Havering Borough Operational Command Unit transfer of front counter service from Harold Hill police station

Report: 06
Date: 21 October 2010
By: Assistant Commissioner Territorial Policing on behalf of the Commissioner

Summary

This report is for the consideration of the Finance and Resources Committee for the transfer of the front counter service on Havering Borough Operational Command Unit from Harold Hill police station to the Safer Neighbourhoods base for Heaton & Gooshays Wards, Straight Road, Havering.

This proposal is supported by the MPA Estate Review Panel.

A. Recommendations

That members

1. Consider the transfer of the front counter service from Harold Hill police station to the Safer Neighbourhoods base at Straight Road, Havering
2. Note the front counter footfall survey results and the public engagement undertaken in relation to policing in Havering
3. Note the future review of Harold Hill police station

B. Supporting information

1. On 21 January 2010 the Finance and Resources Committee approved the process for agreeing changes to the public facing estate. This report follows that process and sets out the position on Havering borough, specifically in relation to front counter services at Harold Hill police station.

2. Engagement activity has been carried out on the Borough in relation to the future of Harold Hill police station. The community has expressed a view that the front counter service at this site should remain in the area and the Safer Neighbourhoods base at Straight Road has been identified as a potential location for delivery of this service.

Havering Borough Asset Management Plan

3. Modernisation of the estate in Havering BOCU began through the delivery of Safer Neighbourhoods bases. The Havering Borough Asset Management Plan was published in November 2007.

4. Operational policing in Havering is currently supported from the following sites:

• Romford Police Station - main custody site for the BOCU and accommodates the Senior Management team, Romford Town Centre Safer Neighbourhoods team. There is a 24/7 front counter at this site
• Hornchurch Police Station - Currently accommodates custody cells, Hacton Safer Neighbourhoods team, operational policing units and a front counter facility open 06:00 to 22:00, 7 days a week.
• Patrol Base - this site was opened in September 2009 and is the single patrol site for the Borough. It also accommodates the Metropolitan Police Special Constabulary, Borough Intelligence Unit and Integrated Borough Operations Unit.
• Harold Hill Police Station - Other MPS Business Groups and a front counter service which is subject of this report.
• Rainham Police Station - Currently accommodates the borough training facility
• Upminster Police Office - Currently accommodates two Safer Neighbourhoods teams, Upminster and Cranham. There is a front counter facility at this site, opening hours 09.00 to 17.00, Monday to Friday
• Upminster Police Station - accommodates MPS Business Groups, including HR and SCD.

5. In addition to the sites above operational policing is delivered from the following Safer Neighbourhoods bases:

• 16 Broadway, Rainham - Rainham and Wennington Safer Neighbourhood teams
• Tescos, Viking Way, Rainham - South Hornchurch Safer Neighbourhoods team
• 16 Roneo Corner, Romford - Brooklands and Highlands Safer Neighbourhoods teams
• 17 Tadworth Parade, Elm Park - Elm Park Safer Neighbourhood team
• Tudor House 11 Balgores Square - Pettits and Squirells heath Safer Neighbour hoods teams
• 116 Collier Row road - Havering Park and Mawneys Safer Neighbourhoods teams
  90 North Street Hornchurch - St Andrews and Emerson Park Safer Neighbourhoods teams
• 84-86 Straight Road, Harold Hill - Gooshays and Heaton Safer Neighbourhoods teams
• 11 Station Road Harold Wood - Harold Wood Safer Neighbourhoods team

Harold Hill police station front counter

6. Harold Hill police station was built in 1953. The front counter facility requires significant further works to ensure full compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995 as it has no hearing loop fitted, it does not have a low level counter for members of the public who are unable to stand and has an inadequate ramp outside the police station. Additionally, there is no separate interview room where visitors can speak to Station Police & Community Support Officer (SPCSO) in private. Appendix 1 - Harold Hill police station shows the exterior of the police station and highlight the current front counter facilities at this site.

7. The front counter is operational Monday to Friday 09:30 to 16:30 and is staffed by a SPCSO. The police station has limited operational use and there are concerns for the safety of the front counter staff and security of the building as the front counter facility is an open counter model with no security screen to prevent access. It should be noted that when the front counter is not operational security is in place to secure the area.

8. Transport links to Harold Hill police station include Harold Hill British Rail station, and local bus routes 656, 256,646 and 294stopping close by.

Heaton & Gooshays Safer Neighbourhoods base, Straight Road, Havering.

9. A Safer Neighbourhoods base has been provided for the Heaton & Gooshays Safer Neighbourhoods teams under Phase 1 of the Safer Neighbourhoods programme. There is a front counter facility which is a single booth position with a waiting area. The waiting area is separate from the front counter position where visitors can speak to the SPCSO in private.

10. Some concern has been raised in relation to the suitability of the Safer Neighbourhoods base. This was delivered under Phase 1 of the SN programme and was the only suitable site available in the area. MPS Property Services has recently attended the Base and carried out some remedial works to the waiting area, which has improved the condition of this part of the Base.

11. The SN base front counter position is DDA compliant. There is a low level section to the front counter and a hearing loop is fitted. The front counter will be open Monday to Friday 09.30 to 16.30, which matches the opening hours for the current facility at Harold Hill police station.

12. The Safer Neighbourhoods base is on a main road approximately 1 mile from Harold Hill police station. Attached at Appendix 2 - Harold Hill and Heaton & Gooshays Safer Neighbourhoods base shows the exterior of the Safer Neighbourhoods base, the replacement Front Counter Facilities and highlight the new facilities available at this site.

13. There are good public transport links with buses 174, 256 and 396 stopping close by. It is located in a residential area and there is a good amount of on street parking available.

Principles to govern the transfer of front counter facilities

14. The MPA Estate Panel has directed that a number of principles should be met prior to Finance and Resources Committee approving the transfer of front counter facilities and these are outlined below for Havering Borough.

• The front counter facility at the SN base was completed under Phase 1 of the SN programme
• The SN Base is located within a mile of Harold Hill police station
• The front counter facility at the SN base will reflect the opening hours for the current facility at Harold Hill police station, Monday to Friday 09:30 to 16:30
• Engagement activity has been undertaken (see below).

Engagement activity

15. Engagement activity has been undertaken by the Borough Commander through a formal engagement strategy in relation to the policing of Havering Borough and how it is supported by the estate. This included local Councillors, Safer Neighbourhoods Ward Panel Chairs, Community & Police Consultative Group members, Independent Advisory Group members and Equality leads to discuss policing in Havering and how the estate supports operational policing. The Leader of the Council also attended with his Cabinet member for engagement, neither raised any concerns during the meeting. The borough does not have a MPA link member at present.

16. The SN base was opened under Phase 1 of the SN programme. If approval is given to transfer the front counter, this will be publicised through leaflets and posters explaining the changes and the benefits to local residents. The transfer will also be publicised through local media and the Safer Neighbourhoods teams.

Future of Harold Hill police station

17. Following the transfer of the front counter facility there will be limited functions operating from the police station. The future use of the building for operational use will be reviewed by the MPS.

Other information

18. Havering borough has a number of operational facilities across the estate to support operational policing as outlined in Paragraph 4. Appendix 4 - Operational Policing Bases identifies locations across Havering from where operational policing is delivered.

19. A review of other evidence provides further background that is useful context for decision making. The MPS Public Attitude Survey tells us that trust levels in Havering are slightly higher than in London as a whole. Havering residents feel well informed about levels of crime in their local area and their desire to be kept informed is above the London average.

• 71% say it is important that they have a say in how their local area is policed (69% London average)
• 76% say it is important that they are kept informed about crime in their local area (71% London average)
• 37% state they feel well informed about the levels of crime in their local area (42% London average).

20. Footfall surveys were carried out at Harold Hill Police Station over two separate two week periods in March and June 2010. The following data was obtained:

• Total Footfall - 15 to 28 March 2010 = 93 visitors
• Total Footfall - 14 to 27 June 2010 = 52 visitors

C. Other organisational & community implications

Equality and Diversity Impact

1. The needs of members of the community have been taken into consideration through the engagement activity which is covered in the body of this report.

2. Harold Hill police station has limited disabled access. The new facility at the SN base in Straight Road is easily accessible and complies with Disability Discrimination Act legislation.

Consideration of MET Forward

3. The transfer of the front counter service supports MET Support through more efficient use of the estate. The transfer of the front counter service also supports confidence by providing a visible presence in the community.
Financial Implications

4. The provision of the facilities at the SN base in Straight Road was funded under Phase 1 of the SN programme.

5. Following the transfer of the front counter facility the MPS will be in a position to review Harold Hill police station, which could generate efficiency savings through revenue costs.

Legal Implications

6. The recommendations in this report aim to deliver enhanced policing services to the community it serves and to lead to increased public confidence.

7. The transfer of front counter services is likely to impact on how policing services are accessible and delivered. Engagement with key stakeholders and members of the public is therefore essential and this is also in keeping with the duty set out in s96 of the Police Act 1996 which required arrangements to be made by the MPA, in consultation with the Commissioner, for obtaining the views of the community in the area on policing in that area. Any changes that affect the public, agencies or stakeholders directly or indirectly should also be subject to a robust engagement process or equalities impact assessment.

8. The body of this report describes the engagement that has taken place in accordance with both statutory and internal regulatory requirements. The views obtained from the engagement process should be taken into account by the relevant decision making body before a decision is made.

9.. S21E(3) and (4) of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (as amended by the Disability Discrimination Act 2005) requires a public authority to take reasonable steps to allow disabled persons the benefit of a function of a public authority. The new premises would allow disabled persons to access the front counter facilities without disadvantage and therefore the recommendation complies with this provision.

Environmental Implications

10. The transfer of front counter services to the facilities at the SN base in Straight Road, Havering would have required the input of Property Services, including design and fit out using design standards based on the applicable design guides. As a result of technological enhancements (e.g. lighting controls) the facilities would be expected to be more resource efficient with regard to energy and water consumption etc. Further to this, day to day operational activities involve the use of resources including energy, water and paper, and generate emissions (e.g. carbon dioxide) and waste. The MPS Environmental objectives, outlined in the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy 2010-13 (which will be launched shortly) and delivered through the annual Environmental Management Plan (EMP) seek to create awareness of these issues and to mitigate the impacts through behavioural change among police officers and staff.

Risk Implications

11. There are no risks associated with this report.

D. Background papers

• Havering Asset Management Plan published November 2007
• MPA Report 21 January 2010 - Process for agreeing changes to the public facing estate

E. Contact details

Report author(s): Diana Marchant, Director of Operational Resourcing, Territorial Policing, MPS

For more information contact:

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

Send an e-mail linking to this page

Feedback