Metropolitan Police Service
- Date 20 June 2023
- Sector Police and criminal justice
- Decision(s) FOI 30: Upheld, FOI 31: Upheld, FOI 38: Upheld
The complainant has requested a Serious Sexual Offences Problem Profile (“the profile”) from the Metropolitan Police Service (the “MPS”). The MPS refused to provide the profile citing sections 30(1)(a) (Criminal investigations), 31(1)(a)(b) (Law enforcement), 38 (1)(a)(b) (Health and safety) and 40(2) (Personal information) of FOIA.
The Commissioner’s decision is that the MPS breached section 10(1) of FOIA by failing to respond to the request within the statutory time limit. He also finds that the redactions have been applied ‘blanket fashion’ to the profile in its entirety and that the majority are therefore not properly engaged. However, the Commissioner does find that the profile contains some personal information which can be withheld.
The Commissioner requires the MPS to disclose the report other than that information which is exempt under section 40(2). (This information is highlighted in a separate confidential annex that is provided to the MPS only.) Information Tribunal FTT appeal EA/2023/0340 consent order.