MPA Press Releases: london
The Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) exists to make sure
that London’s police are accountable for the services they
provide to people in the capital.
This page is currently filtered on: london
[Remove filter]
This feed is available in the following formats:
Atom
1.0 |
RSS 2.0
Celia Prentice
on 13 October 2008 at 15:00
Tags:
2008,
have
your say,
london,
mpa,
mps,
news,
policing,
policing priorities,
press
release,
press releases,
priorities,
questionnaire,
54/08
13 October 2008
The Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) is asking Londoners
to have their say and help identify the capital's
policing priorities for 2010/11.
By completing a short online questionnaire Londoners can tell
the MPA if the police are focusing on the areas that are
important to them. The questionnaire focuses on:
-
what are your top three priorities for policing in London?
-
why doyou choose these priorities?
-
what should the MPS be doing to tackle these priorities?
Kit Malthouse, Vice Chairman of the MPA, said:
"We promised we would listen, and this is your chance
to be heard, so please take it. Let us know what you think
about the Met, the MPA and any crime or policing issues
that bother or enthuse you, so we have a better idea of
what you want from us."
The questionnaire is available at
http://www.mpa.gov.uk/yourviews/haveyoursay.htm
Hardcopies available:
If you are unable to complete the online questionnaire please
call 020 7202 0063 (or minicom 020 7202 0173), leaving your
name and address and we will send you a paper copy of the
questionnaire to complete and return to a freepost address.
Assistance to complete the
questionnaire:
If you require a telephone questionnaire, please call 020
7202 0063 (or minicom 020 7202 0173), leave your name and
telephone number and somebody will call you back.
All completed questionnaires must be submitted or returned by
1st December 2008.
Notes for Editors
The current policing priorities can be found on the MPA
website within the Policing London business plan at
http://www.mpa.gov.uk/downloads/reports/policingplan2008-11.pdf
Further media information
For further information, please contact the
MPA
press office
Celia Prentice
on 30 September 2008 at 16:30
Tags:
2008,
crime,
eodb,
london,
mpa,
mps,
news,
press
release,
press releases,
stop and search,
violent
crime,
youth,
49/08
26 September 2008
Young Londoners explained their fears about violent crime to
Met officers at the MPA’s Equal Opportunities and Diversity
Board (EODB) on 25 September 2008.
Kirsten Hearn, chair of the EODB, said:
“I welcome and thank the young people from the North East
London College, Hillingdon Youth Service and the MPS
Corporate Advisory Group who have come here to tell us
their fears and concerns about youth crime in London. Knife
related crimes are the Met’s top priority and I also thank
DAC Alf Hitchcock, who leads on this issue, for taking part
in our debate. Only by working together can young people
and police find solutions to the terrible violence that is
blighting our communities.”
The young people’s concerns were wide ranging and included
being afraid to go out at night, worries about
disproportionality in the use of stop and search and the
effectiveness of search arches.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Alf Hitchcock explained how
Operation Blunt 2 is being used to tackle youth violence in
London, and how other police operations are working together
to ensure the most effective use of resources. For example,
Operation Tyrol looks at safety on the buses, with an
increase in the number of Safer Transport teams and transport
‘hub’ teams. Officers are now working on integrating this
operation into Neighbourhood policing.
Several young people stressed the need for a broader approach
to divert young people from crime and called for more
programmes such as Kickz, more sports facilities and
citizenship courses. Police agreed that ways must be found to
tackle such issues as peer pressure, while providing more
diversionary projects and ensuring employment opportunities
are available.
Cindy Butts, deputy chair of the MPA, said:
“The Met are doing some strong work to support young people
that are trying to leave serious violence and gang life
behind. The five boroughs gangs project and ‘Pathways’,
part of Operation Alliance, are excellent examples of this
approach.”
DAC Alf Hitchcock assured young men in the debate that stop
and search is scrutinised by community monitoring groups set
up by the MPA, which give local people the opportunity to
discuss with officers how it is being used in their areas and
make sure it is being used fairly. The MPA has produced a DVD
on stop and search to be used as a teaching tool for both
police officers and communities alike.
Screening arches have been use extensively across the
capital, primarily as a deterrent to stop people carrying
knives, but as one participant added they only make people
feel safer when police explain clearly how they are going to
be used.
As well as operational policing on the streets and in
neighbourhoods, police are in regular contact with their
communities, meeting with faith groups, holding ’street’
briefings in communities and visiting youth clubs. Safer
School Officers have become central to this issue and are
setting up youth panels in every school.
The Met has also been working closely with its partners,
including the Mayor, the GLA, the London Youth crime
prevention board and the London community safety partnership,
to ensure the operational tactics used by the police are
supported by youth reassurance and engagement.
Further media information
For further information, please contact the
MPA
press office
David Lenton
on 24 July 2008 at 13:05
Tags:
2008,
gla,
greater london,
greater london authority,
jean charles de menezes,
london,
met,
met
police,
metropolitan police authority,
metropolitan police service,
mpa,
mps,
news,
police,
police
force,
police officer,
police service,
policing,
press
release,
press releases,
stockwell,
stockwell scrutiny,
42/08
24 July 2008
The MPA’s Stockwell scrutiny report was discussed by members
at the full Authority meeting on Thursday 24 July 2008.
Len Duvall, chair of the MPA, said:
“It was not the MPA’s role to investigate the events
leading up to the tragic shooting of Jean Charles de
Menezes – but it is our role to ensure that lessons are
learnt and actions taken to ensure, as far as possible,
that such a tragedy does not happen again.
“Three years on there is still no definitive version of
exactly what happened and this cannot be good for the de
Menezes family, the public or the Met. However, the
coroner’s inquest into the death of Jean Charles de Menezes
will lead us towards a final authoritative account.
“Learning lessons is a very difficult and complex process
for the Met when the focus of that learning is still
subject to pending legal issues. In this context our
scrutiny report is work in progress, as there are still
outstanding issues we cannot examine, but the report has
reached the most logical conclusions possible prior to the
inquest.”
Speaking specifically about the scrutiny panel’s findings,
Len Duvall added:
“The panel commended the significant progress made in areas
such as command and control, information management and
communication, and strategic direction of critical
incidents and operations.
“However, the implementation programme and change is not
complete and the coroner’s inquest into the death of Jean
Charles de Menezes may identify other issues that require
action. Several areas are highlighted where more work is
required - specifically technology, surveillance
procedures, firearms mobilisation and control rooms that
facilitate joint working both within the MPS and between
the MPS and other services.
“Concerns about the practice of police officers conferring
when making notes following a firearms operation must be
addressed. This must take account of both the need for
transparency and the need to respect the rights and
sensibilities of firearms officers, who are all volunteers
carrying out vital, sometimes dangerous, operations, and
ultimately protecting the public.
"The Scrutiny report makes 34 recommendations. The MPA
has requested that the Commissioner responds in writing
outlining how the MPS intends to implement the
recommendations and the Authority will ensure regular
updates are received. We have also asked the Commissioner
to submit a report no later than two months after the end
of the coroner’s inquest outlining any proposals for change
as a result of the inquest’s findings.
“The MPA will continue to liase with the de Menezes family
and their lawyers, and any views they offer will be taken
into account when the Authority considers further
reports.
“Many of the issues that faced the MPS in July 2005 are
likely to present themselves again during the 2012 Olympic
and Paralympic Games, potentially on a larger scale.
Actions taken by the MPS to respond to Stockwell need to be
tested continually as to capability and resilience in the
context of future policing.”
Notes to editors
1. The MPA Stockwell scrutiny report:
www.mpa.gov.uk/downloads/committees/mpa/080724-06-appendix01.pdf
2. At the Co-ordination and Policing Committee in December
2007, members agreed terms of reference for a scrutiny of how
the MPS has responded to the learning arising from the
tragedy. The decision to undertake the scrutiny followed
publication of two reports into the shooting by the
Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) and a guilty
verdict as a result of the prosecution of the MPS under
Health and Safety legislation.
3. The scrutiny panel members were: Dee Doocey, Faith
Boardman, Jennette Arnold and Len Duvall, who chaired the
panel
4. The scrutiny panel members took oral evidence from senior
MPS and MPA officers and key partners, including the
Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) and Her
Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC). They also
carried out a comprehensive review of documentation submitted
by the MPS that evidenced the changes put in place since
2005.
5. Confidential anti-terrorist hotline: 0800 789 321
6. Crimestoppers: 0800 555 111
Further media information
For further information, please contact the
MPA
press office
Celia Prentice
on 12 June 2008 at 16:42
Tags:
2008,
choice
fm,
crime,
london,
mpa,
mps,
news,
press
release,
press releases,
radio,
richard blackwood,
violence,
youth,
youth
crime,
30/08
12 June 2008
Cindy Butts, deputy chair of the MPA, and Commander Rod
Jarman from the Met will be guests on Choice FM’s Richard
Blackwood show on Sunday 15 June. Taking questions from
listeners, they will discuss the problems young people face
on the streets, how the police are tackling youth crime and
call on communities to work together to help keep young
people safe.
Speaking about the aims of the programme, Cindy Butts said:
“We want to hear what young Londoners think about how we
are dealing with this issue – we will only be successful if
we all work together.
“Youth crime is a problem for the whole of society,
decimating lives, bereaving families and blighting our
communities’ safety and wellbeing. We are extremely
concerned about the number of young people in London
affected by serious violence, particularly knife crime. The
MPA with the Met, working with the mayor of London, are
determined to tackle these horrific crimes.
“The MPA’s youth scrutiny, published at the end of May,
focused on the causes, effects and impacts of young
people’s involvement in crime as victims, witnesses and
perpetrators and how this influences their interactions
with the Met. We believe that by working closely with young
people they will gain more trust in the police. This is the
key to reducing the numbers of young people both as victims
as well as perpetrators of crime.
“The police cannot tackle this issue alone. There must be
collaborative work between police, stakeholders and other
agencies across society to help bring positive benefits to
communities and divert our young people away from
involvement in crime.”
Commander Rod Jarman of the MPS added:
‘The MPS wants to work and engage with young people to make
them safer, and make them feel safer.
‘Violent crime affects a very small number of people, but
has an enormous impact on victims, their families, and the
families of those involved as the perpetrators.
‘We would like to talk to young people in London to
understand how we can work together to tackle the
violence’.
Notes to Editors
1. Choice FM Richard Blackwood show is broadcast on Sundays
between 12.00 and 3.00pm
2.The MPA Youth Scrutiny report can be found at:
www.mpa.gov.uk/downloads/issues/youth/youth-scrutiny.pdf
3. The MPA stop and search conference ‘Stop right now, thank
you very much’ will be held on Saturday 21 May 2008 at the
Park Plaza Riverbank Hotel, 18 Albert Embankment SE1 7TJ.
Further media information
For further information, please contact the
MPA
press office
Celia Prentice
on 25 April 2008 at 16:08
Tags:
2008,
conference,
full authority,
icv,
icvs,
independent custody visitors,
london,
mpa,
news,
press
release,
press releases,
22/08
25 April 2008
The Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) is hosting a
conference for all London Independent Custody Visitors on
Saturday 26 May 2008.
The main theme of the conference is ‘Modernising Custody -
meeting the challenges of the future.’ Speakers include:
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Rose Fitzpatrick; Head of the
MPS Custody Directorate Chief Superintendent Joanna Young;
Alan Brown of the Police Powers and Protection Unit, Home
Office; and Fiona Cooper of the Border and Immigration
Agency.
The afternoon will feature a presentation on the MPS taser
trial and the implications for Independent Custody Visitors
(ICVs).
John Roberts, MPA lead member for ICVs, said:
“Some key changes will be taking place within the custody
environment in London over the next few years. The
development of borough based custody centres will
significantly modernise the custody estate, and the
introduction of specially trained nurses will have a
positive impact on the health and well being of detainees.
“London ICVs are also seeing an increasing number of
immigration detainees held in police cells. At this years
conference they will hear from the Borders and Immigration
Agency and the MPS about this important issue.
“In organising the conference around the theme of
modernising custody, we are keen to ensure that ICVs have
an opportunity to engage with, and are kept informed of,
the changes that will be taking place.”
Speaking about the vital work of ICVs, John Roberts
concluded:
“Over 400 ICVs make unannounced calls to cells across
London and the reports they make can lead to improvements
being made to ensure detainees are treated in accordance
with their rights. They play a very valuable role in their
communities and the MPA greatly appreciates the time and
commitment that they give.
“I want to encourage anyone who feels that they have the
necessary enthusiasm, relevant life skills and time to
volunteer as an ICV and help us to continue to make a real
difference in this vital area.”
Notes to editors
1. The full conference programme can be found on the MPA
website at:
www.mpa.gov.uk/downloads/partnerships/icv/080526-icv-conf.pdf
2. Information about the ICV scheme in London and how to
become involved can be found on the MPA website at:
www.mpa.gov.uk/partnerships/icv
Further media information
For further information, please contact the
MPA
press office
Celia Prentice
on 18 April 2008 at 10:00
Tags:
2008,
crime,
data,
london,
news,
press
release,
press releases,
recording,
scrutiny,
statistics,
20/08
18 April 2008
Richard Sumray, MPA member and co-chair of the
Authority's recent scrutiny to examine the accuracy of
Metropolitan Police Service crime recording, said today:
"The MPA carried out a scrutiny into the accuracy of
MPS crime data recording following an approach by the
Metropolitan Police Service. The work received full
co-operation from the Met.
"The scrutiny focus was on the quality of crime data
recorded by the MPS rather than assessing whether recorded
crime levels represent an accurate reflection of actual
crime in London.
"The scrutiny examined policies and procedures,
including the inherent conflict between centrally set
targets and those of the police service and community.
"The scrutiny also identified potentially conflicting
processes and that the same systems are used for
performance monitoring, intelligence gathering and
investigation purposes.
"There is absolutely no suggestion that the MPS is
deliberately preventing Londoners from reporting crime or
manipulating crime figures. The scrutiny found no
indication of corporate dishonesty in crime recording.
"The MPS had identified some of the issues raised in
the scrutiny and has already made a number of improvements.
It continues to work towards ensuring that crime recording
meets the needs of Londoners."
ENDS
Further media information
For further information, please contact the
MPA press office
Celia Prentice
on 9 April 2008 at 10:44
Tags:
2008,
community consultative group,
cpg,
london,
mpa,
mps,
news,
police,
press
release,
press releases,
westminster,
18/08
8 April 2008
Police engagement with local communities and the impact on
crime and safety of safer neighbourhoods teams are among the
items for discussion at the very first Westminster-wide
meeting of the borough's three community/police
consultative groups tonight.
Chair Rachel Whittaker, Metropolitan Police Authority lead
member for Westminster, who is chairing the meeting, said:
"The three Westminster community/police consultative
groups are long-established and perform a pivotal role in
terms of community/police liaison and understanding, and
promote greater cooperation between local people and the
police who are there to serve them.
"Westminster police, headed up by Commander Steve
Allen, have a very good relationship with Westminster's
residents, and the meeting tonight is an important
development in bringing together all those who are working
to reduce crime and the fear of crime in our borough.
"We will be discussing a range of issues, including
the policing priorities for the forthcoming year, the
success of the Safer Neighbourhoods policing initiative
which has seen dedicated teams of police and police
community support officers in every borough, as well as
matters of concern to local people.
"This is the first of what we hope will become a
twice-yearly event and we hope it will be supported by
residents who are very welcome to attend."
The meeting will be held in the Westminster Council Chamber,
Westminster Council House, Marylebone Road, at 6.30pm
tonight.
ENDS
Further media information
For further information, please contact the
MPA press office
Celia Prentice
on 3 April 2008 at 17:03
Tags:
2008,
cemetery,
crime,
desecration,
faith,
faith hate crime,
hate,
jew,
jewish,
london,
mpa,
news,
press
release,
press releases,
17/08
3 April 2008
The Race Hate Crime Forum has expressed its abhorrence
following the desecration of between thirty and forty
tombstones in a Jewish Cemetery in east London on Saturday 29
March 2008.
Peter Herbert, Chair of the Race Hate Crime Forum said,
“This is not the first time that this cemetery has been
subject to such vile attacks. This deliberate act of
vandalism affects not just the families of those whose
gravestones and tombs have been desecrated but also impacts
on the entire Jewish community.
“This is precisely why we must ensure that race, faith and
other hate crimes stay firmly on the agenda of all
statutory agencies to send a clear message that such acts
will not be tolerated in our communities. The Race Hate
Crime Forum is assured that the police are treating this as
a religiously motivated crime and will seek to ensure all
possible steps are being taken to bring the perpetrators to
justice.
“We know that those who behave in this way must be tackled
as quickly as possible to demonstrate our commitment to
erasing such acts from multi-cultural London.
“We send our condolences to the families, friends and the
wider Jewish community.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Newham
community support unit on 020 7275 5736 or if you wish to
remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
ENDS
Further media information
For further information, please contact the
MPA
press office
Celia Prentice
on 31 March 2008 at 15:16
Tags:
2008,
commissioner,
london,
mpa,
mps,
news,
press
release,
press releases,
scrutiny,
youth,
15/08
31 March 2008
Young people from all over London gathered to put their
questions to the Commissioner at a meeting held by the MPA on
27 March 2008, and to share their experiences of policing in
the capital.
The event was the culmination of a series of consultative
activities organised by the MPA with young people over the
past six months as part of the MPA youth scrutiny.
Richard Sumray, MPA member and youth scrutiny chair said:
“This was a great opportunity for young Londoners to put
their views about policing in our capital directly to the
Commissioner. Many adult practitioners, professionals and
commentators are currently airing their views on why young
people become victims or perpetrators of crime but we
rarely hear the views of young people themselves.
“The information gathered through these events will be
published in a report, which will be going to the Authority
meeting on 29 May. The MPA will then continue its work on
the youth scrutiny by making sure its recommendations are
implemented by the Met in their youth strategy and on the
ground in day-to-day policing.”
The Commissioner Sir Ian Blair said:
“This kind of meeting is very important – it enables us as
police officers to hear first hand what London’s young
people expect and need from us.
”Building positive relationships with all our communities,
especially young people, is integral to successful policing
in London and this was a major step in the right direction.
Young people are an asset to London and it is clear that
this event was well attended by police officers so they
could listen to and learn from what the audience was
telling us.”
Issues discussed by the group included how to stop young
people getting involved in gangs, how younger people are
forced into drug dealing by others, and the lack of adequate
youth provision.
Further media information
For further information, please contact the
MPA
press office
David Lenton
on 26 February 2008 at 11:53
Tags:
2008,
award,
awards,
gla,
greater london,
greater london authority,
london,
met,
met
police,
metropolitan police authority,
metropolitan police service,
mpa,
mps,
news,
police,
police
force,
police officer,
police service,
policing,
press
release,
press releases,
problem solving,
problem solving award,
safer travel problem solving award,
08/08
25 February 2008
The winners of the 2008 Problem Solving Awards, celebrating
innovative projects to promote safer communities across
London, were announced this afternoon.
Eleven projects to promote community safety across the
capital were short listed for the top prizes.
For the first time there is also a separate category of
award, the Safer Travel Problem Solving Award, contested by
four projects.
2008 Problem Solving Award winners:
1st place:
Gascoigne Estate burglaries, Barking and Dagenham.
2nd place:
Anti-social behaviour by
groups of youths on the Cleveland estate Bethnal Green, Tower
Hamlets.
3rd place:
'Parklife' -
combating disorder through partnership in Lower Morden,
Merton.
Safer Travel Problem Solving Award winner:
1st place:
Criminal damage to buses in Fullwell, Redbridge.
The winner of the Problem Solving Award was presented with a
cheque for £10,000.
The winner of the Safer Travel Award received a cheque for
£5,000.
The Problem Solving Award, a collaboration between the
Metropolitan Police Authority, Metropolitan Police Service
and the Safer London Foundation, celebrates initiatives that
develop problem oriented policing techniques - in essence
projects that are responsive to local needs, are people
focused and address the causes of crime, not just the
consequences. The projects are conceived and put into
practice in partnership between local police and communities.
The Safer Travel Award, sponsored by Transport for London, is
about recognising excellence in problem-oriented policing and
innovative approaches to further improving safety and
security on London's public transport system.
Presenting the 2008 Problem Solving Award, Cindy Butts,
Deputy Chair of the MPA, said:
"The Metropolitan Police Authority is once again
delighted to see so many effective projects that have had
such positive results in the local community. I offer my
congratulations to everyone who entered their projects but
especially to the winners who have set a high standard for
next year's entrants to be judged by.
"The Authority firmly believes the problem oriented
approach to policing makes a significant contribution to
reducing criminality and anti-social behaviour at the local
level and helps to achieve our aims of reducing the fear of
crime and making our communities safer environments to live
and work in."
Tony Shepherd, Chief Executive of the Safer London
Foundation, said:
"The Foundation is pleased to once again be a partner
in the Safer London Problem Solving Awards. This year there
has been a large number of high quality, innovative
applications and selecting the winners has been a difficult
task. Clearly the problem solving approach to policing is
now being undertaken in many areas of London and is making
a significant contribution to contemporary policing in the
Capital."
Tim Godwin, Assistant Commissioner Territorial Policing,
Metropolitan Police Service, said:
"I am very pleased to be involved with these awards.
The winners deserve every credit. Their determination,
focus and partnership approach have resulted in some
excellent examples of the work that is going on across
London to address the fear of crime and issues of community
safety and reflects the MPS' commitment to safer
neighbourhood teams and problem solving policing."
Presenting the Safer Travel Problem Solving Award, Jeroen
Weimar, Chief Operating Officer (Enforcement and Compliance),
Surface Transport, Transport for London, said:
"TfL is pleased to be part of these awards and to have
the opportunity to recognise initiatives which are
improving the travelling experiences of everyone who uses
public transport in London. The problem-solving approach to
dealing with crime and disorder issues on and around the
public transport network can produce brilliant results and
plays a vital role in reducing the fear of crime."
Notes to editors
1. Inaugurated in January 2006, the Problem Solving Awards
recognise the achievements of partnership projects between
the police and local communities to reduce crime and
disorder. The awards are a collaboration between the
Metropolitan Police Authority, the Metropolitan Police
Service and the Safer London Foundation, the independent
charity that aims to reduce crime, promote community cohesion
and develop safer neighbourhoods through innovative community
led crime reduction projects.
2008 Problem Solving Award winning projects:
2. 1st place:
GASCOIGNE ESTATE BURGLARIES:
Barking and Dagenham
The Gascoigne Estate was having particular problems with
Burglary. Some residents had been burgled as many as five
times in the previous 12 months - particularly ground floor
flats.
It was discovered that the windows of these flats had
numerous weaknesses relating to the locking. Due to lack of
community engagement and fear, the residents were unwilling
to come forward against the offenders, who in turn took
advantage of this situation.
In order to reduce Burglary within the estate, make the
estate a safer and cleaner place to live, and to build
community engagement, various measures were enacted,
including;
-
High visibility policing.
-
Increasing community involvement in community safety and
young people schemes
-
Crime prevention work including the installation of new
window locks.
-
Cleaning teams assigned to remove graffiti and
domestic/bulk refuse.
As a result there was a 75% reduction in residential burglary
in the three months February to April 2007 compared to the
previous three month period (November 2006 to January 2007).
This significant trend of burglary reduction has continued.
Residents are more forthcoming in reporting crimes, and there
is a positive turnaround in residents' perception and
understanding of community engagement.
2nd place:
ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR BY
GROUPS OF YOUTHS ON THE CLEVELAND ESTATE BETHNAL GREEN:
Tower Hamlets
In March 2005 the Bethnal Green South Safer Neighbourhoods
team (SNT) began a problem solving process to address the
twin aims of reducing anti-social behaviour and fear of crime
among residents on the Cleveland estate in east London. As
the SNT worked with partners and interacted with the young
people on the estate it became apparent that there were
several underlying community cohesion issues that needed to
be addressed. Levels of mistrust between young people and the
elderly on the estate, and between young people and the
police, were high.
In response the SNT and their partners held a 'World
Café' event, which brought the residents together and
enabled them to bring issues of concern into the open. To
demonstrate their commitment to improving their relationships
with young people on the estate, the SNT suspended work on
Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) and Acceptable Behaviour
Contract (ABC) applications.
In January 2006 the police and young people took part in
mediation sessions to progress the initiative. A number of
these young people began training in community development
and some went on to become peer youth workers. The
partnership commissioned a community film project to record
and publicise the commitment of those living and working on
the estate to work together to improve their environment.
This innovative approach to tackling the causes of
anti-social behaviour and improving community cohesion has
been enormously successful. Between January 2005 and March
2007, recorded crime on the estate fell 49%. The proportion
of residents who considered youth-related anti-social
behaviour to be a serious problem fell from 100% in August
2005 to 36% in March 2006, and some individuals previously
identified as instigators of anti-social behaviour on the
estate have become peer youth workers.
3rd place:
'PARKLIFE' - COMBATING DISORDER THROUGH PARTNERSHIP
IN LOWER MORDEN:
Merton
Analysis of Merton's 2005 Annual Residents' Survey
identified the Lower Morden ward as having the highest fear
of crime in the borough. A consultation exercise to find the
cause pointed the finger squarely at King George's
Playing Field, a park situated in the centre of the ward,
whose broken down fence allowed access to the park via open,
privately-owned alleyways. There was increasing youth
disorder in the park and in the streets around it, as it had
become a focus for the gathering of local youths to drink and
smoke. The quiet residential streets in the vicinity became
awash with graffiti and a park ranger living in a tied house
in the park was subject to frightening victimisation.
In response, funding was acquired to replace the fence for
the 1.5km perimeter of the park with a 5m high ultra-modern
version. Resident Action Groups were formed around existing
Neighbourhood Watches and alley gates installed. These
resident groups were given incident diaries in which to
record anti-social behaviour, as there was an issue with
under-reporting. Intelligence gathered from these diaries led
to the identification of a cannabis factory next to the park,
which was selling drugs to the young people in the park. This
was raided and an arrest was made.
Diversion and engagement of the youths in the park took
place, led by the Safer Neighbourhoods police team but with
assistance from youth outreach workers, and 'Reclaim the
Park' events took place, including several youth football
tournaments organised by the local police team.
Fear of crime in the ward dropped: in 2005 75% expressed
concern about crime, compared to 58% in 2007; calls to police
in the park or its perimeter dropped by 34%; and graffiti
callouts to the park dropped by 39%.
Safer Travel Problem Solving Award winning
project:
3. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO BUSES IN
FULLWELL:
Redbridge
Fullwell Safer Neighbourhoods team led a project designed to
address the disproportionate levels of criminal damage to
buses on Route 169 in the ward. This crime trend caused
considerable concern because public transport was the only
available method of travel for a large proportion of the
local community.
The main objective of this project was to address this issue
on a long-term basis, and in doing so prevent further bus
service withdrawals, whilst also improving safety for bus
drivers and members of the public. It was hoped that during,
and as a direct result of the initiative, good working
relationships would be built with all the partner agencies
involved.
A multi-agency partnership was created which implemented
several measure including: reglazing the bus shelter;
replacing the paving and improving lighting in the area; and
tackling the offending behaviour of those believed
responsible by way of education as well as enforcement.
The project achieved all of its objectives: dramatically
reduced crime levels on the Route 169; improved public
confidence in the police and public transport; reduced fear
of crime; and excellent professional partnerships.
4. The MPA Scrutiny on Crime and Disorder Reduction
Partnerships (CDRPs), published in January 2003, included a
recommendation to develop the use of problem oriented
policing across London (Recommendation 28:The MPA recommends
the problem oriented policing model as good practice for
boroughs and CDRPs. It recommends that the MPS evaluate how
the model works in those boroughs where it has been
implemented and considers how it can be developed for use in
all London boroughs). The scrutiny report is available at:
www.mpa.gov.uk/reports/cdrpscrutiny.htm
5. Formed in 2005, the Safer London Foundation helps to
reduce crime in London by supporting and funding innovative
community-based crime reduction projects. It works in
partnership with the police, government and business to make
London's neighbourhoods safer places to live, work and
visit. SLF corporate volunteers and mentors work across the
capital's diverse communities, providing a unique and
valuable link between the people of London and its
businesses. More information about the Safer London
Foundation is available at:
www.saferlondonfoundation.org.uk
Further media information
For further information, please contact the
MPA
press office
Celia Prentice
on 15 February 2008 at 11:59
Tags:
2008,
award,
awards,
community safety,
london,
news,
press
release,
press releases,
problem solving awards,
safer travel problem solving,
07/08
15 February 2008
Eleven projects to promote community safety across London
have been short listed to compete for the top prizes in
London’s annual Problem Solving Awards this February.
A separate category of award, the Safer Travel Problem
Solving Award, will be contested this year with four projects
vying for top prize.
The Problem Solving Awards celebrate initiatives that develop
problem oriented policing techniques – in essence projects
that are responsive to local needs, are people focused and
address the causes of crime, not just the consequences. The
projects are conceived and put into practice in partnership
between local police and communities.
The awards are a collaboration between the Metropolitan
Police Authority, the Metropolitan Police Service and the
Safer London Foundation, the independent charity that aims to
reduce crime, promote community cohesion and develop safer
neighbourhoods through innovative community led crime
reduction projects.
Among the short listed entries are projects that: reduce the
harm of an open cannabis market in a local area; make
children’s journeys to school safer and healthier; combat
local anti-social behaviour; tackle the problem of robbery at
a large central London venue; address the problem of criminal
damage on a bus route; and tackle the problem of dangerous
and nuisance animals.
Richard Sumray, MPA member leading on problem oriented
policing, said:
"The Metropolitan Police Authority welcomes the high
quality of the entries from across London. The awards
recognise the achievements of partnership projects between
the police and local communities to reduce crime and
disorder, and by showcasing the most successful we hope to
spread effective ideas across the boroughs and contribute
towards making the capital a safer place for everyone. I’m
pleased the quality of the applications is improving each
year as Safer Neighbourhoods policing becomes ever more
firmly embedded in communities.
“The whole point of problem oriented policing is that it
focuses on addressing the causes of crime rather than just
the symptoms, stressing a partnership approach with other
agencies and local communities. The MPA is actively
encouraging the MPS to develop this proactive, innovative
approach even further and looks forward to more of our
communities benefiting from the increased sharing of best
practice.”
Tony Shepherd, Chief Executive of the Safer London
Foundation, said:
“This year we have seen some very exciting and innovative
applications which demonstrate the very positive
partnerships being developed between police officers and
local community groups. The Safer London Foundation is
committed to making London a safer place to live, work and
visit and we are proud to be involved in the annual Problem
Solving Awards.”
Tim Godwin, Assistant Commissioner Territorial Policing,
said:
"Following the successful early roll-out of Safer
Neighbourhoods teams across London, the MPS is continuing
with its firm commitment to problem solving policing by
working closely with local communities and our partners to
tackle signal crimes and anti-social behaviour to improve
the lives of the people of London and reduce the fear of
crime. Like last year, the entries for the 2008 Problem
Solving Awards provide just some excellent examples of the
work that is going on across London to improve the lives of
citizens and visitors alike."
Further Information
For further information, please contact the
MPA press office
David Lenton
on 7 February 2008 at 22:27
Tags:
appointment,
assistant commissioner specialist operations,
bob
quick,
gla,
greater london,
greater london authority,
london,
management board,
met,
met
police,
metropolitan police authority,
metropolitan police service,
mpa,
mps,
news,
police,
police
force,
police officer,
police service,
policing,
press
release,
press releases,
05/08
7 February 2008
The Metropolitan Police Authority today appointed Bob Quick
to become the Metropolitan Police Service’s new Assistant
Commissioner Specialist Operations.
The role of Assistant Commissioner Specialist Operations
comprises the Counter Terrorism Command, Specialist
Protection and Royalty Protection.
Bob Quick is currently Chief Constable of Surrey
Constabulary.
The interviews were conducted by a panel of six MPA members,
with Sir Ian Blair, Metropolitan Police Commissioner, and
Denis O’Connor, Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary,
acting as police advisers. Charles Farr, Director-General of
the Office for Security and Counter-Terrorism, represented
the Home Secretary’s interest in counter-terrorism policing.
Catherine Crawford, MPA Chief Executive, was also in
attendance.
MPA Chair Len Duvall, who led the interview panel, said:
“This is a very challenging position within the MPS which
requires the appointment of an outstanding officer with
significant experience. Essential to the role is both a
commitment to protect the UK from international terrorist
activity, as well as the requirement for effective
communications skills to work together with our communities
in London, the most diverse capital city in the world.
“All of us on the panel were impressed by each candidate’s
skills. However, Bob Quick impressed us with his particular
display of knowledge and the leadership qualities he will
bring to this vital position.”
Commissioner Sir Ian Blair described the post of Assistant
Commissioner for Specialist Operations as “undoubtedly one
of the toughest jobs in UK policing”.
Sir Ian said:
“I am delighted to welcome an officer of Bob Quick’s calibre
to the Management Board of the MPS and have no doubt he has
the skills and all round policing experience needed to be
effective in this incredibly demanding post.
“Protecting London against terrorism will remain the Met’s
number one priority for the foreseeable future and taking
the strategic lead in that at Assistant Commissioner level
requires real dedication and commitment.
“All the applicants were of a high calibre but I have no
doubt the person with the right skills and experience has
been chosen for this important and demanding position.”
Notes to Editors
1. Assistant Commissioner Specialist
Operations: The post holder is a member of the MPS Management
Board and is directly responsible to the Commissioner. The
post's principal accountabilities are to:
-
provide strategic and effective leadership and vision to
fight terrorism. Provide protection and maintain the
confidence of other key agencies and forces;
-
safeguard all communities through professional excellence
in counter terrorism, security and protection;
-
be ahead of changing national and international threats
from terrorism and extremism and to develop further the
capability and capacity to meet those threats;
-
provide an effective liaison with colleagues in London
boroughs and other parts of the Metropolitan Police Service
in order to inform counter terrorism, security and
protection responses;
-
increase early identification of threats from terrorism,
and opportunities for countering them; and
-
enhance the security of key locations and protected
persons.
2. The appointment to Assistant
Commissioner is for a five year fixed term period at an
annual salary of £168,006 plus benefits.
3. The closing date for receipt of
applications was Friday 4 January 2008. Shortlisting took
place on 31 January 2008, with an assessment process on 4
February for the shortlisted candidates. Interviews were held
on 7 February 2008.
Further media information
For further information, please contact the
MPA
press office.
David Lenton
on 31 January 2008 at 22:23
Tags:
change,
changes,
gla,
greater london,
greater london authority,
london,
met,
met
police,
metropolitan police authority,
metropolitan police service,
mpa,
mps,
news,
police,
police
force,
police officer,
police service,
policing,
press
release,
press releases,
review,
stop and account,
stop and search,
04/08
31 January 2008
Commenting on the national debate on a review of police stop
and account powers, John Roberts, MPA lead member for stop
and search scrutiny, said:
“Stop and search and stop and account powers are vital tools
in the fight against crime and terrorism, as long as they are
used with respect and sensitivity.
“The Metropolitan Police Authority closely scrutinises the
use of these powers and the way in which they impinge on our
communities. Any move to widen their use, eliminate the need
for police to have reasonable suspicion of an offence having
been committed, or scrapping the stop and account form must
be fully debated and the views of our communities sought and
listened to before any final decisions are taken.
“There is a lot of speculation at the moment around this
issue. The MPA will await publication of Sir Ronnie
Flanagan’s review and announcement of the government’s
intentions before we decide upon our detailed response.
“We reply on strong community-police relations and if we are
to retain public trust and support, stop and search powers
must be used fairly as part of intelligence-led policing.
“We all want to see less bureaucracy to free up police to
spend even more time on the streets as long as we retain full
accountability of their actions.
“Police stops are one of the most contentious policing issues
for London’s black, Asian and ethnic minority communities,
and we therefore need to ensure that police use of these
powers is acceptable to and supported by all concerned.”
Notes to Editors
In 2003-04 the MPA conducted a comprehensive review of stop
and search powers used by the Met, which resulted in 55
recommendations that improved the way they were used in
London and increased accountability.
The introduction of Recommendation 61 of the Stephen Lawrence
Inquiry Report led to the requirement for police to give
those they stopped and questioned a record of the stop.
The MPA is currently reviewing a proposed revised MPS stop
and search and account form, which once approved will be
piloted in a number of London boroughs before being rolled
out across the capital. The revisions cut the length of the
form by half. The introduction of handheld computers for
police expected later in the year should also speed up the
process.
Further media information
For further information, please contact the
MPA
press office.
Celia Prentice
on 25 January 2008 at 12:14
Tags:
crime,
london,
mpa,
police,
scrutiny,
survey,
young
people,
youth,
02/08
23 January 2008
The Metropolitan Police Authority wants to hear directly from
young Londoners about their experiences of policing. The
results of the MPA Youth Survey
(www.mpa.gov.uk/issues/youth/survey.htm)
will help the Authority to make recommendations that will
improve the service the Met provides to young people.
Launching the MPA Youth Survey, which asks young Londoners to
share the experiences they and their friends have had of
policing in the capital, MPA member Richard Sumray said:
"The MPA is carrying out a detailed scrutiny to
explore the causes, effects and impacts of young
people's involvement in crime as victims, witnesses and
perpetrators, and how this influences their interactions
and relationships with the MPS.
"An important aspect of our scrutiny is our
willingness to hear directly from young people - in their
own words - about the problems they face and what they
believe would make a real difference. What do young people
think would help improve the services both the police and
partner agencies offer them?
"Many adult practitioners, professionals and
commentators are currently airing their views on why young
people become victims or perpetrators of crime.
"But we rarely hear the views of young people
themselves. That's why we're talking directly to
young people in focus groups and making our survey widely
available to enable many more to participate. It's
anonymous, can be completed online, and will help make a
positive change."
The MPA hopes, through listening to London's young
people, to:
-
identify ways to reduce young people's involvement in
crime as victims, witnesses and perpetrators
-
improve the confidence of young people to report crime and
engage with the police as witnesses
-
halt the decline in age of young victims and perpetrators
of crime
-
address the criminalisation of young people in public
discourse
-
improve MPS strategy, policy and corporacy with regard to
young people
-
analyse how the MPS uses resources in this area; and
-
improve the MPS's involvement in partnership work with
young people.
It is important that young people themselves have a voice in
this debate.
Notes to
editors
The MPA Youth Survey is being circulated to youth groups in
hard copy and is also available for young people to complete
online at:
www.mpa.gov.uk/issues/youth/survey.htm
Further information about the MPA Youth Scrutiny is available
at:
www.mpa.gov.uk/issues/youth
Further media information
For further information, please contact the
MPA
press office
David Lenton
on 16 January 2008 at 10:27
Tags:
2007,
crime,
figures,
gla,
greater london,
greater london authority,
london,
met,
met
police,
metropolitan police authority,
metropolitan police service,
mpa,
mps,
news,
police,
police
force,
police officer,
police service,
policing,
press
release,
press releases,
statistics,
01/08
16 January 2008
Len Duvall, MPA chair, commenting on the latest London crime
statistics released today, said:
"These figures show crime is going down in London. But
even with this fall in figures we accept that Londoners are
very concerned about crime in the capital and we must work
harder to bring crime down further still.
"Throughout the 2007 calendar year there was a welcome
downward trend across all crime categories, apart from
gun-enabled crime. Rape and robbery are at their lowest
level for nine years and murder for eight years.
"Crimes against the person, including rape, racism,
homophobic and domestic violence, are all down compared to
the previous year, but there is an element of under
reporting in these categories. Although knife enabled crime
fell by 13% this figure has to be seen in the light of very
tragic incidents during 2007.
"There are no simple solutions to address violence
among young people. But personally I do not believe that we
should be tempted into gimmicky, knee-jerk responses to
tragic incidents, particularly when tackling crime
involving young people who are determined to harm each
other. The MPA and the Met, along with our partners in the
community, need to develop comprehensive strategies that
effectively deal with this type of criminality.
"Strong partnerships are key to solving some of the
long-term problems we face and it is good to see that the
public and communities are responding to the investment we
have made in neighbourhood policing. Safer Neighbourhoods
teams are working together with our principal partners in
local government and I want to thank our other partners and
communities across London, all of whom reinforce successful
policing. We are working hard with our partners to try to
reduce crime in our communities. We must provide a service
that is quick to respond to incidents as well as one that
is developing longer-term problem solving initiatives to
prevent crime.
"We want to see continued, significant progress and
even better results in the future. But in the meantime, I
commend our hard-working police officers and staff, and all
those who support their efforts, for another successful
year."
Notes to editors
1.Total notifiable offences in 2007 fell by 6.1 percent,
resulting in 56,784 fewer offences recorded between January
and December 2007 (876,298), compared with the same period in
2006 (933,082).
2. Recorded rape offences were down 14.6%, a fall of 345
recorded offences over the previous calendar year. Domestic
violence, racist crime and homophobic crime were all down,
collectively by more than 26%.
3. The overall sanction detection rate, which identifies
those crimes where the offenders have been identified and
dealt with, also increased from 20.5% to 24.1%, exceeding the
24% target set for the Met by the Metropolitan Police
Authority (MPA).
4. Gun enabled crime rose by 4% (132 offences), although
there was no increase in the numbers of people killed by the
use of firearms in crime during 2007.
5. Knife enabled crime fell by 13%, or 1,602 fewer offences
in 2007, compared with 2006. In 2007 there were 10,699
reported knife enabled crimes, compared with 12,301 for 2006.
Further media information
For further information, please contact the
MPA
press office