FOI 59794
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: 59794
I write in connection with your request for information which was received on 22nd February 2021. Please find below the response to your request:
I am writing to request information on media appearances by West Mercia Police (and preceding agencies) in a documentary style, such as but not limited to ‘Road Wars’, ‘Police Interceptors’, ‘Brit Cops’ etc, where a camera person(s) is deployed with police officers and are followed throughout their tour of duty.
This is for the time period 2003 to present. I would like to know;Name of production; Production Company; Policing Unit(s)/Investigation(s)/Operation(s) followed; Status of Unit (active/disbanded/reformed/reorganized)
I would also like to know the current stance on 2021 (ignoring COVID-19) for these types of shows to be filmed with West Mercia Police - are they encouraged? If encouraged, are you actively engaged in filming currently, and if so, what production? If not encouraged or banned, is there reasoning behind this, for example a negative experience/portrayal previously?On a similar line, police forces used to sell dashcam footage as ‘filler’ in these documentary shows, between their own self shot material.
Does West Mercia Police sell dashcam, or otherwise make them available?
Reply:-
This is for the time period 2003 to present.I would like to know;Name of production; Production Company; Policing Unit(s)/Investigation(s)/Operation(s) followed; Status of Unit (active/disbanded/reformed/reorganized)
Dispatches: The Hunt for Britain’s Sex Gangs – operation chalice, CSE investigation in Telford, aired on Channel 4 on conclusion of the case in 2013.
Don’t Get Done Get Dom with Dominic Littlewood, believed to have aired 2015/2016.
Countryside 999 2016
I would also like to know the current stance on 2021 (ignoring COVID-19) for these types of shows to be filmed with West Mercia Police - are they encouraged?
We have a filming request form we ask to be completed and consider our involvement on a case by case basis based on our priorities and other commitments.
If encouraged, are you actively engaged in filming currently, and if so, what production?
We are not currently actively engage in any filming.
If not encouraged or banned, is there reasoning behind this, for example a negative experience/portrayal previously?
N/A
On a similar line, police forces used to sell dashcam footage as ‘filler’ in these documentary shows, between their own self shot material. Does West Mercia Police sell dashcam, or otherwise make them available?
We do not sell dashcam footage however may consider releasing to the media if there is a policing purpose.