Religious sisters and the Metropolitan Police's Human Trafficking Unit

[Name Removed] made this Freedom of Information request to Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) This request has been closed to new correspondence. Contact us if you think it should be reopened.

The request was refused by Metropolitan Police Service (MPS).

Dear Metropolitan Police Service (MPS),

On April 9th 2014, at the 'Church and Law Enforcement in Partnership' conference on trafficking taking place at the Vatican in Rome, Italy, Kevin Hyland, then DI Kevin Hyland, head of the Metropolitan Police's Human Trafficking Unit, stated that his unit has formed partnerships with religious sisters and that religious sisters now accompany his unit on trafficking raids and potential victims of trafficking are routinely taken to places of safety operated by religious sisters.

Please can I ask the Metropolitan Police to provide list of the main religious orders or organisations associated to religious orders the Metropolitan Police's Human Trafficking and Kidnap Unit work with.

Yours faithfully,

[name removed][name removed]

Metropolitan Police Service (MPS)

Dear Ms [name removed]

Freedom of Information Request Reference No: 2017010000312

I write in connection with your request for information which was received
by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) on 11/01/2017.  I note you seek
access to the following information:

• On April 9th 2014, at the 'Church and Law Enforcement in Partnership'
conference on trafficking taking place at the Vatican in Rome, Italy,
Kevin Hyland, then DI Kevin Hyland, head of the Metropolitan Police's
Human Trafficking Unit, stated that his unit has formed partnerships
with religious sisters and that religious sisters now accompany his
unit on trafficking raids and potential victims of trafficking are
routinely taken to places of safety operated by religious sisters.
Please can I ask the Metropolitan Police to provide list of the main
religious orders or organisations associated to religious orders the
Metropolitan Police's Human Trafficking and Kidnap Unit work

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.  

If you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please contact
us at [The Met request email] or on the phone at 0207 161 3500, quoting the
reference number above. Should your enquiry relate to the logging or
allocations process we will be able to assist you directly and where your
enquiry relates to other matters (such as the status of the request) we
will be able to pass on a message and/or advise you of the relevant
contact details.

Yours sincerely

Peter Deja
Support Officer - Freedom of Information Triage Team
 
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
Information Rights Unit
PO Box 57192
London
SW6 1SF
[The Met request email]

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.ico.org.uk.  Alternatively, write to or
phone:

Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Phone: 0303 123 1113

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

Metropolitan Police Service (MPS)

Dear Ms [name removed]

Freedom of Information Request Reference No: 2017010000312

I write in connection with your requests for information which was
received by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) on 11/01/2017.  I note
you seek access to the following information:

• On April 9th 2014, at the 'Church and Law Enforcement in Partnership'
conference on trafficking taking place at the Vatican in Rome, Italy,
Kevin Hyland, then DI Kevin Hyland, head of the Metropolitan Police's
Human Trafficking Unit, stated that his unit has formed partnerships
with religious sisters and that religious sisters now accompany his
unit on trafficking raids and potential victims of trafficking are
routinely taken to places of safety operated by religious sisters.
Please can I ask the Metropolitan Police to provide list of the main
religious orders or organisations associated to religious orders the
Metropolitan Police's Human Trafficking and Kidnap Unit work .

And also

Freedom of Information Request Reference No: 2017010000365

• I would like to request information held by you re the Metropolitan
Police's Human Trafficking Unit's recommendations and workings on
policing sex work in the UK with the religious sisters and other
organisations associated with religious orders like Rahab UK or Women
at the well.

     a) I request a copy of the recommendations for policing sex work used
by the Metropolitan Police's Human Trafficking Unit.
     b) I request information on the consultation on policing sex work
with Detective Inspector Kevin Hyland, now also the UK's Independent
Anti-Slavery Commissioner.
     c) I request a copy of information/guidance provided by the Santa
Marta Group in developing a policing model on sex work with the
Metropolitan Police's Human
         Trafficking Unit.

SEARCHES TO LOCATE INFORMATION

To locate the information relevant to your requests searches were
conducted within the MPS.  The searches located information relevant to
your request.

DECISION

This E mail is to inform you that it will not be possible to respond to
either of your requests within the cost threshold.  This response serves
as a Refusal Notice under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information Act
2000 (the Act).  Please see the legal annex for further information on the
exemptions applied in respect of your request.

REASONS FOR DECISION
The Human Trafficking Unit was established in 2010, and is currently known
as the Human Trafficking and Kidnap Unit since it merged with the Kidnap
and Specialist Investigation Unit, in May 2014.  The MPS considers, works
and liaises with any organisation seeking to support victims of modern
slavery.  Many of the Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) we work with
have links to, or in part, are supported by religious orders.  In order
for the Human Trafficking and Kidnap Unit to retrieve all the names of
organisations, NGOs and religious order we work with, would require the
location, retrieval and reviewing of paper case files and electronic files
to identify the organisation's etc names.  

The MPS has dealt with over 2000 referrals since 2010. Also to retrieve
the information as in question (b) of case reference 2017010000365 we
would need to locate and search through several documents in order to
obtain relevant material in answer to this question. 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.
In accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act)  this
response acts as a Refusal Notice.

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(1) of the Act provides:

(1) Section 1 does not oblige a public authority to comply with a request
for information if the authority estimates that the cost of complying with
the request 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.

The following press release from December 2014 may be of interest to you:
PRESS RELEASE 3 DECEMBER

Police and Church partner to combat human trafficking

Taking the lead on human trafficking: second international conference of
the Santa Marta Group, London 5-6 December.
Police chiefs and Church representatives from across the world are coming
to London to join Home Office ministers for a Conference aimed at
developing strategies to combat human trafficking.. The guiding principle
of the Santa Marta Group is always to keep the welfare of the trafficked
victim at the heart of all law enforcement.
The conference, which will take place in London on 5-6 December, is being
organised by the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, the
Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and the Home Office. The delegates are
coming at the invitation of Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of
Westminster, and MPS Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe. The conference
has been organised with the full support of the Home Office, which is
hosting the event at Lancaster House, and will be addressed by the Home
Secretary Theresa May, and the Minister for Modern Slavery and Organised
Crime, Karen Bradley.
At the launch of the Santa Marta Group, named after the Papal residence
where the participants stayed, in April 2014 Pope Francis described human
trafficking as "an open wound on the body of contemporary society; a crime
against humanity".
The Santa Marta Group, led by Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe and Cardinal Nichols
is an alliance of international police chiefs and Bishops from around the
world, working together with civil society to eradicate human trafficking
and provide pastoral care to victims. It seeks to develop strategies in
prevention, pastoral care and re-integration by working together
internationally.
At its launch, the police chiefs signed a declaration of commitment in
which they stated: "As senior law enforcement officials within the
international community, we commit to eradicate the scourge of this
serious criminal activity, which abuses vulnerable people." The full text
is available below.
The conference at Lancaster House will also showcase and build on the
joint police and church initiative in London that has been running for the
past three years; a collaboration that is to be copied and adapted around
the world.
Training modules and good practice will be shared and developed. Closer
collaboration will also enable joint investigations between law
enforcement agencies enabling a more co-ordinated international approach
to rid the world from the scourge of the world's second most profitable
crime: estimated by the International Labour Organisation to generate
$32bn annual profits for criminals, with 2.4 million people trafficked
globally at any given time.
Home Secretary Theresa May said:
"I am delighted to be hosting the Santa Marta Conference, a forum
dedicated to the eradication of Modern Slavery which brings together
police chiefs and bishops from across the globe.
"This government has taken great strides to tackle this abhorrent crime.
The publication of the Modern Slavery Bill is the first of its kind in
Europe and gives law enforcement the tools they need to target slave
drivers, ensuring their prosecution as well as the protection of their
victims.
"But this is a problem that cannot be addressed through legislation alone.
It requires action at all levels of society. That is why, last week, we
published the Modern Slavery Strategy which makes it clear we must work
together to tackle exploitation both here and overseas."
Cardinal Nichols said:
"The Santa Marta Group is not about theory; it is focused on rescuing
people who have become victims of trafficking and find themselves in an
impossible situation.
"This week we meet again in London to continue this important
collaboration between Church, police, government and civil society,
reporting on the progress made this year and planning future area of work.
Since April, The Church has launched the Bakhita Initiative, comprising a
refuge for victims and a hub where good practice on prevention, pastoral
care and reintegration will be developed and disseminated nationally and
internationally, in addition to the ongoing work of the Santa Marta Group.
"The work against trafficking lies at the heart of the Church's pastoral
concern and ministry. There is much to be done, but the emergence of the
Santa Marta Group's international network is an important step towards
helping the victims and fighting this crime."
Metropolitan Police Service Commissioner, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said:
"I am proud that London is hosting the second Santa Marta Conference. It
allows us to highlight human trafficking on an international platform and
demonstrate the determination of church leaders, communities and out
policing colleagues worldwide to combat these horrendous crimes.
"Knowing the full scale of the problem is an almost impossible task as
those most vulnerable to exploitation often live at the margins of our
society and the criminals hide in the shadows.
"However, this must not stop those who can help, from all nations, making
the commitment to do everything they can to enable trafficking victims to
escape the clutches of their captors and bring the criminals involved to
justice.
"We know our collective efforts are not adequate to end this modern form
of slavery and therefore we must all do more."

In respect of your case ref 2017010000365. If you narrow your request to
questions (a) and (c).the MPS may be able to assist.

Please note that should you wish to submit a narrowed request, it will be
treated as a new request and therefore subject to the 20 working day
deadline as stipulted within the Act.

Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please
contact me via email at [email address], quoting the
reference number above.

Yours sincerely

Maureen McGuire
Information Manager
Information Rights Unit

LEGAL ANNEX

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(1)&(2) of the Act provides:

(1) Section 1 does not oblige a public authority to comply with a request
for information if the authority estimates that the cost of complying with
the request would exceed the appropriate limit.

(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.
 
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
Information Rights Unit
PO Box 57192
London
SW6 1SF
[The Met request email]

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.ico.org.uk.  Alternatively, write to or
phone:

Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Phone:  0303 123 1113

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