Update on consultation for the 2001/02 policing plan

Report: 12
Date: 26 September 2000
By: Commissioner

Summary

This paper updates members on the progress of the consultation taking place to inform development of the 2001/02 Policing and Performance Plan.

A. Supporting information

Introduction

The paper Consultation: Development of the 2001/02 Policing and Performance plan was considered at the Consultation, Diversity and Outreach Committee meeting on 28 July. Members approved the process proposed. For ease of reference, the process approved is shown in Appendix 1.

The summary of progress made on the consultation is outlined below.

Consultation progress

Interviews for the Public Attitude Survey started in August and are continuing through September. The report on key findings will be available by the middle of October, in time to inform the discussion on priorities for the MPS.

The consultation by boroughs with local groups took place over the summer. The MPS (Corporate Development Group) is collating the results and the analysis of returns will be complete by 22 September.

An analysis of Crime and Disorder strategies was undertaken for 2000/01 and is still valid. Boroughs have been asked to comment on draft planning priorities in the light of local priorities.

The street surveys and external focus groups are complete. A summary of the findings in relation to police priorities is shown in Appendix 2.

The concept of internal focus groups has been developed into a seminar involving senior MPS staff in developing planning priorities. This will be held in October.

It is intended that e-consultation will be performed to obtain the public's response to the draft policing priorities, as developed following the initial consultation performed. A structured questionnaire on the Internet will be used to gain wide public feedback to the draft priorities.

Outstanding issues

Two of the forms of consultation originally proposed have yet to be progressed, namely: a meeting of a representative group of stakeholders and a themed public meeting on a priorities options paper. To enable both forms to contribute effectively to the consultation process will require organisation within tight timescales, the setting of clear objectives and the allocation of sufficient resources (both people and money). The detailed planning of these forms of consultation could potentially be addressed via the joint MPA/MPS working group arrangement proposed in the paper entitled "Arrangements for the Annual Planning Process" considered by the FPBV Committee at its meeting on 19 September.

The Mayor is currently developing an approach to consultation. It will be vital for the MPA and the MPS to utilise opportunities this may present for consultation on priorities.

B. Recommendations

1. To note the progress made so far in conducting consultation to inform development of the 2001/02 Policing and Performance plan.
2. To leave the detailed consideration of the issues raised by the themed public meeting and meeting of stakeholders to be considered by the joint MPA/MPS working group, prior to their endorsement at the Consultation, Diversity and Outreach Committee on 24 October.

C. Financial implications

There are financial implications of holding both a meeting of stakeholders and a themed public meeting on policing priorities. The final figure will depend on the scale of the meetings undertaken (number of meetings and participants, location and standard of facilities hired, etc).

D. Review arrangements

The outcome of any decisions taken as a result of this paper will be reviewed at the next meeting of the Consultation, Diversity and Outreach Committee on 24 October.

E. Background papers

The following is a statutory list of background papers (under the Local Government Act 1972 S.100 D) which disclose facts or matters on which the report is based and which have been relied on to a material extent in preparing this report. They are available on request to either the contact officer listed above or to the Clerk to the Police Authority at the address indicated on the agenda.

F. Contact details

The author of this report is Simon Corkill, MPS, Corporate Development Group.

For information contact:

MPA general: 020 7202 0202
Media enquiries: 020 7202 0217/18

Appendix 2: Summary of results of Street Survey and external focus groups on police priorities

Public perceptions on police priorities and current services

Both the quantitative and qualitative research findings suggest that the police should spend more time on serious crime (eg: street crime, muggings, robberies, drugs) and crime detection/law enforcement activities and less time on petty offences (eg: less serious driving offences) or non-police work (eg: administration). Focus group participants were asked to discuss their perception of the police in relation to dealing with seven key service areas:

Reduce Offending by Young People: The main view across all groups is that a barrier exists between the police and young people. Participants feel that the police are not reaching or communicating with young people. However, facts such as the judicial system and a general lack of respect for authority makes it hard for the police to work effectively.

Reduce Drug Dealing: Drugs was seen to be a big problem and to be increasing. The participants (especially teenagers and African-Caribbean participants) were negative towards the police's response to reducing drug dealing. Reducing drug dealing was seen to be the second most important priority for the police over the next twelve months. Almost all those who took part in the focus groups considered reducing drug dealing to be the main service priority for the police next year. A common view expressed in all the groups (including those who were homeless) was that most offences (such as burglaries and street crime) were drugs-related in some way and were usually committed in order to support a drug addiction.

Reducing Racial Attacks: White people generally felt that the police do a good job on reducing racial attacks, whilst there were mixed feelings from ethnic minority groups. Positive views include the introduction of definite police policies on this issue; more awareness of race issues within the police; fewer racial attacks and (with the exception of the African-Caribbean groups) the feeling that the Stephen Lawrence inquiry has produced a positive outcome. The main criticisms of the police's methods on addressing racism include the police arriving at racial incidents too late to deal with the matter properly and the feeling that the public may not feel the police are able to address race problems amongst the public when they are still addressing such problems within the service.

Reducing Street Crime: The general feeling is that street crime is increasing and a lack of police resources underlies this problem. A more visible police presence in high crime or problem areas was required in addition to CCTV on streets. This service was seen to be the most important priority for the next year.

Reducing Burglaries: It was generally felt that burglaries frequently occur, especially in middle and upper class areas. Although police operations such as Operational Bumblebee and Neighbourhood Watch Schemes are being successful the public do not bother contacting the police because they do not respond quickly to the matter and the police do offer little information or support on reducing burglaries.

Reduce Car Theft/Theft from Cars: Similar feelings were held on this matter as for reducing burglaries.

Reduce Disorderly Behaviour: The police are seen to be doing relatively well in this service, perhaps because drunk people are easier to deal with than criminals, because it is easier to know where and when this problem will occur and because the law is clear cut on disorderly behaviour. Some people felt that the police do not deal with reducing disorderly behaviour well because they are not walking around on foot to prevent/detect the problem in the first place.

Police priorities over the next twelve months

Police priorities over the next twelve months were suggested as follows: Reduce street crime (most important); reduce drug dealing; reduce burglaries; reduce racial attacks; reduce offending by young persons; reduce disorderly behaviour and (the least important) reduce car theft.

White respondents considered reducing racial attacks to be of lower priority than other ethnic minority groups. Black Caribbean and Black African respondents consider reducing this crime to be a top priority. Other differences included the priority rating of reducing drug dealing. White and Bangladeshi respondents rated this crime as second priority. Black Africans and Indians as second priority and Black Caribbeans as their fourth priority.

In contrast to most other age groups, young people stated that reducing racial attacks should come before reducing drug dealing and burglaries. Elderly people differed from others by prioritising the reduction of burglaries (rather than dealing with drugs) immediately after combating street crime. This is perhaps because elderly people may spend more time in their homes and consequently feel more vulnerable to this crime.

Homeless participants had strong opinions on the difference between aggressive begging and passive begging and wanted the two to be treated differently. They felt their views should be consulted since they understood the implications of the law (in respect of begging).

Allocation of national funding and police resources

A theme running through many of the focus groups discussions was the distribution of what are seen to be national resources to various aspects and the perceived lack of police funding and manpower.

Many felt that the Government should put more money into the police rather than spending as much money on other services that they considered to be less important. Others expressed the view that they would be prepared to pay higher taxes if, in return, they got a better police service.

There was also some concern that, as a result of the lack of resources, local police stations were being closed and manpower was being reduced. In addition, there was consensus across all groups that more police officers should be recruited from ethnic minority groups. Many foresaw that, because of racism in the MPS, such recruitment is likely to be difficult. However, if more officers were recruited from ethnic minority groups, it would help the police to understand the community they serve. African-Caribbeans, in particular, were at pains to point out that the composition of the police service needed to reflect that of the local community (ie: they didn't just want more black officers).

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