WEST MERCIA PCC: DISCLOSURE LOG
RESPONSE TO REQUEST
Reference: 2021 – 257 / WE4772
Date of response: 30th September 2021
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000 – INFORMATION REQUEST
Request
I am writing to make an open government request for all information to which I am entitled under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
Please send me:
Details regarding the number of premises used regularly by West Mercia’s Youth Offending Service.
Details regarding the number of the West Mercia’s Youth Offending Services’ premises which have a static weapons detection system ie. knife arches in place and the name/s of these premises.
Details of any mobile weapons detection systems ie. knife wands used by the West Mercia’s Youth Offending Service to search young people for weapons and when this is used.
Details available of any serious incidents involving weapons on premises used regularly by the Youth Offending Service or at Youth Offending Service events, including the number of such incidents, between March 2018 and March 2021 and details of how such incidents are recorded.
Is the West Mercia considering introducing weapons detection systems, either static or portable, into premises used regularly by its Youth Offending Service?
Please could you attach any policies used by the West Mercia’s Youth Offending Service on searching young people aged under 18 for weapons before attending meetings/events on premises used regularly by the Youth Offending Service.
I would like the above information provided to me in an email if possible to the address noted at the bottom of this correspondence.
If it is not possible to provide the information requested due to the information exceeding the cost of compliance limits identified in Section 12, please provide advice and assistance, under the Section 16 obligations of the Act, as to how I can refine my request.
If you can identify any ways that my request could be refined I would be grateful for any further advice and assistance.
If this information is already in the public domain, please direct me to it including URL links and page numbers where possible.
If you are unable to release any of this information on the grounds of a breach of confidentiality, please supply me with copies of the corresponding signed confidentiality agreement.
I understand you are required to respond to me within 20 working days of receiving this request. I would be grateful if you could confirm receipt of this email.
If you have any queries please don’t hesitate to contact me via email or phone.
Response
Please see the below response to your request.
West Mercia Youth Justice Service operates from three office bases. The service also hold meetings in other community venues. There are no static weapon detection systems in place at any of the buildings used by the service. The service does not have mobile weapon detection devices. The service does not have specific policies on searching young people for weapons, and currently does not search young people. The service has not experienced any serious incidents involving knives on premises used by the service or service events. There has only been one incident where a worker suspected a young person may have had a knife in a bag of belongings they had with them. This was recorded as a potential serious incident and all staff were given advice of what they should do in a similar situation.
The service currently has no plans in place to introduce either static or mobile weapon detection systems.
Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please write to the Information Compliance Unit; Information Compliance Unit, PO Box 55, Worcester, WR3 8SP. Email: [email protected]
Yours sincerely,
FOI Officer
West Mercia PCC
Complaints
If you think that the Police and Crime Commissioner has failed to supply information in accordance with the publication scheme, then you should write in the first instance, to the:
Chief Executive, OPCC – West Mercia, Hindlip Hall, Worcester. WR3 8SP
The PCC will aim to deal with your complaint within 10 working days. If you are dissatisfied with the response you can ask for the matter to be internally reviewed. Internal reviews will be completed promptly and a response given to you within 20 working days of your further request.
If, after the internal review, you remain dissatisfied, then you can complain to the Information Commissioner (Office of the Information Commissioner), Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF).
