Provision of information held by Northumbria Police made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the 'Act')
As you may be aware the purpose of the Act is to allow a general right of access to information held at the time of a request, by a Public Authority (including the Police), subject to certain limitations and exemptions.
You asked:
Since 2014, how many successful convictions have involved groups such as, and including, ‘Dark Justice’? I mean groups who pose as underage children online in order to identify potential sex offenders, who then arrange to meet the individual and pass their details on to the police. Dark Justice and Guardians of the North being the most notable.
If possible, please could you break the data down by year? For example: In 2016, there were XXX successful convictions that involved Dark Justice.
Please could you search for ‘Guardians of the North’ and ‘Dark Justice’? If possible, please can results for each group be kept separate?
In Response:
Following receipt of your request, searches were conducted with the both the Corporate Development and Criminal Justice Departments of Northumbria Police. I can confirm that the information you have requested is held by Northumbria Police.
I am able to disclose the located information to you as follows.
2015 5 convictions involving Dark Justice
2016 6 convictions Dark Justice and 10 Guardians of the North
2017 12 convictions Dark Justice and 17 Guardians of the North
2018 5 convictions Dark Justice and 5 Guardians of the North
