Cost of external organisations used for surveillance 2010 to 2012
Published 24 July 2013
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This is Freedom of Information request IA/00090/13.
Please provide answers to each question for the financial years 2010-2011 and 2011-2012. Note that I am not seeking operational details or knowledge of techniques, nor am I seeking personal information.
1. Request 1
The number of external organisations (for instance, private investigators) commissioned to undertake surveillance under the provisions of RIPA for the Organisation and all executive agencies. Please provide disaggregated information if possible.
2. Request 2
The number of non-public bodies or private investigators commissioned to undertake surveillance for the Organisation and all executive agencies. Please provide disaggregated information if possible.
3. Response
Under the provisions of RIPA DSA used one external organisation for surveillance; in the financial years 2010/11 and 2011/12.
4. Request 3
The names of the contractors commissioned to undertake surveillance.
5. Response
In the financial years 2010/11 and 2011/12 DSA commissioned Outforce Corporate Investigations Limited to undertake surveillance.
6. Request 4
Total paid to the contractors commissioned to undertake surveillance.
7. Response
In the financial year 2010/11, a total of £31,855 (excluding VAT) was paid to Outforce to undertake surveillance and in 2011/12, Outforce were paid a total of £20,720 (excluding VAT).
8. Request 5
For what reason(s) these external organisations (for instance, private investigators) were commissioned to carry out such surveillance.
9. Response
Outforce are contracted in to supplement DSA’s fraud investigation capability due to volumes of work and the requirement to procure specialist expertise.