Smart Glasses, Meta Glasses

Response

1. Avon and Somerset police conducted a keyword search for “Smart glasses” and “Meta glasses” within the summary and MO field of crime reports between 01 January 2022 and 01 June 2026.

 

While we have provided this information as requested, please note that results based on key word searches can be misleading and the data they produce do not constitute a reliable basis from which to draw wider conclusions.  This is because the terms may appear within the record for any number of reasons, regardless of how relevant they are to the incident itself.  Equally, incidents that may in fact be related to the subject of a request would not be included in results if the specific search terms were not recorded.

 

For question 1, using your keywords above, only 1 record was identified for the timeframe requested.

 

In 2026 there was a record of theft where smart glasses or Meta glasses was mentioned.  For clarification, the theft itself did not involve the theft or use of either smart glasses or Meta glasses.

2. The requested information comprises the free-text narrative contained within a crime report. This information has been reviewed and it has been determined that it is exempt from disclosure under Section 40(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA).

Section 40(2) applies where the requested information is the personal data of identifiable individuals and disclosure would contravene one or more of the data protection principles set out in the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Although direct identifiers such as names could potentially be removed, the narrative contains detailed information relating to a specific reported crime, including the circumstances of the incident, locations and actions of those involved. Given the nature of the information, there is a real risk that individuals connected with the incident could be identified from the remaining information, either alone or in combination with other information that may already be known to them.

 

The information therefore constitutes personal data. Under FOIA, disclosure is considered to be disclosure to the world at large and not solely to the applicant.

 

The force has considered whether disclosure would be lawful, fair and transparent, as required by Article 5(1)(a) of the UK GDPR. Individuals who provide information to the police would have a reasonable expectation that it will be used for policing purposes and would not be disclosed into the public domain under FOIA. Disclosure of the requested information would therefore be outside their reasonable expectations.

 

The force has also considered whether there is a lawful basis under Article 6 of the UK GDPR that would permit disclosure of this personal data to the world at large and has concluded that there is not.

 

Disclosure would therefore be unlawful and would contravene the first data protection principle. Section 40(2) is an absolute exemption and consequently there is no requirement to conduct a public interest test.

 

If you are dissatisfied with this response, you have the right to request an Internal Review. Details of our Internal Review procedure can be found here:

 

Freedom of Information internal review procedure | Avon and Somerset Police