FOI 0907-2023/24- Ketamine crimes
Request:
For each of the last five financial years, can you tell me:
Q1. How many people were investigated for possession of the controlled drug ketamine – code 093/72- and what were the investigation outcomes?
Q2. How many people were investigated for supplying or offering to supply the controlled drug ketamine – code 093/66 –and what were the investigation outcomes?
Q3. How many people were investigated for possessing the controlled drug ketamine with intent to supply 096/78 – and what were the investigation outcomes?
Q4. And for each of those categories, are you able to break down the numbers to separate adults and under 18s, under 16s, and under 12s.
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 &Q3. Please see the table below the total amount of investigations recorded for the crime codes 93/66, 93/72 and 93/78 for the period between 2018 to 2023, broken down by financial year and outcome. I am exempting any further information to this question pursuant to section 30 (Investigations). Please see the explanation below.
|
Crime/Outcome |
2018/2019 |
2019/2020 |
2020/2021 |
2021/2022 |
2022/2023 |
Total |
|
93/72 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
01-Charged/Summonsed |
2 |
2 |
1 |
5 |
0 |
10 |
|
02-Caution – youths |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
03-Caution – adults |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
|
08-Community Resolution |
4 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
|
10-Not in public interest (Police) |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
|
15-Evidential difficulties prevent further action; victim supports police action |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
21-No Investigation - Not in public interest (Police) |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
|
22-Diversionary or referral pathway; no public interest |
2 |
1 |
4 |
5 |
2 |
14 |
|
93/78 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
01-Charged/Summonsed |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
09-Not in public interest (CPS) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Total |
8 |
7 |
10 |
14 |
5 |
44 |
Q2. I am exempting any further information to this question pursuant to section 30 (Investigations). Please see the explanation below.
Q4. Please see the table below the total amount of offenders linked to the recorded crime codes, 93/72 and 93/78 for the period between 2018 to 2023, broken down by age category.
|
Age Group |
2018/2019 |
2019/2020 |
2020/2021 |
2021/2022 |
2022/2023 |
Total |
|
93/72 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adult |
5 |
5 |
3 |
6 |
2 |
21 |
|
Under 18 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
93/78 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adult |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Total |
5 |
5 |
4 |
7 |
2 |
23 |
Explanation of exemption
Section 17 of the Act requires North Yorkshire Police, when refusing to provide such information (because the information is exempt) to provide you the applicant with a notice which: (a) states that fact, (b) specifies the exemption in question and (c) states (if that would not otherwise be apparent) why the exemption applies. Please see the exemption explanations below.
Section 30 is a qualified, class-based exemption, which requires that I conduct a public interest test to balance the legitimate interests of the public in knowing the information against the interests of non-disclosure.
Public Interest Test
Reasons for Disclosure
The public have an interest in understanding how the police investigate crime.
Allow the public to know that investigations are conducted properly.
Reasons against Disclosure
Disclosure could hinder the prevention and detection and crime, as any offenders could potentially take measure to avoid detection.
The right to a fair trial would be undermined.
Balancing Test
Whilst there is public interest in disclosing any information around such crimes, there is also substantial public interest in the Force being able to carry out fair, competent and confidential investigations at all times.
After considering the reasons for and against disclosure, it is my opinion that the reasons for non-disclosure outweigh the reasons for disclosure.
Pursuant to Section 17(1) of the Act this letter acts as a refusal notice under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 in relation 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.