Current anti-terrorism adverts

Dear Ms Barrett-White

Freedom of Information Request Reference No: 2009030007386
I write in connection with your request for information which was received
by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) on 24/03/2009. I note you seek
access to the following information:

* I have just seen, on the London Underground, your latest advertising
campaign and under the FoI Act, I would like to know a bit more about
it.
* Firstly, the advertisement itself. I paraphrase, but it has a
city-centre picture of mother and child talking to friend, and the tag
line reads: 'A bomb didn't go off here today as someone reported a
person counting the CCTV cameras'. I would like to know the
intelligence that lead to such a claim, as I am sure if there was a
bomb plot foiled, I would have noticed something about it on the
national media. If no such intelligence/operation existed, and
resulted in the stopping of a bomb going off (the implication being in
one of our urban centres) then please could you explain the point of
it? It is very definite in its statement that such an attack was
stopped due to the vigilance of the general public. I have yet to
read the Advertising Standard Authority's code on this type of advert,
but it seems to both be false advertising *and* deliberately
escalating fear and paranoia in the general population. I look
forward to reading the reports that I missed that lead to the creation
of this poster campaign.

Your request will now be considered in accordance with the Freedom of
Information Act 2000 (the Act). You will receive a response within
the statutory timescale of 20 working days as defined by the Act,
subject to the information not being exempt or containing a reference
to a third party. In some circumstances the MPS may be unable to
achieve this deadline. If this is likely you will be informed and
given a revised time-scale at the earliest opportunity.

Some requests may also require either full or partial transference to
another public authority in order to answer your query in the fullest
possible way. Again, you will be informed if this is the case.

COMPLAINT RIGHTS

Your attention is drawn to the attached sheet, which details your
right of complaint.

Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please
write or contact Shannon Aldridge on telephone number 020 7161 3527
quoting the reference number above.

Yours sincerely

Shannon Aldridge
Support Officer
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Are you unhappy with how your request has been handled or do you think
the decision is incorrect?

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review their decision.

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request.

Ask to have the decision looked at again ***

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and assist with any problems.

Complaint

If you are dissatisfied with the handling procedures or the decision
of the MPS made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act)
regarding access to information you can lodge a complaint with the MPS
to have the decision reviewed.

Complaints should be made in writing and addressed to:

FOI Complaint
Public Access Office
PO Box 57192
London
SW6 1SF

In all possible circumstances the MPS will aim to respond to your
complaint within 40 working days.
The Information Commissioner

After lodging a complaint with the MPS if you are still dissatisfied
with the decision you may make application to the Information
Commissioner for a decision on whether the request for information has
been dealt with in accordance with the requirements of the Act.

For information on how to make application to the Information
Commissioner please visit their website at
www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk. Alternatively, phone or write to:

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

show quoted sections

Dear Ms Barrett-White

Freedom of Information Request Reference No: 2009030007386

I write in connection with your request for information which was received
by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) on 24/03/2009. I note you seek
access to the following information:

I have just seen, on the London Underground, your latest advertising
campaign and under the FoI Act, I would like to know a bit more about it.

Firstly, the advertisement itself. I paraphrase, but it has a city-centre
picture of mother and child talking to friend, and the tag line reads:

'A bomb didn't go off here today as someone reported a person counting the
CCTV cameras'

I would like to know the intelligence that lead to such a claim, as I am
sure if there was a bomb plot foiled, I would have noticed something about
it on the national media.

If no such intelligence/operation existed, and resulted in the stopping of
a bomb going off (the implication being in one of our urban centres) then
please could you explain the point of it? It is very definite in its
statement that such an attack was stopped due to the vigilance of the
general public.

I have yet to read the Advertising Standard Authority's code on this type
of advert, but it seems to both be false advertising *and* deliberately
escalating fear and paranoia in the general population.

I look forward to reading the reports that I missed that lead to the
creation of this poster campaign.

Following receipt of your request searches were conducted within the MPS
to locate information relevant to your request.

The extract below from the Metropolitan Police Service website explains
the background to the campaign. I have attached a link for your
information.

http://www.met.police.uk/campaigns/count...

This national publicity campaign across England and Wales raises awareness
of the Anti-Terrorist Hotline and gives the public examples of suspicious
activity and behaviour. The public are encouraged to trust their instincts
and report anything confidentially to the Anti-Terrorist Hotline, where
specialist officers will take their call.

This campaign utilises London specific media: radio and press, posters at
tube and rail stations.

As part of the national campaign there will also be national press and
national commercial radio advertising, large outdoor posters and
advertising on the rears of buses. To ensure the campaign reaches minority
communities, there will also be advertising in minority media press
titles.

Press advertising will appear in national newspapers and on main
commercial radio stations. In London, this includes the Evening Standard,
Magic, Heart, Total LBC, Smooth and Capital FM.

The press ads seek to raise awareness of some of the items/activities
which may be needed by, or be of use to, terrorists. It asks the public to
consider whether they have seen any activity connected with them which may
have made them suspicious.

Radio advertising has been devised to complement the press ads and
reiterates how any piece of information could prove vital and asking the
public to call the confidential Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321.

COMPLAINT RIGHTS

Your attention is drawn to the attached sheet which details your right of
complaint.

Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please write
or contact Gill Brown on telephone number 0207 230 2401 quoting the
reference number above.

Yours sincerely

Gill Brown
Information Manager
COMPLAINT RIGHTS

Are you unhappy with how your request has been handled or do you think the
decision is incorrect?

You have the right to require the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) to
review their decision.

Prior to lodging a formal complaint you are welcome and encouraged to
discuss the decision with the case officer that dealt with your request.

Ask to have the decision looked at again ***

The quickest and easiest way to have the decision looked at again is to
telephone the case officer that is nominated at the end of your decision
letter.

That person will be able to discuss the decision, explain any issues and
assist with any problems.

Complaint

If you are dissatisfied with the handling procedures or the decision of
the MPS made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) regarding
access to information you can lodge a complaint with the MPS to have the
decision reviewed.

Complaints should be made in writing and addressed to:

FOI Complaints
Public Access Office
PO Box 57192
London
SW6 1TR

In all possible circumstances the MPS will aim to respond to your
complaint within 40 working days.
The Information Commissioner

After lodging a complaint with the MPS if you are still dissatisfied with
the decision you may make application to the Information Commissioner for
a decision on whether the request for information has been dealt with in
accordance with the requirements of the Act.

For information on how to make application to the Information Commissioner
please visit their website at www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk.
Alternatively, phone or write to:

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

show quoted sections