Machetes

Freedom of Information Act request number: 2022-060

Version date: 31/01/2022

The Performance & Analysis Department have provided the following information:

1. For the months of November and December 2021 how many crimes were logged by your force where a machete was recorded as being an element in the offence? [Note: I would hope that this could be achieved by a computer search on the MO of crimes for the words "machete" or variants of the spelling to include "machette" and "machetes".

Six

2. Please provide me with a table showing a breakdown of the crimes from Question 1 that are `linked’ to machete/s by its mention in the MO. 

Offence	Count
Aggravated burglary - dwelling	2
Assault occasioning actual bodily harm	1
Criminal damage to a Vehicle	1
False imprisonment	1
Possess knife blade / sharp pointed article in a public place	1
Total	6

3. Taking the month of December 2021 please provide me with copies of the first 5 MOs that mention machetes. [Note: To avoid falling into an exemption I am content for names, ages, geography or any other personal detail to be redacted]. 

1. Individual was stop searched and found to be in possession of a long machete. He stated that he had found the item but was arrested for possession

2. Individual was aggressive, waving a machete/ large knife out of the window at officers.

3. The initial disclosure was that the victim was attacked with a machete or knife

4. Reports that two individuals dressed in all black clothing, wearing balaclavas and carrying machetes had attended and were smashing up cars on the driveway and smashing the front door.

5. Victim claimed three individuals entered the house, all dressed in black, one held a machete

4. For the months of November and December 2021 how many crimes were logged by your force where acid was recorded as being an element in the offence? [Note: I would hope that this could be achieved by a computer search on the MO of crimes for the words "acid” or “acid-attack”.

 Four

5. Please provide me with a table showing a breakdown of the crimes from Question 4 that are `linked’ to acid and acid attacks by its mention in the MO. 

Offence	Count
Common assault and assault without injury	2
Robbery - Personal	1
Send communication / article of an indecent / offensive nature	1
Total	4

6. Taking the month of December 2021 please provide me with copies of the first 5 MOs that mention acid. [Note: To avoid falling into an exemption I am content for names, ages, geography or any other personal detail to be redacted]. 

1. Threats to assault with acid

2. Victim opened the door to suspect. The suspect has sprayed victim in the face and told them it was acid

3. Relates to a Robbery in which the victim was sprayed with some sort of noxious substance.

4. Victim stated to officers that the suspect has threatened to splash acid in their face over the phone