Metropolitan Police Authority Stockwell Scrutiny

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

Successful crime fighting projects building safer communities across London: 2008 Problem Solving Awards

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 

MPA appoints Metropolitan Police Service’s new Assistant Commissioner Specialist Operations

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.

Stop and search - potential changes must be fully debated

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.

MPA chair welcomes latest crime figures - but still more to do

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

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