Petitions

Report: 4
Date: 27 April 2006
By: Chief Executive and Clerk

Summary

Two petitions will be presented to the Authority:

1. The first will be presented to the Authority calling for more police on the beat in Chipping Barnet.
2. The second petition presented to the Authority which seeks additional resources to allow Manchester Road Police Station to remain open for longer hours and following the growth in population and policing needs in the Isle of Dogs area, seeking a more tangible police presence in that area.

A. Recommendation

That members receive the petition.

B. Supporting information

Chipping Barnet

1. The first petition, signed by 1,460 people, is to be presented to the Authority by Mrs Theresa Villiers MP in the following terms:

“We the undersigned call on the Home Secretary and the Mayor of London to put 120 more police officers on the beat in Chipping Barnet.” Mrs Villiers is keen to present this petition to the MPA as the Authority directly concerned in determining the number of police officers allocated to Barnet.

2. The Chief Executive proposes the following response:

“The Resource Allocation Formula is the basis for allocating police officers to boroughs (apart from those in the Safer Neighbourhood Programme). The nature of policing and the assessment of need is such that the RAF can never have the accuracy of a scientific formula. However, it is generally accepted as the fairest and most robust means of allocating available police officers to boroughs. It is only arrived at following an extensive consultation process in which all stakeholders can take part.

The terms of the petition do not explain why Chipping Barnet residents see the need for 120 additional officers. If there are particular policing issues then I am sure that the Borough Commander would like to have the opportunity to consider how he could respond. However, Barnet does not figure highly in serious or violent crime such as murder, assault, robbery or rape. Nor does the borough have a high level of overall crime when compared to other boroughs in London. Given that the resources are finite, additional police numbers in one borough could only be achieved at the expense of other boroughs.

The officers allocated to boroughs are, of course, only part of the story. In addition there is a range of specialist units and officers, such as murder teams and child protection teams, who work alongside their borough colleagues as necessary.

Finally, the Safer Neighbourhood programme is bringing a significant change to the way that local policing is carried out in partnership with local people and agencies and offers the opportunity for local people to influence the police response to local problems. All areas of London will have a Safer Neighbourhood team by May 2006.”

Isle of Dogs

3. A second petition has been received and signed by in excess of 1,500 people. Philip Briscoe presents the petition, on behalf of residents on the Isle of Dogs. It seeks the Authority to recognise the growth in population and policing needs on the Isle of Dogs and requests the provision of additional resources to allow the Manchester Road Police Station to remain open for longer hours, particularly in the evenings. In addition, the petition asks if a more tangible police presence can be demonstrated to residents of the Isle of Dogs.

4. The Chief Executive proposes the following response

“The issue of extended police station opening hours has been an issue on the Isle of Dogs for many years.

The front office currently opens Monday to Friday, from 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. (closed for an hour for lunch) However, the Borough Commander plans to change opening hours to noon to 8.00 p.m. in response to community demands.

Limehouse Police Station is open twenty-four hours and is no more than 2 miles away from the furthest point on the Isle of Dogs. The front counter is used almost exclusively for non-urgent matters.

The perception that if Manchester Road Police Station office is not open then the Isle of Dogs is not being policed is unjustified. Police cover the Isle of Dogs at all times of the day and night and this is not dependant on the front office being open. As well as Tower Hamlets response team coverage, the Island has two Safer Neighbourhood Teams which work late turn and weekend duties.

The Safer Neighbourhoods Teams are engaged in a number of initiatives with the local community working to deal with concerns in the area. Their recent achievement include; dealing with anti social behaviour in the Manchester Road area; eradicating anti social behaviour by youths on motor cycles in the area; and working with partners to reduce anti social behaviour around the Millwall Outer Docks area.

I am confident that the link member for Tower Hamlets will want to seek continuing confirmation from the Borough Commander that the policing needs of the residents of the Isle of Dogs are fully understood and met.”

C. Race and equality impact

No direct implications in relation to the process of presenting petitions.

D. Financial implications

No direct implications in relation to the process of presenting petitions.

E. Background papers

None

F. Contact details

Report author: Simon Vile, Head of Secretariat, MPA

For more information contact:

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

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