paedophile hunter groups (349A/22)
Request
Q1: How many crimes have been recorded for the following offences and if records allow, how many have led to a positive conclusion such as charge, community resolution or charge? If there has been any change in your crime recording which may impact the figures, please provide details and dates.
Arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence contrary to section 14 of the 2003 Act (Grooming).
Offence contrary to section 15A of the 2003 Act namely, sexual communication with a child.
Causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity contrary to sections 8 or 10 of the 2003 Act (or attempting to do so).
Indecent images of children (IIOC) offences, possess or distribute.
Q2:What is your constabularies policy when dealing with potential paedophile hunter groups (Online Child Abuse Activist Groups)? What guidance is provided to attending officers of ‘stings’?
Q3:Has your constabulary conducted any pro-active work with any paedophile hunter groups (Online Child Abuse Activist Groups)? Such as provide training on statements, legal guidelines etc?
Q4: Have you mapped paedophile hunter groups (Online Child Abuse Activist Groups) in the area you police? Do you know how many there are?
Response
Please see our response below:
Question 1
Please see attachment 349A_attachment.
West Midlands Police did have a change in recording systems in April 2020. This however, will not have affected any figures as crimes and outcomes are still retrievable / recorded in the same manner.
Question 1; 2; 3; 4
We can confirm that some relevant information is held by West Midlands Police. However, we are withholding that information since it is exempt by virtue of the following exemptions
Section 31 (1) (a) (b) (c) (Law enforcement)
These exemptions and explanatory notes are shown here:
In line with the above, I am required to complete a Prejudice Test/Public Interest Test (PIT) on disclosure. Please find this PIT attached. (Public Interest Test 349A_22)
Attachments