Resources Deployed to Ballymena

Request Number: FOI/14932

Category: Policing themes, Operations and Investigations – Event and Public Order

Subject: Resources Deployed to Ballymena

Request and Answer:
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 information to which your request relates. The decision has been taken not to supply the information you have requested and the reasons for this are set out in more detail below. 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. 

Clarification Sought
Can you provide a time frame for your request?

Clarification Received
10th +11th June 2025

Request 1
How many resources are deployed to deal with violence in Ballymena?

Request 2
What stations have these resources been deployed form?

Request 3
What is the condition of the 15 police officers injured?

Request 4
How many resources are still available if needed to respond to violence across Northern Ireland

Answer to Requests 1 – 4
PSNI is withholding the information you seek and the rationale for this is provided under.

Requests 1, 2 and 4 are being withheld under Section 31. 

Request 3 is being withheld under Section 40.

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/s, as well as the factors the Department considered when deciding where the public interest lies, are listed below:

Section 31 Law Enforcement 

Section 40(2)(a)(b) by virtue of Section 40(3)(a)(i) – Personal Information

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.

Section 31 is a qualified and prejudice based exemption which means that evidence of harm and a Public Interest Test must be conducted. 

Section 40
Section 40 (2) of the FOIA is an absolute exemption which means there is no requirement on PSNI to consider whether there is a public interest in disclosure, PSNI must however consider if information can be released into the public domain. Section 40 is an interface exemption which means we must consider whether release of the information would breach the General Data Protection Regulations (‘GDPR’) or the Data Protection Act 2018 (‘DPA’). To ensure that persons cannot be identified, it has been decided to redacted some information which is the ’personal data’ of those individuals as defined under Data Protection legislation. 

Under the Freedom of Information Act, PSNI must consider if information can be released into the public domain. I have therefore considered whether the disclosure of this personal data is subject to the exemption at Section 40(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 by virtue of S40 (3)(A)(a). As this information is ‘personal data’, PSNI considered whether disclosure would contravene any of the six data protection principles contained within the GDPR. 

The six data protection principles are good information handling standards which PSNI must comply with in relation to how it handles personal information, including deciding whether to disclose it or not. In particular, the first principle requires personal data to be processed ‘fairly and lawfully’. In considering whether it is ‘fair’ to any individual to release information about them, PSNI considered the likely expectations of those individuals and the nature of the information involved. Individuals must have confidence that their information is treated sensitively and appropriately by PSNI. I consider those individuals would not have any reasonable expectation that PSNI would disclose such information of this nature about them into the public domain. I further consider it would be extremely unfair to those individuals and therefore a breach of the first principle of data protection legislation. This information is therefore partially exempt for your request under section 40 (2) of the FOIA as it contravenes data protection legislation to release it and PSNI has made the decision to withhold that information.

Harm for Section 31
The release of this information would reveal the public order policing resources available and consequently reveal the capabilities of the PSNI in this critical area of policing, i.e. responding to large scale public order. This would therefore both directly and indirectly impact on the prevention and detection of crime as by building up a mosaic picture of policing capability to deal with public order in any Policing District(s) will facilitate those intent on public order disturbances with valuable information on police resources.

Public Interest Test  - Section 31

Section 31 - Factors Favouring Disclosure
Disclosure of the requested information could provide transparency and demonstrate openness with regard to PSNI capability in responding to large scale public order disturbances.

Section 31 - Factors Favouring Non-Disclosure 
Release of information would put into the public capabilities in this area which could allow those intent on criminality and major public order disturbances to have an over view of policing assets that may be available to respond to their criminal acts.

Balance Test 
Although there is a public interest in the transparency of policing, PSNI has a greater duty of care to ensure that any information placed into the public domain, through FOI release does not assist those intent on criminality. As criminals will want to exploit any perceived weakness in police capabilities of the PSNI and other UK forces it is not in the public interest to provide this information.  

Decision
The balance of the public interest favours withholding the information you seek in Requests 1, 2 and 4.

The release of information under the Freedom of Information Act 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 who or how the information is shared with other individuals, therefore a release under FOI is considered a disclosure to the world in general.