Vehicle impound centres 68/2024

FOI Reference: 68/2024

Request:

The details of the vehicle impound centres used by each police force in the United Kingdom.

I would like you to provide this information in the following format:

Police force, area served, impound centre name, impound centre address, impound centre email address and telephone number.

 

Response:

I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, however a Section 31(1)(a)(b) Law Enforcement exemption has been applied to the requested information thereby exempting its release.

Section 1 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 places two duties on public authorities. Unless exemptions apply, the first duty at Section 1(1) (a) is to confirm or deny whether the information specified in a request is held. The second duty at Section 1(1) (b) is to disclose information that has been confirmed as being held.

Where exemptions are relied upon section 17 of FOIA requires that we provide the applicant with a notice which:

a) States that fact

b) Specifies the exemption(s) in question and

c) State (if that would not otherwise be apparent) why the exemption applies

Section 31(1)(a)(b) – Law enforcement

Harm

Disclosing details of the garages used by Dyfed-Powys Police would provide a person who may be intent on criminal activities with invaluable information as to the capability / tactical position and highlight that the force operates vehicle recovery and storage in certain locations, thus allowing them to adjust their own tactics accordingly.

Factors Favouring Disclosure

Police Forces need to be properly equipped in order to meet the demands placed upon them and this information could go some way towards reassuring the public that Dyfed-Powys Police is adequately prepared in this area. The Force is responsible for public money and therefore there is a strong public interest in disclosing how and what the money is spent on.

Factors Favouring non-Disclosure

Disclosing the locations of garages used for vehicle recovery that are not in the public domain allows for certain policing activities to be carried out with the minimal possibility of being observed or disrupted. To disclose these locations may allow criminals to determine where those activities are being carried out and observe them in order to gain intelligence. This would aid criminal activity by enabling individuals to undermine and disrupt policing activities, therefore, exempting the details of these garages is primarily to protect locations that could be targeted for the purpose of disrupting general law enforcement activities and functions.

Balance Test

Whilst there is a general public interest in being open and transparent about how and where public money is spent and the services that we provide, there is a greater public interest in protecting our policing abilities. Information identifying the focus of specific policing activity, such as details of the garage locations within this FOI request, could be used to the advantage of criminals. Information that undermines the operational integrity of these activities will adversely affect public safety and have a negative impact on law enforcement. Therefore, it is for the reasons outlined above that it is decided that the public interest weighs in favour of non-disclosure.

                                                                                                           

(This is a response under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and disclosed on 28/05/2024)