Counter-Terrorism: The London Debate

Report: 6
Date: 22 February 2007
By: Chief Executive

Summary

This report presents an analysis of Londoners’ views on terrorism and counter-terrorism. On the basis of this analysis it proposes recommendations for the Metropolitan Police Service and advice for other bodies from the Metropolitan Police Authority on Londoners’ behalf.

The executive summary of recommendations are given at Appendix 1 to this report, which is circulated with the agenda as a separate document.

A. Recommendation

That

1. approval be given to the recommendations for the Metropolitan Police Service listed in the executive summary given at Appendix 1;
2. approval be given to the advice for other bodies listed in the executive summary of Appendix 1;
3. officers in consultation with the Home Secretary’s appointee to the Authority devise an appropriate monitoring mechanism for the implementation of the recommendations approved for the Metropolitan Police Service; and
4. officers in consultation with the Home Secretary’s appointee to the Authority, communicate the advice approved for other bodies appropriately to those other bodies.

B. Supporting information

1. The Metropolitan Police Authority has a statutory duty to hold the Metropolitan Police Service to account for its performance of its national and international functions, including counter-terrorism.

2. In order to provide a well-informed strategic steer to the Metropolitan Police Service for its counter-terrorist activity, the Metropolitan Police Authority decided to consult Londoners to hear first-hand what they want and need from the police – and what the public can offer in return – when it comes to countering the threat of international terrorism.

3. A panel of Members comprising Toby Harris, the Home Secretary’s appointee to the Metropolitan Police Authority, and Reshard Auladin and Cindy Butts, the two Deputy Chairs of the Metropolitan Police Authority, therefore led a programme of consultation with Londoners throughout 2005-6 to ascertain their views on terrorism and how to counter it.

4. Appendix 1 describes the process followed in delivering this programme of consultation, which was entitled ‘Counter-Terrorism: The London Debate’, presents an analysis of the findings, and proposes the panel’s recommendations for the Metropolitan Police Service and advice for other bodies.

5. The Metropolitan Police Authority, under a different but related work stream, also held a further consultation, specifically with disabled Londoners, regarding their needs in terms of emergency planning. This event, entitled ‘The Resilience Conference’, was held on 17 March 2006 at City Hall. A report on the outputs of this event, including recommendations for change, was tabled to the Equal Opportunities and Diversity Board on 7 September 2006. It may be appropriate for the monitoring of the implementation of the recommendations approved at that meeting to be assumed within the ambit of the monitoring mechanism proposed in Recommendation 3 above.

C. Race and equality impact

1. The equality and diversity implications of the programme of activity analysed in this report were covered in detail in the preceding report to Co-ordination and Policing Committee on 3 March 2006. To recapitulate: the programme deliberately put especial but not exclusive emphasis upon consulting sections of London society which either have been insufficiently consulted in the past or which are disproportionately affected by terrorism and counter-terrorism in the capital.

2. An equality impact assessment was performed and approved on the programme of activity analysed in the report.

3. Implementation of the recommendations made and advice offered in this report would do much to redress current inequalities in the way terrorism is tackled in the United Kingdom. Many of the recommendations included and advice offered seek to improve interactions and relationships between the state and specific communities who are presently disadvantaged in this field. Most notable amongst these are Muslims, young people and women.

4. One of the primary purposes of this report is to advocate a more egalitarian approach to counter-terrorism efforts in the United Kingdom.

D. Financial implications

A budget of £29,000 was assigned to this programme of work, as per the costings approved by the Co-ordination and Policing Committee on 3 March 2006. Expenditure on the programme to date, exclusive of officer time, has been approximately £10,000. All costs are thus being met from within existing MPA resources.

E. Background papers

1. ‘Community engagement to counter terrorism (1)’, Full Authority, Metropolitan Police Authority, 26 January 2006.
2. ‘Community engagement to counter terrorism (2)’, Co-ordination and Policing Committee, Metropolitan Police Authority, 3 March 2006.
3. ‘Community engagement to counter terrorism (3)’, Full Authority, Metropolitan Police Authority, 27 July 2006.
4. ‘London Emergency Planning Seminar 2006’, Equal Opportunities and Diversity Board, Metropolitan Police Authority, 7 September 2006.

F. Contact details

Report author: Andy Hull, MPA.

For more information contact:

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

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