FOI- 663/25

REQUEST

For almost 20 years members of the general public have been subjected to the humiliation of mass indecent exposure events, otherwise known as the 'World Naked Bike Ride' (protest).

This Freedom of Information Request has been submitted to all 43 territorial UK police forces to ascertain how relevant new information has been considered prior to granting permission for these events.

Please provide all Information and evidence demonstrating how your police force have balanced the right to 'protest' (whilst exposing genitals in public) with religious/cultural beliefs protected under the Equality Act 2010. 

For example modesty is understood to be a core principle under Sharia law, and as such public displays of nudity are highly likely to cause outrage, considerable offence and may result in acts of violence.

Specifically what additional considerations/precautions have been made to facilitate these events by police forces operating within 'Sanctuary Cities' and 'Human Rights Cities'.

Please also include the following information:

How much has been spent on policing these events over the last 20 years - broken down per event, per year.

Please include if any specialist legal advice has been sought in relation to these events. If so, when and how much was spent on this advice.

Please include the guidance you are currently following for officers to facilitate/police these events.

Please include what your policy is in respect to men wearing face masks whilst exposing their genitals in sight of women and children.

Please include how many arrests, charges, cautions have been made in connection to these events.

Please include the number of incidents/complaints of anti social behaviour, indecent exposure,  public disorder etc (before, during or after the event).

RESPONSE

We consulted with our Partnerships who have provided the following information regarding your request.

The authorisation for the naked bike ride comes from the Local Authority not South Wales Police.

Under Section 16 of the Freedom of Information Act – Duty to provide advice and assistance, this information may be held by local authorities, and you may wish to refer this part of your request to them.

The offences around indecent exposure are not enforced as per other similar events across the UK due to a lack of intention to cause harassment alarm or distress from participants.

South Wales Police have found no record of any arrests or enforcement action taken and no expenses incurred or costs to South Wales Police as monitored by on duty resources.

South Wales Police are unaware of any complaints that have been received around this event previously