FOI 917/25

Request

Total number of arrests of people of the following nationalities for the years 2017 - 2024: Iran, Afghanistan, Iraq, Albania, Syria, and Eritrea

Response

We have consulted with our analysts who have provided us with the information to answer your request.

Please see the attached document entitled ‘Response Data 917_25’ that contains the number of arrests broken down by nationality and by calendar year.

In relation to the number of arrests where there were less than five people, this has been considered and we are not obliged to provide the information requested.

Section 1(1)(a) requires, unless exemptions apply, the authority to confirm or deny whether information is held. The second duty, under Section 1(1)(b), is to disclose any information held (again, unless exemptions apply).

Where exemptions do apply, Section 17 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 requires South Wales Police, to provide applicants with a notice which: 

(a)     states that fact,

(b)     specifies the exemption in question and

(c)     states (if that would not otherwise be apparent) why the exemption applies.

In relation to this part of your request, the following exemptions apply:

Section 40(2) - Personal Information

Section 40(2) is an absolute class-based exemption and therefore the authority is not required to consider the public interest in disclosure.

The Data Protection Act covers processing of personal data about a living individual.  Personal data means data which relate to a living individual who can be identified-

(a)        from those data, or

(b)        from those data and other information which is in the possession of, or is likely to come into the possession of, the data controller or any other person in respect of the individual.

Information will “relate to” a person if it is about them, linked to them, has some biographical significance for them, is used to inform decisions affecting them, has them as its main focus or impacts on them in any way.

Due to the low numbers involved, this could identify an individual which would constitute a disclosure of personal data. We have therefore supplied you with figures showing ‘< 5’ where there are less than five arrests.

In accordance with the Act, this letter represents a refusal notice for this part of your request.