FOI 1283-2025/26- SEEN network

Request:

Q1. Existence of networks

1.1 Does your force currently recognise, permit, host, or otherwise facilitate a staff network affiliated with Police SEEN UK or a comparable gender critical network?

1.2 If yes, please state:

* The name of the network

* The date it was established or recognised by the force

* Whether it is formally recognised as a staff network

1.3 If no such network currently exists, please confirm whether any proposal or application has ever been made to establish one.

Q2. Applications and decisions

2.1 Has any individual or group applied (formally or informally) to establish a branch of Police SEEN UK or a similar gender critical network?

2.2 If yes, please provide:

* The date(s) of the application or request

* The decision maker(s) responsible for considering it * Whether it was approved, refused, or remains pending

2.3 Please provide copies of any policy documents, internal guidance, or decision records relating to the approval or refusal of such a network.

Q3. Governance

If such a network exists, please identify:

* The senior officer or manager who authorised recognition

* Any governance framework, recognition agreement, terms of reference, constitution, or memorandum of understanding relating to the network Please provide copies of any relevant documents.

Q4. Membership

4.1 Please provide the number of current members within the force.

4.2 Please provide the number of police officers and police staff who are members.

4.3 If available, please provide a rank or role breakdown (e.g. constable, sergeant, staff roles), without identifying individuals.

4.4 Please confirm whether the force holds a membership list identifying individuals. If personal data exemptions apply, please still provide the total membership numbers.

Q5. Use of force resources

Please confirm whether the network receives any of the following:

* Official recognition as a staff network

* Access to internal communication platforms (e.g. intranet groups)

* Use of police premises for meetings

* Administrative or financial support

* Participation in senior leadership or diversity forums If so, please provide details.

Q6. Equality assessment

Please provide copies of any Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) or similar equality analysis undertaken prior to recognising or supporting such a network. If none was undertaken, please confirm.

Q7. Complaints

Please state whether the force has received internal or external complaints regarding such a network. If so, please provide the number of complaints, the year received, and the outcome (with personal data redacted if necessary).

Q8. Public interest

This request relates to public confidence in policing, equality duties, and the Public Sector Equality Duty under section 149 of the Equality Act 2010, including whether police forces support internal networks organised around ideological positions relating to protected characteristics and what governance safeguards apply.

Response: 

Extent and Result of Searches to Locate Information

To locate the information relevant to your request searches were conducted within North Yorkshire Police.

I can confirm that the information you have requested is held by North Yorkshire Police. 

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the following information to you.

Q1. No

Q2. No

Q3 – Q8. N/A

Please note that systems used for recording information are not generic, nor are the procedures used locally in capturing the data.  It should be noted therefore that this force’s response to your questions should not be used for comparison purposes with any other responses you may receive.