January 21, 2025 | Finance and Procurement , Vehicle Fleet
Request: [FOI/75]
Category: Finance and Procurement Vehicle Fleet
Subject: Electric Vehicle Data
Your request for information has now been considered. In respect of Section 1(1)(a) of the Act we can confirm that the Police Service of Northern Ireland does hold some information to which your request relates and some of this is being provided to you.
We do not however hold information in relation to request numbers 6 or 7. We further consider that some of the information you seek is exempt by virtue of Sections 31(1) and 43(2) of FOIA and have detailed our rationale as to why these exemptions apply. We have also provided you with links to guidance issued by the Information Commissioner’s Office which we have followed in responding to your request.
Request
I would be grateful if you could provide responses to the following questions:
Request 1
How many motor vehicles are owned by the force as of November 2024
Answer 1
As of 29th November 2024, we currently had 1,175 liveried vehicles. Our Fleet Management Information System is held in real time so we can only provide details at a specific date.
We are withholding information in relation to unmarked vehicles. Please see below for explanation:
Section 17(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 requires the Police Service of Northern Ireland, 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 not otherwise apparent) why the exemption applies.
The exemption, as well as the factors the Department considered when deciding where the public interest lies, are listed below:
Section 31(1)(a)(b) – Law Enforcement – the prevention or detection of crime and the apprehension or prosecution of offenders
The full text of exemptions can be found at www.legislation.gov.uk and further guidance on how they operate can be located on the Information Commissioners Office website www.ico.org.uk.
Harm
Disclosing all ‘unmarked vehicle’ resources held by PSNI would identify the operational use and capability of our 'unmarked vehicles’. This information could be used by those with ill intent to evade the operational law enforcement role of police by identifying PSNI vehicles while they engage in their policing activities, which may significantly impact the law enforcement actions of the PSNI and may potentially, place police officers at risk.
Given the unique operating environment in Northern Ireland, where the threat remains substantial, the disclosure of this information may be of use to those who seek to cause harm to police officers. It is reasonable to assume that providing such detailed information on the strength of the PSNI fleet would assist activity by allowing more accurate judgements to be made by criminal’s intent on attacking police. Any information which could be of assistance to terrorists and endanger police officers is very strongly prejudicing PSNI’s law enforcement and security functions if released.
Public Interest Test
Factors favouring disclosure – Section 31
Release of information would lead to a better informed public and demonstrate openness and transparency and accountability on the use of PSNI fleet.
Factors favouring non-disclosure – Section 31
Disclosure of information could adversely affect the law enforcement role of police and potentially put police officers at risk.
The release of information concerning the operational strength of the police fleet taken on its own or together with other information, either already available or the subject of further requests, with the threat from terrorism remaining severe across Northern Ireland, this could place an adversely affect to the law enforcement activities of the PSNI and potentially put police officers at risk of harm by attack.
Decision
The PSNI is tasked with the prevention and detection of crime and protecting the public. At this time of increased threat releasing this information into the public domain would not be in the public interest.
The release of information under FOI is a release into the public domain and not just to the individual requesting the information. Once information is disclosed by FOI, there is no control or limits as to how the information is shared with other individuals, therefore a release under FOI is considered a release to the world in general.
In addition, to provide the requested information, for all police ‘unmarked vehicles’ would have the potential to negatively impact on the law enforcement capabilities of the PSNI and may place police officers at risk of harm. It is acknowledged that wherever possible policing procedures must be transparent and accountable. Whilst the requested information may appear innocuous and the accountability surrounding the use of public funds is always a strong argument in favour of releasing information we must take into account the wider implications of any release into the public domain including how the requested information may be combined with any previously released data or potential future FOI requests and what impact this ‘mosaic’ of information will have on the police service as a whole.
PSNI need to make balanced judgements which justify why some information needs to remain exempt and unpublished and we have decided that disclosure would not be in the public interest for the reasons outlined.
Request 2
How many electric vehicles (including hybrid) are owned by the force as of November 2024
Answer 2
We currently own 5 hybrid liveried vehicles, and 3 electric vehicles.
Request 3
The manufacturer name of electric vehicles bought by the force up to November 2024
Answer 3
The manufacturer names for the above mentioned liveried electric vehicles (including hybrid) are as follows: Volvo, Skoda, BMW.
Request 4
How much has the force spent on electric vehicles up to November 2024
Answers 4
Section 17(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 requires the Police Service of Northern Ireland, when refusing to provide such information (because the information is exempt) to provide you the applicant with a notice which:
(d) states that fact,
(e) specifies the exemption in question and
(f) states (if not otherwise apparent) why the exemption applies.
The exemption, as well as the factors the Department considered when deciding where the public interest lies, are listed below:
Section 43 (2) – Commercial Interests
Information would or would be likely to prejudice commercial interests of any person, including the public authority holding it.
Exemption Explained
Section 43 is a qualified class based exemption and a public interest test is required.
Public Interest Test
Factors Favouring Release
Releasing this information would facilitate the accountability and transparency of public authorities in the spending of public money. There is a keen public interest in how public authorities spend public money and that value for money is achieved. Disclosure would better inform the public of the costs involved.
Factors Favouring Retention
Releasing contract details could disadvantage a company and weaken their ability to tender for future contracts in a competitive market, impacting on future business revenue. The PSNI's commercial interests could also be prejudiced if commercial details were disclosed which would damage the business reputation of the Service. The FOIA does not define commercial interests and the ICO Guidance on the application of s43 suggests that “… a commercial interest relates to a person’s ability to participate competitively in a commercial activity i.e. the purchase and sale of goods or services.”
Disclosure could discourage companies from submitting commercially sensitive information and consequently undermine the ability of the PSNI to procure best value for public funds and to conduct a fair tender competition in the future. To disclose such commercially sensitive information could diminish confidence in the integrity of the public tendering process thus discouraging companies from competing in public sector tenders. A consequence of this would be to reduce the ability of public authorities to obtain value for money in procurement. Obtaining value for money is in the overriding public interest when considering whether to disclose the further information sought
Decision
Release of this information would be likely to harm the process of future tenders and prejudice the commercial interests of the PSNI and the company concerned. A release under Freedom of Information is considered a release into the public domain and would therefore be a release in effect to other competitors. Disclosing information in this matter would provide an advantage to rival businesses and undermine the main contractor’s trading ability to tender for future contracts. If tenderers are discouraged this may adversely affect the quality of tenders for public contracts and this would not be in the public interest.
Whilst accountability surrounding the use of public funds is always a strong argument in favour of releasing information, we have decided that disclosing the information requested would not be in the public interest.
The release of information under the Freedom of Information Act is considered a release into the public domain and not just to the individual requesting the information. Once information is disclosed by FOI there is no control or limits as to who or how information is shared with other individuals, therefore a release under FOI is considered a release to the world in general.
Request 5
What are electric vehicles used in the force
Answer 5
All electric vehicles are used for policing purposes.
Request 6
How many electric vehicles does the force plan to purchase in the five-year period to March 2030
Request 7
What budget has the force allocated to purchase electric vehicles every year up to March 2030
Answers 6 and 7
This is not held as recorded information.