Request ID: FOI-0960-2122 Date published: 25 August 2021
You asked
I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information Act (2000). My questions are as follows:
1. How many body worn cameras are owned and used by TfL?
2. Do these cameras use facial recognition technology (either in a 'live' setting, or when the images and video are later processed, please specify if so)
3. How many incidents have been logged since these cameras were introduced? Please provide annual figures.
4. How many fines have been given as a result of evidence from these cameras?
4. How many prosecutions have been brought as a result of body worn cameras? How many of these have been successful?
5. How much has been spent on body worn cameras? Please give a total and per unit cost.
We answered
Our ref: FOI-0960-2122/GH
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 6 August 2021 asking for information about body worn cameras. BWVs are used for the safety and reassurance of our customers and staff. Everyone has the right to go about their work without fear or intimidation and we do not tolerate any form of verbal or physical assault towards our hard-working staff. BWVs can help deter aggressive behaviour towards our staff, and support our employees to feel safe at work.
Your request has been considered under the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and our information access policy. I can confirm that we do hold the information you require.
How many body worn cameras are owned and used by TfL?
Transport for London (TfL) own 4,559 Body Worn Video (BWV) cameras
Do these cameras use facial recognition technology (either in a 'live' setting, or when the images and video are later processed, please specify if so). These cameras do not use facial recognition technology
How many incidents have been logged since these cameras were introduced? Please provide annual figures.
There have been 444 incidents logged since the service went live in August 2020.
How many fines have been given as a result of evidence from these cameras? We do not hold this information. The cameras are only used to assist police investigations into workplace violence and aggression prosecutions. Any fines issued would be by the courts as a result of criminal action bought by the Police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), not by TfL.
How many prosecutions have been brought as a result of body worn cameras? How many of these have been successful? We do not hold this information. Prosecutions are conducted by the CPS as a result of police investigations, and this information would need to be requested through the British Transport Police (for incidents on rail services), the Metropolitan Police Service (for incidents on buses) or directly from the CPS.
How much has been spent on body worn cameras? Please give a total and per unit cost. To ensure body worn cameras can be used effectively by our people, we have invested in a range of areas as well just purchasing cameras – including digital evidence sharing with our policing partners, and enabling our stations to charge cameras and upload footage. Around 6,000 colleagues have access to BWV. Approximately £4.6m has been spent on body worn cameras to 24 July 2021. TfL undertook a competitive tender for body worn cameras. The cost per unit is exempt under Section 43 of the Freedom of Information Act, as disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice our commercial interests, as well as those of our supplier, O2 Telefonica.. There are other companies who provide similar products and disclosure of the price TfL currently pays could hinder the ability of the supplier to competitively tender for similar contracts in the future as well as hinder TfL’s ability to negotiate the best value for money for similar services in the future.
The use of this exemption is subject to an assessment of the public interest in relation to the disclosure of the information concerned. We recognise the need for openness and transparency by public authorities, particularly where the expenditure of public money is concerned, but in this instance the public interest in ensuring that we are able to obtain the best value for public money outweighs the general public interest in increasing transparency of our processes.
If this is not the information you are looking for, please do not hesitate to contact me.
If you are not satisfied with this response please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Graham Hurt FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
