General Policing use of ANPR data from CCZ/LEZ
Dear Metropolitan Police Service (MPS),
I am writing concerning the Metropolitan Police's use of data obtained from ANPR cameras operated by Transport for London in the London Congestion Charging Zone (CCZ) and Low Emission Zone (LEZ).
According to the Metropolitan Police's annual reports to the Information Commissioner's Office, from 2008 to 2011, the ANPR Unit retained all data from the ANPR cameras, but only accessed this data in accordance with the exemption certificates issued by the Home Secretary in 2007 and 2011. These certificates granted permission to access this data only for the purpose of safeguarding national security.
However, the Fifth Annual Report, issued for 2012, states that:
"During the same period the ANPR Data was used to support General Policing and Crime Investigation. [...] The practise of using the ANPR Data in such circumstances has been agreed at MPS Chief Officer level. The audit report below will outline some of the safeguards put in place in respect of using the ANPR Data for general policing purposes, although such reporting is not required within the provisions of the Certificate as the MPS contends that no breach has occurred and neither is access to the data dependent on the Certificate. Other legal gateways for access under the Data Protection Act (principally section 29) are relied upon . For further information on this matter the ANPR Unit should be contacted directly."
And:
"Since the period of the last audit a senior level decision has been taken to extend use of TfL ANPR data to support General Policing and Crime Investigation . The MPS and TfL have been working together to implement a commitment in the Mayor's 2012 manifesto to enable routine MPS access to ANPR data collected by TfL. Ahead of formal agreement by the Mayor, the MPS ANPR Bureau have established an interim policy for use by MPS ANPR Bureau personnel. The issue of use of the TfL ANPR data for these purposes does appear to have been carefully considered by the MPS ANPR Bureau and discussed at length with TfL."
For the purposes of this request, please will you release to me:
(1) All documents (reports, emails, etc) covering the senior level decisions cited in the report within the Metropolitan Police concerning the use of TfL ANPR data to support General Policing and Crime Investigation.
(2) All correspondence between the Metropolitan Police and Transport for London regarding the Mayor's commitment cited in the report.
(3) Documentation of the interim policy cited in the report.
(4) All documents regarding the "other legal gateways for access" cited in the report, and any other documents supporting the Metropolitan Police's assertion in the report that "neither is access to the data dependent on the Certificate", with regard to the fact that previous reports cited the Certificate as the justification for access to the data.
(5) The number of times in 2012, 2013 and 2014 (where figures are available) that the CCZ and LEZ ANPR data has been accessed for General Policing purposes, as opposed to access under the Certificate for National Security purposes.
Yours faithfully,
James Bridle
Dear Mr Bridle
Freedom of Information Request Reference No: 2014010001979
I respond in connection with your request for information which was
received by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) on 20/01/2014. I note
you seek access to the following information:
I am writing concerning the Metropolitan Police's use of data obtained
from ANPR cameras operated by Transport for London in the London
Congestion Charging Zone (CCZ) and Low Emission Zone (LEZ). According to
the Metropolitan Police's annual reports to the Information Commissioner's
Office, from 2008 to 2011, the ANPR Unit retained all data from the ANPR
cameras, but only accessed this data in accordance with the exemption
certificates issued by the Home Secretary in 2007 and 2011. These
certificates granted permission to access this data only for the purpose
of safeguarding national security. However, the Fifth Annual Report,
issued for 2012, states that: "During the same period the ANPR Data was
used to support General Policing and Crime Investigation. [...] The
practise of using the ANPR Data in such circumstances has been agreed at
MPS Chief Officer level. The audit report below will outline some of the
safeguards put in place in respect of using the ANPR Data for general
policing purposes, although such reporting is not required within the
provisions of the Certificate as the MPS contends that no breach has
occurred and neither is access to the data dependent on the Certificate.
Other legal gateways for access under the Data Protection Act (principally
section 29) are relied upon . For further information on this matter the
ANPR Unit should be contacted directly." And: "Since the period of the
last audit a senior level decision has been taken to extend use of TfL
ANPR data to support General Policing and Crime Investigation . The MPS
and TfL have been working together to implement a commitment in the
Mayor's 2012 manifesto to enable routine MPS access to ANPR data collected
by TfL. Ahead of formal agreement by the Mayor, the MPS ANPR Bureau have
established an interim policy for use by MPS ANPR Bureau personnel. The
issue of use of the TfL ANPR data for these purposes does appear to have
been carefully considered by the MPS ANPR Bureau and discussed at length
with TfL.
" For the purposes of this request, please will you release to me:
(1) All documents (reports, emails, etc) covering the senior level
decisions cited in the report within the Metropolitan Police concerning
the use of TfL ANPR data to support General Policing and Crime
Investigation.
(2) All correspondence between the Metropolitan Police and Transport for
London regarding the Mayor's commitment cited in the report.
(3) Documentation of the interim policy cited in the report.
(4) All documents regarding the "other legal gateways for access" cited in
the report, and any other documents supporting the Metropolitan Police's
assertion in the report that "neither is access to the data dependent on
the Certificate", with regard to the fact that previous reports cited the
Certificate as the justification for access to the data.
(5) The number of times in 2012, 2013 and 2014 (where figures are
available) that the CCZ and LEZ ANPR data has been accessed for General
Policing purposes, as opposed to access under the Certificate for National
Security purposes.
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
contact me quoting the reference number above.
Yours sincerely
Catherine Carrington
SC&O Information Manager
Freedom of Information Compliance
Specialist Crime & Operations (SC&O)
Metropolitan Police Service
020 7230 9962
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 to discuss the
response with the case officer who dealt with your request.
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, within forty (40) working days from
the date of the refusal notice, and addressed to:
FOI Complaint
Public Access Office
PO Box 57192
London
SW6 1SF
[email address]
In all possible circumstances the MPS will aim to respond to your
complaint within 20 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
Total Policing is the Met's commitment to be on the streets and in your
communities to catch offenders, prevent crime and support victims. We are
here for London, working with you to make our capital safer.
Consider our environment - please do not print this email unless
absolutely necessary.
NOTICE - This email and any attachments may be confidential, subject to
copyright and/or legal privilege and are intended solely for the use of
the intended recipient. If you have received this email in error, please
notify the sender and delete it from your system. To avoid incurring
legal liabilities, you must not distribute or copy the information in this
email without the permission of the sender. MPS communication systems are
monitored to the extent permitted by law. Consequently, any email and/or
attachments may be read by monitoring staff. Only specified personnel are
authorised to conclude any binding agreement on behalf of the MPS by
email. The MPS accepts no responsibility for unauthorised agreements
reached with other employees or agents. The security of this email and
any attachments cannot be guaranteed. Email messages are routinely scanned
but malicious software infection and corruption of content can still occur
during transmission over the Internet. Any views or opinions expressed in
this communication are solely those of the author and do not necessarily
represent those of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS).
Find us at:
Facebook: Facebook.com/metpoliceuk
Twitter: @metpoliceuk
Dear Mr Bridle
Freedom of Information Request Reference No: 2014010001979
I respond in connection with your request for information which was
received by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) on 20/01/2014. I note
you seek access to the following information:
I am writing concerning the Metropolitan Police's use of data obtained
from ANPR cameras operated by Transport for London in the London
Congestion Charging Zone (CCZ) and Low Emission Zone (LEZ). According to
the Metropolitan Police's annual reports to the Information Commissioner's
Office, from 2008 to 2011, the ANPR Unit retained all data from the ANPR
cameras, but only accessed this data in accordance with the exemption
certificates issued by the Home Secretary in 2007 and 2011. These
certificates granted permission to access this data only for the purpose
of safeguarding national security. However, the Fifth Annual Report,
issued for 2012, states that: "During the same period the ANPR Data was
used to support General Policing and Crime Investigation. [...] The
practise of using the ANPR Data in such circumstances has been agreed at
MPS Chief Officer level. The audit report below will outline some of the
safeguards put in place in respect of using the ANPR Data for general
policing purposes, although such reporting is not required within the
provisions of the Certificate as the MPS contends that no breach has
occurred and neither is access to the data dependent on the Certificate.
Other legal gateways for access under the Data Protection Act (principally
section 29) are relied upon . For further information on this matter the
ANPR Unit should be contacted directly." And: "Since the period of the
last audit a senior level decision has been taken to extend use of TfL
ANPR data to support General Policing and Crime Investigation . The MPS
and TfL have been working together to implement a commitment in the
Mayor's 2012 manifesto to enable routine MPS access to ANPR data collected
by TfL. Ahead of formal agreement by the Mayor, the MPS ANPR Bureau have
established an interim policy for use by MPS ANPR Bureau personnel. The
issue of use of the TfL ANPR data for these purposes does appear to have
been carefully considered by the MPS ANPR Bureau and discussed at length
with TfL.
" For the purposes of this request, please will you release to me:
(1) All documents (reports, emails, etc) covering the senior level
decisions cited in the report within the Metropolitan Police concerning
the use of TfL ANPR data to support General Policing and Crime
Investigation.
(2) All correspondence between the Metropolitan Police and Transport for
London regarding the Mayor's commitment cited in the report.
(3) Documentation of the interim policy cited in the report.
(4) All documents regarding the "other legal gateways for access" cited in
the report, and any other documents supporting the Metropolitan Police's
assertion in the report that "neither is access to the data dependent on
the Certificate", with regard to the fact that previous reports cited the
Certificate as the justification for access to the data.
(5) The number of times in 2012, 2013 and 2014 (where figures are
available) that the CCZ and LEZ ANPR data has been accessed for General
Policing purposes, as opposed to access under the Certificate for National
Security purposes.
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
contact me quoting the reference number above.
Yours sincerely
Catherine Carrington
SC&O Information Manager
Freedom of Information Compliance
Specialist Crime & Operations (SC&O)
Metropolitan Police Service
020 7230 9962
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 to discuss the
response with the case officer who dealt with your request.
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, within forty (40) working days from
the date of the refusal notice, and addressed to:
FOI Complaint
Public Access Office
PO Box 57192
London
SW6 1SF
[email address]
In all possible circumstances the MPS will aim to respond to your
complaint within 20 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
Total Policing is the Met's commitment to be on the streets and in your
communities to catch offenders, prevent crime and support victims. We are
here for London, working with you to make our capital safer.
Consider our environment - please do not print this email unless
absolutely necessary.
NOTICE - This email and any attachments may be confidential, subject to
copyright and/or legal privilege and are intended solely for the use of
the intended recipient. If you have received this email in error, please
notify the sender and delete it from your system. To avoid incurring
legal liabilities, you must not distribute or copy the information in this
email without the permission of the sender. MPS communication systems are
monitored to the extent permitted by law. Consequently, any email and/or
attachments may be read by monitoring staff. Only specified personnel are
authorised to conclude any binding agreement on behalf of the MPS by
email. The MPS accepts no responsibility for unauthorised agreements
reached with other employees or agents. The security of this email and
any attachments cannot be guaranteed. Email messages are routinely scanned
but malicious software infection and corruption of content can still occur
during transmission over the Internet. Any views or opinions expressed in
this communication are solely those of the author and do not necessarily
represent those of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS).
Find us at:
Facebook: Facebook.com/metpoliceuk
Twitter: @metpoliceuk
Dear Ms Carrington,
Thank you for your acknowledgement. I look forward to your response by the 17th of February.
Yours faithfully,
James Bridle
Dear Metropolitan Police Service (MPS),
Please note that today is the final deadline under law for responding to this request.
Yours faithfully,
James Bridle
Dear Mr Bridle
Freedom of Information Request Reference No: 2014010001979
I respond in connection with your request for information which was
received by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) on 20/01/2014. I note
you seek access to the following information:
I am writing concerning the Metropolitan Police's use of data obtained
from ANPR cameras operated by Transport for London in the London
Congestion Charging Zone (CCZ) and Low Emission Zone (LEZ). According to
the Metropolitan Police's annual reports to the Information Commissioner's
Office, from 2008 to 2011, the ANPR Unit retained all data from the ANPR
cameras, but only accessed this data in accordance with the exemption
certificates issued by the Home Secretary in 2007 and 2011. These
certificates granted permission to access this data only for the purpose
of safeguarding national security. However, the Fifth Annual Report,
issued for 2012, states that: "During the same period the ANPR Data was
used to support General Policing and Crime Investigation. [...] The
practise of using the ANPR Data in such circumstances has been agreed at
MPS Chief Officer level. The audit report below will outline some of the
safeguards put in place in respect of using the ANPR Data for general
policing purposes, although such reporting is not required within the
provisions of the Certificate as the MPS contends that no breach has
occurred and neither is access to the data dependent on the Certificate.
Other legal gateways for access under the Data Protection Act (principally
section 29) are relied upon . For further information on this matter the
ANPR Unit should be contacted directly." And: "Since the period of the
last audit a senior level decision has been taken to extend use of TfL
ANPR data to support General Policing and Crime Investigation . The MPS
and TfL have been working together to implement a commitment in the
Mayor's 2012 manifesto to enable routine MPS access to ANPR data collected
by TfL. Ahead of formal agreement by the Mayor, the MPS ANPR Bureau have
established an interim policy for use by MPS ANPR Bureau personnel. The
issue of use of the TfL ANPR data for these purposes does appear to have
been carefully considered by the MPS ANPR Bureau and discussed at length
with TfL.
" For the purposes of this request, please will you release to me:
(1) All documents (reports, emails, etc) covering the senior level
decisions cited in the report within the Metropolitan Police concerning
the use of TfL ANPR data to support General Policing and Crime
Investigation.
(2) All correspondence between the Metropolitan Police and Transport for
London regarding the Mayor's commitment cited in the report.
(3) Documentation of the interim policy cited in the report.
(4) All documents regarding the "other legal gateways for access" cited in
the report, and any other documents supporting the Metropolitan Police's
assertion in the report that "neither is access to the data dependent on
the Certificate", with regard to the fact that previous reports cited the
Certificate as the justification for access to the data.
(5) The number of times in 2012, 2013 and 2014 (where figures are
available) that the CCZ and LEZ ANPR data has been accessed for General
Policing purposes, as opposed to access under the Certificate for National
Security purposes.
Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act), we have 20 working
days to respond to a request for information
I am sorry to inform you that we have not been able to complete our
response to your request by the date originally stated, as we are
currently trying to establish what information the MPS holds, if any, and
whether it can be retrieved within the cost threshold as laid out under
Section 12 of the Freedom of Information Act (the Act).
I can now advise you that the amended date for a response is 17/03/2014.
May I apologise for any inconvenience caused.
COMPLAINT RIGHTS
If you are dissatisfied with this response please read the attached paper
entitled Complaint Rights which explains how to make a complaint.
Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please
contact me quoting the reference number above.
Yours sincerely
Catherine Carrington
SC&O Information Manager
Freedom of Information Compliance
Specialist Crime & Operations (SC&O)
Metropolitan Police Service
020 7230 9962
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 to discuss the
response with the case officer who dealt with your request.
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, within forty (40) working days from
the date of the refusal notice, and addressed to:
FOI Complaint
Public Access Office
PO Box 57192
London
SW6 1SF
[email address]
In all possible circumstances the MPS will aim to respond to your
complaint within 20 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
Total Policing is the Met's commitment to be on the streets and in your
communities to catch offenders, prevent crime and support victims. We are
here for London, working with you to make our capital safer.
Consider our environment - please do not print this email unless
absolutely necessary.
NOTICE - This email and any attachments may be confidential, subject to
copyright and/or legal privilege and are intended solely for the use of
the intended recipient. If you have received this email in error, please
notify the sender and delete it from your system. To avoid incurring
legal liabilities, you must not distribute or copy the information in this
email without the permission of the sender. MPS communication systems are
monitored to the extent permitted by law. Consequently, any email and/or
attachments may be read by monitoring staff. Only specified personnel are
authorised to conclude any binding agreement on behalf of the MPS by
email. The MPS accepts no responsibility for unauthorised agreements
reached with other employees or agents. The security of this email and
any attachments cannot be guaranteed. Email messages are routinely scanned
but malicious software infection and corruption of content can still occur
during transmission over the Internet. Any views or opinions expressed in
this communication are solely those of the author and do not necessarily
represent those of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS).
Find us at:
Facebook: Facebook.com/metpoliceuk
Twitter: @metpoliceuk
Dear Ms Carrington,
Thank you for your response. I am disappointed to hear that the Metropolitan Police have not been able to satisfy the Information Commissioner's guidance which states that the extended
response limit should only be used in "exceptionally complex" cases. In publishing a speculative date for a response and stating that you have not yet ascertained if "any" information is held, I am concerned that the Metropolitan Police is using the 20 day limit as a "long stop" in direct contravention of published ICO guidelines, and as such I will expect a full response before the 17th of March, otherwise the matter will be referred to the Information Commissioner.
Yours faithfully,
James Bridle
Dear Mr Bridle
Freedom of Information Request Reference No: 2014010001979
I respond in connection with your request for information which was
received by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) on 20/01/2014. I note
you seek access to the following information:
I am writing concerning the Metropolitan Police's use of data obtained
from ANPR cameras operated by Transport for London in the London
Congestion Charging Zone (CCZ) and Low Emission Zone (LEZ). According to
the Metropolitan Police's annual reports to the Information Commissioner's
Office, from 2008 to 2011, the ANPR Unit retained all data from the ANPR
cameras, but only accessed this data in accordance with the exemption
certificates issued by the Home Secretary in 2007 and 2011. These
certificates granted permission to access this data only for the purpose
of safeguarding national security. However, the Fifth Annual Report,
issued for 2012, states that: "During the same period the ANPR Data was
used to support General Policing and Crime Investigation. [...] The
practise of using the ANPR Data in such circumstances has been agreed at
MPS Chief Officer level. The audit report below will outline some of the
safeguards put in place in respect of using the ANPR Data for general
policing purposes, although such reporting is not required within the
provisions of the Certificate as the MPS contends that no breach has
occurred and neither is access to the data dependent on the Certificate.
Other legal gateways for access under the Data Protection Act (principally
section 29) are relied upon . For further information on this matter the
ANPR Unit should be contacted directly." And: "Since the period of the
last audit a senior level decision has been taken to extend use of TfL
ANPR data to support General Policing and Crime Investigation . The MPS
and TfL have been working together to implement a commitment in the
Mayor's 2012 manifesto to enable routine MPS access to ANPR data collected
by TfL. Ahead of formal agreement by the Mayor, the MPS ANPR Bureau have
established an interim policy for use by MPS ANPR Bureau personnel. The
issue of use of the TfL ANPR data for these purposes does appear to have
been carefully considered by the MPS ANPR Bureau and discussed at length
with TfL.
" For the purposes of this request, please will you release to me:
(1) All documents (reports, emails, etc) covering the senior level
decisions cited in the report within the Metropolitan Police concerning
the use of TfL ANPR data to support General Policing and Crime
Investigation.
(2) All correspondence between the Metropolitan Police and Transport for
London regarding the Mayor's commitment cited in the report.
(3) Documentation of the interim policy cited in the report.
(4) All documents regarding the "other legal gateways for access" cited in
the report, and any other documents supporting the Metropolitan Police's
assertion in the report that "neither is access to the data dependent on
the Certificate", with regard to the fact that previous reports cited the
Certificate as the justification for access to the data.
(5) The number of times in 2012, 2013 and 2014 (where figures are
available) that the CCZ and LEZ ANPR data has been accessed for General
Policing purposes, as opposed to access under the Certificate for National
Security purposes.
This response is to inform you that it will not be possible to respond to
your request within the cost threshold.
The MPS would be required to identify all MPS employees who were involved
in the process captured by this request, to establish who may hold any
documents. Each employee would then be required to search emails, files
and documents to establish if the information held relates to the scope of
this request. We estimate that the cost of complying with this request
would exceed the appropriate limit. The appropriate limit has been
specified in regulations and for agencies outside central Government; this
is set at £450.00. This represents the estimated cost of one person
spending 18 hours [at a rate of £25 per hour] in determining whether the
MPS holds the information, and locating, retrieving and extracting the
information.
Once part of the request goes over cost the whole request is exempt by
virtue of Section 12 and there is no obligation to answer any part of the
request therefore, In accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000
(the Act) this response acts as a Refusal Notice for the whole of your
request under Section 12 (2).
Section 17(5) of the Act provides:
(5) A public authority which, in relation to any request for information,
is relying on a claim that section 12 or 14 applies must, within the time
for complying with section 1(1), give the applicant a notice stating that
fact.
Section 12(2) of the Act provides:
(2)Subsection (1) does not exempt the public authority from its obligation
to comply with paragraph (a) of section 1(1) unless the estimated cost of
complying with that paragraph alone would exceed the appropriate limit.
Section 16 of the Act provides:
(1) It shall be the duty of a public authority to provide advice and
assistance, so far as it would be reasonable to expect the authority to do
so, to persons who propose to make, or have made, requests for information
to it.
(2) Any public authority which, in relation to the provision of advice or
assistance in any case, conforms with the code of practice under section
45 is to be taken to comply with the duty imposed by subsection (1) in
relation to that case.
Should you require it, the MPS may be able to provide you with the
following information (subject to any exemptions which may apply):
The number of times in 2012, 2013 and 2014 (where figures are available)
that the CCZ and LEZ ANPR data has been accessed for General Policing
purposes, as opposed to access under the Certificate for National Security
purposes.
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
contact me quoting the reference number above.
Yours sincerely
Catherine Carrington
SC&O Information Manager
Freedom of Information Compliance
Specialist Crime & Operations (SC&O)
Metropolitan Police Service
020 7230 9962
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 to discuss the
response with the case officer who dealt with your request.
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, within forty (40) working days from
the date of the refusal notice, and addressed to:
FOI Complaint
Public Access Office
PO Box 57192
London
SW6 1SF
[email address]
In all possible circumstances the MPS will aim to respond to your
complaint within 20 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
Total Policing is the Met's commitment to be on the streets and in your
communities to catch offenders, prevent crime and support victims. We are
here for London, working with you to make our capital safer.
Consider our environment - please do not print this email unless
absolutely necessary.
NOTICE - This email and any attachments may be confidential, subject to
copyright and/or legal privilege and are intended solely for the use of
the intended recipient. If you have received this email in error, please
notify the sender and delete it from your system. To avoid incurring
legal liabilities, you must not distribute or copy the information in this
email without the permission of the sender. MPS communication systems are
monitored to the extent permitted by law. Consequently, any email and/or
attachments may be read by monitoring staff. Only specified personnel are
authorised to conclude any binding agreement on behalf of the MPS by
email. The MPS accepts no responsibility for unauthorised agreements
reached with other employees or agents. The security of this email and
any attachments cannot be guaranteed. Email messages are routinely scanned
but malicious software infection and corruption of content can still occur
during transmission over the Internet. Any views or opinions expressed in
this communication are solely those of the author and do not necessarily
represent those of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS).
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