The MPS drugs strategy 2003-2006

Report: 16
Date: 26 September 2002
By: Commissioner

Summary

This report details the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) Drugs Strategy 2003-2006.

A. Recommendation

That the Authority supports the strategy.

B. Supporting information

1. This report sets out the revised MPS Drugs Strategy 2003–2006. It contains details of the differences between this strategy and its predecessor, the consultation undertaken and how it will be evaluated. A copy of the strategy will be sent separately to Members of the Authority.

2. The final MPS Drugs Strategy 2003-2006 is to be launched in October 2002 in readiness for its introduction on 1 January 2003.

Development of the strategy 

3. In developing the strategy account was taken of the objectives of the Government’s ten-year plan, the strengths and weaknesses of the previous MPS Drugs Strategy and the gap analysis report produced in August 2002.

4. A Senior Managers’ Seminar took place on 4 October 2001 to examine the priorities for the MPS. The participants identified the following as areas of continued importance:

• disrupting drug supply; 
• introducing users to effective treatment;
• working with communities to reduce the harm from and demand for drugs.

5. The Drugs Directorate reviewed the previous drugs strategy and the views expressed during this seminar and with assistance from the MPS consultancy group, drew up proposals for discussion with a wide group of partners. These emphasised the police role in enforcement and supported continuation of harm reduction activity.

6. On 11 March 2002 an ‘open forum’ consultation seminar was carried out with a wide group of strategic level drug and law enforcement partners. This seminar was funded by the GLA and chaired by Paul Hayes from the National Treatment Agency. Agencies involved in the consultation included the MPA, the London Drug and Alcohol Network, Government Office for London, the Home Office, the National Treatment Agency London region, the Youth Justice Board, the Drug Prevention Advisory Council and the Health Service. Territorial Policing, Specialist Operations and the Clubs and Vice Unit within the MPS were also represented.

7. Participants were keen to develop the concept of multi-agency enforcement initiatives in which other agencies would act as genuinely equal partners with police. The main objectives of the strategy were supported. 

8. The Ministerial Priorities for 2002-3 announced in April gave priority to ‘creating safer communities by reducing anti-social behaviour and disorder through effective partnership working, including reducing the availability and use of class ‘A’ drugs’.

9. The strategy was then further developed, through circulation to Borough Commanders and Drug Action Teams for consideration.

10. MPA members were invited to an informal workshop on 16 May 2002, at which the draft MPS drugs strategy was presented. The resulting debate showed support for the main strands of the strategy and identified key areas for development within the action plan for delivery. These included showing how the strategy would be integrated with external drug strategies including the Government’s ten year plan, how partnership would work in practice and the communication strategy.

11. The strategy was presented to the Drugs Strategic Committee on 26 June 2002, with minor adjustments being made to the wording of key elements to reflect members’ views.

12. Management Board members approved the MPS Drugs Strategy 2003-2006 at their meeting on 4 September 2002.

What is different about the new MPS Drugs Strategy?

13. The aim of the 1999-2002 drugs strategy was to ‘reduce drug related crime’. There were four strands, namely young people, communities, treatment and availability.

14. Although the previous strategy document clearly identified key areas of work, it contained little in the way of structured monitoring and evaluation processes to ensure sustained and effective delivery.

15. The success of Operation Crackdown in driving drugs enforcement activity and the implementation of the Arrest Referral Schemes will be developed within the new strategy. The lessons learned from previous pilot projects will be incorporated into future operations and disseminated through improved internal communication.

16. The drugs strategy concentrates on two priority areas, ‘reducing supply’, the enforcement strand of the strategy and ‘demand reduction’, which includes harm reduction and education. Emphasis is given to supporting communities and the partnership element is increased to include both enforcement and harm reduction activities.

17. The strategy has been designed to support the MPS objectives. Particular emphasis is given to addressing those areas where drug abuse and trafficking impact on communities and are linked to either violent crime or terrorism. These areas will be highlighted through enhanced strategic intelligence. Additional emphasis will be given to increased use of financial investigation, asset seizure and confiscation.

Implementation and monitoring

18. Implementation of the strategy will be the responsibility of the Head of the Drugs Directorate and co-ordinated through the service-wide Drugs Strategic Committee. Quarterly reviews will be carried out to maintain momentum and ensure that the strategy is achieving its aims. Where it appears that there is non-compliance, or it is not being effectively implemented inspection and review procedures will be instigated.

Measurement

19. A comprehensive action plan has been developed to deliver the strategy. Performance indicators, taking account of borough targets and best value indicators will support the key measures of success of the strategy. During ‘Year 1’ ending January 2004, base line data will be collected in support of setting future targets.

20. Both qualitative and quantitative measures will be used. These will include questions within the public attitude survey on public perceptions in relation to the drug dealing activity and police performance.

Best value performance indicators

21. The Home Office has set best value performance indicators for enforcement and arrest referral. The enforcement data is collected by the Home Office is inadequate to provide a measure of activity or success and additional performance measures are being developed to address this.

C. Equality and diversity implications

The Strategy specifically aims to work with partners to ensure an effective problem solving approach to drug related problems which affect communities.

D. Financial implications

The cost of each strategy strand will be evaluated as part of the monitoring process. Additional funding in support of the strategy is being sought through the CAD funding bids presented to the Home Office in July 2002.

A bid for SR2002 funding for a drugs task force was submitted in December 2001. The result of this bid is anticipated in September 2002. 

E. Background papers

• None

F. Contact details

Report authors: DAC Michael Fuller and Inspector Stuart Dark, Drugs Directorate, 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