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:
1. Whether Northumbria Police formally recognises the role of Independent Legal Observers (ILOs) at protests and public assemblies. What is Northumbria Police’s official position regarding ILOs?
2. What (if any) actions does Northumbria Police take to protect the role of Independent Legal Observers at protests and public assemblies.
3. Any training documentation, relevant meeting minutes or internal documents regarding Independent Legal Observers, or used to train officers on how to treat ILOs.
4. Any training documentation, relevant meeting minutes or internal documents regarding Independent Legal Observers, or used to train officers on how to treat ILOs in light of COVID restrictions during national lockdowns.
In Response:
Following receipt of your request, searches were conducted with the Operations Department of Northumbria Police. I can confirm that the information you have requested is not held by Northumbria Police. However we are aware that ‘legal advisors’ are often present and identifiable at modern protests although no information is held in relation to an ‘official position relating to Independent Legal Observers’.
