FOI Firearms Seizures (0665-2022/23)

Request

Q1. For each year, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 to date, the total number of firearms seized by the force.
Q2. For each year, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 to date, the total number of incidents involving a firearm logged by the force.
Q3. For each year, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 to date, the total number of 3D printed firearms seized by the force.
Q4. For each year, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 to date, the total number of 3D printed firearms components (e.g. parts of the weapon but not the whole gun), seized by the force.
Q5. For each year, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 to date, the total number of incidents involving a 3D printed firearm logged by the force.
Q6. The number of individuals arrested on: a.  suspicion of firearm offences, b. suspicion of firearm offences relating to a 3D printed weapon.

Response

Extent and Result of Searches to Locate Information

To locate the information relevant to your request searches were conducted within North Yorkshire Police.

I can confirm that the information you have requested is held by North Yorkshire Police. 

Decision

I have today decided to disclose some of the located information to you.

Q1. Please see the table below which shows the number of firearms seized by North Yorkshire Police from 1 January 2019 to 2 December 2022, broken down by calendar year.

	2019	2020	2021	2022	Total
Firearms Seized	608	619	600	439	2266

Q2. Please see the table below which shows the number of incidents involving firearms recorded by North Yorkshire Police from 1 January 2019 to 2 December 2022, broken down by calendar year.

	2019	2020	2021	2022
Air Weapons	19	20	32	23
All Other	24	60	42	40
Total	43	80	74	63

Q6a. Please see the table below which shows the number of arrests for firearms offences recorded by North Yorkshire Police from 1 January 2019 to 2 December 2022, broken down by calendar year.

	2019	2020	2021	2022	Total
Firearms Offence Arrests	49	59	68	53	229

I am exempting providing a response to for Q3, Q4, Q5 & Q6b pursuant Section 31(3) Law enforcement and Section 24(2) National Security. Please see the exemption Explanation below.

Harm in complying with Section 1(1)(a) – to confirm or nor whether information is held

Disclosure of information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) is considered to be a release to the world and not only to the person requesting the information. Once information has been released, it is often published on the Disclosure Log pages of the Constabularies’ external websites and therefore is available to anyone. Whilst not questioning an applicant’s motives for requesting information, due to the information being accessible to all, consideration has to be given to the information being seen by individuals who are involved in criminal activity including terrorism related offences.

Firstly, the public expect police forces to use all powers and tactics available to prevent and detect crime or disorder and maintain public safety.

In this case, the applicant is trying to determine whether North Yorkshire Police holds any information in relation to the number of seized 3D printed firearms including components as well as incidents involving them. As such, confirmation or denial that information is held provides an indication at force level of the volume and use of this type of weapon and an indication of force areas where these weapons are prevalent.

Likewise, and irrespective of what information may or may not be held, to confirm information is held by citing a substantive exemption or, conversely, stating ‘no information held’, would undermine the effective delivery of operational law enforcement by compromising potentially ongoing investigations, some of which may be covert. Also by disclosing this information it adds to the ‘mosaic effect’ of criminals and terrorist building a complete picture on learning how to build these weapons without detection and then their subsequent increase in use for criminal and terrorist activities.

Public Interest Considerations

Section 31(3) Law Enforcement

Factors favouring complying with Section 1(1)(a)

There is media reporting concerning the increase of these weapons, 3D guns appearing on British Streets . As such, there is public interest in understanding the extent of this type of firearms crimes within the UK generally.

To confirm or deny that this information is held would make members of the public more aware of the threat of certain offences and the forces ability to deal with them. Improved public awareness may lead to more intelligence being submitted to police about possible further instances of 3D- printed firearms use and any acts of perceived terrorism as members of the public will be more observant to suspicious activity which in turn may result in a reduction of crime. 

Factors against complying with Section 1(1)(a)

To confirm or deny that the requested information is held could compromise law enforcement tactics which would hinder the Police force's ability to prevent and detect crimes. Whilst such information on its own may be perceived as not harmful, any further information that may be already in the public domain or any that may be asked for in the future could be detrimental to forces and can contribute to the mosaic effect. The ‘mosaic’ effect is attune to the building up of a jigsaw, from public disclosures and other information, gradually filling in the pieces to form a complete picture. We do not want criminals and terrorist, to gain easy access to building these 3D-printed weapons without being detected.

Section 24 (2) National Security

Factors favouring complying with Section 1(1)(a)

Any information that would increase public knowledge in showing how resources are allocated in response to events would favour disclosure. This would also support the fundamental purpose of the Freedom of Information Act, which is to be more open and transparent in the way in which the North Yorkshire Police performs, making us more accountable for our actions. Releasing any details regarding the seizure of firearms would provide reassurance to the public that [name of force] is appropriately resourced in this area and would be in a position to respond to any National Security threats or incidents. Any information which would allow for more accurate public debate would be a positive factor for disclosure.

Factors against complying with Section 1(1)(a)

Whilst there is a public interest in providing reassurance that North Yorkshire Police is appropriately and effectively dealing with threats posed by terrorist organisations, there is a strong public interest in safeguarding national security and the welfare and safety of the general public. Any disclosure has the potential to undermine ongoing and future operations to protect the Security of the United Kingdom, e.g. counter terrorism activity. The risk of significant harm or even death to the community at large would be increased.

Lastly the cumulative effect of terrorists gathering information from various sources would build a picture of vulnerabilities within certain scenarios. The more information disclosed over time will provide a more detailed account of the tactical infrastructure of not only a force area but also the country as a whole. Any incident which results from such a disclosure would by default affect National Security.

Balancing Test

To confirm or deny that any such information is held or not held would start to indicate levels of policing activity at force level which could allow individuals to exploit what may be considered as less active or resourced areas, by assessing patterns of police activity. If this information is disclosed, it continually drip feeds in the pool of information available to criminals and terrorists who will eventually be able complete a full picture on how to produce these 3d printed firearms without detection.

The security of the country is of paramount importance. The police will not divulge any information that would place the safety of officers or the public at risk or undermine national security. Whilst there is a public interest in the transparency of policing, and in this case providing assurance that the police service is appropriately and effectively engaging with the threat of activity involving weapons, there is a very strong public interest in safeguarding both national security and the integrity of police investigations and operations.  It is not in the best interests of the security of the country, individual forces or the public in general to put such information into the public arena where it could be used by those wishing to cause harm. We can see no positive reason for us to do so. 

Police force's capabilities of combating offences involving weapons, which could include terrorism are sensitive issues of intelligence value to the terrorist and therefore it is our opinion that for these issues the balancing test for confirming or denying that this information is held, not made out. 

No inference can be taken from this refusal that information does or does not exist. Pursuant to Section 17(1) of the Act this letter acts as a Refusal Notice in response to part of your request.

Please note that systems used for recording information are not generic, nor are the procedures used locally in capturing the data.  It should be noted therefore that this force’s response to your questions should not be used for comparison purposes with any other responses you may receive.