Cost Of Helicopter Fuel At Climate Camp

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

[1][email address]

Yours sincerely

Mark Gilmartin

Chief Executive

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

>>> Harvey Temple <[FOI #1821 email]> 18/08/08
18:00 >>>
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 18/08/2008 and I
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: [1][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.
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References

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1. mailto:[email address]

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:

[1]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

>>> Harvey Temple <[FOI #1821 email]> 16/09/08
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: [1][email address]
Tel: +44 (0)1622 654429/654413
Fax: +44 (0)1622 654437
Internal: 19-4429/4413

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]