Request
Dear FOI Officer,
Under the Freedom of Information Act I seek the following information:
1) Please state the number of drug raids or searches carried out on student halls of residence at your university by:
a) Police
b) University security or halls of residence security
c) Private security hired by university specifically for drugs searches.
In the following academic years:
2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/2019
2) If a private security firm was brought in especially to search for drugs, please provide the name of the firm, and then amount paid to them in each of the above academic years.
3) Please state the number of drugs raids or searches where
a) Illegal drugs were found
b) No illegal drugs were found
Please provide the figures as the number of student rooms, properties or shared areas searched and the number of these where drugs were found.
Providing a breakdown if possible within the cost limit as to which type of security body (police, university security or specially hired private security) conducted the search.
4)
a) Please state the number of students disciplined by your university due to illegal drugs being found in their possession in each of the following years: 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/2019.
b) Please provide a breakdown of this number by the kinds disciplinary action taken, e.g. suspension, expulsion, fine, no further action.
c) Please state the number of occasions where evidence was passed to the police by your university after drugs were found by university staff in the possession of a student.
5) Please state whether the university owns a drug sniffer dog or has hired one from the beginning of the 2015/16 academic year to date, and the cost of this in each academic year.
6) Please state whether the university uses bodycams or drug swabs during searches of student's halls or rooms.
7) If possible within the cost limit, please provide a copy of internal guidance on conducting drug raids on students, including any legal advice issued to staff and/or security.
Response
Dear Mr..,
I write further to your request for information dated 28 January 2019. This request has been handled by the University in accordance with its duties and obligations under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 ("FOIA").
You requested details of:
1) Please state the number of drug raids or searches carried out on student halls of residence at your university by:
a) Police
b) University security or halls of residence security
c) Private security hired by university specifically for drugs searches.
In the following academic years:
2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/2019
2) If a private security firm was brought in especially to search for drugs, please provide the name of the firm, and then amount paid to them in each of the above academic years.
3) Please state the number of drugs raids or searches where
a) Illegal drugs were found
b) No illegal drugs were found
Please provide the figures as the number of student rooms, properties or shared areas searched and the number of these where drugs were found.
Providing a breakdown if possible within the cost limit as to which type of security body (police, university security or specially hired private security) conducted the search.
4)
a) Please state the number of students disciplined by your university due to illegal drugs being found in their possession in each of the following years: 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/2019.
b) Please provide a breakdown of this number by the kinds disciplinary action taken, e.g. suspension, expulsion, fine, no further action.
c) Please state the number of occasions where evidence was passed to the police by your university after drugs were found by university staff in the possession of a student.
5) Please state whether the university owns a drug sniffer dog or has hired one from the beginning of the 2015/16 academic year to date, and the cost of this in each academic year.
6) Please state whether the university uses bodycams or drug swabs during searches of student's halls or rooms.
7) If possible within the cost limit, please provide a copy of internal guidance on conducting drug raids on students, including any legal advice issued to staff and/or security.
Your request is refused as the information is not held. London Metropolitan University does not have halls of residence, nor do we own or hire drug sniffer dogs.
If you are not satisfied with the handling of your request, you may request an internal review. Internal review requests should be submitted within two months of the date of receipt of the response to your original letter by writing to:
Chris Ince
University Secretary
London Metropolitan University
166-220 Holloway Road
London
N7 8DB
Email: c.ince@londonmet.ac.uk
If you remain dissatisfied with the handling of your request, you have a right of appeal to the Information Commissioner at:
The Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Telephone: 0303 123 1113 or 01625 545745
Website: www.ico.org.uk
There is no charge for making an appeal.
Kind regards,
Tracy Brathwaite
Information Compliance Officer
University Secretary's Office
London Metropolitan University
166-220 Holloway Road
London N7 8DB
Switchboard: 020 7423 0000