Essex Police

The complainant has requested details about the number of referrals made by Essex Police to the counter terrorism service “Prevent”. Essex Police would neither confirm nor deny holding information citing sections 24(1) (national security) and 31(1) (law enforcement). Essex Police also advised that disclosure could identify individuals although it did not cite the relevant exemption. During the Commissioner’s investigation Essex Police confirmed that it does hold information and wanted to rely on the sections already cited; it also added section 40(2)(personal information), which it later removed. The Commissioner’s decision is that section 24(1) is engaged and that the public interest favours maintaining the exemption. No steps are required.