as I'm kind of a nice chap, I've decided not to unleash the
blue fury of the Metropolitan Police on you quite yet - despite the
fact that that's Kent Police did to thousands of people at the
climate camp who hadn't broken any law.

I would, however, like an explanation as to quite why you have
failed to respond.

I can only assume that Kent's cops are unaware of the cost of their
own policing operations; not exactly good management practice in
these times of recession.

Many thanks

Dear Mr Temple,

Ms Hicks in the FOI team has passed me your e-mail (below). Thank you
for your timely reminder and I apologise that you have not received a
full response within the 20 day time limit as prescribed in the Freedom
of Information Act 2000. Because your question relates directly to
environmental impact, I am dealing with your questions under the
European Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR). It is the
responsibility of the Authority receiving the request to determine which
law applies (FOI or EIR) as EIR has different rules governing its
application. The Police only rarely receive requests that qualify as
EIR, whereas other Authorities such as Councils are more familiar with
this legislation for obvious reasons.

Nevertheless, I apologise that I have omitted to provide you with an
interim communication explaining this technicality, which I mention only
because I feel it would be of use to you bearing in mind your clear
interest in the environment. Regardless of the time prescriptions in
both pieces of legislation, I will be providing you with an answer as
soon as I am able.

We have had a number of information requests with regard to our
policing of the Camp for Climate Change and I am afraid that this has
delayed responses somewhat as not all of the information is available as
yet. However, we recognise the considerable public interest surrounding
Operation Oasis and have every intention of releasing as much
information as possible. Indeed, some of this will be published upon
our website. I can tell you that I have collated nearly all of the
information with regard to your specific request and you can expect a
reply very shortly.

You can find more information on EIR and FOI on the Information
Commissioner's website at:

http://www.ico.gov.uk/what_we_cover/envi...

Thank you for your patience,

Regards,
Nigel Amos
FOI Advisor/ Lead Auditor
Information Compliance Unit
Professional Standards
FHQ
01622 654430

show quoted sections

16:21 >>>
Dear Karen Hicks,

Times up. Its been 20 days and I don't seem to have received a
response from you. You have now not only broken Kent Police's
policy, but also broken the law i.e. FOIA 2000.

Being as I'm kind of a nice chap, I've decided not to unleash the
blue fury of the Metropolitan Police on you quite yet - despite
the
fact that that's Kent Police did to thousands of people at the
climate camp who hadn't broken any law.

I would, however, like an explanation as to quite why you have
failed to respond.

I can only assume that Kent's cops are unaware of the cost of
their
own policing operations; not exactly good management practice in
these times of recession.

Many thanks

show quoted sections

Dear Mr Temple

Please find attached Kent Police response to your FOI dated 19/08/2008, we do apologise for the delay and thank you for your patience.

Karen Hicks

Freedom of Information Team
Data Protection Unit
Kent Police
Force HQ
Sutton Road
Maidstone
Kent ME15 9BZ

E-mail: [email address]
Tel: +44 (0)1622 654429/654413
Fax: +44 (0)1622 654437
Internal: 19-4429/4413