Dear Sir, FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: 000515/14 I write in connection with your request for information dated 17/02/2014 concerning • Please provide a full disclosure of all footage taken by CCTV van MX55 XMG on 15th February 2014 in the policing on Barton Moss Road. Your request for information has now been considered and I am not obliged to supply the information you have requested. Section 17 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 requires Greater Manchester Police, when refusing to provide such information (because the information is exempt) to provide you, the applicant, with a notice which: (a) states that fact, (b) specifies the exemption in question and (c) states (if that would not otherwise be apparent) why the exemption applies. The exemption applicable to the information is Section 30(2)(a) – Investigations and proceedings conducted by public authorities. The exemption applied is subject to a public interest test and in this case I would outline the relevant factors as: The factors considered in favouring the disclosure of the information requested are: The investigation is high profile and the public will be aware of how public funds are being used. Factors against the disclosure of information are: An investigation would be prejudiced and the right to a fair trial undermined; there is also the possibility that this could hinder the prevention and detection of crime and more crime may be committed. When considering the disclosure or non-disclosure of information Greater Manchester Police has to take into account the harm that may be caused to the public and its staff. When considering the disclosure of information relation to an on-going investigation which has been widely reported in the public domain. The force also has to consider the non-disclosure of the information and the efficient and effective conduct of the force may be compromised by the release of the details. To release the information in relation to an on-going investigation may hinder the prevention and detection of crimes and also cause harm to members of the public and members of the forces staff. The safety of individuals is of a paramount importance to the force and a major part of the policing purpose, therefore Greater Manchester Police will not disclose information which could risk lives or be detrimental to our policing role of enforcing the law and protecting people. When balancing the public interest test Greater Manchester Police has to consider whether the information should be released into the public domain. Arguments need to be weighed against each other. The most persuasive reason for disclosing the information would be the high profile of the investigation, which needs to be weighed against the strongest reason for disclosure, which, in this case is the fact that the information could be hinder the detection of the offence. In accordance with the Act, this letter represents a Refusal Notice for this particular part of your request. Complaint Rights Your attention is drawn to the attached sheet, which details your right of complaint. Should you have any further inquiries concerning this matter, please write or contact Amanda Ratcliffe, on telephone number 0161 856 2529 quoting the reference number above. Yours sincerely, Amanda Ratcliffe Information Compliance & Records Management Assistant Information Compliance & Records Management Unit
Posted on: Wed, 19 Mar 2014 05:28:46 +0000
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015