Bedfordshire Police Headquarters

Bridgebury House, Woburn Road, Kempston, Bedfordshire, MK43 9AX

Email the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner

Office of the Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner

Freedom of Information Log - April 2022 - March 2023

Please find below all Freedom of Information Act 2000 requests received by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire and the related responses. We are required by the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (The Act) to handle all requests in a manner that is blind to the identity of the requestor. Any information released in response to a request is regarded as being published and therefore, in the public domain without caveat.

Last updated: 3 April 2023

Received: 01/04/2022

Response sent: 11/04/2022

Request:

I’m emailing you to request freedom of information answering the following questions:

What road victims support services do you offer?

Who provides your road victims support services?

Who is eligible for road victim support?

What number/percentage of road victims receive road victims support?

What number/percentage of road victims do not take up an offer of road victims support?

Response:

We are required by the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (The Act) to handle all requests in a manner that is blind to the identity of the requestor. Any information released in response to a request is regarded as being published and therefore, in the public domain without caveat.

With reference to your recent enquiry and in response to your question,

What road victims support services do you offer?  – The Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner has funded a number of organisations to provide roads victim support and this information can be found in the following decision paper on our website – https://www.bedfordshire.pcc.police.uk/download/pcc-d-035-pdf/?wpdmdl=9113&refresh=6246d38dd224e1648808845 and the following press release – https://www.bedfordshire.pcc.police.uk/the-office-of-the-police-and-crime-commissioner-allocates-201-000-to-15-parish-and-town-councils-to-help-make-bedfordshires-roads-safer/

Who provides your road victims support services? – The Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner has funded a number of organisations to provide roads victim support and this information can be found in the following decision paper on our website – https://www.bedfordshire.pcc.police.uk/download/pcc-d-035-pdf/?wpdmdl=9113&refresh=6246d38dd224e1648808845 and the following press release – https://www.bedfordshire.pcc.police.uk/the-office-of-the-police-and-crime-commissioner-allocates-201-000-to-15-parish-and-town-councils-to-help-make-bedfordshires-roads-safer/

In order to obtain the information and data that you require for who is eligible for road victim support, what number/percentage of road victims receive road victims support and what number/percentage of road victims do not take up an offer of road victims support, the OPCC contacted the Roads Victims Trust. The Roads Victims Trust have stated that this type of data does need further explanation and offered their details if you require any further information which is Mark Turner. The Roads Victims Trust stated that the figures provided cover Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Hertfordshire.

Who is eligible for road victims support? –  The Roads Victims Trust stated that the Offices of Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire are signed up to Service Level and Information Sharing Agreements with the Road Victims Trust (RVT) – a registered charity. Details of all fatal collisions, and a significant amount of life-changing collisions are referred into the RVT. The RVT then offer free and unconditional support to all persons affect by the trauma resulting from these collisions. Each individual referred is case-managed and offered one to one Counselling for as long as is needed. Additionally practical support, such as support at Coronial and Criminal inquests, is provided. It should be noted that this support is offered to all persons who are adversely affected- a cohort that is much wider than those defined as victims under the Victims Code. This included the bereaved, family members, witnesses, drivers, work colleagues.

What number/percentage of road victims receive road victims support? – The Roads Victims Trust stated that it is not possible to answer this question with any degree of accuracy without a definition of what you are classing as a victim. The RVT service is available to all persons that are referred to them via the Tri-Force Collaborated Roads Policing Units. Each and every fatal collision that occurs cross Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire is referred to the RVT, who, in turn offer the full range of their services to these people. Additionally, a significant number of life-changing collisions. So, it would be fair to surmise that every identified person who suffers adversely from the effects of a fatal collision is offered the service. By way of example – from 1st April 2021-17th March 2022 the RVT received 159 separate collision referrals (a mix of fatal and life-changing collisions) from across the 3 counties. From this a total of 675 people were referred by Police. These people were contacted by letter, received a phone call, and offered the RVT service of emotional and practical support. A total of 332 people accepted further RVT support that consisted of face-to-face counselling.

What number/percentage of road victims do not take up an offer of road victims support? – The Roads Victims Trust stated that in the reporting period (above) it would indicate that 343 people did not take up the full service – however it should be noted that all of these people had at least one phone call and letter/information that spoke of the RVT service.

We hope this information proves useful. Please come back to us if you require further assistance on this matter.

Received: 25/04/2022

Response sent: 25/04/2022

Request:

I would like to ask a few questions for you to answer if possible?

  1. Are you aware of any officers being involved in any corruption within your force?
  2. If you are aware, can you outline the corruption issue?
  3. How many members of staff (not just Police Officers) have been sacked from their position/s due to corruption?
  4. Which gender is/has been most involved with corruption/corruptive behaviour?
  5. Female officers: What is or has been the most popular issue of female officers being corrupt?

 

Male officers: What is or has been the most popular issue of female officers being corrupt?

  1. What policies and/or procedures are in place to prevent officers from being involved in corruption?
  2. Do you think your procedures/policies are working?
  3. Have you witnessed an increase or decrease in corruptive behaviour of any officers within the past 12 months?
  4. Have you personally witnessed any corruption conspiracies or know any other officer who has?
  5. Is there any other information you would like to share regarding corruption conspiracies within your force and/or any other UK force?

Response:

Thank you for your email, however the information that you require is not held by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire. Please request this from Bedfordshire Police Force directly at FOI@beds.police.uk or online via Bedfordshire Police Force’s website at https://www.beds.police.uk/foi-ai/af/accessing-information/

Received: 02/05/2022

Response sent: 03/05/2022

Request: 

Request for third party data of two Police Officers body worn footage and the recording of a third party phone call to the Police.

Response: 

Thank you for your request to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire, however the information that you require is not held. Please contact Bedfordshire Police Force Freedom of Information Department at foi@beds.police.uk or via their website at https://www.beds.police.uk/rqo/request/ri/request-information/rip/request-information-police/request-information-about-police/foi-request-form/ to request for this information.

Received: 09/05/2022

Response sent: 27/05/2022

Request:

The qualitative and quantitative research you have undertaken (surveys, focus groups, depth interviews) that have focused on public or victim perceptions of policing in 2020/21 and 2021/22

What the outputs of any qualitative and quantitative research was in 2020/21 and 2021/22 and a copy of these

A breakdown of the budget and total costs for these surveys in 2020/21 and 2021/22

If production of this is outsourced or if any part is provided by an external supplier and who that supplier is

Details of any other spend on polling or surveys relating to police and crime

Response:

We are required by the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (The Act) to handle all requests in a manner that is blind to the identity of the requestor.  Any information released in response to a request is regarded as being published and therefore, in the public domain without caveat.

With reference to your recent enquiry and in response to your question,

Response:

Please see attached two excel documents that breaks down all surveys/research completed and costings. One of these documents relate specifically to Bedfordshire Victim Care Services (BVCS) victim satisfaction surveys which is listed in the ‘FOI – Survey’ excel document.

We have also attached the survey outcomes for you to be able to review.

We hope this information proves useful. Please come back to us if you require any further information on this matter or if you require this information in an alternative format.

Please contact the OPCC if you would like a copy of the documents sent to the requestor.

Received: 13/05/2022

Response sent: 17/05/2022

Request:

I am doing a bit of research into how many Chief Constable have been recruited over the past few years. I just wondered whether Bedfordshire have recruited for this role over the past few years and if so, how many applicants were there?

Response:

We are required by the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (The Act) to handle all requests in a manner that is blind to the identity of the requestor.  Any information released in response to a request is regarded as being published and therefore, in the public domain without caveat.

With reference to your recent enquiry and in response to your question, there were 3 applicants for the role of the Chief Constable in Bedfordshire and the process run in 2019.

We hope this information proves useful. Please come back to us if you require further assistance on this matter.

Received: 25/05/2022

Response sent: 25/05/2022

Request:

I understand that a traffic survey was undertaken on Mile Road, Bedford during 2019, could I please obtain a copy. Also, could I please have accident statistics for the same road since 2017.

Response:

Thank you for your request, however the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner does not hold the information that you have requested. Please request this from Bedfordshire Police Force directly at FOI@beds.police.uk or via their website at https://www.beds.police.uk/rqo/request/ri/request-information/rip/request-information-police/request-information-about-police/foi-request-form/

Received: 27/05/2022

Response sent: 27/05/2022

Request:

Please provide me with the following info/data

  1. Number of current Family Liaison Officers (FLO) working in your Force?
  2. Number of FLO’s who are sworn officers or police staff?
  3. Number of male and female FLO’s in your Force?
  4. Number of years’ experience in policing for each FLO? (i.e. 0-5 years, 6-10 years, 11-15 years, 16 years plus)
  5. Years of experience as an FLO for each FLO? (i.e., 0-5 years, 6-10 years, 11-15 years, 16 years plus)
  6. What number of FLO’s are in each department or section of your Force? (e.g., MIT, HMET, DA).
  7. Number of FLO’s in your Force that were absent form work due to mental health problems from between April 2020 to March 2022?
  8. Details of how FLO’s are recruited in your Force.
  9. Details of any training courses for FLO’s provided by your Force.
  10. Details of any support currently available to FLO’s in your Force.

 

Response:

Thank you for your request, however the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner does not hold the information that you have requested. Please request this from Bedfordshire Police Force directly at FOI@beds.police.uk or via their website at https://www.beds.police.uk/rqo/request/ri/request-information/rip/request-information-police/request-information-about-police/foi-request-form/

Received: 16/05/2022

Response sent: 16/06/2022

Request:

I confirm that in addition to my above enquiries this email is also a request to you as Bedfordshire PCC for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI). Please confirm the sum of public funds and resources that have been used since 20 January 2017 by Bedfordshire Police and/or the Bedfordshire OPCC in relation to this matter. Please also confirm what disciplinary action/criminal proceedings have been taken against Bedfordshire Police officers and/or staff and/or against Bedfordshire OPCC staff in relation to this child cruelty and serious corruption.  Please confirm what arrests and/or charges have been made against the individuals involved and the misuse of computers relating to documents.

Response:

In regards to your FOI request of the following information:

The OPCC has had no involvement in this case. We do not hold this information – please email the Force FOI Team using:  foi@beds.police.uk

In regards to this aspect of your FOI request:

Please confirm the purpose of your visit to Downing Street with the Conservative Wiltshire PCC Mr Philip Wilkinson and Conservative Sussex PCC on 14th March 2022.

The APCC hosted an away day for the Conservative PCC Group of PCCs, PFCCs and Deputies.

Received: 23/06/2022

Response sent: 04/07/2022

Request:

Please provide me with a copy of your logo guidelines, branding manual or equivalent document.

Response:

We are required by the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (The Act) to handle all requests in a manner that is blind to the identity of the requestor.  Any information released in response to a request is regarded as being published and therefore, in the public domain without caveat.

With reference to your recent enquiry and in response to your question, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) for Bedfordshire and Bedfordshire Victim Care Services (BVCS) does not have any branding manual or guidelines for their logos, however the OPCC are currently expanding their Communications Team and this is going to be worked through as part of a project for the team.

Received: 22/06/2022

Response sent: 23/06/2022

Request:

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 please could you supply the following information: 

I would like to know whether Bedfordshire Police pension funds are invested in any of the following company’s or subsidiaries there of:

BAE Systems                Company Number        01470151 

Lockheed Martin           Company Number        00585852 

AWE /Aldermaston       Company Number        02763902 

General Dynamics        Company Number        01911653

Northrop Grumman      Company Number        05989428

Raytheon                      Company Number   00406809 

If you are not fully certain of what it is I am asking, then I look forward to contact from you as soon as possible to clarify what it is I am requesting in order to meet your obligations under legislation. 

Response:

Thank you for your request to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), however the OPCC does not hold the information that you have requested. Please request this from Bedfordshire Police Force directly at FOI@beds.police.uk or via their website at https://www.beds.police.uk/rqo/request/ri/request-information/rip/request-information-police/request-information-about-police/foi-request-form/

Received: 13/06/2022

Response sent: 23/06/2022

Request:

Does this force intend to fully implement the searching policy as agreed by the NPCC on 9th December 2021 and if so, by which date will this be in place?

2.     What equality impact assessments have/will be carried out in advance of implementation with regard to other protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010, in particular, race, religion or belief, sex and disability?

3.     Advise in detail what impact you envisage this will have on women’s trust and confidence in Police and what mitigation you intend to put in place.

4.     Advise in detail whether a hate crime or a non-crime hate incident would be created under any circumstances if a woman objects to a male officer searching her and what these circumstances may be.

5.     Advise in detail what your position will be with regard to female police officers being required to strip search males self-identifying as a women and in particular, if you would support those officers having a right to refuse to carry out such searches.

6.     If you do not intend to fully implement the searching policy, please advise in detail what the position of this force will be.

Response:

The issues raised have been noted however the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire does not hold the information that you have requested.

Please contact Bedfordshire Police Force Freedom of Information department directly to request for this information either by email at FOI@beds.police.uk or via the Bedfordshire Police website at: https://www.beds.police.uk/rqo/request/ri/request-information/rip/request-information-police/request-information-about-police/foi-request-form/

Received: 18/06/2022

Response sent: 24/06/2022

Request:

Please can you send us the schedule for Festus’ school visits across the county.

Response:

We are required by the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (The Act) to handle all requests in a manner that is blind to the identity of the requestor.  Any information released in response to a request is regarded as being published and therefore, in the public domain without caveat.

With reference to your recent enquiry and in response to your question, please see Past Events and Engagements – Bedfordshire PCC on the OPCC website for schools visited. No dates have been confirmed in the academic year for 22-23 as this needs to be arranged in September 2022.

Under Section 22 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, information is exempt from disclosure if—

(a)   the information is held by the public authority with a view to its publication, by the authority or any other person, at some future date (whether determined or not).

The OPCC will be releasing the upcoming dates within the near future and by the end of the calendar year.

We hope this information proves useful. Please come back to us if you require further assistance on this matter.

Received: 01/07/2022

Request closed: 10/08/2022 pending further clarification and information. No response received.

Request: 

I’m doing research into the catalogue of failings by the British police over the past 50 years. I am unable to find such inefficiencies within the Singapore Police Force hence I have to look to the United Kingdom because there is a lot of material there.

I would need more information on the spending wastages (if any) by the PCC departments and also any other documents that will aid in my research is most welcome.

Response:

Thank you for your email and request to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire, however we require further information in order to identify and locate the requested information. 

Please provide clarification on the definition of spending wastage and which documents you specifically require for your research.

Until we receive clarification, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire consider this information request to be on hold. The 20 working days to respond will commence when we receive your clarification.

If we do not hear from you within one month of the date of this correspondence, we will assume that you are no longer seeking access to this information and will take no further action.

Received: 05/07/2022

Response sent: 06/07/2022

Request:

Can I please request a breakdown of expenditure of the police crime commissioners office and associated staff under the freedom of information act

Response:

We are required by the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (The Act) to handle all requests in a manner that is blind to the identity of the requestor.  Any information released in response to a request is regarded as being published and therefore, in the public domain without caveat.

With reference to your recent enquiry and in response to your question, detail of expenditure can be found on the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioners (OPCC) website, using the following links.

Commissioned Services/Funded Organisations: https://www.bedfordshire.pcc.police.uk/commissioned-services/

Decisions surrounding expenditure within the OPCC: https://www.bedfordshire.pcc.police.uk/decisions/

Expenses for Senior Employees within the OPCC (“Senior Employee” means a member of the staff of an elected local policing body whose salary exceeds £58,200): https://www.bedfordshire.pcc.police.uk/expenses/

Financial information including comprehensive information on expenditure, resources, and decisions: https://www.bedfordshire.pcc.police.uk/financial-information/

Annual accounts for the OPCC: https://www.bedfordshire.pcc.police.uk/annual-accounts/

We hope this information proves useful. Please come back to us if you require further assistance on this matter.

Received: 05/07/2022

Response sent: 06/07/2022

Request:

I would like to request the following data, broken out by calendar year (and local authority location if possible), for the past 10 years starting with 2022 if available:

  1. What are the most commonly stolen car parts from the vehicles in the UK (by local authority area).
  2. The total number of reports of stolen car parts from the vehicles in the UK (by local authority area)
  3. What are the most commonly stolen items from within the vehicles in the UK (by local authority area).
  4. The total number of vehicle break ins reported in the UK (by local authority area)
  5. The total number of vehicles stolen according to police definition (by local authority area).
  6. The number of convictions from vehicles stolen according to police definition (by local authority area).

 

Response:

Thank you for your request, however the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire does not hold the information that you have requested. Please request this from Bedfordshire Police Force directly at FOI@beds.police.uk or via their website at https://www.beds.police.uk/rqo/request/ri/request-information/rip/request-information-police/request-information-about-police/foi-request-form/

Received: 05/07/2022

Response sent: 26/07/2022

Request:

Is it possible to have a copy, requesting under The Freedom of Information Act 2000, of the information relating to the “due diligence checks” undertaken on or against ACCM (UK) please?

Response: 

We are required by the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (The Act) to handle all requests in a manner that is blind to the identity of the requestor.  Any information released in response to a request is regarded as being published and therefore, in the public domain without caveat.

With reference to your recent enquiry and in response to your question, I can provide the attached spreadsheet.

We hope this information proves useful. Please come back to us if you require further assistance on this matter.

Please contact the OPCC to request for the spreadsheet if required.

Received: 19/07/2022

Response sent: 19/07/2022

Request: 

I was really interested to read about the high rate of mental health call outs experienced by Bedfordshire Police in 2021. I wondered if there was any more detailed account of this analysis. I am co-directing the new Vulnerability and Policing Futures Research Centre and we are interested in how to measure call outs for these reasons and the amount of officer time they take up.

Response:

Thank you for contacting the Office of Police and Crime Commissioner and for your interest in the mental health call out rates experienced by Bedfordshire Police in 2021.

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner does not hold the information that you have requested. Please request this from Bedfordshire Police Force directly at FOI@beds.police.uk or via their website at:

https://www.beds.police.uk/rqo/request/ri/request-information/rip/request-information-police/request-information-about-police/foi-request-form/

Received: 28/07/2022

Response sent: 24/08/2022

Request:

BVCS Freedom of Information Request

Request for BVCS service procedure, list of trustees, funders, and senior management structure.

Response:

We write in connection with your request for information received on 28 July 2022 and note that you seek access to the following information:

  • A copy of the Bedfordshire Victim Care Services (BVCS) Service Agreement
  • The Senior Management Structure of BVCS
  • A list of trustees and funders of BVCS

We are required by the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (The Act) to handle all requests in a manner that is blind to the identity of the requestor. Any information released in response to a request is regarded as being published and therefore, in the public domain without caveat.

With reference to your recent enquiry and in response to your question:

A copy of the Bedfordshire Victim Care Services (BVCS) Service Agreement – within your email you state that you wished for a copy of the service agreement that states ‘those with mental health difficulties, OR those under CMHT are denied a support service if victims of crime’. There is no agreement that states this, as BVCS do provide support to individuals within the community that have Mental Health issues, supported by the two mental health nurses in the Force Control Room.

The Senior Management Structure of BVCS – The Senior Management Structure for BVCS can be found on the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner website using the following website link  –

https://www.bedfordshire.pcc.police.uk/meet-the-team/

A list of trustees and funders of BVCS – BVCS are funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire and do not have any trustees.

Received: 23/08/2022

Response sent: 23/08/2022

Request:

This is an information request relating to purchases of LGBT merchandise, visits to LGBT pride parades, and the wrapping of police vehicles in rainbow decorations

Please include the information for each of the following periods; 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22:

  • Annual purchases of LGBT+ merchandise (for example, rainbow flags, bunting, lanyards, wristbands, stickers, balloons, pins) including the total quantity of LGBT+ merchandise purchased and the expenditure. Please provide a breakdown of what was purchased
  • Annual expenditure on wrapping police vehicles in rainbow decorations and the number of vehicles wrapped. Please provide pictures if possible
  • Whether or not the police force has attended any Pride events in the mentioned financial years, including which events, the number of officers which attended the events, and how much was spent attending each event

Response: 

Thank you for your request to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), however the OPCC do not hold the information that you have requested. This must be requested from Bedfordshire Police Force directly at FOI@beds.police.uk or via their website at: Make an FOI request to ask for information about the police | Bedfordshire Police (beds.police.uk)

Received: 12/09/2022

Response sent: 14/09/2022

Request:

Please can your organisation provide in Excel CSV format, the following information:

  • a)       The number of roles in your association (expressed in numbers of FTE), that are mainly or exclusively focussed on issues of equality, diversity, or inclusivity. For example, this could include (amongst other guises) “EDI officers” or “diversity and inclusion project managers” but would not include general HR managers.
  • b)       Either a) the pay band of each of these roles, or b) the combined total salaries for these roles. Whichever measure is more in accordance with your data preferences.
  • c)       In the past 12 months the number of staff days across your organisation which have been committed to attending equality training programmes, whether internally run or with external consultants. (staff days = duration of the training programme multiplied by the number of staff in attendance for the course).
  • d)       The contractual cost of any consultants hired, in the past twelve months, to provide any external training or advice on issues of diversity, equality, or inclusivity.
  • e)       In the past twelve months, the number of staff days committed to attending conferences relating mainly or exclusively to matters of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. (duration of conference multiplied by the number of staff in attendance).
  • f)        The costs of attending these conferences.
  • g)       Membership costs the organisation pays for participation in equality charters such as the Stonewall Equality Champions, or Diversity and Inclusion Workplace champions.

Response:

We are required by the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (The Act) to handle all requests in a manner that is blind to the identity of the requestor. Any information released in response to a request is regarded as being published and therefore, in the public domain without caveat.

With reference to your recent enquiry and in response to your question:

  • a) There are no roles within the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) that are mainly or exclusively focussed on issues of equality, diversity, or inclusivity.
  • b) As above, there are no roles for this therefore no pay bandings can be provided.
  • c) In the past 12 months, there has been no staff days at the OPCC which have been committed to attending equality training programmes, whether internally run or with external consultants. However, OPCC staff are required to complete a mandatory module on Equality and Diversity within their online learning platform.
  • d) As above, there has been no staff days/training on this area therefore no contractual costs of any consultants hired, in the past twelve months on issues of diversity, equality, or inclusivity.
  • e) There has been no staff days in the past twelve months, committed to attending conferences relating mainly or exclusively to matters of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
  • f) As above, therefore no costings within this area at the OPCC.
  • g) There has been no membership costs that have been paid by the OPCC for participation in equality charters such as the Stonewall Equality Champions, or Diversity and Inclusion Workplace champions.

 

As Bedfordshire Police are a separate entity to the OPCC, if you require this information from Bedfordshire Police, their Freedom of Information department is contactable at FOI@beds.police.uk

We hope this information proves useful. Please come back to us if you require further assistance on this matter.

Received: 28/09/2022

Response sent: 28/09/2022

Request:

I’m contacting you in regards to information and statistics based on tool theft in the UK (2021 or the most recent 12 month data).

We are creating a campaign that investigates the rate of reported tool theft in the UK and looks to highlight if there are any ‘hotspots’ in the country that are more susceptible to having tools stolen.

The information required is:

  • The number of reports a year
  • Monetary value of tools stolen
  • The breakdown of tool types stolen
  • Time of the week tools are stolen from vehicles
  • Time of the day tools are stolen
  • Where vehicle related thefts occurred
  • How the vehicle was entered

Response:

Thank you for your email. The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner does not hold the information that you have requested. Please request this from Bedfordshire Police Force directly at FOI@beds.police.uk 

Received: 08/10/2022

Response sent: 10/10/2022

Request:

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 please answer the following information within the 20 day deadline.

1. Please give the details of the amount of police officers that have been in attendance at deaths within the home for the years:

2015

2016

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022 to date.

Response:

Thank you for your email. The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner does not hold the information that you have requested. Please request this from Bedfordshire Police Force directly at FOI@beds.police.uk or via their website at:

https://www.beds.police.uk/rqo/request/ri/request-information/rip/request-information-police/request-information-about-police/foi-request-form/

Received: 09/10/2022

Response sent: 12/10/2022

Request:

I understand that Luton airport has not paid for their policing during the pandemic and has only just started to pay. This, despite there being an essential police presence at the airport for its security. I therefore ask if the ratepayers of Central Bedfordshire have been in any way paying for this, which lies within Luton unitary authority?

Response:

We are required by the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (The Act) to handle all requests in a manner that is blind to the identity of the requestor.  Any information released in response to a request is regarded as being published and therefore, in the public domain without caveat.

With reference to your recent enquiry and in response to your question, we can confirm that the taxpayers of Bedfordshire have not paid for the policing of Luton International Airport during COVID and will continue not to pay in this regard moving forward.

We hope this information proves useful. Please come back to us if you require further assistance on this matter.

Received: 09/10/2022

Response sent: 27/10/2022

Request:

Can you tell me how many officers we have recruited since your election, how many officers have transferred to other forces and how many have left for various reasons please.

Response:

We are required by the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (The Act) to handle all requests in a manner that is blind to the identity of the requestor.  Any information released in response to a request is regarded as being published and therefore, in the public domain without caveat.

With reference to your recent enquiry and in response to your question, as you will be aware the PCC commenced his duties in May 2021. This was during the 2nd year of Uplift, the name given to the national requirement set by the Government to increase police officer numbers nationally by 20,000 over 3 years. At this moment in time both the PCC and Chief Constable are confident that they will achieve their local target in relation to the national uplift by 31 March 2023. Up until 30 September 2022 the Force, during the current PCC’s tenure, have recruited 233 new officers, of which 22 have transferred in from other Forces. Also during this time the Force has seen 171 officers exit Bedfordshire Police of which 28 have been transfers to other Forces and 143 due to retirement and other reasons. The level of leavers in their first 2 years of service i.e. whilst they are in their probationary period, which is probationary to allow officers time to pass all of their training, but also to determine whether policing is a career for them and vice versa for the Force, is higher than the Force would want. This is mainly due to the fact that the demand placed on new officers is higher than most other forces, due to the level of demand in Bedfordshire versus the funding it receives. To combat this the Force have invested in a student hub so that more support can be given to student officers, over and above a considerable amount of other support that is already in place, which it is hoped will reduce the level of student officer attrition.

We hope this information proves useful. Please come back to us if you require further assistance on this matter.

Received: 18/10/2022

Response sent: 01/11/2022

Request:

In 2020 former PCC, Kathryn Holloway stated in the press that an event organised by the PCC/OPCC at Luton Hoo and attended by Nick Hurd was paid for by the Home Office; OPCC staff made the same claim, including to the Police and Crime Panel.

Can you please provide all of the financial information concerning this event including but not limited to:

  • Amount(s) received from Home Office,
  • Date reimbursement was received and whether this was made to the OPCC or Bedfordshire Police,
  • The OPCC or Force Transaction identification number for funds received,
  • Home Office reference number for this reimbursement,
  • Any other Home Office details/description/comments concerning this event,
  • The Costs associated with this event at Luton Hoo, including any equipment that was hired, food and drinks, and the company used.
  • The number of people invited to attend this event.

Response:

We are required by the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (The Act) to handle all requests in a manner that is blind to the identity of the requestor.  Any information released in response to a request is regarded as being published and therefore, in the public domain without caveat.

With reference to your recent enquiry and in response to your question:

The Serious Crime Violence event on Thursday 25th October 2018, held at Luton Hoo, was funded by the Home Office. Please see below responses to your questions.

  • Amount(s) received from Home Office – No funds were received by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner from the Home Office for this event. It was booked by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and managed by Calder Conferences. The Conference was funded by the Home Office. Further information on the amount spent for this event can be requested from the Home Office directly at foirequests@homeoffice.gov.uk
  • Date reimbursement was received and whether this was made to the OPCC or Bedfordshire Police – No funds were received by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner from the Home Office for this event.
  • The OPCC or Force Transaction identification number for funds received – No funds were received by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner from the Home Office for this event, therefore there is no transaction identification number held.
  • Home Office reference number for this reimbursement – This information is not held by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner. Please request this from the Home Office at foirequests@homeoffice.gov.uk
  • Any other Home Office details/description/comments concerning this event – This information is not held by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner. Please request this from the Home Office at foirequests@homeoffice.gov.uk
  • The Costs associated with this event at Luton Hoo, including any equipment that was hired, food and drinks, and the company used – Please contact the Home Office at foirequests@homeoffice.gov.uk to request for costings surrounding this event.
  • The number of people invited to attend this event – The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner have recorded that 305 people were invited to attend this event.

 

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner assisted with the booking of Luton Hoo and inviting of attendees, however did not fund or pay for this event. Please contact the Home Office Freedom of Information department at foirequests@homeoffice.gov.uk to request for any further information required surrounding the costing of this event.

We hope this information proves useful.

Received: 25/10/2022

Response sent: 26/10/2022

Request:

Per the Freedom of information Act. please provide me with the information contained in your records as follows:

Please supply all holdings of up-to-date surety fiduciary bonds, for quality assurance for the rights and perusal of the members of the public you serve?

Response:

We are required by the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (The Act) to handle all requests in a manner that is blind to the identity of the requestor.  Any information released in response to a request is regarded as being published and therefore, in the public domain without caveat.

With reference to your recent enquiry and in response to your question, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire does not hold any surety fiduciary bonds.

We hope this information proves useful. Please come back to us if you require further assistance on this matter.

Received: 25/10/2022

Response sent: 26/10/2022

Request:

I wish to enquire about reported pick pocketing hot spots within the Bedfordshire policing area during the month of December. Could you please supply to following information:

  1. The five (5) locations (local authorities) within your policing area, where your force has received the highest number of reported pickpocketing crimes, during the month of December, between the years 2017-2021
  2. The total number of reported pickpocketing crimes in each of the top five (5) locations specified, during the month of December between 2017-2021
  3. The total loss of value from pickpocketing crimes in each of the top five (5) locations specified, each year during the month of December between 2017-2021
  4. The items that are reported to be stolen the most within each local authority

 

Response:

Thank you for your request to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire, however we do not hold the information that you have requested. Please request this from Bedfordshire Police Force directly at FOI@beds.police.uk

Received: 02/11/2022

Response sent: 02/11/2022

Request:

Between the 1st of January 2022 and 30th of June 2022

Please provide the following information

a) How much has been paid by the force to LQCs between the above dates for payment for their role as an LQC at police misconduct hearings please provide a total figure

b) How many LQCs are at the forces disposable as of the 28th of October 2022. Please also provide the name.

c) what has been the largest payment made to an LQC during the above period

How much has been paid by the force to Independent Panel Members  between the above dates for payment for their role as Independent Panel Members at police misconduct hearings

b) How many Independent Panel Members are at the forces disposable as of the 28th of October 2022

c) what has been the largest payment made to an  Independent Panel Member during the above period

Response:

Thank you for your request to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire, however we do not hold this information. Please request this from Bedfordshire Police Force directly at FOI@beds.police.uk

Received: 04/11/2022

Response sent: 07/11/2022

Request:

I am requesting information to police officers and police staff who are Freemasons including yourself and your newly appointed assistant.

I would like to know the number of officers who are Freemasons, please can you provide these number for the past 5 years.

If the FOI allows, please can you provide a list of Police Officers by name, rank and collar number as well as the lodge they are associated.

If the names cannot be divulged, then a list just by rank and lodge.

From the College of Policing code of ethics or similar if revised, the following is noted:

Associations 
6.3 
Membership of groups or societies, or associations with groups or individuals, must not create an actual or apparent conflict of interest with police work and responsibilities. 

6.4 
The test is whether a reasonably informed member of the public might reasonably believe that your membership or association could adversely affect your ability to discharge your policing duties effectively and impartially.

Response:

Thank you for your request to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire, however we do not hold this information. Please request this from Bedfordshire Police Force directly at FOI@beds.police.uk

Received: 08/11/2022

Response sent: 08/11/2022

Request:

I am writing to you under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to request the following information regarding your organisation.

Could you please provide me with up to date names, job titles and email addresses for your Senior IT staff, such as;

Chief Information Officer

Chief Digital Officer

Chief Technology Officer

Head of Digital Transformation

Director of IT / ICT / IM&T / Digital / Information / Technology

Head of IT / ICT / IM&T / Digital / Information / Technology

IT / ICT / IM&T / Digital / Information / Technology Manager

Chief / Deputy Operating Officer

Head / Director of Cyber Security

ICT Project Manager

ICT Programme Manager

Network Manager / Head / Director

ICT Infrastructure

ICT Business Manager

Head of IT Procurement

ICT Officer

ICT Network Officer

Response:

Thank you for your request to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire. We do not have any IT staff within our office, however details on all members of staff within our office can be found on our website: https://www.bedfordshire.pcc.police.uk/meet-the-team/

If you would like to request this information from Bedfordshire Police Force, they can be contacted at FOI@beds.police.uk

Received: 07/11/2022

Response sent: 08/11/2022

Request:

Please disclose the total cost of running misconduct hearings from the earliest date in 2021 to the latest date available in 2022, depending on when your last report was ran. Please include independent chair costs, any external legal costs and hearing venues if you used third party buildings rather than your own, or Police buildings. I have made separate FOI to the Force for their costs that you do not hold.

If the information isn’t available, please state in your letter.

Response:

Thank you for your email to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire, however we do not hold this information. Please request this from Bedfordshire Police Force directly at FOI@beds.police.uk or via their website https://www.beds.police.uk/rqo/request/ri/request-information/.

Received: 15/11/2022

Response sent: 15/11/2022

Request:

This is an information request relating to the purchase and provision of vegan meals for individuals in the custody of the police force.

Please include the information for each of the following financial years; 2019/20, 2020/21, 2021/22, 2022/23 (to present):

  • The number of vegan meals purchased by the force for individuals in custody
  • The cost of vegan meals purchased by the force for individuals in custody

If it is not possible to provide the information requested due to the information exceeding the cost of compliance limits identified in Section 12, please provide advice and assistance, under the Section 16 obligations of the Act, as to how I can refine my request.

Response:

Thank you for your email to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire, however we do not hold this information. Please request this from Bedfordshire Police Force directly at FOI@beds.police.uk 

Received: 01/12/2022

Response sent: 01/12/2022

Request:

Q1 Please disclose every incident recorded since January 1, 2017, that contain one or more of the following search terms: ‘Stag’ ‘Stags’ ‘Hen’ ‘Hens’

Q2 Please disclose the incident exactly as it was recorded on each log, redacting any identifiable information which may prohibit disclosure.

For example: ‘A male called (redacted) claimed that members of a stag party assaulted him outside of a nightclub in Front Street, leaving him with head injuries’

Q3 For each incident, please also disclose the time/date/location of the incident.

Response:

Thank you for your request to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire, however this information isn’t held by our office. Please request this from Bedfordshire Police Force directly at FOI@beds.police.uk or via their website at: https://www.beds.police.uk/rqo/request/ri/request-information/rip/request-information-police/

Received: 02/12/2022

Response sent: 05/12/2022

Request:

Following The Disgusting Way XXXX was treated resulting in a 22 month prison sentence whilst career criminals were not given any prison time, I would like to request Bedfordshire polices statistics under the freedom of information act. I would like to know the number of burglaries reported to the police force for the year this incident occurred. The conviction rate for burglaries for the year this occurred. The number of reported incidents of burglary for the year of this Incident and the number of times officers attended to incidents.

Response:

Thank you for your request to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire, however this information isn’t held by our office. Please request this from Bedfordshire Police Force directly at FOI@beds.police.uk or via their website at: https://www.beds.police.uk/rqo/request/ri/request-information/rip/request-information-police/

Received: 02/12/2022

Response sent: 05/12/2022

Request:

In 2019 how many burglaries were reported in Bedfordshire and what was the conviction rate concerning those burglaries

In 2019 how many burglaries were reported to Bedfordshire police and how many times did officers actually attend premises where burglaries took place.

Response:

Thank you for your request to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire, however this information isn’t held by our office. Please request this from Bedfordshire Police Force directly at FOI@beds.police.uk or via their website at: https://www.beds.police.uk/rqo/request/ri/request-information/rip/request-information-police/

Received: 06/01/2023

Response sent: 09/01/2023

Request:

I note that you’re consulting to increase the precept for Bedfordshire Police by £15 a year for a band D property, but you’ve not given any details to allow residents to understand the context.

Please provide the following information:

  • The current and proposed total precept amount
  • The headline % increase to the overall budget proposed

 

The only reason I can see that the PCC would withhold this crucial information is to conceal the headline figure and to avoid confrontation and negative press. Residents will see this information on their council tax bill, so it’s pointless concealing.

Response:

Thank you for your email to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire. In response to your questions.

1)         Band D will increase from £237.09 per annum to £252.09 per annum.

2)         The total budget for 2023/24, based upon the £15 per annum council tax (at Band D) increase, would total £139.971M, including £3.6M of ringfenced grant. This would be 2.9% higher than the budget in 2022/23 of £136.062M (which included £2.3M of ringfenced grant).

This budget would be funded through Police Grant from Central Government, which will total £82.137M, and is 0.4% higher than the Police Grant in 2022/23, which was £81.835M, and the remainder would be funded by local Police Precept (including Collection fund surplus/deficit) of £57.834M. This would be 6.6% higher than the amount of Precept (including Collection fund surplus/deficit) in 2022/23 of £54.227M.

Received:23/01/2023

Response sent: 09/02/2023

Request:

Please could you provide me with the following information, in Excel or similar spreadsheet form if possible:

  1. How much your current and previous Commissioners claimed in expenses over their respective tenures in each of the past three calendar years: 2022, 2021 and 2020. 
  2. The total cost of running your office (including staff salaries) for each of the past three calendar years: 2022, 2021 and 2020. 
  3. The number of staff, in FTE, employed by your office for each of the past three calendar years: 2022, 2021 and 2020. 

 

Response:

We are required by the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (The Act) to handle all requests in a manner that is blind to the identity of the requestor. Any information released in response to a request is regarded as being published and therefore, in the public domain without caveat.

With reference to your recent enquiry and in response to your question, I have attached a spreadsheet with the response as requested, however have also copied the response below.

  1. How much your current and previous Commissioners claimed in expenses over their respective tenures in each of the past three calendar years: 2022, 2021 and 2020.

 

Further information about expenses claimed by the Commissioner can be found on our website: https://www.bedfordshire.pcc.police.uk/expenses/

Festus Akinbusoye

May 2021 – December 2021 = £985.74

January 2022 – December 2022 = £2676.67

Kathryn Holloway

January 2020 – December 2020 = £192.30

January 2021 – May 2021 = No expenses claimed

 

  1. The total cost of running your office (including staff salaries) for each of the past three calendar years: 2022, 2021 and 2020.

 

Our finance department have confirmed that costs and finances are budgeted and recorded in financial years, therefore the totals below run from April – March (financial year).

April 2019 – March 2020

Total = £811,024

 

April 2020 – March 2021

Total = £788,165

 

April 2021 – March 2022

Total = £1,066,566

  1. The number of staff, in FTE, employed by your office for each of the past three calendar years: 2022, 2021 and 2020.

The number of and details of staff who are currently employed by Bedfordshire OPCC can be found on the website at: https://www.bedfordshire.pcc.police.uk/meet-the-team/

(January – December)

2022

19 FTE, 5 Part Time (however within the Part Time numbers, this includes x2 Chief Finance Officer posts due to 1 CFO leaving on the 31st October 2022 and an interim CFO being appointed on 1st November 2022)

2021

19 FTE, 4 Part Time (within FTE number, this includes x2 Police and Crime Commissioners as elections were held in May 2021)

2020

15 FTE, 3 Part Time

We hope this information proves useful. Please come back to us if you require further assistance on this matter.

Received: 23/01/2023

Response sent: 24/01/2023

Request:

Can you tell me which fixed speed cameras are in daily working use in Bedfordshire under the Freedom of Information Act

Response:

Thank you for your request to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire, however this information isn’t held by our office. Please request this from Bedfordshire Police Force directly at FOI@beds.police.uk or via their website at: https://www.beds.police.uk/rqo/request/ri/request-information/rip/request-information-police/

Received: 26/01/2023

Response sent: 06/02/2023

Request:

I would like to make a Freedom of information request in regards to how much money you have paid to the charity Stonewall over the past ten years.

Response:

We are required by the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (The Act) to handle all requests in a manner that is blind to the identity of the requestor.  Any information released in response to a request is regarded as being published and therefore, in the public domain without caveat.

With reference to your recent enquiry and in response to your question, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) for Bedfordshire does not hold any information regarding the charity ‘Stonewall’. Please note that our Finance system only holds records from 2017 to present, however the Commissioning Team has reviewed through our filing system and can confirm that we do not hold information regarding the charity ‘Stonewall’.

We hope this information proves useful. Please come back to us if you require further assistance on this matter.

 

Received: 08/02/2023

Response sent: 08/02/2023

Request:

I would like to review any readily available statistics you have for crime within Aspley Heath for comparison over the last 3 years in terms of levels of crime and types of crimes.

In addition to that I would like to see records of police patrols [on foot/patrol car/horseback] specifically in Aspley Heath area

Response:

Thank you for your request to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire, however this information isn’t held by our office. Please request this from Bedfordshire Police Force directly at FOI@beds.police.uk or via their website at: https://www.beds.police.uk/rqo/request/ri/request-information/rip/request-information-police/

Received: 12/02/2023

Response sent: 13/02/2023

Request:

I would appreciate it if you could inform me of how many children have been bereaved by domestic abuse in the past 5 years in Bedfordshire. Please can you include all domestic homicides and suspected suicides where domestic abuse was suspected.

Response:

Thank you for your request to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire, however this information isn’t held by our office. Please request this from Bedfordshire Police Force directly at FOI@beds.police.uk or via their website at: https://www.beds.police.uk/rqo/request/ri/request-information/rip/request-information-police/

Received: 27/02/2023

Response sent: 23/03/2023

Request:

I assume that you are already aware that the Police College have issue a document entitled ‘Firearms licensing, Authorised professional practice’ with a request for comments. I would be interested to see any comments that you have made, or intend to make, on the College’s proposals.

Response:

Thank you for your email to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire. In response to your questions, I can confirm that PCC Festus Akinbusoye has not made any comments and does not intend to make any comment on the ‘Firearms licensing, Authorised professional practice’ document.

Please contact Bedfordshire Police directly at FOI@beds.police.uk if you would like to request any specific information that the Force hold regarding how the current practices with the Bedfordshire Firearms Licensing unit align with the proposed standard for professional practice. Alternatively, you can contact Bedfordshire Police Customer Support at customersupport@beds.police.uk.

Received: 08/03/2023

Response sent: 08/03/2023

Request:

I am currently running a survey about printing within public sector to get an understanding of the attitudes towards print, the types of technology used, and also any trends in ownership of print.  I am making the following Freedom of Information Request to gather the relevant data.

 

  1. How many employees do you have?
  2. How many printers (A4, A3 single function or multi-function) do you have?
  3. How many print servers do you have?
  4. Do you use any print management software (Equitrac, SafeQ, PaperCut, PrinterLogic etc)?
  5. Who supplies your printers, software and servers?
  6. If so, which do you use?
  7. What is the job title of the person responsible for printers within your organization?

 

Response:

We are required by the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (The Act) to handle all requests in a manner that is blind to the identity of the requestor. Any information released in response to a request is regarded as being published and therefore, in the public domain without caveat.

With reference to your recent enquiry and in response to your question, please see below.

 

1.  We have 20 employees in the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire, further information can be found here

https://www.bedfordshire.pcc.police.uk/meet-the-team/

  1. We have 2 printers in our office, one being an A4 single function and one a multi-function.
  2. We have one print server in our office, however are able to connect to Bedfordshire Police Headquarters print servers if required.
  3. We do not use any print management software in the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire.
  4. Bedfordshire Police IT department. Please contact Bedfordshire Police if you require further information about print supplies at FOI@beds.police.uk
  5. Both printers that are used within our office are Hewlett-Packard (HP). We do not use any printing software.
  6. Bedfordshire Police IT department are responsible for printers within our office.

 

We hope this information proves useful. Please come back to us if you require further assistance on this matter.

Received: 09/03/2023

Response sent: 10/03/2023

Request:

I am writing to request the following information under the freedom of information act: 

 

  • The number of drivers charged with drink driving in 2021 and 2022 – please provide totals split by month Jan – Dec  

 

  • The number of drivers stopped and asked to conduct a breathalyzer test in 2021 and 2022 – please provide totals split by month Jan – Dec  
  • The number of drivers stopped and asked to conduct a breathalyzer test who tested positive or refused a breathalyzer test 2021 and 2022 -please provide totals split by month Jan – Dec  

Where time constraints are identified, please prioritise the data relating to 2022.  

Response:

Thank you for your request to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire, however this information isn’t held by our office. Please request this from Bedfordshire Police Force directly at FOI@beds.police.uk or via their website at: https://www.beds.police.uk/rqo/request/ri/request-information/rip/request-information-police/

Received: 14/03/2023

Response sent: 17/03/2023

Request:

I request information, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, I would like to request the following information:

 

  1. How many dash camera appeals have there been in 2022 – 2023?

 

Response:

Thank you for your request to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire, however this information isn’t held by our office. Please request this from Bedfordshire Police Force directly at FOI@beds.police.uk or via their website at: https://www.beds.police.uk/rqo/request/ri/request-information/rip/request-information-police/

Received: 29/03/2023

Response sent: 31/03/2023

Request:

We would like information regarding the number of services commissioned by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner in the past 12 months.

We are looking to find:

  1. The number of services commissioned by Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner in the past 12 months for:
    1. Child Victims of Child Criminal Exploitation
    2. Child Victims of Child Sexual Exploitation.

Response:

We are required by the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (The Act) to handle all requests in a manner that is blind to the identity of the requestor. Any information released in response to a request is regarded as being published and therefore, in the public domain without caveat.

With reference to your recent enquiry and in response to your question, we publish all of our commissioned services on our website found here: https://www.bedfordshire.pcc.police.uk/commissioned-services/ under ‘funded organisations log’.

Please note that the funding and commissioning log for services from April 2023 is being finalised and will be published in due course and within the next month on our website under the commissioned services section, therefore this information is currently exempt under the Freedom of Information Act Section 22 ‘Information Intended For Future Publication’.  

We hope this information proves useful. Please come back to us if you require further assistance on this matter.

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