Freedom of Information Request 3/19 Response Date: 14th January 2019 I would like to make the following request under the Freedom of Information Act. In the last five calendar years, how many homicides have been recorded by your force? Can the figure be broken down by each calendar year, the area where the homicide was recorded (town/city) and the type of homicide (stabbing, shooting, assault, arson etc). RESPONSE We have consulted with our Specialist Crime Department who have provided the information to answer your request. Please see the table below: YEAR AREA TYPE 2014 2014 Cardiff Drugs 2014 Cardiff Assault/Stabbing 2014 Cardiff Assault 2014 Pontypridd Arson 2014 Tonypandy Assault 2014 Barry Assault 2014 Pyle Assault 2014 Cardiff Assault 2015 2015 Pontypridd Assault 2015 Porthcawl Assault 2015 Tonypandy Assault 2015 Pontypridd Assault 2015 Port Talbot Assault 2015 Cardiff Assault 2015 Bridgend Assault 2015 Mountain Ash Shooting 2015 Cardiff Assault 2015 Swansea Stabbing 2015 Cardiff Stabbing 2015 Cardiff Assault 2015 Trealaw Assault 2015 Beddau Assault Continued….. THIS INFORMATION HAS BEEN PROVIDED IN RESPONSE TO A REQUEST UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000, AND IS CORRECT AS AT THE DATE ORIGINALLY PROVIDED. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the South Wales Police. Freedom of Information Request 3/19 2016 2016 Cardiff Arson 2016 Neath Assault 2016 Cardiff Stabbing 2016 Cardiff Stabbing 2016 Bridgend Stabbing 2016 Cardiff Stabbing 2016 Cardiff Assault 2016 Cardiff Assault 2016 Barry Assault/Arson 2016 Cardiff Assault 2016 Neath Assault 2016 Cardiff Stabbing 2017 2017 Port Talbot Stabbing 2017 Swansea Stabbing 2017 Taffs Well Stabbing 2017 Cardiff Stabbing 2017 Maesteg Assault 2017 Cardiff Stabbing 2017 Swansea Assault 2017 Gilfach Goch Assault 2017 Penywaun Stabbing 2017 Swansea Assault 2018 2018 Port Talbot Stabbing 2018 Swansea Assault 2018 Swansea Assault 2018 Cardiff Stabbing 2018 Bedlinog Assault 2018 Trealaw Drowning 2018 Cardiff Stabbing 2018 Cardiff Assault/Stabbing 2018 Cardiff Stabbing 2018 Trealaw Assault Continued….. THIS INFORMATION HAS BEEN PROVIDED IN RESPONSE TO A REQUEST UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000, AND IS CORRECT AS AT THE DATE ORIGINALLY PROVIDED. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the South Wales Police. Freedom of Information Request 3/19 In relation to live investigations, this has been considered and we are not obliged to provide the information requested I can confirm that South Wales Police holds the requested information; however in relation to your particular request, the following exemption applies: Section 30 (1)(a) – Investigations and Proceedings Conducted by Public Authorities Section 30 (1) (a) creates an exemption for information which has at any time been held by the authority for the purposes of any investigation which the public authority has a duty to conduct with a view to it being ascertained (i) whether a person should be charged with an offence, or (ii) whether a person charged with an offence is guilty of it. Section 30 is a qualified class based exemption which requires the authority to consider the public interest in disclosure. Public Interest Test Public Interest Factors favouring disclosure Disclosure of the requested information would give the public increased satisfaction of knowing that these types of cases are investigated properly, as well as raising further awareness of crimes of this type. In addition to this, disclosure would allow the public to be more informed about the use of public funds. Public Interest Factors favouring non-disclosure The information has been obtained for the purpose of an investigation. Disclosure of the information could prejudice any future investigation and a right to a fair trial would be undermined. This could affect the force's future law enforcement capabilities and would hinder the prevention and detection of crime. Balancing Test The Police Service is charged with enforcing the law, preventing and detecting crime and protecting the communities we serve. Whilst there is a public interest in the transparency of investigations and providing assurance that the police service is conducting investigations to their best ability, there is a very strong public interest in safeguarding the integrity of police investigations and protecting the rights of an individual to a fair trial. It is therefore our opinion that the balance lies in favour of the non-disclosure of information. In accordance with the Act, this letter acts as a refusal notice for this part of your request. THIS INFORMATION HAS BEEN PROVIDED IN RESPONSE TO A REQUEST UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000, AND IS CORRECT AS AT THE DATE ORIGINALLY PROVIDED. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the South Wales Police. .