Request for the quantity of Police road blocks, check points, vehicles observed, warnings and fines issued over the Easter Bank holiday weekend during the Coronavirus pandemic
Reference: 20001
Date Added: Dydd Iau, 23 Ebrill 2020
Category:
Disclosure Details
Question
I would be grateful to responses to these questions under the Freedom if Information Act:
(1) How many road blocks / roadside check points did Gwent Police operate over the bank holiday weekend to question drivers on their need to travel?
(2) How many warnings and/or fines were issued over the bank holiday weekend under the COVID legislation or any other legislation which is being used to enforce the lockdown?
(3) If the data is available, how many vehicles did Gwent Police observe on the roads over the bank holiday weekend and how does that compare to a typical weekend before the lockdown commenced?
Answer
Two duties are placed on public authorities under Section 1 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA). Notwithstanding applicable exemptions, 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, Section1 (1) (b), is to disclose information that has been confirmed as being held. Under the provisions of those sections of the FOIA, we can confirm that the information you seek is not held by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent.
It is important to note that the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent (OPCC) and Gwent Police are two separate organisations. Therefore, the OPCC are not responsible for and do not hold operational policing information, this is the responsibility of the Chief Constable of Gwent Police. As your request is of an operational in nature you may wish to contact Gwent Police directly to determine if they have the information requested at the following link: foi@gwent.pnn.police.uk
However, in order to assist with your request we have provided the relevant links to the information where possible.
Please find responses below:
1) How many road blocks / roadside check points did Gwent Police operate over the bank holiday weekend to question drivers on their need to travel?
No information held
(2) How many warnings and/or fines were issued over the bank holiday weekend under the COVID legislation or any other legislation which is being used to enforce the lockdown?
No information held
However, information on the total number of fines issued over the bank holiday weekend by Gwent Police can be found at the following links:
The National Police Chiefs Council under the latest news tab – they will be providing these statistics on a fortnightly basis on behalf of all forces in England and Wales: news.npcc.police.uk/releases/police-chiefs-keep-reporting-crime-to-us-during-coronavirus-outbreak-we-are-still-here-for-you
Article in the Caerphilly Observer: caerphilly.observer/news/990751/gwent-police-issue-80-fines-to-people-breaking-coronavirus-lockdown-rules/
(3) If the data is available, how many vehicles did Gwent Police observe on the roads over the bank holiday weekend and how does that compare to a typical weekend before the lockdown commenced?
No information held
Thank you for acknowledging the work of the police in response to the COVID 19 legislation I can assure you that Gwent Police officers and staff have been out in force in communities across Gwent working with people to make sure that they stay home, and they stay safe. However, where appropriate, they have warned and fined those that have been breaching the law. I am pleased to let you know that the majority of people have shown great respect for their communities and have remained at home to prevent the spread of the disease. The roads have been quiet, and most people are only taking journeys when they are absolutely necessary. However, we are still seeing a small minority of people abuse the legislation and we will continue our pro-active approach and will enforce where necessary.
The Freedom of Information Act is a public disclosure regime, not a private regime. Any information disclosed under the Act is thereafter deemed to be in the public domain, and therefore freely available to the general public and will be published on the OPCC website.
I hope this information is satisfactory to your request however, should you feel dissatisfied with this response or the way in which your request was handled, information on the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent FOI Appeals Procedure can be found on our website: www.gwent.pcc.police.uk/en/transparency/know-your-rights/your-information-rights/freedom-of-information/appeals-process/