FOI 306/25

REQUEST

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, I am requesting information regarding the policing of the peaceful protest in Cwmparc over the 23/2/2025. Specifically, I would like to request the following:

Advice and Decision-Making:

1. Copies of any guidance, legal advice, or internal correspondence that informed the decision to prevent protesters from progressing.

2. Any documentation outlining the legal basis for police intervention in what appears to be a civil matter.

3. Operational Costs: The total cost to the taxpayer for policing the event, including but not limited to officer deployment, overtime, equipment, and any associated administrative expenses.

4. Rationale for Police Presence: The reasons South Wales Police deemed it necessary to intervene in the protest.

5. Any risk assessments, threat assessments, or intelligence reports that justified the level of police response.

6. Any correspondence between South Wales Police and the landowner or their representatives prior to the event regarding protest policing.

Clarification – the applicant has confirmed they’re happy to remove question 6 as we would be required to conduct an extensive search in order to retrieve all correspondence, which would exceed the 18 hour fees limit under Section 12.

RESPONSE

We have consulted with our Mid Glamorgan BCU (Basic Command Unit) who have provided us with the below information to answer your request.

Questions 1 & 2

There was no intervention in the protest and no prevention of activity. Officers were present to facilitate the peaceful protest.

Question 3

South Wales Police does not hold the information to answer this part of your request. The total cost of policing this event is not recorded. To calculate the total cost of the event would be highly complex and, among other activities, would involve identifying each individual officer involved (due to the variances of pay scales based on length of service and rank) and then, where such information is retained, dividing this up between the many tasks each officer would have been working on at the same time; To locate and retrieve the information you have requested would invoke Section 12 – Exemption where cost of compliance exceeds appropriate limit.

We can, however, confirm that there was no additional cost attributed to this event over and above daily policing activity.

Question 4

The rationale for police presence was to facilitate the peaceful protest.

Question 5

There were no specific assessments completed over and above general police duties.