Start Safe, Stay Safe App

Our Ref: NY09975

Date: 22/09/2025 

Freedom of Information request reference number:  NY09975 

I write in connection with your request for information that was received by the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, Policing, Fire and Crime Team (PFC) on the 18th September. 

Question/ Request:  

Please respond under a FOI regarding the Start Safe, safe app developed by Stop Hate UK and funded by the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority and supported by City of York Council, North Yorkshire Council, North Yorkshire Police and Leaders Unlocked. 

1. Please provide a breakdown of public funding spent on this project. Please provide details of a cost benefits analysis or similar report.

2. Please confirm details (including minutes from meeting) of how this contact was awarded, procurement process and date contractwasawarded by which department/personnel. 

3. Please provide information in relation to a risk assessment for allowing anonymous reporting/false reporting. E.g. Malicious or vindictive reporting intended to cause alarm or distress,increputational damage to the accused. 

4. Please provide information in relation to a risk assessment for how personal data (including biometric data processing via facial recognition systems) is stored,sharedand recorded by which organisations (and any third parties). How long is data held, how data subjects informed that their data/inc images are held on file (right to object, right to be forgotten, right to rectification etc). 

5. What arearethe lawful reasons under GDPR for processing personal data for non crimes – “unacceptable behaviour”? 

6. What is the process and legal procedure which gives “the police or council” the authority to carry out a “formal investigation”. Please provide information outlining what a “formal investigation” involves byeach organisation and the limitations of their powers. Please provide information confirming what authority the councilhas to formally investigate the “unacceptable” actions or language of members of the public.  

7. What department at the councilis responsible forinvestigating complaints. What training have they received, by whom and how much has this cost. 

8. Whatadditionalmeasures are taken for images/data containing children under the age of 18 (data about children requires special attention and care). Is biometric facial scanning used to determine age? 

9. Who isultimately responsiblefor the implementation of this app and lawful use of this app/data collection?  

 

Answer/ Response:  

To locate the information relevant to your request searches were conducted within the PFC.     

I can confirm that some of the information you have requested is held by the PFC.    

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

1. Please provide a breakdown of public funding spent on this project. Please provide details of a cost benefits analysis or similar report. 

1. The Community Fund awarded £18,500 funding for this project in 2024-25:  Community Fund projects 2024/25 – York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority – Policing, Fire and Crime Team 

1. This is broken down as below: 

Description	Cost	Number	Total Cost
App Build and launch	£4500	1	£4500
Promotional Materials	£500	1	£500
Communications Plan (including Social media Campaign)	£400	1	£400
3 Years maintenance charge	£2000	3	£6000
Data Analysis and quarterly data reporting	£500	3	£1500
Evaluation	£2000	1	£2000
Staff costs – review and support of reports	£1200	3	£3600

 

1. Please confirm details (including minutes from meeting) of how this contact was awarded, procurement process and date contract was awarded by which department/personnel. 

1. The Grant Funded project was awarded the funding in June 2024 by the Community Fund as above. A panel, convened by the YNYCA and including representatives from North Yorkshire Police (local policing commanders or designated deputy) and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service considered to what extent the application provided evidence that the proposed project would deliver against local community safety / policing priorities. In addition, feedback was obtained from partners in Community Safety and Early Help / Safeguarding in advance of the panel taking place. 

 

1. Please provide information in relation to a risk assessment for allowing anonymous reporting/false reporting. E.g. Malicious or vindictive reporting intended to cause alarm or distress, inc reputational damage to the accused. 

1. All organisations supported by the Community Fund sign to confirm they have the appropriate safeguarding, diversity, health and safety policies and insurance limits in place to deliver the project, together with appropriately qualified and experienced staff / volunteers. 

1. The App was developed with primary users and Stop Hate UK worked with partners and other appropriate groups to broaden the App’s reach.  The App was beta tested and data and information produced by the App can be integrated into police systems.  

1. Stop Hate UK would need to provide any more detailed information.  

You can contact them at [email protected] 

 

1. Please provide information in relation to a risk assessment for how personal data (including biometric data processing via facial recognition systems) is stored, shared and recorded by which organisations (and any third parties). How long is data held, how data subjects informed that their data/inc images are held on file (right to object, right to be forgotten, right to rectification etc). 

1. Stop Hate Uk hold this information. You can contact them at [email protected] 

 

1. What are the lawful reasons under GDPR for processing personal data for non crimes – “unacceptable behaviour”? 

1. Stop Hate Uk hold this information. You can contact them at [email protected] 

 

1. What is the process and legal procedure which gives “the police or council” the authority to carry out a “formal investigation”. Please provide information outlining what a “formal investigation” involves by each organisation and the limitations of their powers. Please provide information confirming what authority the council has to formally investigate the “unacceptable” actions or language of members of the public.  

1. North Yorkshire Police and the respective councils would need to provide this information. 

You can submit a Freedom of Information request to North Yorkshire Police using the below link:   

Request information | North Yorkshire Police 

1. What department at the council is responsible for investigating complaints. What training have they received, by whom and how much has this cost. 

1. The relevant council would need to provide this information. 

 

1. What additional measures are taken for images/data containing children under the age of 18 (data about children requires special attention and care). Is biometric facial scanning used to determine age? 

1. Stop Hate UK would need to provide this information.  

You can contact them at [email protected] 

 

1. Who is ultimately responsible for the implementation of this app and lawful use of this app/data collection? 

1. Stop Hate UK. 

 

 

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 the PFC’s response to your questions should not be used for comparison purposes with any other responses you may receive.