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Celia Prentice
on 26 May 2009 at 13:02
Tags:
full authority,
mpa,
news,
press
release,
40/09
26 May 2009
A meeting of the Metropolitan Police Authority will be held
in the Chamber, City Hall, The Queen’s Walk, London SE1 2AA
on Thursday 28 May 2009 at 10.00 a.m.
This meeting is open to the public and everyone is welcome to
attend. There is access for disabled people and induction
loops are available.
Boris Johnson, MPA Chair and Kit Malthouse, MPA Vice
Chair, will give an oral update on any key issues or
events since the last Authority meeting and Commissioner Sir
Paul Stephenson will present a report on policing
performance, including a breakdown of the demands of policing
the Parliament Square Tamil protest, and respond to questions
from Authority members.
‘Met Forward’, the MPA strategy document agreed by members at
the April Authority meeting, includes establishing a Civil
Liberties Panel, and members will consider the draft terms of
reference for that panel. The Authority will also discuss a
report outlining a new statement of the member role and
responsibilities, together with proposals for assisting
members in that role through assessment and development.
The Authority will hear two questions from members of the
public: one relating to noise from helicopters and the other
about the policing of G20.
Notes to Editors
The full Authority committee papers, including full text of
the two questions, are available on the MPA website at:
www.mpa.gov.uk/committees/mpa/2009/090528
Celia Prentice
on 16 February 2009 at 12:45
Tags:
finance,
meeting,
news,
press
release,
press releases,
revenue,
07/09
16 February 2009
A meeting of the Metropolitan Police Authority Finance and
Resources Committee will be held in Meeting Room 1, 10 Dean
Farrar Street, London, SW1H 0NY on Thursday 19 February 2009
at 2.00pm.
Amongst other items, the Committee will discuss:
-
provisional police and community safety funding settlement
2009/10;
-
revenue and capital budget monitoring report 2008/09;
-
provision of additional officers on boroughs – 2nd
initiative.
Estate Matters:
-
Property Services’ update;
-
stage 2 of the Safer Neighbourhoods property
programme.
Notes to editors
Committee papers are available on the MPA website at:
www.mpa.gov.uk/committees/finres/2009/090219
Further media information
For further information, please contact the
MPA
press office
Angela Carbery-Roach
on 6 January 2009 at 10:37
Tags:
committee,
news,
press
release,
press releases,
01/09
6 January 2008
A meeting of the Metropolitan Police Authority Strategic and
Operational Policing Committee will be held in Meeting Room
1, 10 Dean Farrar Street, London, SW1H 0NY on Thursday 8
January 2009 at 2.00 pm.
Amongst other issues, the committee will discuss:
-
the MPS response to dangerous dogs;
-
a report outlining the latest position to measure gun crime
in 2008/09 and setting out the position for recording
issues associated with gun, knife and serious violent
crime; and
-
a business case for the future development of the MPS
Historical Collection.
Notes to editors
1.Committee papers are available on the MPA website at:
www.mpa.gov.uk/committees/sop/2009/090108/default.htm
Further media information
For further information, please contact the
MPA
press office
Celia Prentice
on 31 October 2008 at 14:39
Tags:
2008,
estate,
estate management,
metropolitan police authority,
mpa,
mps,
news,
press
release,
press releases,
55/08
31 October 2008
The Metropolitan Police Authority has established a panel of
Authority members to review Metropolitan Police Estate
development plans, including future community engagement
programmes.
Steve O'Connell, Chairman of the Metropolitan Police
Authority Finance and Resources Committee, said:
"The police estate plays a vital role in supporting
the delivery of effective and efficient policing for
communities across the capital.
"But many of our buildings are quite literally unfit
for purpose, constructed in an age when the technologies,
transport and working methods we take for granted were
undreamed of. The estate must serve everybody's needs -
the police need modern facilities to tackle crime, while
the public want and deserve a visible presence in their
midst to reassure them that the police can respond to crime
effectively.
"Plans to modernise police facilities were published
at the end of last year and included a three-month
consultation period to enable local communities to comment
on the proposals. We now recognise that these
well-intentioned plans were poorly presented and gave the
impression that every borough should conform to an
identical, one-size-fits-all plan. This was never the case,
as we recognise the size and complexity of some boroughs
need far more tailored solutions. Community consultation
was also inadequate in some boroughs and failed to engage
widely enough.
"Added to these concerns, the current economic climate
means that budgets will become increasingly tight and
therefore impact on development plans, so while building
projects that are already underway will continue, long-term
projects need to be reviewed.
"Consequently, the Authority has established an MPA
member panel to revisit the plans and provide some clarity
between strategy and delivery of the estate modernisation
programme, including the issue of meaningful public
consultation. The panel will present its findings to the
Authority in Spring 2009.
"I want to stress three things to reassure Londoners:
no decisions about the police estate in London have been
taken; meaningful consultation will take place where
communities have raised substantial objections to potential
changes; and no buildings with front counter facilities,
where people can engage in face to face contact with the
police, will be closed without fully operational, improved
facilities being opened first."
Notes for
Editors
The MPA member panel comprises Graham Speed (independent
member) Chairman, Dee Doocey (Assembly member) and Len Duvall
(Assembly member). Terms of Reference for the panel will be
presented to the next meeting of the Finance and Resources
Committee on 20 November.
Further media
information
For further information, please contact the
MPA
press office
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 9 October 2008 at 16:41
Tags:
2008,
byron,
hate
crime,
hate crime forum,
international criminal tribunal,
justice
byron,
news,
press
release,
press releases,
race hate crime forum,
rhcf,
rwanda,
united nations,
United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for
Rwanda,
53/08
9 October 2008
The MPA was proud to welcome to the Race Hate Crime Forum
(RHCF) meeting on 8 October 2008 Justice Byron, President of
the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for
Rwanda. He spoke about his role in combating issues of
genocide as part of his UN responsibility.
Since its inception the RHCF has been proactive in building
both national and international links to share and support
the development of good practice. At the full Authority
meeting in March 2008, MPA members decided to incorporate
other areas of hate crime into the RHCF agenda, bringing it
in line with the MPA/MPS generic equality schemes and local
government Equality Standards.
This meeting formed the initial consultation process for
Forum member organisations to discuss their views for the
future direction of the RHCF.
In 2007 a delegate group from the RHCF were invited to
Atlanta, Georgia, USA, sponsored by the Foreign and
Commonwealth Office (FCO), to discuss its work and to share
good practice with the Atlanta State Senate, as well as to
assist in its decision to implement hate crime laws. The
Forum met with a wide range of police and public service
officials as part of the trans-Atlantic visit.
The success of the visit last year has inspired interest from
the Canadian Government to meet with the RHCF in November
this year to discuss strategies and good practice. This also
is being sponsored by the FCO.
Further media information
For further information, please contact the
MPA
press office
Celia Prentice
on 2 October 2008 at 10:58
Tags:
2008,
boris,
boris
johnson,
chair,
chairman,
johnson,
mpa,
news,
press
release,
press releases,
51/08
2 October 2008
A meeting of the Metropolitan Police Authority will be held
in the
Chamber, City Hall, The Queen’s Walk, London SE1
2AA on Monday, 6 October 2008 at 10.00 a.m. This
is the Mayor of London’s first meeting as Chairman of the MPA
and he will outline his vision for the MPA’s new term of
office.
Chair of the MPA and Mayor of London, Boris Johnson said,
“Crime and safety is the biggest issue for Londoners and my
most immediate priority as Mayor of London. It was one of
my key manifesto commitments to chair the Metropolitan
Police Authority.
“As Chair of the MPA I will ensure that resources are in
place for police operations to be stepped up to tackle
crime, but real progress can only be achieved if we all
work together – the Metropolitan police, London’s
communities and all our partners.
“I am very proud to chair the MPA and look forward to
working with colleagues in the Authority to set the
strategic direction of the MPS over the next four years.”
The Chairman’s report will be followed by an oral report from
the Vice Chairman of the MPA and Deputy Mayor for policing,
Kit Malthouse.
The Commissioner Sir Ian Blair will present a report on
policing performance and respond to questions from Authority
members.
Other items on the agenda include:
Committees and Committee appointments
(a) Committee structure
(b) Appointments to the Authority
-
The MPA’s new committees
-
Borough link Member roles
-
External bodies on which the MPA are represented
(c) Scheme of Member Allowances
Notes to Editors
The full agenda and committee papers can be found at:
http://www.mpa.gov.uk/committees/mpa/2008/081006/default.htm
Further media information
For further information, please contact the
MPA
press office
Celia Prentice
on 30 September 2008 at 16:34
Tags:
2008,
chamber,
city
hall,
full authority,
meeting,
mpa,
news,
operational note,
press
release,
press releases,
the
chamber,
50/08
30 September 2008
Please note this meeting will be held in the
Chamber,
City Hall, The Queen’s Walk, London SE1 2AA on Monday 6
October 2008 at 10.00 a.m.
This is Mayor of London Boris Johnson’s first meeting as
Chairman of the MPA. He will outline his vision for the
Authority’s new term of office. This will be followed by an
oral report from the Vice Chairman, Kit Malthouse.
The Commissioner will report on policing performance and
other issues and will respond to questions from Authority
members.
This meeting is open to the public and everyone is welcome to
attend. There is access for disabled people and induction
loops are available.
The full agenda can be found at:
http://www.mpa.gov.uk/committees/mpa/2008/081006/default.htm
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
Celia Prentice
on 18 September 2008 at 19:38
Tags:
2008,
ali
desai,
commander ali desai,
commander desai,
desai,
misconduct,
mps,
news,
press
release,
press releases,
suspension,
48/08
18 September 2008
The Metropolitan Police Authority Professional Standards
Sub-committee reconvened on Thursday 18 September following
the meeting held on Thursday 11 September 2008.
The committee considered allegations concerning Commander
Dizaei and after lengthy and careful deliberations
unanimously decided to suspend the Commander.
Suspension is not a disciplinary sanction and it is
emphasised that suspension should not be taken as a
presumption of guilt.
This has been approved by the IPCC in accordance with police
regulations.
Commander Dizaei has been informed of this decision.
It is the Authority’s responsibility to take the decision to
suspend ACPO officers. The MPA has a statutory duty to
investigate all allegations of misconduct and takes this
responsibility very seriously. The Authority's
Professional Standards Cases Sub-committee considers all
cases in full accordance with the Police Conduct Regulations
2004.
It is not our practice to release details about ongoing
investigations.
Notes to
editors
The Professional Standards Sub-committee comprised of Reshard
Auladin (Chair), Cindy Butts (MPA Deputy Chair), James
Cleverly and Richard Sumray.
Further media
information
For further information, please contact the
MPA
press office
Celia Prentice
on 9 September 2008 at 14:03
Tags:
2008,
assistant commissioner,
Ghaffur,
misconduct,
mps,
news,
press
release,
press releases,
Tarique,
Tarique Ghaffur,
46/08
9 September 2008
An extraordinary meeting of the Metropolitan Police
Authority’s Professional Standards Cases Sub-committee was
held on Monday 8 September 2008 to consider allegations of
misconduct brought against Assistant Commissioner Tarique
Ghaffur.
Deputy Commissioner Sir Paul Stevenson asked the MPA (the
organisation responsible for the appointment and discipline
of senior MPS officers) to consider whether there had been
any misconduct by AC Ghaffur following the public press
conference he held on 28 August.
The Sub-committee concluded that there were potential grounds
for misconduct and these have been recorded as a conduct
matter. In consultation with HMIC, the Sub-committee will
appoint an Investigating Officer of Chief Constable rank.
The Sub-committee further considered if there were any
grounds for suspension of AC Ghaffur. Members concluded that
the conditions for suspension, as laid down in Misconduct
Regulations, had not been met.
The paramount concern for the MPA is that the MPS must
maintain effective and coherent leadership and retain public
confidence. Len Duvall, MPA chair, has written to the
Commissioner seeking reassurance that appropriate management
action will be taken.
Notes to editors
-
The allegations have been recorded as breaches of Codes 2,
3 and 12 of the Police Code of Conduct, a schedule of the
Police (Conduct) Regulations 2004:
-
Code 2.
Police officers have a particular responsibility to act
with fairness and impartiality in all their dealings with
the public and their colleagues.
-
Code 3.
Officers should treat members of the public and
colleagues with courtesy and respect, avoiding abusive or
deriding attitudes or behaviour. In particular, officers
must avoid: favouritism of an individual or group; all
forms of harassment, victimisation or unreasonable
discrimination; and overbearing conduct to a colleague,
particularly to one junior in rank or service.
-
Code 12.
Whether on or off duty, police officers should not behave
in a way which is likely to bring discredit upon the
police service.
Further media information
For further information, please contact the
MPA
press office
David Lenton
on 18 August 2008 at 11:22
Tags:
2008,
llw,
london living wage,
maintenance staff,
minimum
wage,
news,
press
release,
press releases,
salary,
45/08
18 August 2008
The Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) has agreed a deal
with its Facility Management contractors to bring the pay of
all maintenance staff employed on MPS projects up to the rate
of the new London Living Wage (LLW).
The initiative, driven by the MPS Property Services
Department (PSD), will see the hourly rate of 744 cleaning
and messenger staff increase to £7.45.
The deal follows a recent decision by the Mayor of London,
Boris Johnson, to raise the Living Wage for the capital from
the previous rate of £7.20 and ensure that it is rolled out
through all GLA group contracts.
Steve O'Connell, chair of the MPA finance committee,
said:
"The Metropolitan Police Authority is committed to
ensuring that everyone working in our buildings are
properly rewarded for their contribution and able to afford
a decent standard of living. The implementation of the new
London Living Wage across all our contracts will help
ensure that this is achieved.
"I am very pleased with this deal, which will not only
improve the standard of living for hundreds of people and
their families, but also help achieve better staff morale
and higher productivity."
Under the agreement, the cost of the overall pay increase
will be shared by PSD and the individual contractors, which
include Haden Building Management Ltd and InterserveFM Ltd.
The LLW will be introduced in a phased way by each contractor
and the pay increase will be supported by new training
initiatives - rolled out by the companies involved - to raise
staff competence levels and improve performance.
Gordon Russell, Director of Facilities Management for MPS
PSD, said:
"The additional benefits that this initiative will
bring, such as staff training, will help ensure that staff
remain motivated in their jobs and therefore lead to both
higher retention of employees and better recruitment
opportunities."
Notes to
editors
-
Overall responsibility for the Metropolitan Police estate
is vested in the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA), the
statutory organisation responsible for ensuring an
efficient and effective police service for London.
-
Day-to-day management of the police estate is delegated by
the MPA to the Metropolitan Police Service's Property
Services Department (PSD), part of the Resource Directorate
of the MPS.
-
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, announced the new
London Living Wage rate of £7.45 an hour on 10 July, 2008.
The calculation of the new rate is outlined in GLA Economic
report 'A fairer London: The 2008 Living Wage in
London', which is available
on
http://www.london.gov.uk/mayor/economic_unit/index.jsp.
Further media
information
For further information, please contact the
MPA
press office
David Lenton
on 1 August 2008 at 11:20
Tags:
2008,
appointment,
independent member,
independent members,
mpa,
news,
press
release,
press releases,
44/08
01 August 2008
The Metropolitan Police Authority today announced the
appointment of nine independent members who will serve on the
Authority for the next term of office starting on 1 October
2008.
Cindy Butts and Kirsten Hearn have been reappointed as
independent members.
Reshard Auladin has been appointed as an independent member
having previously served on the Authority as a magistrate
member, a category that no longer exists.
Christopher Boothman, Dr Valerie Brasse, Neil Johnson, Clive
Lawton, Deborah Regal and Graham Speed are newly appointed as
independent members of the MPA.
Commenting on these appointments, Catherine Crawford, MPA
Chief Executive, said:
“I am delighted to welcome our new independent members,
each of whom brings valuable experience and expertise to
their role with the Metropolitan Police Authority.
“I am also pleased that existing members considered the
work of the Authority important enough to seek
reappointment and that some were successful. Their return
was in no way guaranteed, decisions were made after
rigorous interview and consideration, but their presence
will guarantee a vital level of operational continuity.
“The success of the MPA depends on the abilities and
dedication of its members. I know that our new members will
be dedicated to the task of ensuring a fair and effective
police service for all London’s communities and look
forward to commencing their duties.
“In welcoming the new independent members I should also
like to pay tribute to the invaluable contribution of the
current members who will be standing down at the end of
September. Their dedicated work has helped to shape and
improve policing in the capital.”
Notes to
editors
-
The Police & Justice Act (2007) changed the appointment
process and basis of police authority membership in several
ways. Magistrate members cease to exist as a separate
category. The MPA will now comprise twelve London Assembly
members appointed to the Authority by the mayor, and eleven
Independent members, at least one of whom must be a
magistrate, while one is appointed by the Home Secretary to
represent her interest in the Metropolitan Police Service’s
national and international functions.
-
Lord Toby Harris already sits on the MPA as the Home
Secretary’s appointee to represent her interest in the
Metropolitan Police Service’s national and international
functions. The other independent member is Faith Boardman
who’s term of office lasts until 2011.
-
These appointments will run until 30 June 2012.
-
The appointments are subject to security clearance.
-
The MPA independent member positions were advertised
publicly and the closing date for applications was 4 June.
Over 140 applications were received. The appointment
process had two stages: a selection panel, on which the
MPA, the mayor and the Home Office were represented, was
responsible for recommending suitable candidates to the
Authority, while the final selection and appointment was
made by a panel of MPA members.
Further media
information
For further information, please contact the
MPA
press office
Celia Prentice
on 28 July 2008 at 14:21
Tags:
2008,
andy
miller,
commissioner,
ian
blair,
impact
plus,
mpa,
mps,
news,
press
release,
press releases,
43/08
28 July 2008
The Metropolitan Police Authority's Professional
Standards Cases Sub-committee met this morning to consider a
report from the Director of Internal Audit which related to
the award of a contract by the MPS in 2003 and to the extent
of the involvement of Sir Ian Blair, then Deputy
Commissioner, in the procurement process.
The Sub-committee has decided to ask the Home Secretary to
appoint an investigating officer to ascertain whether the
Commissioner's conduct met the required standards as per
the Police Code of Conduct (Police (Conduct) Regulations
2004).
Reshard Auladin, chair of the Sub-committee, said:
"This decision does not imply any finding of wrong
doing by the Commissioner, but is made to ensure that all
the facts are independently and thoroughly
investigated."
Notes to editors
-
Under the Police Code of Conduct (Police (Conduct)
Regulations 2004) it is for the Home Secretary to decide
who should carry out an investigation and formally appoint
the investigator (Reg 8(5) Conduct regulations).
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 23 July 2008 at 13:21
Tags:
2008,
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asset management plan,
consultation,
estate,
estate management,
estates management,
feedback,
mps,
news,
press
release,
press releases,
41/08
23 July 2008
The Metropolitan Police Authority today published the
findings of a three-month programme of public consultation
about the future development of the Metropolitan Police
Estate in London.
Plans to modernise police facilities were published for each
of the capital’s 32 boroughs last November, followed by a
three-month consultation period to enable local communities
to comment on the proposals to make the police estate more
responsive to everyone’s requirements. It was always intended
to publish the results of this public consultation.
Steve O’Connell, chair of the MPA Finance Committee, said:
“The MPA has discussed in public committee the
unsatisfactory and limited nature of this previous
consultation process. By publishing the results today, we
are fulfilling our intention to make the results available
to our communities.
“Our future plans to develop the Metropolitan Police Estate
will require us to talk more directly with local
communities. We need Londoners to understand what services
operate from our buildings, more broadly how the police
work in the boroughs and how the built estate supports
this. Only by providing this information can communities to
take part in an informed, constructive dialogue.
“Over the summer period we are looking at the whole estate
strategy, including the development plans that were
consulted on, as part of the overall budget process. This
will be an opportunity to explore how communities can
become further involved to ensure we move forward in a way
that will satisfy everyone’s requirements.
“I want to stress once again that nothing will be done in
haste and no decisions about the police estate in London
have been taken.”
Notes to editors
1. The MPA has responsibility for all the buildings used by
the Metropolitan Police in London and we recognise the vital
role the estate plays in supporting the delivery of effective
and efficient policing across the capital. The Authority is
acutely aware that the estate is ageing - approximately 35%
of the buildings pre-dating 1935 - and many buildings are
inappropriately located for today’s communities. To deliver
an excellent police service, our buildings have to meet both
today’s requirements as well as our future demands. Simply
upgrading or renewing individual parts of the estate is no
longer an option and there is an urgent need for major
change.
2. The results of the public consultation for the Asset
Management Plan (AMP) for each borough, are available to view
on the MPA website at:
www.mpa.gov.uk/issues/estate/default.htm#amp
Further media information
For further information, please contact the
MPA
press office
Celia Prentice
on 23 July 2008 at 09:56
Tags:
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full authority,
july,
mpa,
news,
press
release,
press releases,
40/08
22 July 2008
A meeting of the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) will be
held in meeting room 1 (ground floor), 10 Dean Farrar Street,
London SW1 on Thursday 24 July 2008 at 10.00 a.m.
Members will discuss the MPA's Stockwell scrutiny report
which was conducted by a panel of four Authority members.
Len Duvall, chair of the MPA, explained:
"The purpose of this report was not to re-examine the
events leading up to the tragic shooting of Jean Charles de
Menezes - the MPA is not empowered to do this.
"But as the statutory body with responsibility for the
efficiency and effectiveness of the MPS, the MPA needs to
ensure that London's police service has learnt all the
necessary lessons from the tragedy, and has taken action to
ensure, as far as possible, that such a tragedy does not
happen again.
"The authority must reassure ourselves and Londoners
that the MPS has responded appropriately to recommendations
arising from previous investigations. We also need to work
with the MPS to ensure that everyone in London can gain and
retain confidence in policing."
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.
The MPA Scrutiny report makes 34 recommendations and at the
full Authority meeting members will discuss a programme for
their implementation
Other items on the agenda include:
-
MPA counter-terrorism governance update;
-
MPS counter-terrorism update;
-
MPS PREVENT delivery strategy;
-
Independent members; and
-
Annual review of standing orders, including contract
regulations.
Deputy Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson will give an update
on operational policing issues in London and present a
written performance report. Please note: the Deputy
Commissioner's update will take place as near to 12:00 as
possible, discussion permitting.
Notes to Editors
1.The agenda and papers for the full Authority
www.mpa.gov.uk/committees/mpa/2008/080724/default.htm
2.The MPA Stockwell scrutiny report
www.mpa.gov.uk/downloads/committees/mpa/080724-06-appendix01.pdf
3. The scrutiny panel members were: Dee Doocey, Faith
Boardman, Jennette Arnold and Len Duvall, who chaired the
panel
4. Confidential anti-terrorist hotline: 0800 789 321
5. Crimestoppers: 0800 555 111
Further media information
For further information, please contact the
MPA press office
Celia Prentice
on 18 July 2008 at 12:14
Tags:
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de
menezes,
jean charles de menezes,
news,
press
release,
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scrutiny,
stockwell,
stockwell scrutiny,
39/08
18 July 2008
EMBARGOED TILL 00.01 FRIDAY 18 JULY 2008
At the Co-ordination and Policing Committee in December 2007,
Members agreed terms of reference for a scrutiny of how the
MPS have responded to the learning arising from the tragic
death of Mr Jean Charles de Menezes at Stockwell underground
station on 22 July 2005. The decision to undertake the
scrutiny followed the publication of two reports into the
shooting by the IPCC and a guilty verdict as a result of the
prosecution of the MPS under Health and Safety legislation.
The purpose of the scrutiny report was not to re-examine the
events leading up to this tragedy – the MPA is not empowered
to do this – but to re-assure ourselves and Londoners that
the MPS had responded appropriately to the recommendations
made by the IPCC.
The report makes 34 recommendations and will be discussed by
Members at the full Authority meeting on Thursday 24 July
2008
The MPA Stockwell Scrutiny Report is attached.
MPA Stockwell scrutiny [PDF]
EMBARGOED TILL 00.01 FRIDAY 18 JULY
Further media
information
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MPA
press office
Celia Prentice
on 18 July 2008 at 12:11
Tags:
2008,
forced marriage,
forced marriages,
honour based crime,
honour based killing,
news,
press
release,
press releases,
38/08
16 July 2008
How police authorities can help tackle so-called
‘honour-based’ violence is the theme of a speech delivered
today by Metropolitan Police Authority member Aneeta Prem.
Speaking at a road show event to deal with this problem in
communities across England and Wales, Aneeta, MPA member
leading on forced marriages, said:
“Police authorities across the country must take the lead
and play a coordinating role to drive effective
multi-agency work to tackle the menace of forced
marriages.”
With the new Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007
coming into effect this autumn, Aneeta has been championing
partnership initiatives in London to generate greater
awareness of the duty of care the Act will place on all
public authorities.
At the London road show on Wednesday 16 July, Aneeta outlined
her vision for successful partnership approach to tackle the
problem:
“The Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007, coming
into effect this autumn, will place a new statutory duty on
all public bodies, including police authorities in their
roles of overseeing police service delivery, directing
resources and agreeing priorities, to work together more
effectively to tackle the issue.
“Concerns have been raised that there isn’t a single
organisation taking the lead to ensuring all relevant
partners are working towards a coordinated, multi-agency
approach to delivering appropriate services. I firmly
believe police authorities are ideally placed to step into
the breech, take the lead, and drive forward effective
multi-agency work.”
To demonstrate it has been making a genuine difference to
those who may be affected by forced marriages, the MPA has
been working to a ‘4E’ model - Enabling, Engaging, Empowering
and Enforcing:
-
Enabling: ensuring that the police service is provided with
the right resources to deliver, including appropriate
training, working with voluntary groups at local level to
get their input and developing multi-agency approaches.
-
· Engaging: ensuring that the right partners, both
statutory and voluntary, are included in the training and
delivery process.
-
· Empowering: making sure the MPA reflects our primary
objective to represent the needs of our diverse
communities, including those most vulnerable so that they
feel safe.
-
· Enforcing: using the right monitoring and performance
management techniques to set the highest standards to
ensure we can assess the quality of service delivery and
the impact it is having.
Working to this model, the MPA has helped the Met by
supporting officers and establishing appropriate links with
partner agencies. The MPA is proposing this as a template for
other police authorities to work to, providing a powerful and
unique role to support this important area of work.
In conclusion, Aneeta said:
“I have been working with the Met, the Foreign and
Commonwealth Office and the Association of Police
Authorities to coordinate cross agency work for some time
and think we should all welcome the advent of new
legislation as a real opportunity to make a difference.
“The key to success in this area is effective partnerships,
pooling together resources such as knowledge, expertise,
people and, in some instances, money. The MPA, especially
through the activities of its Domestic Violence Board, has
worked to coordinate delivery in London and we believe our
tried and tested approach can be adopted as a best practice
template by police authorities and services across the
country.”
Notes to Editors
1. The ’Tackling ‘honour’ based violence in communities’ road
show across England and Wales was led by the Home Office and
the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO).
2. Aneeta Prem was speaking at the final road show in London
on Wednesday 16 July, held at the Park Plaza Hotel, 18 Albert
Embankment, Riverbank, London SE1 7TJ.
3. The Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007 comes into
effect in Autumn 2008. Under the Act, where a forced marriage
has occurred or is about to take place, courts will be able
to make orders to protect the victim or the potential victim
and help or remove them from that situation. This includes
courts granting a third party the right to act on behalf of,
or represent the victim.
4. Before the Act comes into force, the Ministry of Justice
(MoJ) is conducting nine pilots nationwide (May – September
2008), four of which are in London. The objective of these
pilots is to assess learning needs and highlight good
practice, which can be applied across London.
5. It is believed that incidents of forced marriage are
substantially underreported. Annually 500 cases are shared
between the Met and the Forced Marriage Unit within the
Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Last year 167 cases led to
young Britons being helped back to the UK to escape unwanted
partners overseas.
6. Not just women are affected by forced marriage. Home
Office figures show that 15% of cases involve men and boys.
Further media information
For further information, please contact the
MPA
press office
Celia Prentice
on 4 July 2008 at 15:00
Tags:
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asset management plan,
estate,
mps,
news,
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release,
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37/08
04 July 2008
The findings of a three-month programme of public
consultation on future development of the Metropolitan
Police Estate in London was discussed by members of the
Metropolitan Police Authority at a meeting of the
Authority's Co-ordination and Policing Committee on
Thursday 4 July 2008.
Plans to modernise police facilities were published for
each of the capital's 32 boroughs last November
followed by a three-month consultation period to enable
local communities to comment on proposals to make the
police estate more responsive to everyone's
requirements.
Steve O'Connell, chair of the MPA Finance Committee,
said
"The MPA and the Met consulted with local
communities about the future of the police estate but
there were limitations to the process which we all
recognise. The results we did get have illustrated that
our communities need more information, about how the
services provided in their name operate, in order to
understand how they need to develop and change to
improve. But it also highlighted considerable opposition
in some areas to the removal of local police
facilities, specifically iconic police stations.
"The police estate in London should serve
everybody's needs; the police need modern facilities
to enable them to tackle crime effectively, while the
public want and deserve a visible presence in their midst
to reassure them that the police can respond to crime
quickly.
"As part of the overall budget process which will be
conducted over the summer period, we will be looking
urgently at the estate strategy, including the
development plans that were consulted on. This will be an
opportunity to explore how communities can become further
involved to ensure we move forward in a way that will
satisfy everyone's requirements.
"As Kit Malthouse, first deputy chair of the MPA and
deputy mayor for policing, has confirmed, nothing will be
done in haste and no decisions have yet been taken."
Notes to Editors
1. The MPA has responsibility for all the buildings used by
the Metropolitan Police in London and we recognise the vital
role the estate plays in supporting the delivery of effective
and efficient policing across the capital. The Authority is
acutely aware that the estate is ageing - approximately 35%
of the buildings pre-dating 1935 - and many buildings are
inappropriately located for today's communities. To
deliver an excellent police service, our buildings have to
meet both today's requirements as well as our future
demands. Simply upgrading or renewing individual parts of the
estate is no longer an option and there is an urgent need for
major change.
2. The Asset Management Plan (AMP) for each borough outlines
the local strategy to improve facilities, including the
provision of front counters, patrol bases, custody centres,
Safer Neighbourhoods team bases and office accommodation, as
well as ensuring the buildings are fully accessible in line
with legislation. They are available to view on the MPA
website at:
http://www.mpa.gov.uk/issues/estate/default.htm#amp
3. The report 'MPA/MPS Asset Management Plan Public
Consultation Feedback' is available on the MPA website
at:
http://www.mpa.gov.uk/committees/cop/2008/080704/04.htm
Further media information
For further information, please contact the
MPA
press office