Dispersal powers under Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014
Kevin Blowe made this Freedom of Information request to Suffolk Constabulary This request has been closed to new correspondence. Contact us if you think it should be reopened.
Dear Suffolk Constabulary,
Please can you provide me with the following information of the use of dispersal powers under Part 3 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014:
1. The number of instances that an authorisation under section 34 was made from January 2016 to date?
2. How many of these recorded authorisations noted particular regard to the rights of freedom of expression and freedom of assembly set out in articles 10 and 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights?
3. The location of any particular "hotspots" identified by the gathering and collation of this data?
Yours faithfully,
Kevin Blowe
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Kind Regards,
The Freedom of Information Team
Information Management Department
Norfolk and Suffolk Constabularies
Police Headquarters
Martlesham Heath, Ipswich, Suffolk
IP5 3QS
[Suffolk Constabulary request email]
Good Afternoon Mr Blowe,
Please refer to the attached acknowledgement in relation to your resent
FOI request.
Many Thanks,
Elaine Felton
Senior FOI Assistant
Information Management Department
Norfolk and Suffolk Constabularies
Police Headquarters
Portal Avenue, Martlesham Heath, Ipswich
Suffolk, IP5 3QS
01473 613888 Ext 3919
[1]www.suffolk.police.uk
[2]www.norfolk.police.uk
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Go here to view [3]Suffolk Constabulary Disclaimer
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5 July 2016
Dear Mr Blowe,
Thank you for your request for information dated 17 June 2016 concerning
instances that an authorisation under section 34 was made from January
2016 to date.
This is to inform you that all information relating to your request has
been collated my response is attached. This request is now complete and
shall be closed immediately.
Should any further information be requested regarding this topic, a
separate request will need to be submitted.
Should you need to discuss this further please contact Clair Pack, on
01473 613888 Ext 3919.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your interest in
Suffolk Constabulary.
Yours sincerely,
Clair
Clair Pack
FOI Decision Maker
Information Management Department
Norfolk and Suffolk Constabularies
Police Headquarters
Portal Avenue, Martlesham Heath, Ipswich
Suffolk, IP5 3QS
01473 613888 Ext 3919
[1]www.suffolk.police.uk
[2]www.norfolk.police.uk
This e-mail carries a disclaimer
Go here to view [3]Suffolk Constabulary Disclaimer
References
Visible links
1. http://www.suffolk.police.uk/
2. http://www.norfolk.police.uk/
3. http://www.suffolk.police.uk/emaildiscla...
Dear Suffolk Constabulary,
Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information reviews.
I am writing to request an internal review of Suffolk Constabulary's handling of my FOI request 'Dispersal powers under Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014'.
The Home Office's "Reform of anti-social behaviour powers - Statutory guidance for frontline professionals", published in July 2014, says:
"Police forces may wish to publish data on the use of the dispersal power to be transparent about their use of it. Police and Crime Commissioners will have an important role in holding forces to account to ensure that officers are using the power proportionately. Publication of data locally will help highlight any 'hotspot' areas that may need a longer-term solution, such as diversionary activities for young people or security measures in pubs and clubs to prevent alcohol-related anti-social behaviour in town centres."
If it is the case, as the rejection of my request indicates, that Suffolk Constabulary does not record, in a central location, the details of authorisations under Section 34 , then it is impossible for Suffolk’s PCC Tim Passmore - or indeed, members of the public - to provide the kind of scrutiny necessary to ensure these powers are used proportionately and to comment on the kind of 'hotspots' the statutory guidance mentions.
There is thus a wider public interest in collating and disclosing this information, beyond the narrow issue of cost for a individual Freedom of Information request. I urge you to therefore reconsider.
A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/d...
The Home Office statutory guidance is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/sy...
Yours faithfully,
Kevin Blowe
Please find attached acknowledgment in relation to your recent request for an internal review
Kind regards
Clair
Clair Pack
FOI Decision Maker
Information Management Department
Norfolk and Suffolk Constabularies
Police Headquarters
Portal Avenue, Martlesham Heath, Ipswich
Suffolk, IP5 3QS
01473 613888 Ext 3919
www.suffolk.police.uk
www.norfolk.police.uk
Dear Mr Blowe,
Please find attached response in relation to your recent request for an Internal Review of FOI request 002356/16
Kind regards
Clair Pack
FOI Decision Maker
Information Management Department
Norfolk and Suffolk Constabularies
Police Headquarters
Portal Avenue, Martlesham Heath, Ipswich
Suffolk, IP5 3QS
01473 613888 Ext 3919
www.suffolk.police.uk
www.norfolk.police.uk
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