Minutes - draft

These minutes are draft and are to be agreed.

Minutes of the meeting of the Equalities & Diversity Sub-committee of the Metropolitan Police Authority held on 9 December 2010 at 10 Dean Farrar Street, London SW1H 0NY.

Present

Members

• Kirsten Hearn (Chair)
• Amanda Sater
• Clive Lawton

MPA officers

• Catherine Crawford (Chief Executive)
• Michael Wadham (Policy Development Officer)
• Shirani Gunawardena (Policy Development Officer)
• Fay Scott (Head of Equalities and Engagement)
• Michael Taylor (Committee Officer)

MPS Officers

• Jerry Savill (Specialist Firearms Command)
•  Shaun Kennedy (HR Organisation Development)
•  Vasanthini Gnanadoss (Strategic Relationships)
•  Maddie Goodman (Association of Senior Female Police Staff)
•  Attilio Grandani (Italian Police Staff Association)

Others in attendance

• Sandra Rennie (London Communities Police Partnership)
•  Councillor Melvin Collins (Hounslow)
•  Carole Demuth (Bexley CSB)
•  Adeela Shabazz (Muslim Safety Forum)
•  Tim Bennett-Goodman (Waltham Forrest CPEG)
•  John Howard (Hackney Crime Prevention)

12. Apologies for absence

(Agenda item 1)

12.2 Apologies were received from Cindy Butts (MPA Member), Jo Poole (Jewish Police Association), Anita Jakhu (Brent CSB), Raymond Swingler (Christian Men’s’ Network), Joyce Sutherland (Bexley CPEG), Susan Hare (Waltham Forrest Community Safety Board) and Doug Lewins.

12.1 The Chair opened the meeting, outlining housekeeping and fire safety procedure.  At this meeting standing orders are suspended to allow members of the public to speak on the subjects covered.

13. Declarations of interests

(Agenda item 2)

13.1 No declarations were made.

14. Minutes: Equality and Diversity Sub-committee - 21 October 2010

 (Agenda item 3)

14.1 The minutes of the last meeting were agreed, and feedback was received on actions from previous meetings.

• A briefing on custodial suites which are outfitted for disabled detainees was received from the MPS; however the chair requested additional information on the number of suites available in each borough.
•  The chair will also follow up on the MPS strategy on Asylum Seekers and Refugees, in order to ensure that concerns are addressed.

15. Use of Specialist firearms patrols to tackle gun crime

 (Agenda item 4)

15.1 Commander Jerry Savill introduced the report and provided an overview of MPS Firearms Patrols; with Firearms Command overseeing a focused, intelligence led operation to support individual boroughs.  There are approximately 1000 reported incidents involving gun crime a month, however less than 40% of these require deployments of firearms officers.  The MPS currently operates Armed Response Vehicle patrols across London, which are primarily directed to boroughs which have high levels of gun crime and have standing orders to deploy firearms in response to gun threats.  In addition to this; the MPS is implementing vehicles which will identify individuals and vehicles which are suspected of involvement in gun crime, such as through the use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition systems.

15.2 In 2009 it was reported by the press that the MPS had considered and subsequently withdrawn plans to implement armed foot patrols; members sought clarification on how this report came to be circulated.  Commander Savill expounded that although armed foot patrols are a recognised tactic in the national Police curriculum, and there are occasions where their use is justified (such as the operation in North Cumbria); at the time of the press release the MPS had no intention of deploying armed foot patrols.  Options for armed foot patrols were considered, however the MPS had already decided that their deployment was not necessary prior to the release of the story.

15.3 Members noted that a Gunshot Locator is being trialled in Birmingham, and enquired whether the MPS was considering a review of the scheme.  Commander Savill explained that the locator can detect and pinpoint the   sound of gunshots based on their decibel level, and cannot be used to detect public conversations.  London also has proportionately less gun crimes than the West Midlands, statistic for which are based on the Home Office counting system.  The MPS shall be reviewing the results and benefits of the trail, although this would likely by conducted by the Specialist Investigation Unit.  The Chief Executive and Chair of the MPA attended a demonstration of the equipment held by the Specialist Crime Directorate, and will provide feedback to members.

Action: MPA to circulate feedback from the demonstration to members.

15.4 In order to reassure communities that firearms patrols are balanced and not disproportionate against young people, the MPS holds presentations with Police Community Consultation Groups who request them.  Following the deployment of firearms patrols, Community Impact Assessments are conducted in order to identify potential adverse effects on the boroughs.  Local police managers and communities are also briefed on all operations.

15.5 Carole Demuth enquired whether the success of firearms patrols could result in offenders being displaced into the outer boroughs.  Because firearms patrols are tasked on a daily basis, there is flexibility to meet shifting demand; although most gangs are territorial by nature and therefore unlikely to relocate.  Firearms Command has a service agreement with all boroughs to respond to all armed response calls, and response times are monitored.

15.6 Members enquired about ‘Operation Make Peace’, which raises awareness of the risks of carrying weapons to 11-19 year olds.  The MPS primarily conducts presentations at schools in areas of high gun crime, but also visits other borough when invited.  The MPS shall conduct a full evaluation in order to measure the benefits and influence of the operation.  Members requested that the MPS conduct research which to compare statistics of gun crime, and locations where ‘Operation Make Peace’ has held presentations, in order to see whether there is a correlation.  Members also recommended that local police engage with young people on the street in order to reinforce the positive message.

Action: MPS to inform members of upcoming Operation Make Peace events, so that members can attend and observe.

15.7 Members enquired on the formation of the Community Reference Group, which advises Firearms Command.  The MPS formed this group in order to receive advice from special interest groups, such as mental health charities, in order to ensure sensitivity to the needs of individual communities when conducting operations.

15.8 John Howard enquired on the training in place for Firearms Officers, and on the expected impact of the new MPS budget on the composition of Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs).  All Firearms Officers receive training on recognising the symptoms of emotional or mental distress, in order to ensure sensitivity.  Although the MPS will retain SNTs, it cannot yet confirm whether the composition of individual teams will alter; the MPA is also conducting a review of SNTs.

16. MPS response to demonstrations by Far Right Groups such as the English Defence League (EDL) and Stop Islamisation of England

 (Agenda item 5)

16.1 Commander Jerry Savill introduced the report and provided an overview of Policing of far right groups.  There is a wide range of far right organisations operating across the UK, with the National Domestic Extremism Team sharing intelligence and best practice; although this is made challenging due to the disparate nature of the different organisations.  In London, the MPS liaises with the EDL in order to ensure that they comply with obligations under the public order act to provide notice of all demonstrations.  All demonstrations are monitored by the MPS, with arrests being made as appropriate.  Whilst community tensions do rise in locations where EDL demonstrations occur, these tensions seem to dissipate once the demonstrations conclude.  In order to provide community reassurance, the MPS liaises with community groups such as the council of Mosques and young peoples organisations.

16.2 Members noted that when commissioning this report, it was requested to provide information on how the MPS engages with communities to address concerns, along with an analysis of the impact of demonstrations upon communities, in both short and long term.

16.3 Members noted that there is a perception amongst some far right groups that counter demonstrations against them are more tolerated by police, and enquired how the MPS responds to counter protests.  Commander Savill confirmed that there is no preferential treatment to counter demonstrations, and that they must all act within the boundaries of the public order act.

16.4 Members acknowledged the difficulty in managing demonstrations, and in balancing the need to facilitate non-violent protests with the need to enforce the public order act to ensure that crimes are not committed.  Members of the public are often offended by what is perceived to be incitement to hatred, which can lead to problems arising during demonstrations.  Members suggested that the MPS can engage with communities prior to demonstrations; forewarning them that whilst offensive actions may be perceived, the police shall take action against violent attendees.

16.5 Members enquired on the level of engagement with community groups; especially with young people, and were referred to the MPS Public Order Unit, who conducts community engagement.

The meeting was closed at 11.30am

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