Use of Sniffer Dogs in Educational Establishments

Summary

The request sought data on sniffer dog searches for illegal substances in Isle of Man schools over five years, but the response was marked as lapsed despite providing a table of recorded searches under PPP8. The Constabulary noted that most searches were voluntary and no drugs were found.

Key Facts

• The request was received on 2019-02-27 and lapsed on 2019-02-28.
• Searches were recorded under Police Powers and Procedures Act section 8 (PPP8).
• All recorded school searches in the period were conducted by the Dog Section.
• For all but one search, the object was recorded as 'Voluntary Search' rather than explicitly for drugs.
• No illegal substances were found in any of the searches listed.

Data Disclosed

• 2014
• 2015
• 2016
• 2017
• 2018
• 11
• 8
• 1
• 2019-02-27
• 2019-02-28
• 745665

Original Request

For each of the last full five calendar years how many searches of the Island's primary and secondary schools including those schools in the private sector (the Buchan School and King William's College) together with the IOM College have been undertaken with the purpose of detecting illegal substances on the premises? The data to be broken down by school and the date of the search. Where illegal substances have been found please indicate the school where it was found, the nature of the illegal substance and the quantity recovered.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Isle of Man Constabulary Freedom of Information Department of Home Affairs Headquarters Tromode Road, Douglas Isle of Man, IM2 5PA Tel: +44(0)1624631394

Our ref: 745665 5 March 2019

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 27 February 2019 and which states:

"For each of the last full five calendar years how many searches of the Island's primary and secondary schools including those schools in the private sector (the Buchan School and King William's College) together with the IOM College have been undertaken with the purpose of detecting illegal substances on the premises? The data to be broken down by school and the date of the search. Where illegal substances have been found please indicate the school where it was found, the nature of the illegal substance and the quantity recovered." Upon correspondence the application was altered to read: Accordingly this should be amended to "Constabulary searches for illegal substances in Educational Establishments". This would therefore cover all recoded searches.

Our response to your request is as follows:

Searches of premises are recorded under Police Powers and Procedures Act section 8 (PPP8). All searches of schools, in this period, under PPP8, were recorded by Dog Section. This includes all searches of such premises. Address 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Grand Total BALLAKERMEEN HIGH SCHOOL ST CATHERINES DRIVE IM1 4BE

1 1 CASTLE RUSHEN HIGH SCHOOL ARBORY ROAD IM9 1RE

1 3 4 QUEEN ELIZABETH II HIGH SCHOOL (Q E II) DOUGLAS ROAD IM51RD

1

2 3 RAMSEY GRAMMAR SCHOOL, RAMSEY

1

1 ST NINIANS HIGH SCHOOL BALLAQUAYLE ROAD IM2 5RA

1 1 IOM COLLEGE HOMEFIELD ROAD IM26RB 1 1 0 0 2 1 8 11 It should be noted that for all but one of these PPP8 searches the object of the search was recorded as ‘Voluntary Search’ rather than explicitly for purpose of detecting drugs. In none of the searches were any drugs found. Please quote the reference number 745665 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

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More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely