Calls To Assist Private Corporations To Prevent Breach Of Peace

The request was partially successful.

Stephanie Whitley

Dear Essex Police,

Under the Freedom Of Information Act I request the following information/statistics.

Over the last 5 years the amount of requests the force has has received from TV Licensing/Capita to attend a property to assist with executing a search warrant/prevent a breach of the peace. If possible I would appreciate the total requests actually attended by officers or declined by the force and all broken down by year.

A copy of any guidance/policy/documents relating to assisting TV Licensing (or any private corporations including, but not limited to: Bailiffs, TVL, Councils etc) when attending a property to enforce a warrant, such as deployment criteria, role of impartiality at scene etc.

Over the same period broken down by year, the amount of incidents where the words TV Licence/TV Licensing or BBC are reported and the reason for report, i.e. harassment, assault etc.

Yours faithfully,

Stephanie Whitley

Info Rights Freedom Essex, Essex Police

1 Attachment

Thank you for your enquiry which has been logged under the above reference
14962.

Under the Freedom of Information Act we are required to reply within 20
working days. The Act does not specify a limit to the number of
information requests a public authority may receive or the number of
requests or questions an applicant may submit.  However, there are
exemptions in the Act that can apply and these include where the cost of
complying with the request would extend beyond the reasonable cost limit,
(currently 18 hours or £450), or if the request is otherwise manifestly
unreasonable in its scope or nature. 

 

Requests that ask a great many questions, or a number of detailed requests
submitted at the same time, may make it necessary for Essex Police to
refuse the requests wholly or in part. The exemption at section 14, may be
engaged if the burden on the authority is increased through multiple
requests on differing subjects.

 

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has responsibility for
providing oversight and guidance for the legislation and they have
produced advice for applicants on submitting effective requests. Further
information can be found on the Commissioner’s website at
[1]www.ico.gov.uk specific information relating to submitting a request
can be found at:
[2]https://ico.org.uk/for-the-public/offici...

                                                      

While we process your request, please take the time to consider the ICO’s
advice and whether you feel it may be beneficial to amend or refine your
request. Our team is happy to discuss your request with you and will be
able to provide advice as to what kind of information will be available
from Essex Police.

 

Although every effort will be made to ensure a response is provided within
statutory deadlines, due to current circumstances, delays may be
unavoidable. We apologise for any inconvenience and will endeavour to
process your request as quickly as is practicable.

 

Kind regards,

 

FOI Team | Information Management Department | Information Rights Section
| Essex Police

Email: [3][Essex Police request email]

Address: Information Management Department, Information Rights Section,
Essex Police HQ, PO Box 2, Chelmsford CM2 6DA  (for Sat Nav directions,
use CM2 6DN for HQ)

Information Management aspires to be: Helpful, Inclusive & Professional

Essex Police have developed a publication strategy, our aim is to reduce
the demand within the FOI department and to provide knowledge to the
public to include previous and combined FOI requests together with
relevant links and information.

Please visit this area of our website before submitting FOI requests as
information may already be available.

[4]https://www.essex.police.uk/foi-ai/af/ac...

 

 

 

Please note, if you require further information or wish to resubmit a
request please refer to the information found on the Commissioner’s
website regarding submission of effective requests: 
[5]https://www.ico.org.uk/for_the_public/of...

 

Your right to complain

If you feel your request has not been properly handled, or you are
otherwise dissatisfied with the outcome of your request you have the right
to complain.

 

Complaints should be submitted within 20 working days from the date of
this response and should be addressed to the Senior Information Officer at
the above address or by email to:  [6][Essex Police request email]

 

We will conduct a review to investigate your complaint and endeavour to
reply within 20 working days.

 

Please explain which aspect of the reply you are not satisfied with, and
if your complaint concerns the decision to apply an exemption it would
assist the review if you would outline why you believe the exemption does
not apply.      

 

If you are still dissatisfied following our review, you have the right
under Section 50 of the Act to complain directly to the Information
Commissioner.  Before considering your complaint, the Information
Commissioner would normally expect you to have exhausted the complaints
procedures provided by Essex Police.

 

The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:  Information
Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9
5AF or via [7]https://ico.org.uk/.

 

 

 

show quoted sections

Info Rights Freedom Essex, Essex Police

2 Attachments

Thank you for your enquiry which has been logged under the above
reference.

 

Section 1 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) places two duties
on public authorities.  Unless exemptions apply, the first duty at Section
1(1)(a) is to confirm or deny whether the information specified in a
request is held.  The second duty at Section 1(1)(b) is to disclose
information that has been confirmed as being held.  Where exemptions are
relied upon Section 17 of FOIA requires that we provide the applicant with
a notice which: a) states that fact b) specifies the exemption(s) in
question and c) states (if that would not otherwise be apparent) why the
exemption applies.

 

In respect of your enquiry:

 

Over the last 5 years the amount of requests the force has received from
TV Licensing/Capita to attend a property to assist with executing a search
warrant/prevent a breach of the peace. If possible I would appreciate the
total requests actually attended by officers or declined by the force and
all broken down by year.

 

A copy of any guidance/policy/documents relating to assisting TV Licensing
(or any private corporations including, but not limited to: Bailiffs, TVL,
Councils etc) when attending a property to enforce a warrant, such as
deployment criteria, role of impartiality at scene etc.

 

Over the same period broken down by year, the amount of incidents where
the words TV Licence/TV Licensing or BBC are reported and the reason for
report, i.e. harassment, assault etc.

 

Having completed enquiries within Essex Police and in respect of Section
1(1)(a), Essex Police does hold some data relating to your request, Essex
Police can confirm in respect of Section 1(1)(b) the below data

In respect of the number of requests received over the last 5 years, Essex
Police have searched our systems – No information held -  nil results
returned.

 

A copy of any guidance/policy/documents relating to assisting TV Licensing
(or any private corporations including, but not limited to: Bailiffs, TVL,
Councils etc) when attending a property to enforce a warrant, such as
deployment criteria, role of impartiality at scene etc. – No information
is held that specifically relates to assisting TV licensing.

 

Over the same period broken down by year, the amount of incidents where
the words TV Licence/TV Licensing or BBC are reported and the reason for
report, i.e. harassment, assault etc

 

Final Call Types 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Grand Total
ABAND 999   4 2 2 3 1 12
ABND VEH   1   2 1   4
ADVICE REQ 6 2         8
AIR IN DIS         2   2
AIR WEAPON   1         1
ALRM-INTDR           2 2
ALRM-P/ATT       1   1 2
ALRM-TRACK   1         1
ANIMAL 2 2 1     1 6
ANPR HIT 1   3 4 1 4 13
ARMED ROB   1         1
ARREST REQ 2     3     5
ARSON     1       1
ASS AGENCY       1 1   2
ASSAULT     1 1 3 2 7
ASSLT ABH 1 1 2 2 2 1 9
ATTN TO 4 3 2   1 3 13
BAILBREACH     2       2
BANK PRTCL           1 1
BLACKMAIL     1     2 3
BURG AGR         1   1
BURG DWELL 1           1
BURG OTHR 4           4
BURG RES D     1       1
BURG RESND       1   1 2
CALL ON 1 1 2 7   1 12
CBRN       1     1
CHILD AB           1 1
CONCERN 11 17 14 13 22 21 98
CONCRN OTH         1   1
COVID R6           3 3
CRIM DAM 5 5 2 1 1 1 15
DECAMP       1     1
DISP CIVIL 3   3   2 7 15
DISSATISFY 3 2 7 7 7 8 34
DISTURB   5 8 3 8 2 26
DOG DANG     1 1     2
DOM HIGH 5 2       2 9
DOM MED 8 7 4 14 5 6 44
DOM STD 3 3 2 5 1 2 16
DRUGS   1   1 1   3
DRVG COMP 3           3
DUPLICATE 7 7 3 9 1 1 28
EMERGENCY         5   5
F/ARM INC   3       1 4
F/ARM INFO       1     1
F/ARM SEEN   1         1
FIGHT           1 1
FIRE 1 2 2 1 1 1 8
FLYTIPPING 1   2   1   4
FRAUD 5 1 1   5 2 14
HARASS   2 2 2 3   9
HATE CRIME 1 2 6 5 2 2 18
HAZCHEM 3       1 2 6
HOAX CALL 1 1 1   1   4
HWAY DISRP 3   1 2   1 7
ILL/INJURY         1   1
INFO 35 42 23 36 25 23 184
INSECURE   1         1
INTIMIDATE         1   1
KIDNAP       1     1
M/V FOUND     1       1
MAL COMMS     1 1 2 3 7
MENT HLTH 9 7 6 16 21 15 74
MG11 REQ   1 1   1   3
MISPER   1 1   1   3
MISPER HI 7 2   5   2 16
MISPER ME 2 1 1 4 1   9
MURDER 5 3   4 6 1 19
NUIS COMMS 5 1         6
NUIS NEIGH 3 2   1 1 4 11
NUISANCE         1 10 11
NUIS-NOISE 2         5 7
NUIS-OTH 3 3 1       7
NUIS-VEH       1   1 2
NUIS-YTH 2   4       6
OBSTRUCT     2   1 1 4
OFF WEAP         2 1 3
P/ORD INC 1 3 1   1 1 7
POLVEH INC     1       1
PREV BOP 12 1 2 2 2   19
PRISON RCL       1     1
PROPERTY 1     2   2 5
PROTEST   1   2 6   9
RAPE 1     5 2 2 10
REQ AGENCY   1         1
REQ POL 2           2
ROAD RELAT 1     2 2   5
ROBBERY 2   1   3 1 7
RTC   1 3 2 1 1 8
RTC FATAL 2 6 4       12
RTC INJ 2 2 1 4     9
SEX OFFNC 7 1 1 1 1   11
SILENT 999   1 1       2
SLAV/TRAFF     1     1 2
SP EVENT         2 1 3
SP/OPS 1   2   3   6
STABBING     1       1
SUD DEATH   3   1 1   5
SUS CIRCS 24 25 23 13 18 8 111
SUS PREMS     3       3
TASK         1   1
THEFT 4   3 2   3 12
THEFT VEH     1   1   2
THREATS   2   4 1   7
TREE DOWN     1       1
UNAUTH CMP   2         2
OTHER         1   1
Grand Total 218 191 168 201 193 170 1141

 

Caveat: This request was produced by searching for the words “TV LICENCE”,
“TV LICENSING” and “BBC” on STORM within the incident comments. Therefore
any incident that involved these words will appear within the data even if
the incident is not related to the reason for the call.

 

Thank you for your interest in Essex Police and we hope that the above
information is useful.

 

 

Kind regards,

 

 

 

FOI Team | Information Management Department | Information Rights Section
| Essex Police

Email: [1][Essex Police request email]

Address: Information Management Department, Information Rights Section,
Essex Police HQ, PO Box 2, Chelmsford CM2 6DA  (for Sat Nav directions,
use CM2 6DN for HQ)

Information Management aspires to be: Helpful, Inclusive & Professional

Essex Police have developed a publication strategy, our aim is to reduce
the demand within the FOI department and to provide knowledge to the
public to include previous and combined FOI requests together with
relevant links and information.

Please visit this area of our website before submitting FOI requests as
information may already be available.

[2]https://www.essex.police.uk/foi-ai/af/ac...

 

 

 

Please note, if you require further information or wish to resubmit a
request please refer to the information found on the Commissioner’s
website regarding submission of effective requests: 
[3]https://www.ico.org.uk/for_the_public/of...

 

Your right to complain

If you feel your request has not been properly handled, or you are
otherwise dissatisfied with the outcome of your request you have the right
to complain.

 

Complaints should be submitted within 20 working days from the date of
this response and should be addressed to the Senior Information Officer at
the above address or by email to:  [4][Essex Police request email]

 

We will conduct a review to investigate your complaint and endeavour to
reply within 20 working days.

 

Please explain which aspect of the reply you are not satisfied with, and
if your complaint concerns the decision to apply an exemption it would
assist the review if you would outline why you believe the exemption does
not apply.      

 

If you are still dissatisfied following our review, you have the right
under Section 50 of the Act to complain directly to the Information
Commissioner.  Before considering your complaint, the Information
Commissioner would normally expect you to have exhausted the complaints
procedures provided by Essex Police.

 

The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:  Information
Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9
5AF or via [5]https://ico.org.uk/.

 

 

 

From: Info Rights Freedom Essex
Sent: 02 November 2020 13:25
To: 'Stephanie Whitley' <[FOI #703065 email]>
Subject: FOI 14962 - Calls To Assist Private Corporations To Prevent
Breach Of Peace

 

Thank you for your enquiry which has been logged under the above reference
14962.

Under the Freedom of Information Act we are required to reply within 20
working days. The Act does not specify a limit to the number of
information requests a public authority may receive or the number of
requests or questions an applicant may submit.  However, there are
exemptions in the Act that can apply and these include where the cost of
complying with the request would extend beyond the reasonable cost limit,
(currently 18 hours or £450), or if the request is otherwise manifestly
unreasonable in its scope or nature. 

 

Requests that ask a great many questions, or a number of detailed requests
submitted at the same time, may make it necessary for Essex Police to
refuse the requests wholly or in part. The exemption at section 14, may be
engaged if the burden on the authority is increased through multiple
requests on differing subjects.

 

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has responsibility for
providing oversight and guidance for the legislation and they have
produced advice for applicants on submitting effective requests. Further
information can be found on the Commissioner’s website at
[6]www.ico.gov.uk specific information relating to submitting a request
can be found at:
[7]https://ico.org.uk/for-the-public/offici...

                                                      

While we process your request, please take the time to consider the ICO’s
advice and whether you feel it may be beneficial to amend or refine your
request. Our team is happy to discuss your request with you and will be
able to provide advice as to what kind of information will be available
from Essex Police.

 

Although every effort will be made to ensure a response is provided within
statutory deadlines, due to current circumstances, delays may be
unavoidable. We apologise for any inconvenience and will endeavour to
process your request as quickly as is practicable.

 

Kind regards,

 

FOI Team | Information Management Department | Information Rights Section
| Essex Police

Email: [8][Essex Police request email]

Address: Information Management Department, Information Rights Section,
Essex Police HQ, PO Box 2, Chelmsford CM2 6DA  (for Sat Nav directions,
use CM2 6DN for HQ)

Information Management aspires to be: Helpful, Inclusive & Professional

Essex Police have developed a publication strategy, our aim is to reduce
the demand within the FOI department and to provide knowledge to the
public to include previous and combined FOI requests together with
relevant links and information.

Please visit this area of our website before submitting FOI requests as
information may already be available.

[9]https://www.essex.police.uk/foi-ai/af/ac...

 

 

 

Please note, if you require further information or wish to resubmit a
request please refer to the information found on the Commissioner’s
website regarding submission of effective requests: 
[10]https://www.ico.org.uk/for_the_public/of...

 

Your right to complain

If you feel your request has not been properly handled, or you are
otherwise dissatisfied with the outcome of your request you have the right
to complain.

 

Complaints should be submitted within 20 working days from the date of
this response and should be addressed to the Senior Information Officer at
the above address or by email to:  [11][Essex Police request email]

 

We will conduct a review to investigate your complaint and endeavour to
reply within 20 working days.

 

Please explain which aspect of the reply you are not satisfied with, and
if your complaint concerns the decision to apply an exemption it would
assist the review if you would outline why you believe the exemption does
not apply.      

 

If you are still dissatisfied following our review, you have the right
under Section 50 of the Act to complain directly to the Information
Commissioner.  Before considering your complaint, the Information
Commissioner would normally expect you to have exhausted the complaints
procedures provided by Essex Police.

 

The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:  Information
Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9
5AF or via [12]https://ico.org.uk/.

 

 

 

show quoted sections