The use of volunteers to staff MPS police station front counters

Report: 5
Date: 19 April 2001
By: Commissioner

Summary

At the meeting of the Metropolitan Police Authority on 9 November 2000 Members asked for more information on the use of volunteers to staff police station front counters. This report details the current extent of such initiatives. It also summarises plans to open and re-open front counter facilities.

A. Recommendation

That Members are asked to note the contents of the report.

B. Supporting information

Background

1. At the Full Authority meeting on 9 November 2000, a paper was presented on MPS police station front counter opening hours.

2. This paper provides an update on the current use of volunteers in the MPS, in general, and their use in staffing police station front counters, in particular. It also outlines plans on Boroughs to open and re-open front counter facilities.

3. Since November 2000, there have been no closures of front counters and none are planned. The proposed closures of front counter facilities in Hillingdon, at Ruislip and West Drayton and in Barnet, at Finchley, were cancelled.

Current initiatives

4. Following an audit of all 32 Boroughs, twelve Borough Commanders have stated that they are currently using, or are actively considering, the use of volunteers in front counter roles: these are at Sutton, Kingston, Southwark, Enfield, Hillingdon, Croydon, Westminster, Bromley, Lewisham, Harrow, Bexley and Richmond.

5. In Sutton, it is intended to re-open Worcester Park police station front counter, with staffing provided by a team of 25 volunteers on a rota basis. This will be with effect from 3 September 2001, which will allow for the training and security clearance of the volunteers. The Community Safety Volunteers Project is a partnership between the London Borough of Sutton, Sutton Volunteer Bureau and the MPS. A publicity launch is planned for 11th June 2001, with the assistance of the MPS Directorate of Public Affairs. Sutton is also exploring the use of volunteers in the role of Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator in its Crime Reduction Office.

6. In Southwark, a police office at Rotherhithe – 'The Blue Beat Office' – is currently staffed by volunteers and acts as a community reference point. It does not serve as a crime/accident/ incident reporting site, but staff deal with most other front counter duties. It has been open since 1995, is currently open 11.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m., three days per week, and is staffed by two volunteers. From July, nine Community Wardens will also operate from the base, with a police officer acting as co-ordinator.

7. In Hillingdon, the police office at Harefield is currently staffed by three volunteers, who provide a front counter service three evenings per week. The service provided includes the taking of messages for local officers, dealing with lost and found property and providing a community contact point. This arrangement has been in place for the last five years. The Borough Commander is examining the possibility of using volunteers to re-open station offices closed at present, Northwood for example.

8. In Kingston, a project team is being set up that will examine the feasibility of re-opening New Malden police station front counter and staffing it with volunteers. Representatives from the local community have been invited to join the project team.

9. In Enfield, the front counter at Winchmore Hill was re-opened on 2 March 2001 on a part-time basis (Fridays and Saturdays), staffed by the Borough Metropolitan Special Constabulary. This event was widely covered by the local media.

10. In Westminster, there are plans to use volunteers in the monitoring of CCTV cameras in central London. A review of staffing levels is in progress.

11. In Harrow, there are provisional plans to re-open Pinner and Edgware front counters on a limited basis if a volunteers scheme can be launched.

12. In Bromley, a police office is being planned for Chislehurst, hopefully to be staffed by volunteers. Similar initiatives are planned for St Mary Cray and Biggin Hill, again subject to a sufficient number of volunteers coming forward.

13. In Lewisham, Brockley police station may soon be able to offer a front counter service, staffed by volunteers. This would provide a community contact service rather than the usual station office facilities.

14. In Croydon, Richmond and Bexley the Borough Commanders are actively pursuing ways of recruiting and employing volunteers to staff front counter facilities.

Other developments

15. There are a number of issues concerned with Volunteers in Policing that are in the process of being clarified. These include recruitment, training, tasks performed, security, health and safety, support, supervision and responsibility, discipline, legal implications, computer access, recognition and reward, and confidentiality.

16. The MPS has created a new post, of Co-ordinator for Volunteers in Policing and a recruitment process is currently underway. The aim of this post is to develop, promote and support a professionally administered, effective and efficient cohort of civil staff volunteers, Volunteer Police Cadet Corps and Metropolitan Special Constabulary in the MPS. It is envisaged that the newly appointed Co-ordinator will oversee all developments in the use of Volunteers in Policing in the MPS.

Opening and re-opening of front counters

17. In addition to the initiatives outlined above, several other Boroughs have plans to open and re-open front counters, as follows:

18. In Haringey, it is intended to re-open the front counter at St Ann's by July 2001. This would be to cover Monday to Saturday, 10.00am to 6.00pm, depending on the availability of staff.

19. In Brent, the front counter service at Carey Way opens on 7 May 2001, (Mondays to Saturdays). There are also plans for police 'shops' or 'safety shops' under two regeneration plans in the Borough. These would be in Kilburn High Road and on the South Kilburn Estate, although both are dependent on external funding.

20. In Lambeth, a feasibility study is underway to open a front counter in the police building at Cobalt Square.

C. Financial implications

None.

D. Background papers

None.

E. Contact details

The author of this report is Inspector Chris Lester.

For information contact:

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

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