Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service

The complainant has requested the ages of those deceased children whose identities were used by the Metropolitan Police Service’s ‘Special Demonstration Squad’ (SDS). The Metropolitan Police Service (the “MPS”) refused to disclose the information citing the exemptions in sections 30(1)(a) & (2)(a)(i) & (b) (investigations and proceedings), 40(2) (personal data), 38(1)(a)(b) (health and safety) and 24(1) (national security). The Commissioner’s decision is that sections 40, 38 and 24 are not engaged. Whilst he considers that section 30 is engaged, he finds that the public interest warrants disclosure therefore the MPS should disclose the requested information. This decision notice is currently under appeal to the Tribunal.