Operation Strongbox

Report: 8
Date: 26 July 2001
By: Commissioner

Summary

This report summarises the performance of the Operation Strongbox initiative conducted in the London Borough of Haringey, codename Operation Castille. The initiative commenced on 17 April 2001 until 10 June 2001. This report notes the achievements and developments which that have been delivered through this approach to improving performance and tackling volume crime.

A. Recommendation

Members are asked to note the report.

B. Supporting information

1. The objective of Operation Strongbox is to focus resources at targeted problems relating to Haringey Borough (and MPS) priorities. This was achieved by creating crime support teams for deployment in Haringey to assist in responding to and reducing high volumes of priority crime. The strategy of the initiative creates the opportunity to develop excellence and best practice that can be disseminated throughout the MPS. 'Strongbox' is also measurable with the deployment of resources under an operational plan based on analysis of crime within the Borough. Its impact can be assessed on crime levels before, during and after the initiative.

2. Operation Castille adopted all the tactical options identified as best practice from previous initiatives. It also devised and implemented a number of additional tactics to combat volume crime. These options will be highlighted later in this report.

3. Haringey Borough Senior Management Team used the concept to confirm the borough amalgamation principles and the appropriateness of its policing style. The current police strength of the borough is 520 officers of which 100 officers were specifically ring fenced for Castille. The borough ensured that Strongbox was not compartmentalised and marketed Castille as an inclusive operation with every member of staff involved. The Central Crime Squad, Territorial Support Group, Traffic Department and the Dog Section also supported the initiative.

4. The communities were very supportive of the initiative. During the planning stage the Borough Critical Incident Monitoring Group were asked to provide community advice and support. Electoral members of the community and other identified groups such as the Police Consultative Group, Community Safety Executive and Haringey Racial Equality Council received weekly appraisals of the operation and its progress against the objectives.

5. The initiative was directed at MPS priority crime, together with quality of life issues such as begging, street drinkers and prostitution. A specific objective was to develop the expertise of Borough staff in terms of intelligence development and analysis (with emphasis on cross border crime), briefing, tasking, proactive operations and reactive investigations.

6. The Borough Intelligence Unit was adequate, however through Strongbox; the unit implemented the focus desk concept. This increased performance and ensured all activity was intelligence led and resources were correctly tasked against targeted geographical hotspots or individuals. Through the Borough Tasking and Co-ordination Group, the borough were better able to evaluate the tactics and deployment of its resources.

7. Strongbox Tactics

• one stop burglary and robbery reporting and investigation teams
• four Q cars (plain-clothes officers in unmarked cars). This tactic was enhanced with the permanent deployment of two dogs and their handlers. This allowed for a more effective response resulting in an increase of arrests both for crime and public order offences
• conventional surveillance
• technical surveillance
• drugs searches/arrests
• raids on crack houses
• directed operations in crime "hotspots"
• test Purchase operations to combat street level drug dealing
• static and mobile ANPR (automatic number plate reader) operations to combat autocrime and burglary
• forensication of crime scenes
• dedicated fingerprint/DNA investigation and arrest teams
• operation Seneca (addressing crime in transport corridors on public transport). Partnership initiative with Arriva and LRT
• use of passive drug dogs
• road checks using ANPR, Traffic and Borough officers to detect vehicles being used unlawfully or in a dangerous position
• video sentries

Video sentries

8. This was the first Strongbox initiative involving video sentries. Haringey Borough has historically used video sentries within the Wood Green area. Approximately 37 stand alone cameras are installed which run continuously and are managed by a dedicated police team. In the event of a crime being committed within the designated area, the team view the video tapes to identify both the victim and suspects to support an arrest and the presentation of evidence.

9. During this operation, video sentries played a pivotal role in a difficult investigation into a linked series of 30 robberies committed by a team of 15 juveniles. A proactive surveillance operation was not an option having regard to their erratic and opportunist offending behaviour. The majority of the evidence emanated from the video sentries, resulting in a charge of conspiracy. Although an effective tool, the scheduling and viewing of the evidence by a significant dedicated investigation team took 3 weeks. It is recommended that a dedicated unit, responsible for the management and investigation of the offences disclosed, must support video sentries.

Trident

10. During the activity phase twelve Trident related shooting/incidents occurred. As a consequence the risk assessment of the Borough was identified as "High". The policing of the shootings impacted on both the uniform response teams and Castille resources.

Passive drugs dogs

11. This tactic was highly successful and was used within the area of Seven Sisters underground station. The initiative involved both uniform and plain-clothes officers together with a drug dog. The dog randomly wandered amongst the travellers leaving the station. The dog is able to detect the residue of both Class A and B drugs. Once detected the dog reacted by sitting next to the person. Officers engaged the person and asked a series of questions.

12. The evaluation of this tactic and the questionnaire, identified that all the persons stopped had within the previous 48 hours come into contact with a person who had taken drugs or had themselves taken drugs or at the time of being stopped were found in possession.

Performance

13. Castille performance was measured against the exact same period last year 14 April to 10 June. Burglary showed an increase of 1.2 per cent however in relation to Street Crime a 5.9 per cent reduction was achieved. Details of performance - see Appendix 1.

Learning outcomes

14. The importance of better intelligence assessment and looking into issues deeper and broader. Provided evidence of links between known criminals that can now be exploited.

15. Demonstrated that post arrest quite often we take a pragmatic approach that is not the best outcome in the long term. (Much uncovered which can now be usefully worked on with partners) – Haringey Regular Offender Group.

16. Video sentries linked to better analysis and intelligence tasking can provide significant opportunities against street criminals.

17. Young criminals in Haringey are strongly linked and there is a need to develop initiatives accordingly. This is rather than focus on a single specific crime investigation only. Gang culture is now part of the scene.

18. The level of drug use in the community is huge and is growing.

Inhibitors for Haringey

19. There were certain events that took place during the period of the operation that may have had an impact on the effectiveness of the operation:

• providing AID for public order events (May day)
• Tottenham Hotspur Football Club
• Trident activity
• election
• terrorism
• successes

20. The successes for the operation could be summarised as:

• staff pleased with the crime and disorder focus of the operation
• reputation of the borough enhanced
• team building for managers and other staff in Haringey
• confirmed appropriateness of Haringey policing style
• confirmed the borough's amalgamation principles
• learning opportunities for staff employed on the operation ie: preparation and case management, interview techniques, proactive and reactive policing
• enhanced the structure and performance of the BIU
• Q Cars and uniform Police Support Team (PSU)

Conclusions

21. This Strongbox initiative was an extremely challenging an exciting operation. The Senior Management team were dynamic, innovative, highly committed and exhibited tremendous leadership. More importantly all Haringey staff, both police and civilian members were committed to making this initiative a success by engaging criminality and reducing the fear of crime. Although a team effort the credit for this initiative rests with the Borough Commander, Stephen James.

C. Financial implications

Costings have yet to be ratified, however the project spend is within the £350,000 allocated.

D. Background papers

None.

E. Contact details

Report author: Richard Quinn, Detective Superintendent, Territorial Policing Crime Support OCU, MPS.

For information contact:

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

Send an e-mail linking to this page

Feedback