Paedophile hunters and online grooming

The request was partially successful.

Dear West Mercia Police,

1a. Please provide the number of arrests you made in 2019/20 regarding online sexual offences of any kind related to children.

1b. Please provide a breakdown of all the sexual offences associated with these arrests:

e.g. section 8 of SOA 2003 [insert number]; section 10 of SOA 2003 [insert number]; section 12 of SOA 2003 [insert number] section 14 of SOA 2003 [insert number]; and section 15 of SOA [insert number]; section 127 of the Communications Act 2003 [insert number].

1c. Please specify the number of these arrests that involved at least one child decoy. By 'child decoy' I am referring to an adult who pretends to be a child.

2. Please provide the number of arrests you made in 2019/20 in connection with online sexual offences against children based on evidence acquired by your own officers acting as decoys.

3. Please provide the number of arrests you made in 2019/20 in connection with online sexual offences against children based on evidence provided to you by so-called paedophile hunters.

4. Please provide the names of all so-called paedophile hunting groups who provided information to you that led to the arrest of individuals in connection with sexual offences against children in 2019/20.

Yours faithfully,

D Moore

D. Moore left an annotation ()

oe Purshouse (School of Law, University of East Anglia) has written a paper that seriously questions the activities of so-called paedophile hunters. It is titled: "'Paedophile Hunters’, Criminal Procedure, and Fundamental Human Rights".

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full...

"The muted response of the police, Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), and domestic courts to paedophile hunters is failing to deter their criminality. The article ends with suggestions for reappraisal of existing legal doctrines, law reform, and more rigorous enforcement to control and, in some cases, deter paedophile hunting."

Information Compliance, West Mercia Police

Dear Sir or Madam

 

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: 
50766                                                      

 

I write in connection with your request for information which was received
on 4^th January 2021.  Your request will now be considered in accordance
with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (“the Act”).

 

We will aim to provide a response to your request within 20 working days
as stipulated by the Act.  Please note that there may be unavoidable
delays when making information rights requests during the COVID-19
pandemic.  We are triaging and addressing requests in the following
order:  Subject access and then FOI requests.   Every effort will be made
to meet our statutory timescales for responding.  Thank you for your
understanding.

 

There may be a fee payable for the retrieval, collation and provision of
the information you request.  If this is the case you will be informed and
the 20 working day timescale will be suspended until we receive payment
from you.  If you chose not to make payment then your request will be
withdrawn.

 

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.

 

Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please
contact the Information Compliance Unit quoting the reference number
above.

 

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

 

Sue Cale
Information Compliance Assistant | Information Compliance Unit | West
Mercia Police

 

Hindlip Hall Police Headquarters, Hindlip Hall, Worcester, WR3 8SP
Direct Dial: 01905 331545 Ext. 7772545

Team email: [1][West Mercia Police request email]

 

 

 

 

You can report non-urgent crime via our website. Always dial 999 in an
emergency.

Please visit our website for information or assistance, or follow our
social media accounts for police news in your area.

 

This email may contain information that is privileged, sensitive, or
otherwise protected from disclosure.  Any unauthorised use, disclosure,
copying or alteration of this email is strictly forbidden without express
authorisation from West Mercia Police.  This email is intended for the
recipient(s) only; please notify the sender immediately if received in
error. Email activity is regularly monitored, including the content.
Internet email is not to be treated a secure means of communication.
Expressed views or opinions do not necessarily represent those of West
Mercia Police.

 

 

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[West Mercia Police request email]

J Roberts left an annotation ()

I see the article by Joe Purshouse was first published on 17th June 2020, a month before the Supreme Court handed down judgment in the case of someone caught by 'paedophile hunters' :

[2020] UKSC 32

http://www.bailii.org/uk/cases/UKSC/2020...

See comment dated 15 July 2020:

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/p...

Story from the Independent:

"‘Paedophile hunters’ do not violate right to privacy, Supreme Court rules as convict's appeal dismissed"

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/cr...

Team Impact - Telford

Suspect allegedly talking to what he believed to be a 12-year-old girl. He allegedly told the girl (decoy) that there was no need for her to keep repeating her age because he knew it. He denied being on Facebook. The investigator referred to a naked photo allegedly of the suspect received by the decoy and suggested that the man in the picture and the suspect had the same tattoo. Extremely graphic chat. The suspect changes his story and admits that 'curiosity' was the reason for his actions.

https://www.bitchute.com/video/RxqCSUZTJ...

Defending the Innocent - Telford

Doorman admitted to talking to what he thought were children aged 11 and 13. Allegedly rang the 11-year-old after extremely graphic chat. Also admitted to saying he wanted to take the 13-year-old decoy to a lonely field and sending explicit images. Later admitted to being in trouble with the police before regarding a related issue. Also admitted he had been to prison. The investigators read information about his past involvement with the police but did not disclose it - the information was described as 'vile'.
https://www.bitchute.com/video/vHzThaUKS...

WARNING - GRUESOME PREVIOUS OFFENCE

UK Database - previous offence

https://uk-database.net/2012/09/21/georg...

UK Database -

Jailed for 5 and a half years

Lifetime sexual register order

https://uk-database.net/2018/04/12/georg...

More videos can be found here:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1...

D. Moore left an annotation ()

"'Paedophile hunter' evidence used to charge 150 suspects" (2017)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-43...

"Strategic review of Police Scotland’s response to online child sexual abuse" (February 2020)

“Almost half of the online grooming cases emanate from the activities of online child abuse activist groups (vigilante groups), who are unregulated and untrained. A more robust proactive capability on the part of Police Scotland would reduce the opportunities for these groups to operate.” (page 5)

https://www.hmics.scot/sites/default/fil...

BBC Radio 4 programme The Untold goes on a "sting" with Leeds-based hunting group Predator Exposure:

"Six of the group went on trial accused of charges including false imprisonment and common assault. They were all found not guilty and emerged from Leeds Crown Court vowing to step up the work that they do."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000hv9p

See the group in action:

https://youtu.be/_gfRmagvltk

Useful information provided by South Yorkshire Police from the Force Disclosure Log:

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/p...

J Roberts left an annotation ()

Radio 4's File on 4 dealt with the issue of female sex offenders in "Women Who Abuse":

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000rcq5

The programme highlighted the case of a female groomer who was jailed in 2018. Details of her crime are available on the UK Database:

https://uk-database.net/2018/03/22/debor...

Thirty-six police forces responded to FOI requests (5th minute). The responses revealed that between 2015-19:

- there were over 10,400 reports of women sexually abusing children

- Over 5,400 reports concerned children aged 11-17

- around 3,800 reports involved children under 11

(some forces didn't provide information on ages)

A FOI request was also sent to the Disclosure and Barring Service. I have requested a copy of the response received:

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/f...

"There is evidence more female abusers are being flagged when applying for jobs with children or vulnerable adults than are being reported to the police."

The programme also referred to research by Dr Andrea Darling, who wrote this article on female teachers who abuse pupils:

https://theconversation.com/understandin...

J Roberts left an annotation ()

CPS legal guidance regarding paedophile hunters (July 2020). Paedophile hunting groups are referred to formally as online child abuse activist groups (OCAGs):

'The term OCAGs in this context refers to individuals or groups of individuals who are members of the public using on-line activity to uncover or "catch" alleged paedophiles involved in on-line child sexual abuse or interested in meeting children for the purpose of such abuse. A wide range activity may fall under this umbrella term...'

https://www.cps.gov.uk/legal-guidance/on...

'Police are encouraged to seek early investigative advice (EIA) in all OCAG cases using the EIA process available in each CPS area. This will assist officers to address any complex evidential issues, to focus their investigation and to bring to an early conclusion cases which are unlikely to meet the required evidential standard.'

Recently published Home Office report titled 'Tackling Child Sexual Abuse Strategy'.

'This ground-breaking Strategy sets out the Government’s ambition to prevent, tackle and respond to all forms of child sexual abuse.

5. Our goal is to ensure there are no safe spaces online for offenders to abuse and exploit children. Across the NCA, Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), National Cyber Force (NCF) and wider law enforcement, the Home Office will invest in the development of new technological capabilities to bring more technically sophisticated offenders to justice and help our partners identify and safeguard more victims and survivors. This includes enhancing the use of the UK’s world-leading Child Abuse Image Database (CAID).'

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk...

Information Compliance, West Mercia Police

1 Attachment

Dear Sir or Madam,

 

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: 50766.

I write in connection with your request for information which was received
on 4^th January 2021. Please find below the response to your request:

 

 

1a. Please provide the number of arrests you made in 2019/20 regarding
online sexual offences of any kind related to children.

 

1b. Please provide a breakdown of all the sexual offences associated with
these arrests:

 

1c. Please specify the number of these arrests that involved at least one
child decoy. By 'child decoy' I am referring to an adult who pretends to
be a child.

 

2. Please provide the number of arrests you made in 2019/20 in connection
with online sexual offences against children based on evidence acquired by
your own officers acting as decoys.

 

3. Please provide the number of arrests you made in 2019/20 in connection
with online sexual offences against children based on evidence provided to
you by so-called paedophile hunters.

 

4. Please provide the names of all so-called paedophile hunting groups who
provided information to you that led to the arrest of individuals in
connection with sexual offences against children in 2019/20.

 

 

Reply:-

Please see below for our provision of information-

1a. Please provide the number of arrests you made in 2019/20 regarding
online sexual offences of any kind related to children.
      22.

1b. Please provide a breakdown of all the sexual offences associated with
these arrests:

      Please see data provided within the attached PDF.

 

3. Please provide the number of arrests you made in 2019/20 in connection
with online sexual offences against children based on evidence provided to
you by so-called paedophile hunters.  

      7.

 

Any information pertaining to the below questions is exempt from
disclosure.  In accordance with the Act, this note represents a Refusal
Notice for this part of your request. This action cannot be taken as
confirmation or denial that West Mercia Police holds the information you
have asked for.

1c. Please specify the number of these arrests that involved at least one
child decoy. By 'child decoy' I am referring to an adult who pretends to
be a child.

2. Please provide the number of arrests you made in 2019/20 in connection
with online sexual offences against children based on evidence acquired by
your own officers acting as decoys.

4. Please provide the names of all so-called paedophile hunting groups who
provided information to you that led to the arrest of individuals in
connection with sexual offences against children in 2019/20.

 

West Mercia Police can neither confirm nor deny that it holds any other
information with regard to an exempt body as the duty in Section 1(1)(a)
of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 does not apply by virtue of the
following exemptions:

 

 

Section 23(5)

 

Section 23(5) Information supplied by, or concerning, certain Security
Bodies

 

Confirming or denying the existence of whether any other information is
held would contravene the constrictions laid out within Section 23 of the
Freedom of Information Act 2000 in that this stipulates a generic bar on
disclosure of any information applied by, or concerning Security Bodies.  

 

Section 31(3)

Section 31(3) - Law Enforcement

This is a prejudice based qualified exemption and as such there is a
requirement to provide details of the harm as well as the public interest
test.

 

Evidence of Harm

The request is asking specifically for the number of arrests made
following the receipt of information (aka intelligence) that has been
provided to the Police Service by “decoys”.   The public expect police
forces and other law enforcement agencies to use all powers and tactics
available to them in their endeavour to prevent and detect crime or
disorder and maintain public safety.  There are a number of tactics
available for gathering intelligence including, as in this case, recording
information obtained by officers or that which is provided by members of
the public when they contact West Mercia Police of their own volition.

The [1]College of Police APP Information Management Module is a national
standard adhered to by all police forces across England and Wales.  Police
Information refers to all information obtained, recorded or processed for
a policing purpose and includes information which is processed (known as
data, including personal data) and information which has been subject to a
process of evaluation (known as intelligence).

It is a business process with an intention to provide focus to operational
police and to achieve a disproportionately greater impact from the
resources applied to any problem.  It is dependent on a clear framework of
analysis of information and intelligence allowing a problem solving
approach to law enforcement and crime prevention techniques. 

The Police Service would never confirm or deny whether information has
been supplied by members of the public relating to a named individual or
not, whoever that individual may be, unless there is genuine operational
reason to do so.  If West Mercia Police reveals information, by confirming
information is held (by citing an exemption) or, conversely, stating no
information is held, that in itself reveals information about a named
individual and would undermine the above APP.

In addition, the flow of information (intelligence) into West Mercia
Police could be compromised which would have an impact on our ability to
collect reliable and accurate intelligence resulting in more costly and
time consuming methods of collecting information. 

Factors favouring complying with Section 1(1)(a) confirming information is
held

Confirming or denying that information exists relevant to this request
would lead to a better informed general public, improving their knowledge
and understanding of the tactics used by the Police when investigating
child sexual exploitation.

Factors against complying with Section 1(1)(a) neither confirming nor
denying that information is held

West Mercia Police has a duty of care to the community at large and public
safety is of paramount importance.  If an FOI disclosure reveals
information to the world by not adopting an NCND position, this action
would compromise the effective delivery of operational law enforcement as
detailed in the harm above. 

West Mercia Police relies on information being supplied by the public. 
Irrespective of what information is or is not held, by applying
substantive exemptions would indicate that information is held and
therefore revealing sensitive personal information about an individual. 
Such action would act as a deterrent to the public to provide intelligence
to the force.

Balance Test

The points above highlight the merits of confirming or denying that
information pertinent to this request exists.  The Police Service relies
heavily on the public and other law enforcement agencies providing
information.  The public has an expectation that any information they
provide will be treated with confidence and in line with the APP
Information Management Module.  Anything that places that confidence at
risk, no matter how generic, would undermine any trust or confidence other
agencies and individuals have in the Police Service.

The effective delivery of operational law enforcement takes priority and
is at the forefront of West Mercia Police to ensure the prevention and
detection of crime is carried out and the effective apprehensive or
prosecution of offenders is maintained.

Therefore, at this moment in time, it is our opinion that for these issues
the balance test for Neither Confirming Nor Denying that information is
held is appropriate in this case.

 

Section 40(5)

Section 40 (5)   Personal information

 

Please be advised that any information released as a result of a Freedom
of Information request, in effect, is being released into the public
domain. Therefore, it could subsequently be published or would have to be
made available to any member of the public if it were requested.

Any information that relates to an individual, or from which an individual
could be identified, constitutes personal data and to release information
that constitutes personal data into the public domain contravenes the Data
Protection Act 2018. The information that you have requested pertains to
personal data of a third party and therefore it is exempt from disclosure,
the exemption that applies to this type of information is Section 40 of
the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

 

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is as
accurate as possible

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

Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please write
or telephone the Information Compliance Unit quoting the reference number
above.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Mr C Stannard

Information Compliance Unit
West Mercia Police

PO Box 55

Hindlip

Worcester

WR3 8SP

01905 331545 / 7773960

 

 

West Mercia Police in complying with their statutory duty under sections 1
and 11 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to release the enclosed
information will not breach the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
However, the rights of the copyright owner of the enclosed information
will continue to be protected by law. Applications for the copyright
owner’s written permission to reproduce any part of the attached
information should be addressed to The Force Solicitor, West Mercia Police
Headquarters, PO Box 55, Hindlip, Worcester, WR3 8SP.

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 West Mercia Police (WMP) to review their
decision.

Prior to lodging a formal complaint you are welcome and encouraged to
discuss the decision with the person 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
contact the person named 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
WMP made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) regarding
access to information, you can lodge a complaint with WMP to have the
decision reviewed. WMP must be notified of your intention to complain
within 20 working days of the date of its response to your Freedom of
Information request. Complaints should be made in writing and addressed
to:

West Mercia Police Headquarters

Information Compliance Unit

Hindlip Hall

Hindlip

PO Box 55

Worcester

WR3 8SP

or

Email:  [West Mercia Police request email]

In all possible circumstances, WMP will aim to respond to your complaint
within 20 working days.

The Information Commissioner

After lodging a complaint with WMP 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 https://ico.org.uk/ Alternatively phone or
write to:

Information Commissioner’s Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

Phone: 0303 123 1113 (local rate) or 01625 545745 if you prefer to use a
national rate number

Fax:    01625 524 510

References

Visible links
1. https://www.app.college.police.uk/app-co...

Dear West Mercia Police,

Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information reviews.

I am writing to request an internal review of West Mercia Police's handling of my FOI request 'Paedophile hunters and online grooming'.

First, thank you for the useful information that you provided. My bone of contention, however, is your decision to engage section 40(5) in respect of my fourth request:

'4. Please provide the names of all so-called paedophile hunting groups who provided information to you that led to the arrest of individuals in connection with sexual offences against children in 2019/20'

I am asking not for personal information but for the names of so-called paedophile hunting groups. If your view is that the names of group members could be revealed as a consequence of my request, that is something I contest. These groups livestream their activities on Facebook for the whole world to see. Publicity is exactly what they want in their attempts to protect children from paedophiles. For example, here are four examples from your area of the groups questioning suspects:

Telford - Team Impact

https://www.bitchute.com/video/RxqCSUZTJ...

Telford - Defending the Innocent

https://www.bitchute.com/video/vHzThaUKS...

Worcester - Children Online Battling Real Abuse (COBRA)

https://www.bitchute.com/video/SQZtE3wLR...

Worcester - Children's innocence Matters

https://www.bitchute.com/video/SZg5wY0ts...

Furthermore, it is not evident from your response that you have asked the groups concerned whether they would object to having their names disclosed.

Another reason for disclosing the names of the groups concerned is that their activities have criticised by the authorities. Consider, for example, this report by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland titled 'Strategic review of Police Scotland’s response to online child sexual abuse':

https://www.hmics.scot/sites/default/fil...

'Almost half of the online grooming cases emanate from the activities of online child abuse activist groups (vigilante groups), who are unregulated and untrained. A more robust proactive capability on the part of Police Scotland would reduce the opportunities for these groups to operate.' (page 5)

If the public knew the names of these groups, then they would know that they are 'unregulated' and 'untrained'. As things stand, the public may believe that such groups operate on an official basis and consequently may approach them instead of the police to catch suspected paedophiles.

A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/p...

Yours faithfully,

D. Moore

Information Compliance, West Mercia Police

1 Attachment

Dear Mr Moore,

 

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO:  50766 – Internal review

 

I acknowledge receipt of your email of 31 January 2021 requesting an
internal review of your FOI request.

 

You will receive a response within 20 working days unless there are
exceptional circumstances.

 

Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please
contact the Information Compliance Unit quoting the reference number
above.

 

Kind regards,

 

David

 

David Cole
Information Compliance Supervisor | Information Compliance Unit | West
Mercia Police

PO Box 55, West Mercia Police Headquarters, Hindlip Hall, Worcester, WR3
8SP
Direct dial:  01905 331785 | Ext. 7772785

Team email:  [1][West Mercia Police request email]

 

[2]Email Sign Off

 

You can report non-urgent crime via our website. Always dial 999 in an
emergency.

Please visit our website for information or assistance, or follow our
social media accounts for police news in your area.

 

This email may contain information that is privileged, sensitive, or
otherwise protected from disclosure.   Any unauthorised use, disclosure,
copying or alteration of this email is strictly forbidden without express
authorisation from West Mercia Police.  This email is intended for the
recipient(s) only; please notify the sender immediately if received in
error.  Email activity is regularly monitored, including the content.
Internet email is not to be treated a secure means of communication. 
Expressed views or opinions do not necessarily represent those of West
Mercia Police.

 

West Mercia Police in complying with their statutory duty under sections 1
and 11 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to release the enclosed
information will not breach the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. 
However, the rights of the copyright owner of the enclosed information
will continue to be protected by law.  Applications for the copyright
owner’s written permission to reproduce any part of the attached
information should be addressed to The Force Solicitor, West Mercia Police
Headquarters, PO Box 55, Hindlip, Worcester, WR3 8SP.

 

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 West Mercia Police
(WMP) to review their decision.

 

Prior to lodging a formal complaint you are welcome and encouraged to
discuss the decision with the person 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 person named 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
WMP made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) regarding
access to information, you can lodge a complaint with WMP to have the
decision reviewed.  WMP must be notified of your intention to complain
within 20 working days of the date of its response to your Freedom of
Information request.  Complaints should be made in writing and addressed
to:

 

Information Compliance Unit

West Mercia Police Headquarters

PO Box 55

Hindlip Hall

Hindlip

Worcester

WR3 8SP

 

Alternatively, you can email [3][West Mercia Police request email]

 

In all possible circumstances, WMP will aim to respond to your complaint
within 20 working days.

 

The Information Commissioner

 

If after lodging a complaint with WMP you are still dissatisfied with the
decision, you may make application to the Information Commissioner (ICO)
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 [4]website.  Alternatively, you can contact the ICO in
writing or via phone:

 

Information Commissioner’s Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

 

Tel:  0303 123 1113 (local rate) or 01625 545745 (national rate)

Fax:  01625 524 510

 

show quoted sections

Information Compliance, West Mercia Police

Dear Mr Moore,

 

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO:  50766 – Internal review

 

I write further to your email of 31 January 2021 requesting an internal
review of your FOI request.

 

Request for internal review

 

You have sought an internal review of the decision made in relation to
your request for information.

 

Decision of internal review

 

Having reviewed your original FOI request and the reasons for refusal I
have determined that a fresh response be issued to you in relation to
question 4 of your original FOI request:

 

4. Please provide the names of all so-called paedophile hunting groups who
provided information to you that led to the arrest of individuals in
connection with sexual offences against children in 2019/20.

 

Reply

 

West Mercia Police holds this information.

 

One group called “Innocent Voices” has provided information in this
regard.

 

 

Should you have any further queries concerning this matter, please contact
the Information Compliance Unit quoting the reference number above.

 

If you remain unsatisfied with the outcome of this internal review you
have the right to apply to the Information Commissioner.  Their contact
details are outlined below.

 

 

Kind regards,

 

David

 

David Cole
Information Compliance Supervisor | Information Compliance Unit | West
Mercia Police

PO Box 55, West Mercia Police Headquarters, Hindlip Hall, Worcester, WR3
8SP
Mobile:  07773 052230 | Direct dial:  01905 331785 | Ext. 7772785

Team email:  [1][West Mercia Police request email]

 

The Information Commissioner

 

If after lodging a complaint with WMP you are still dissatisfied with the
decision, you may make application to the Information Commissioner (ICO)
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 [2]website.  Alternatively, you can contact the ICO in
writing or via phone:

 

Information Commissioner’s Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

 

Tel:  0303 123 1113 (local rate) or 01625 545745 (national rate)

Fax:  01625 524 510

 

This email and any attachments may contain information that is
confidential, privileged, sensitive, or otherwise protected from
disclosure. Its unauthorised use, disclosure, storage or copying is not
permitted. If received in error, please destroy all copies and notify the
sender immediately by return email. Internet email is not a secure medium
of communication. Any views or opinions expressed in this email do not
necessarily represent those of West Mercia Police. All email activity may
be may be monitored, recorded and retained by West Mercia Police in
accordance with relevant legislation.

 

Please be aware that all information provided to West Mercia Police will
be held and treated in confidence in accordance with the Data Protection
Act 2018. It may be shared with other Force departments. Personal
information may also be used for statistical purposes, for fraud and crime
prevention and may be checked with/disclosed to regulatory bodies. The
information provided may be held electronically and/or in paper form and
will be kept secure at all times. Your personal data will be processed for
the performance of tasks carried out in the public interest or in the
exercise of the Police’s official authority and to comply with legal
obligations. 

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[West Mercia Police request email]
2. https://ico.org.uk/

D. Moore left an annotation ()

Useful information:

Home Office counting rules - sexual offences (effective from April 2021)

'Sexual grooming

General Rule: One crime for each child.

Examples

1: A 60 year old male posted photographs of his teenage son on internet chat rooms and posed as his son. Following frequent internet chats with two 13 year old girls he encouraged them to travel to a London Station to meet him for sex.
Two crimes (class 88/1-88A).

2: A sports coach arranges for his 14 year old star pupil to meet up for a winter training week in Spain with him. He is arrested at Heathrow in possession of condoms and lubricants which he admits were for a sexual use on his star pupil.

One crime (class 88/1 –88A

'Principal Crime Example: see General Rules Section F and Annex C.

If a person has sexual activity with a child following grooming, record the substantive sexual offence only. A 40 year old male posted photographs of his teenage son on internet chat rooms and posed as his son. Following frequent internet chats with two 13 year old girls he encouraged them to travel to a London Station to meet him for sex. He has sexual intercourse with one of them and is arrested meeting the other girl.

One crime (class22/12 -22B) and one crime (class 88/1 -88A).'

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk...

BBC News (13/5/21)

'The body overseeing criminal sentences in England and Wales is proposing treating paedophiles who are caught in stings the same as abusers who harm real children.'

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-57095465

Impact Assessment, The Home Office
Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill

Sex offender management (g/h pages 6-7/16-19/24-25/31-34/49-59/75-76/80)

Information on polygraphs (49)

'Government intervention is necessary to address this gap in criminal law and ensure that those that arrange or facilitate child sex offences targeting children under the age of 13 are sentenced considering the additional vulnerability of the intended victims.'

https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/bi...

J Roberts left an annotation ()

You may be interested in this:

'National Police Chiefs’ Council Responding to Online Child Abuse Activists

2.2 Analysis of incidents of activism has revealed a mixed picture. Some activist groups have amended their mode of operation such that they pass packages of information to the police without having real world contact with the person suspected of offending behaviour. Whilst this is a positive development many groups continue to insist on carrying out a physical intervention and only notify the police post or concurrent to the event. This is less desirable for reasons that have been previously articulated. There is an increased prevalence of direct criminality where purported activists have no intention to notify the police but use the opportunity of an encounter to extort or rob.

2.3 The complex, nuanced and often overlapping nature of activism and volunteering make it difficult to be prescriptive as to the approach to be taken. It is not legally practicable for policing to develop memoranda of understanding or protocol of operation with activists without risking claims of abuse of process. Where the state is seen to circumvent statutory regulation by sub-contracting work to public volunteers it is highly likely that criminal prosecution will be stayed.'

https://www.npcc.police.uk/2019%20FOI/NP...

D. Moore left an annotation ()

According to one website, the number of "Live Stings" carried out last year by paedophile hunter teams was around 1,000. The number of "Active Teams" in the UK is put at 70:

https://nonce.tv/

(many more teams are named)

J Roberts left an annotation ()

Government response to the final report of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse

Updated 25 May 2023

'The commitments we make in this response build on the UK’s position as a world-leader in our work to stop child sexual abuse. We have introduced tougher sentencing for perpetrators through the Police, Crime and Sentencing Act, and are driving forward our Online Safety Bill with its ground breaking duties on companies to keep children safe.

8. ...We also know that child sexual abuse and exploitation is under-identified, under-reported and has in the past been under-recorded by the police. That is why one of our core strategic objectives is to drive up reporting and accordingly to see year-on-year increases in the volume of police recorded crime for child sexual abuse and exploitation offences. We also want to see year-on-year rises for the volume of charges for these offences.'

https://www.gov.uk/government/publicatio...

NSPCC:

'Online grooming crimes have risen by more than 80% in four years'

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/about-us/news-o...

D. Moore left an annotation ()

The Independent

"Citing data from 40 UK police forces, the NSPCC said that 6,350 offences related to sexual communication with a child were recorded last year – a rise of 82% since the offence was introduced in 2017/18."

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/bi...