Fleet Request

The request was successful.

Dear Avon and Somerset Constabulary,

I am requesting this information in accordance with the freedom of information act 2000(c.36)

Please supply me with a current vehicle Fleet list with the following information for *Marked* and *Unmarked* vehicles.

For marked vehicles please supply the following;
- Vehicle Registration
- Vehicle Make and Model
- Role of Vehicle
- Where the vehicle is stationed

For Unmarked vehicles please supply the following;
- Vehicle make and Model
- Role of Vehicle

Thank you for your time and patience in this matter and I look forward to reviewing the above data.

Yours faithfully,

Jake Robinson

#Freedom of Information Requests, Avon and Somerset Constabulary

Thank you for your request for information. Your request will now be considered and you will receive a response within the statutory timescale of 20 working days as defined by the Act. In some circumstances Avon and Somerset Constabulary may be unable to achieve this deadline if consideration needs to be given to the public interest test. If this is likely you will be informed and given a revised time-scale at the earliest opportunity.

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#Freedom of Information Requests, Avon and Somerset Constabulary

2 Attachments

Corporate Information Management Department

Force Headquarters, PO Box 37, Valley Road,

Portishead, Bristol, BS20 8QJ

Facsimile 01275 814667

Email [email address]    

 

 

 

 

Jake Robinson Our Reference 659/17

[1][FOI #407866 email]
Date 20 June 2017
 

 

Dear Mr Robinson

 

I write in connection with your request for information dated 21^st May
concerning your freedom of information request.

 

Specifically you asked:

 

Please supply me with a current vehicle Fleet list with the following
information for *Marked* and *Unmarked* vehicles.

 

For marked vehicles please supply the following;

- Vehicle Registration

- Vehicle Make and Model

- Role of Vehicle

- Where the vehicle is stationed

 

For Unmarked vehicles please supply the following;

- Vehicle make and Model

- Role of Vehicle

 

Our response:

 

Please find the information attached.

 

With regards to the marked vehicles the make/model, registration plates,
have been provided where applicable.  The vehicle roles and base however
have been deemed exempt from disclosure.  With regards to the unmarked
vehicles the make/model has been provided, the vehicle role has been
deemed exempt from disclosure.  Details of covert vehicles have also not
been included. The exemption applicable to the withheld information is
section 31(1)(a)(b) of the act which relates to law enforcement.  Section
31 is a qualified and prejudice based exemption which means there is a
requirement to identify and evidence the harm that would be caused by
disclosure and consideration given to the public interest which is below.

 

Section 31 considerations

 

Harm

Harm has been identified in providing you with the details of ‘vehicle
role/base’ as release of this information could allow those intent on
criminal behaviour to map our vehicle resources and
establish specialist vehicles which would undermine law enforcement.  
 
Although ‘marked’ police vehicles are identifiable in the public
domain, it is not always clear what the specific function of each of these
vehicles is. Therefore, providing you with information regarding the
‘vehicle role’ together with the ‘registration plate’ would
also potentially divulge what these vehicles are used for.  These details
would allow those criminally minded to identify specific vehicles and use
this information to evade apprehension thus negatively impacting on our
ability to prevent and detect crime. Moreover, in this current climate to
detail specific vehicle identification and locations could go some way to
demonstrate our operational capacity and could lead to stations being
targeted.  This would hinder our ability to prevent and detect crime and
as a result crime could escalate.

 

There are concerns associated with the release of any information that
would identify covert vehicles as law enforcement could be adversely
affected. The release of this information in relation to vehicles used for
covert activities would equip individuals involved in criminal activity
with an indication of our capabilities. This information, together with
other information already in the public domain would assist those involved
in criminal behaviour in identifying the vehicles that are used for covert
operations. This would render them useless, hinder the prevention and
detection of crime and could compromise ongoing and future enquiries.
Similarly releasing information that would identify ‘unmarked’ police
vehicles would equip individuals involved in criminal activity with
information to allow them to avoid and evade Officers again negatively
impacting on law enforcement.

 

Public Interest Test for section 31(1)(a)(b)

Considerations favouring disclosure

Disclosure may add value to the accuracy of public debate with regards to
resources allocated for the prevention and detection of crime.

 

Considerations favouring non-disclosure

The Police Service has a duty to deliver effective law enforcement
ensuring that the prevention and detection of crime, apprehension or
prosecution of offenders, and administration of justice is carried out
appropriately.

 

Identifying ‘the vehicle role’ and identifying ‘unmarked’ vehicles
could compromise the vehicles operational purpose as specialist vehicles
could be identified and targeted. It is a reasonable assumption that a
police station will have a number of vehicles based at the location which
may reflect the area covered, however to reveal specific figures could
demonstrate to the criminal fraternity the operational capacity of areas.
Disclosure may reveal what resources are available for a given area and
this information could enable police strength to be determined and
circumvented by those intent on committing crime.  Disclosure of this
information may prejudice police activities and not only has the potential
to reveal what resources are available for a given area but also
potentially reveal details of a discreet location.  The release of this
information could therefore provide a tactical advantage to offenders
which would negatively impact on public safety and undermine the policing
purpose.

Disclosure relating to the role of a vehicle may reveal operationally
sensitive details, this might include the fact that a particular vehicle
is used solely by firearms officers. Any ability to identify its presence
at (or absence from) a particular location may be useful to those intent
on criminal activity. 

 

Disclosing the details of covert vehicles would provide sufficient
information to those involved in criminal activity of the capabilities
available to the force when carrying out covert activities in certain
areas. This could result in them taking steps to evade detection and to
destroy evidence if they believe that their movements are being monitored.
This could also lead to vehicles and officers being identified which would
render their covert capabilities useless.

Balance Test 

The ability to deliver effective law enforcement is of paramount
importance.  Whilst the value of transparency is recognised, there is no
further tangible benefit to identifying covert operation vehicles.  This
may be interesting to some individuals however this is as you will
appreciate different to being in the public’s interest to know.  To
disclose vehicle roles/base and information concerning covert and unmarked
vehicles would have an adverse effect on our ability to prevent and detect
crime.  Therefore on balance the factors favouring non-disclosure outweigh
those favouring. This represents a refusal notice for this part of your
request.

 

 

Yours sincerely

 

Michelle Radcliffe

Freedom of Information Officer

Corporate Information Management Department

 

 

Please note:

1.     Requests and responses may be published on Avon and Somerset
Constabulary’s website (within 24 hours), some of which may contain a link
to additional information, which may provide you with further
clarification.

2.     Whilst we may verbally discuss your request with you in order to
seek clarification, all other communication should be made in writing.

3.     Avon and Somerset Constabulary provides you with the right to
request a re-examination of your case under its review procedure (copy
attached).

 

 

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