Police Stations and bases 921/23
FOI Reference: 921/2023
Request 1 - 8:
- How many stations or bases are there within the force's estate?
- How many stations or bases have been closed since 2010? Please note relocations and reopening.
- Does the force currently operate any canteens or other provision for hot food at any of its sites?
- Have any canteens or other provision for hot food been closed or otherwise discontinued since 2010? When did this take place?
- How many vending machines for food and drink does the force operate, and at which sites?
- How many dedicated rest/break spaces with seating areas are there within the police estate, and at which sites?
- How many kitchenette areas/tea points where employees can make hot drinks and microwave food are there within the police estate, and at which sites?
- Are there any stations or bases without any of the following: provision for hot food, vending machines, or kitchenette areas?
Response 1, 6 & 7:
I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the requested information; however the following exemption applies to part of that information:
Section 31(1)(a)(b) Law Enforcement
Evidence of Harm
Under the Act, we cannot, and do not request the motives of any application for information. We have no doubt that the vast majority of requests made under the Act are legitimate and the applicants do not have any ulterior motives. However, in disclosing information to one applicant, we are expressing a willingness to provide it to anyone in the world. This means that a disclosure to a genuinely interested and concerned person automatically opens it up for a similar disclosure, including those who would use the information to gain an advantage over our ability to exercise our core function which is Law Enforcement.
In considering whether or not this information should be disclosed, consideration has been given to the potential harm that could be caused by disclosure.
The police service is charged with enforcing the law, preventing and detecting crime and protecting the communities we serve. The general public are also aware that modern day policing is intelligence led and that there are changes on a day to day basis. Disclosure of information in respect of certain buildings connected with covert policing would divulge the forces’ tactical capability in respect of this area of policing, which would cause operational harm to the Dyfed-Powys Police Force by affecting our ability to fulfil our core function of law enforcement. The release of such information would be invaluable to those with criminal intent, as criminals would be able to identify force tactical capabilities and use this knowledge to their own advantage in furthering criminal activity not only within this force but also throughout the country. Also, disclosure of certain buildings and its purposes would not only impact upon police resources but would also undermine law enforcement in relation to hindering the prevention and detection of crime.
Public Interest Test
Considerations favouring disclosure:
Factors favouring the disclosure of this information would include better awareness regarding buildings used by Dyfed-Powys Police.
Considerations favouring non-disclosure:
Factors favouring non-disclosure would be that it would compromise law enforcement tactics and more crime could be committed. This would have an impact on police resources and would hinder the prevention or detection of crime and place individuals at risk.
Balance Test
After considering the advantages and disadvantages in disclosure it falls upon Dyfed-Powys Police to conduct a balance test on the issues. The strongest arguments for release, which is better awareness, needs to be weighed against the strongest argument for non-release, which in this case is effective law enforcement.
The Police Service is charged with enforcing the law, preventing and detecting crime and protecting the communities we serve. The general public are also aware that modern day policing is intelligence led and that there are changes on a day to day basis. Disclosure of information in respect of police buildings connected with covert policing would divulge the forces’ tactical capability in respect of this area of policing which would cause operational harm to the Dyfed-Powys Police Force as well as potentially place officer’s safety at great risk as well as that of the general public by affecting our ability to fulfil our core function of law enforcement. The release of such information would be invaluable to those with criminal intent as criminals would be able to identify force tactical capabilities and use this knowledge to their own advantage in furthering criminal activity not only within this force but also throughout the country.
The Police Service is tasked with the prevention and detection of crime and protecting the public. Whilst there is a public interest in this subject there is a very strong public interest in safeguarding the protection of the public and the effective use of police resources. Public safety is of paramount importance and the police service will not divulge information if to do so would compromise law enforcement.
Therefore, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.
Response 1:
I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, as outlined below.
There are a total of 43 stations or bases are there within the force's estate. Section 31 exemption applied in relation to any covert buildings
Response 2:
I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, as outlined below.
|
Police Station |
Status |
|
Cardigan Police Station |
Replaced by new station/base in different part of town |
|
Carmarthen Police Station |
Replaced by new station/base in different part of town |
|
Felinfoel P/S |
Closed |
|
Kidwelly P/S |
Replaced by new station/base in different part of town |
|
Llandrindod Wells P/S |
Replaced by new station/base in different part of town |
|
Llanelli P/S |
New station in different part of town, in addition to keeping an NPT base in the retained section of the existing site |
|
Llanfair Caereinion P/S |
Closed |
|
Neyland P/S |
Closed |
|
St Clears P/S |
Replaced by new station/base in different part of town |
|
St David's P/S |
Replaced by new station/base in different part of town |
|
Knighton Police Station |
Closed |
|
Saundersfoot Police Station |
Closed |
Response 3:
I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, as outlined below.
Yes.
Response 4:
I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, as outlined below.
Yes 2 coffee shops at Police HQ in March 2020 due to COVID, these have not reopened.
Response 5:
I can confirm that there is no information held by Dyfed-Powys Police due to the fact that zero (0) vending machines for food and drink are operated by Dyfed-Powys Police.
Response 6 & 7:
I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, as outlined below. Section 31 exemption applied in relation to any covert buildings
|
Dedicated rest/break spaces with seating areas |
|
Welshpool -1 |
|
Newtown – 2 |
|
Llanidloes - 1 |
|
Llandrindod wells – 1 |
|
Builth wells -1 |
|
Presteigne -1 |
|
Hay on wye -1 |
|
Crickhowell -1 |
|
Ystradgynlais – 1 |
|
Brecon – 3 |
|
Ammanford - 2 |
|
Llandovery -1 |
|
Llandeilo -1 |
|
Crosshands -1 |
|
Llwynhendy -1 |
|
Llanelli -1 |
|
Dafen -2 |
|
Pembrey-1 |
|
Burry port -1 |
|
Aberystwyth - 1 |
|
Aberaeron - 1 |
|
Cardigan - 2 |
|
Lampeter - 1 |
|
Newcastle Emlyn - 1 |
|
Machynlleth - 1 |
|
Haverfordwest - 2 |
|
Tenby - 1 |
|
Whitland - 1 |
|
Narberth - 1 |
|
Pembroke Dock - 2 |
|
Fishguard - 1 |
|
Cedar Court - 1 |
|
Crymych - 1 |
|
HQ Carmarthen - 7 |
|
Carmarthen Station - 1 |
|
Section 31 exemption applied in relation to any covert buildings |
|
Kitchenette areas/Tea points |
|
Llanfyllin – 1 |
|
Welshpool – 1 |
|
Newtown - 2 |
|
Llanidloes – 1 |
|
Rhayader – 1 |
|
Llandrindod wells– 2 |
|
Builth Wells – 1 |
|
Presteigne – 1 |
|
Hay on Wye - 1 |
|
Crickhowell – 1 |
|
Ystradgynlais – 1 |
|
Brecon – 7 |
|
Ammanford – 4 |
|
Llandovery – 1 |
|
Llandeilo – 1 |
|
Crosshands – 1 |
|
Llwynhendy -2 |
|
Llanelli – 2 |
|
Dafen – 5 |
|
Pembrey – 2 |
|
Burry port – 1 |
|
8 Hall Street -1 |
|
Aberystwyth – 2 |
|
Aberaeron – 1 |
|
Cardigan – 2 |
|
Lampeter – 1 |
|
Newcastle Emlyn - 1 |
|
Machynlleth – 1 |
|
Haverfordwest – 4 |
|
Tenby – 1 |
|
Whitland – 1 |
|
Narberth – 1 |
|
Pembroke Dock – 4 |
|
Fishguard – 1 |
|
Cedar Court Milford – 1 |
|
Crymych – 1 |
|
HQ Carmarthen – 20 |
|
Carmarthen Station - 1 |
|
Section 31 exemption applied in relation to any covert buildings |
Response 8:
I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, as outlined below.
There are zero (0) stations or bases without any of the following: provision for hot food, vending machines, or kitchenette areas.
It should be noted that as a result of the systems adopted by Dyfed-Powys Police in relation to the recording of such information that the information released may or may not be accurate.
(This is a response under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and disclosed on 19/01/2024)