FOI Acid Attacks (1281-2023/24)
Request
Q1. Based on your latest available data, how many acid/corrosive substance attacks have been recorded by your police force over the past 10 years?
Q2. Can you break the victims down by age and gender if possible.
Q3. Provide all recorded outcomes for these crimes, or whichever outcomes you select.
Q4. How many attempted or threatened acid/corrosive substance attacks have there been over the past five years?
Q5. Provide all recorded outcomes for these crimes, or whichever outcomes you select.
Q6. For both of the above questions, if possible, can you say what substance was used/threatened to be used, e.g. household bleach.
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 the located information to you.
I note that the information is only available from 01 April 2019. The information provided is from 01 April 2019 to 31 December 2023.
Q1. 26
Q2. Please see the table below which details the number of acid/corrosive substance attacks recorded by North Yorkshire Police from 01 April 2019 to 31 December 2023, broken down by victim gender.
|
Male |
Female |
Total |
|
14 |
10 |
24 |
Please see the table below which details the number of acid/corrosive substance attacks recorded by North Yorkshire Police from 01 April 2019 to 31 December 2023, broken down by victim age.
|
0-12 |
13-18 |
19-25 |
26-35 |
36-45 |
46+ |
Not Recorded |
Total |
|
2 |
4 |
8 |
3 |
2 |
4 |
1 |
24 |
I have disassociated the table to prevent individuals from being identified pursuant to Section 40(2) of the Act. Please see the full exemption explanation below.
I have exempted some data pertaining to the age and gender of the victims in these offences pursuant to Section 30 of the act. Please see the full exemption explanation below.
Q3. Please see the table below which details the recorded outcomes, where finalised, of acid/corrosive substance attacks recorded by North Yorkshire Police from 01 April 2019 to 31 December 2023.
|
Outcome |
Count |
|
01-Charged/Summonsed |
2 |
|
10-Not in public interest (Police) |
1 |
|
14-Evidential difficulties victim based – suspect not identified |
3 |
|
15-Evidential difficulties prevent further action; victim supports police action |
3 |
|
16-Evidential difficulties prevent further action; victim does not support police action |
11 |
|
18-Investigation complete - no suspect identified |
1 |
|
20-Action by other agency |
2 |
|
22-Diversionary or referral pathway; no public interest |
1 |
|
Total |
24 |
Q4. 0
Q5. N/A
Q6. The substances used in the above recorded crimes include household bleach, hydrochloric acid and potassium acid. I note that the substance used is not mandatorily recorded, however where this information is present I have included it above.
Exemption Explanation
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 – Investigations
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.
Section 40(2) - Personal Information
I have disassociated the tables pursuant to section 40(2) – Personal Information. This is to refrain from particular incidents becoming identifiable and consequently the personal details of any persons involved being disclosed.
Where an individual can be identified by such data, releasing it would clearly breach the first data protection principle of being ‘fair’ to the data subject.
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.
Section 40(2) is an absolute class based exemption, which does not require a public interest test, but requires the balancing of the legitimate interests of the public against the interests of the individual under the first Data Protection Principle; in that processing of personal data must be lawful and fair (DPA 2018 35(1), EUGDPR Article 5(1)).
This exemption applies because the right given under the FOI Act to request official information held by public authorities does not apply to the personal data of third parties where disclosure of that information would not be fair to the individual, and where there is no legitimate public interest in disclosure.
In all the circumstances of the case it has been determined that the duty to the individual under the Data Protection Act 2018 & EU General Data Protection Regulations, and the public interest in maintaining the exemption from disclosure of personal information held by the force in such instances, outweighs the public interest in disclosure. In this instance, personal information can only be disclosed to the individual concerned.
Releasing personal details to a person other than the data subject would not only breach the data subject’s Data Protection rights it may also breach the obligations placed on an authority under the European Convention on Human Rights.
Section 30 – Investigations
Public Interest Test S30
Reasons for Disclosure
Better awareness may reduce crime. The public have an interest in understanding how the police investigate crime. There is legitimate public interest in knowing how public funds are spent.
Reasons against Disclosure
Law enforcement tactics would be compromised. The force’s future law enforcement capabilities would be affected. Disclosure could hinder the prevention and detection and crime, as any offenders could potentially take measure to avoid detection.
It is not in the public interest to disclose information that may compromise a public authority’s ability to complete any investigation where disclosure may jeopardise future criminal proceedings linked to this or any other investigation.
Balancing Test
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 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.