FOI 57575

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: 57575

I write in connection with your request for information which was received on  9^th February 2021. Please find below the response to your request:

This FOI relates to Section 127 (1) and 127 (2) of the Communications Act, which can be found here: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/section/127  

1. How many people have been arrested under suspicion of an offence under Section 127 (1) of the Communications Act 2003? Please provide the figures for: (a) 2018, (b) 2019, (c) 2020.

2. How many people have been convicted of an offence under Section 127 (1) of the Communications Act 2003? Please provide the figures for: (a) 2018, (b) 2019, (c) 2020.

3. How many people have been arrested under suspicion of an offence under Section 127 (2) of the Communications Act 2003? Please provide the figures for: (a) 2018, (b) 2019, (c) 2020.

4. How many people have been convictedof an offence under Section 127 (2) of the Communications Act 2003? Please provide the figures for: (a) 2018, (b) 2019, (c) 2020.

Reply:-

1. How many people have been arrested under suspicion of an offence under Section 127 (1) of the Communications Act 2003? Please provide the figures for:

(a) 2018 - 86

(b) 2019 - 133

(c) 2020 – 179

Reasons for arrest are not recorded by act & section so these arrest figures are based on the reason for arrest – Malicious Communications

2. How many people have been convicted of an offence under Section 127 (1) of the Communications Act 2003? Please provide the figures for:

(a) 2018 - 23

(b) 2019 - 10

(c) 2020 - 15

3. How many people have been arrested under suspicion of an offence under Section 127 (2) of the Communications Act 2003? Please provide the figures for: (a) 2018, (b) 2019, (c) 2020.

Please see Q1 above

4. How many people have been convicted of an offence under Section 127 (2) of the Communications Act 2003? Please provide the figures for:

(a) 2018 - 8

(b) 2019 - 6

(c) 2020 – 7