Police use of evidence from blogs (FOI)

Request

Over the years a number of bloggers under the heading of 'citizen's media' have claimed to have uncovered cover-ups and evidence of corruption within the Government of Jersey together with the Law Offices when it comes to the subject of historic child abuse.

In light of blogging claims going back over a decade I would like to know the following:

A

How many times the States of Jersey Police have received detailed evidence from an online blogger for consideration?

B

How many people have been charged in relation to historic abuse solely from evidence handed into the States of Jersey Police by a blogger?

C

Whether the States of Jersey Police in principle view 'citizen's media' as a valid form of information or simply what is termed as fake news?

D

Whether any person has complained about harassment from any blogger since the changes to the Jersey Telecommunications Law in 2016 which effectively stopped bloggers harassing people online with false claims, unnecessary annoying comments and fake attention seeking stories?

Response

A

The States of Jersey Police will always examine any allegations brought to its attention via any source, including public ‘blogs’. The information alone may not be sufficient to charge an individual but may instigate further enquiries to be made.

The States of Jersey Police do not hold information that identifies the source of information received in a searchable format. Our systems are based on the crimes reported. The sources of information received will be held within that file but not as a searchable criteria. To that end, without specific information as to which crime file we are to investigate, we cannot identify the source of information. The States of Jersey Police do not produce a list of sources of information as an annual chart.

B

Police staff working on the current Historic abuse team and those still employed who worked on the Haut de la Garenne enquiry advise that no charges have been brought solely on the evidence of a blog.

C

The requestor is asking for an opinion. The Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011 was enacted to allow the public access to certain information held by scheduled public authorities. The information requested is not held.

D

Of the 35 recorded incidents since the introduction of the new law, none have related to blog entries. All have related to entries on social media or telephone sms / mms services.