Request ID: FOI-1763-2122 Date published: 17 November 2021
You asked
Follow-up to 1505-2122:
Also would it be possible to get a breakdown of CCTV in the underground by each station please? That would be interesting for readers to see.
We answered
TfL Ref: 1763-2122
Thank you for your request received by us on 5 November 2021 asking for information about the numbers of CCTV cameras at each London Underground station following your previous request for information (reference: 1505-2122). Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold the information you require.
In accordance with the FOI Act, we are not obliged to release the requested information regarding the numbers of CCTV cameras at each Tube station, as this information is subject to statutory exemptions to the right of access to information, under Sections 38(1)(b) and Section 24 of the Act. Disclosure of this information to you has to be regarded as a disclosure to ‘the public at large’. This information could potentially be obtained and utilised by individuals who may have hostile intentions and wish to use this information to cause disruption, commit crimes or breach the security of the London Underground network. The London Underground system is an attractive terrorist target for several reasons. London Underground part of the nation’s critical infrastructure by virtue of its central importance to the functioning of London and its economy. Disclosure of information could compromise security and safety preparedness on London Underground’s network and could place members of the public and TfL staff at risk.
The Information Commissioner’s Office has issued a Decision Notice regarding the application of section 24 to withhold information relating to CCTV deployment in the railway industry, we believe the same arguments can be applied to the information you have requested: https://ico.org.uk/media/action-weve-taken/decision-notices/2017/2013536/fs50633090.pdf
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, but in this instance the public interest in applying the exemption, in order to minimise risks to operational resilience, security and safe operation of the London Underground network, the welfare of staff and members of the general public, outweighs the public interest in disclosure.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely
Jasmine Howard FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
