In accordance with section 1 (1) (b) of the Act our response is
provided below;
Question 1
There are currently 93 devices awaiting examination. There are
other hard disks and also quantities of CDs, DVDs etc held within
the Force that are awaiting assessment, the number of which will
not be known until they are formally submitted to the Hi Tech Crime
Unit.
Question 2
There is no information held.
Question 3
In terms of Section 17 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000
Cheshire Constabulary can neither confirm nor deny by virtue of
Section 23(5) Information Relating to Certain Security Bodies that
it holds any other information in relation to this request. To give
an explanation of why neither confirming nor denying is appropriate
in this case would itself involve the disclosure of exempt
information and, therefore, under Section 17(4), no explanation can
be given.
Question 4
Nil
The forces budget is exempt under Section 21 of the Freedom of
Information Act, Information Accessible by other means please see
website address below:
Force
Budget
Question 5
There are 14 forensic analysts within the Hi Tech Crime Unit,
and Cheshire Constabulary have approximately 2182 Police Officers.
It must not be assumed that the total staff in the Hi Tech Crime
Unit represents the total capability of Cheshire Constabulary to
investigate such a crime. There are a large number of police
officers within Cheshire Constabulary who will be engaged in the
investigation of hi-tech crime as part of their normal duties.
Question 6
NCALT provides a module for all officers to complete, Cheshire
Constabulary E-Forensics also provide first responder training to
all probationers.
Further details can be found on the National Policing
Improvement Agency website on the following address: NPIA
Question 7
This information is exempt under Section 30 1 (a) (b) & (c)
(Investigations and proceedings conducted by public authorities) of
the Freedom of Information Act which states that information held
in relation to a criminal investigation is exempt from
disclosure.
Question 8
We currently have 920 devices seized relates to hard drives or
computers containing such, and 8473 other devices.
Exemptions
Exemptions Considered are Section 30 (1) (a) (b) (c) (3)
Investigations and Section 31 (1) (a) (b) (c) & 3) Law
Enforcement
Harm
Disclosure of specific work load and analysis details would
provide an awareness of not only the capability of the Force in
terms of volume of preparedness to undertake increasing workloads
but also provide information regarding the complexity and
fluctuations of workloads and use of more specialised support
services. Disclosure would also provide intelligence to criminals
about the application of particular police tactics.
Public Interest Test
Considerations favouring Disclosure
Public Awareness
Divulging Cheshire Constabulary's capabilities to carry out
forensic analysis of digital storage devices would keep the public
accurately informed about such matters and would prevent rumour and
speculation. It would allow the public to be aware of the way in
which the force is tackling growing problems of crime and the costs
involved.
Accountability
When information disclosed relates directly to the efficiency
and effectiveness of the force or its officers it is generally of
benefit to the community. In this case, the release of information
will enable the public to have exposure of the forces current
investigation and devices which have been seized.
Considerations favouring Non Disclosure
Public Awareness
The Police Authority has made appropriate decisions on behalf of
the public regarding the perceived risks and necessary development
of appropriate resources in terms of the workload and capability.
To disclose further detail would provide information to those with
a criminal intent who may wish to take advantage of this or any
other Force where they believed insufficient resources were
unavailable to meet the growing demands.
Effective Conduct
It is a core role of the Force to ensure that any disclosure
does not put the community in a position of increased risk. To
disclose further detail relating to the specifics of investigations
would, as identified above, provide a level of information which
would benefit those of criminal intent.
Investigations
It is the Association of Chief Police Officers' approach that
information relating to an investigation will rarely be disclosed
under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act. Whilst such
information maybe released in order to serve a "core policing
purpose" - to prevent or detect crime or to protect life or
property - it will only be disclosed following a Freedom of
Information request if there is a strong public interest
consideration favouring disclosure.