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Minutes

Minutes of the meeting of the Metropolitan Police Authority held on 30 September 2004 at 10 Dean Farrar Street, London, SW1H 0NY.

Present

Members

  • Len Duvall (Chair)
  • Reshard Auladin (Deputy Chair)
  • Cindy Butts (Deputy Chair)
  • Tony Arbour
  • Jennette Arnold (items 7-17)
  • Richard Barnes
  • Lynne Featherstone
  • Nicky Gavron (items 1-8)
  • Toby Harris
  • Kirsten Hearn (items 1-10)
  • Peter Herbert
  • Elizabeth Howlett
  • Jenny Jones
  • Karim Murji
  • Bob Neill
  • Aneeta Prem
  • Murad Qureshi
  • John Roberts
  • Richard Sumray
  • Abdal Ullah
  • Rachel Whittaker (items 1-7)

MPA officers

  • Catherine Crawford (Clerk)
  • Ken Hunt (Deputy Treasurer)
  • David Riddle (Deputy Clerk and Solicitor)
  • Nick Baker (Head of Committee Services)

MPS officers

  • Sir John Stevens (Commissioner)
  • Sir Ian Blair (Deputy Commissioner)
  • Tim Godwin (Assistant Commissioner)
  • Steve House (Deputy Assistant Commissioner)
  • Martin Tiplady (Director of Human Resources)

35. Apologies for absence

(Agenda item 1)

Apologies for absence were received from Damian Hockney, Graham Tope and Peter Martin (Treasurer).

36. Declarations of interest

(Agenda item 2)

None received.

37. Minutes

(Agenda item 3)

Resolved – That the minutes of the Authority meeting held on 29 July 2004 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

39. Chair’s and members’ update

(Agenda item 5)

Members gave details of recent events that they had attended. These included:

An oral report was received from Richard Sumray on the successful involvement of the MPS in the security arrangements at the Athens Olympics. Cindy Butts reported that she had attended 175th celebrations of the Metropolitan Police Service; and Kirsten Hearn and Lynne Featherstone reported that they had attended the opening of the Muswell Hill Station front office. Kirsten Hearn also reported that she had attended a lunch in conjunction with the Disability Discrimination Act held by the MPS. John Roberts updated the Authority on the successful launch of the roll out of Recommendation 61 across London.

Peter Herbert gave an oral update on recent meetings of the Race Hate Crime Forum and in particular meetings held with boroughs at which the trafficking of people was discussed. The Chair, in noting the feedback, requested that future reports on meetings of the Forum be circulated in writing to members. He also requested that the Forum ensure that when meeting with boroughs, it engages with relevant link borough members.

40. Commissioner’s update

(Agenda item 6)

(a) Written performance report

Members received the monthly performance information for the period April to August 2004.

In receiving the report, members welcomed the general decline in offences. Jenny Jones suggested that figures for road deaths should be included in the figures for violent crime, however, members did acknowledge the involvement that that the judicial system would play in this matter.

Confirmation was given that figures on assaults on police officers were presented to the Corporate Governance Committee (as a health and safety issue).

(b) Oral report on other issues

Security breaches at Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament

The Commissioner reported to members on the recent breach of security at Buckingham Palace by a supporter of ‘Fathers for Justice’.

The Commissioner reported that officers were alerted to the security breach and were in place within 8 seconds. The officers concerned were also required to make a difficult and quick decision not to fire at the protester.

The Commissioner added that he was concerned about the security levels regarding royal protection, particularly as no one agency has responsibility.

In relation to the breach of security at the Houses of Parliament by supporters of the Countryside Alliance, the Commissioner reported that a joint review of security was being undertaken by the MPS and MI5. In acknowledging the historical aspects of the House, the Commissioner suggested that to improve security a different approach was required.

Members welcomed the difficult judgement of officers not to shoot at the protester at Buckingham Palace. However, members expressed concern at another breach of security at a royal household. It was suggested legislation should be considered in relation to royal/public buildings and together with the possible centralisation of royal protection.

Countryside Alliance demonstration

Richard Barnes declared a personal interest in this item, as a member of the Countryside Alliance.

The Commissioner reported on the recent demonstration by the Countryside Alliance and gave details of the disturbances that took place in Parliament Square. He reported that following violence from a small percentage of the demonstrators and the threat of them gaining access to Parliament, police were forced to react. As a result of this, the Independent Police Complaints Commission would be undertaking an investigation into the policing of the demonstration.

Members raised a number of issues relating to the violence. In supporting the right to protest, and despite previous demonstrations by the Countryside Alliance having been peaceful, members suggested that there was a need for improved intelligence of these types of events. The question of demonstrations taking place while Parliament was sitting was also raised. As part of any investigation, members asked how experienced those officers outside Parliament were and raised concern that central control should have reacted to stop the excessive use of batons and the manner in which they were being used.

Notting Hill Carnival

The Commissioner updated members on the policing of the Carnival, which in general had been very successful.

The Commissioner however, was concerned about the shooting that had taken place just outside the Carnival area and agreed that this issue was something that the MPS needed to look at for future events. The Commissioner also agreed that there was a need to review the current stewarding arrangements and safety improvements. This should be the subject of a future report to the Authority at same stage.

Counter terrorism

The Commissioner reported that the current state of alert remained high. He reported that meetings had taken place with representatives of the Muslim community to reassure them of MPS support for the community.

Members welcomed the initiative undertaken by the MPS. However, they asked that the MPS continue to understand the difficulties that the Muslim community were facing, and to be particularly aware of sensitivities around Ramadan.

Members also requested that the MPS needed to focus on other communities including the Sikh community and that they reassess their media strategy in relation to those people who are arrested and not charged with an offence. With regard to the latter remark, members acknowledged the dilemma that the police faced in protecting the public and investigating possible terrorist acts and that disruption and prevention may not lead to an arrest.

In addition, concern was expressed that current vetting procedures between agencies needed to be improved.

Arising from the discussion, Lynne Featherstone read out a letter from an officer who was opposed to completing elements of the Recommendation 61 form and she sought reassurances that this was not a widespread opinion. The Commissioner reassured members that he did not feel this was the view of officers.

Attacks/murders in SW London

Tony Arbour sought and received reassurances from the Commissioner that resources would be maintained until there was an arrest following a series of attacks on women in SW London.

Resolved - That the report received.

41. Safer neighbourhoods update

(Agenda item 7)

Members received a report that updated them on the implementation of the safer neighbourhoods programme and which provided key performance data about the rollout to date.

In welcoming the rollout of the scheme, members discussed the issues of displacement and allocation of the teams. It was agreed that displacement, particularly in borough boundary areas, needed to be tackled strategically. Members also suggested that the rollout, whilst being monitored, should be the responsibility of the borough commanders, in consultation with local communities.

Members also highlighted the need for clarify about future funding of the scheme and that this should be paramount in discussions with other agencies, including the Home Office.

Resolved – That members note and endorse the progress made in introducing Safer Neighbourhoods teams across London

42. Clear up rate

(Agenda item 8)

A report was received which compared the MPS performance on detection (clear ups) between July 2003 and July 2004.

Members were informed that the overall detection rate had improved from 14.4% in July 2003 to 16.9% in July 2004. The longer perspective, since April 2000, was of a broadly static crime rate of around one million offence per year and a detection rate around 15%. The report also informed members that an improved analysis of detections data revealed that both the sanction and non-sanction detection (also known as judicial disposal) rates could be increased. A detections action plan had been devised and was delivering the increase through: increasing the number of staff authorised to grant non-sanction detections and improving training; widening performance culture to address detections of all notifiable offences; and improving accuracy of crime data to increase the recognition of actual performance.

In receiving the report, members were disappointed that the figures within the report were confusing and in some case misleading.

The Deputy Commissioner supported the suggestion that Planning, Performance and Review Committee needed to monitor clear up rates. He also agreed that the presentation of crime figures in reports need to reviewed generally, possibly developing a weighting system. In particular, the presentation of VEM/non VEM figures needed to be improved and presented consistently.

Resolved – That members approve the further work planned to address the corporate priority to increase detection rates.

43. Gun Crime Scrutiny update

(Agenda item 9)

An update report was received on the progress towards the implementation of recommendations arising from the gun crime scrutiny, as well as developments in other firearms related areas.

In receiving the report members congratulated the MPS on the decline in gun crime. In doing so, members supported the need to address other communities suffering from gun crime, whilst not undermining the effectiveness of Operation Trident and the community confidence that had been acquired.

Members welcomed the reduction in the use of replica guns, but it was acknowledged that this could result in an increase in the use of conventional guns.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

44. Knife crime initiative

(Agenda item 10)

Following the initiative to deter young people from carrying knives in three London boroughs, the Authority received a report on the pilot which sought to rollout the scheme across all other London boroughs.

In noting the increase in the carrying of knives, members supported the rollout of the initiative to other London boroughs. In doing so, members suggested that the initiative needed to involve further work with young people, particularly work with schools, colleges and youth clubs. It was also suggested that additional work should be undertaken with mental health trusts.

It was agreed that to take this issues forward, MPS officers work with the Deputy Chair, Cindy Butts and that a report on the progress of the London wide rollout be presented to a future meeting of the Authority.

Resolved – That the knife crime initiative should be rolled out across the remaining 29 London boroughs, subject to the evaluation of the three pilot boroughs demonstrating success.

45. Restraint and mental health review

(Agenda item 11)

The MPS’s restraint and mental health review’s final report had proposed measures to reduce the risks associated with restraint. The report suggested areas where greater collaboration with mental health partners could help to reduce risks and improve the quality of service provided to people with a mental illness. The report also suggested that relevant issues should be referred to the joint MPA/NHS review of mental health. Members were asked to approve the recommendations of the restraint and mental health review and the subsequent implementation plan

In receiving the report, members highlighted the importance of developing protocols between all agencies, particularly between the MPS and the National Health Service.

Resolved – That

  1. the recommendations of the restraint and mental health review be approved; and
  2. the implementation plan for the recommendations of the restraint and mental health review be approved.

46. Mobile information strategy

(Agenda item 12)

Members received a report outlined the MPS position in relation to the national mobile information strategy, specifically the ACPO Infinet Strategy, published in 2002

Resolved – That the current position in respect of the mobile information strategy be noted.

47. Response to Home Office consultation on modernising police powers

(Agenda item 13)

Members received a report that set out a proposed response to the Home Office’s consultation document proposing the reform of police powers, so that the police service is better positioned to respond to community expectations.

It was agreed to refer this report to the Co-ordination and Policing Committee meeting on 8 October.

Resolved – That the report be referred to the Co-ordination and Policing Committee meeting on 8 October 2004 for consideration..

48. The MPA borough link member role

(Agenda item 14a)

The Authority received a report that proposed a revised basis and standard relating to MPA members link member roles.

Resolved – That

  1. the Authority approves the set of principles and minimum expectations set out in paragraph 4 of the report; and
  2. Len Duvall be appointed as link borough member for Barking and Dagenham and Aneeta Prem be appointed as borough member of Havering

49. MPA engagement in Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships

(Agenda item 14b)

Members considered a report that proposed general levels of the Authority engagement with local crime and disorder reduction partnerships (CDRPs) and outlined a number of areas/themes that the Authority may wish to consider to promote within each CDRP.

Resolved – That

  1. the proposed general approach of the Authority be endorsed; and
  2. the following two priority theme areas be promoted by the Authority within CDRPs: Theme 2 ‘to promote the focus of crime and disorder reduction partnerships upon community engagement/consultation’; and Theme 5 ‘to support and influence CDRP development on specific process and structural improvement issues’.

50. MPA urgency procedure

(Agenda item 15)

Members were invited to consider an amendment to the Authority’s Standing Orders in relation to the urgency process:

Resolved – That the Authority approves the urgency process given at Appendix 1 to the report for inclusion in the Authority’s Standing Orders with immediate effect

51. Committee membership and appointment to outside bodies

(Agenda item 16)

Members were asked to nominate a member to represent the Authority on the Home Office Lawrence Steering Group; approve a change in membership of the Professional Standards and Complaints and Planning, Performance and Review Committees and ratify the appointment of a co-opted member to the Equal Opportunities and Diversity Board.

Resolved - That

  1. nominates to represent the Authority on the Home Office Lawrence Steering Group be sought by members by a postal vote and the result be made known at the next meeting of the Authority;
  2. Richard Sumray be appointed to the London Criminal Justice Board, with Reshard Auladin as a substitute;
  3. Richard Barnes cease to be a member of the Professional Standards and Complaints and be appointed to the Planning, Performance and Review Committee; and
  4. the appointment of Lee Jasper as a co-opted member of the Equal Opportunities and Diversity Board be ratified.

52. Action taken under delegated authority

(Agenda item 17)

Members received a report that gave details of action taken by the Clerk under delegated authority on the grounds of urgency.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

The meeting closed at 1:35 p.m.

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