§ Mr. FraserTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis as to whether theLondon Evening Standard was advised in advance by the Metropolitan police of the raid on alleged Jamaica-based racketeers on the night of 13–14 April what procedures for prior notification of the media about police activity which may lead to arrests in the presence of representatives of broadcasting and newspapers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggI understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that theLondon Evening Standard was advised in advance that a police operation of this kind was to take place. Detailed information on the nature of the operation and the location was not provided to it until the raid occurred.
Decisions of this kind are operational ones for the chief officer concerned. I understand that the Metropolitan Police practice is to give advance notification to the media 596W when, having balanced the need to inform the public against the interests of the individuals involved, this seems the most appropriate course of action.