Minutes

Minutes of the meeting of the Metropolitan Police Authority held on 26 July 2007 at 10 Dean Farrar Street, London, SW1H 0NY.

Present

Members

• Len Duvall (Chair)
• Reshard Auladin (Deputy Chair)
• Cindy Butts (Deputy Chair)
• Tony Arbour
• Jennette Arnold
• Richard Barnes
• Faith Boardman
• Dee Doocey
• Nicky Gavron
• Toby Harris
• Kirsten Hearn
• Peter Herbert
• Elizabeth Howlett
• Jenny Jones
• Joanne McCartney
• Karim Murji
• Bob Neill
• Aneeta Prem
• John Roberts
• Richard Sumray

MPA officers

• Catherine Crawford (Chief Executive)
• Ken Hunt (Treasurer)
• Nick Baker (Head of Committee Services)

MPS officers

• Sir Ian Blair (Commissioner)
• AC Steve House
• A/AC Rose Fitzpatrick
• Anne McMeel
• Stephen Rimmer

18. Apologies for absence

(Agenda item 1)

Apologies for absence were received from Damian Hockney, David Riddle (Deputy Chief Executive) and Paul Stephenson (Deputy Commissioner).

19. Declarations of interest

(Agenda item 2)

No declarations were made.

20. Minutes

(Agenda item 3)

Members considered the minutes (Part 1) of the Authority meeting held on 28 June 2007.

It was noted that Bob Neill attended the meeting and his name be added to the minutes.

With reference to Part 1 Minute 9 ‘Review of Standing Orders’ it was agreed that the implementation of standing orders be deferred until October 2007 in order to allow the MPS to comply with the proposed changes.

Resolved – That

1. Bob Neill’s attendance at the meeting be recorded in the minutes of the Authority meeting held on 28 June 2007 and they then be confirmed and signed as a correct record; and
2. with reference to minute 9 of the minutes ‘Review of Standing Orders’ – the implementation of the standing orders be deferred until October 2007 in order to allow the MPS to comply with the proposed changes.

21. Minutes of committees

(Agenda item 4)

The minutes of the following committees were received for information:

• Equal Opportunities and Diversity Board – 24 May 2007
• Co-Ordination and Policing Committee – 7 June 2007
• Corporate Governance Committee – 15 June 2007
• Co-ordination and Policing Committee – 18 June 2007
• Professional Standards and Complaints Committee 19 July 2007

Resolved – That the minutes of Committees be received and noted.

22. Chair’s update

(Agenda item 5)

Independent Custody Visitors

The Chair updated the Authority on issues concerning the review (?) of the Independent Custody Visitors (ICV) Scheme and the move to align it with the National ICV Scheme.

He confirmed that meetings with ICV panels were taking place and acknowledged that there were concerns from some ICVs and that these issues needed to be discussed. The Chair reiterated the need for this discussion to be conducted through John Roberts, the lead member on ICVs, and where possible that link members kept informed on progress and decisions made.

Members of the Authority agreed with the Chair that the ICV review should be led by John Roberts and thanked him and the ICV team for their work during the review.

‘Cash for honours’ Investigation

Following a request from members, the Chair commented on the recent announcement that Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had recommended that no charges be brought in relation to the MPS investigation on this issue.

The Chair confirmed that he had asked the MPS to present a report to the Authority concerning this matter. The report would focus on issues such as the investigation, the briefing of the press and police conduct and be heard in the public session of an Authority meeting. He added that he was satisfied with the leadership and conduct of the investigating team.

Members welcomed the report and requested that it include an explanation for the timeliness of the investigation and details of counsels’ opinion for not proceeding. In response to members, the Chair agreed that the report be presented to the Authority within three months.

Resolved – That the Authority receive a report on the ‘cash for honours’ investigation.

23. Question to the Authority

(Agenda item 6)

The Authority, in accordance with Standing Order 2.7, received the following question from Val Shawcross, GLA member:

'I am extremely concerned that I am told that Lambeth is very likely to be losing several of its very competent senior police offices within a short period of time. The gangs, drugs and armed crime issues in Lambeth are very challenging and spill over into neighbouring areas. What priority is the MPA and MPS giving to making sure that Lambeth police are securely led and fully staffed at middle and senior levels? Are you satisfied that the Met are focussed as they should be on staffing issues, especially succession planning, in territorial policing as I am now likely to be dealing with the 6th police Borough Commander for Lambeth in 8 years'.

The Chief Executive informed the Authority that she had, following further internal discussions, updated the response to Val Shawcross’ question. The Chief Executive responded as follows:

‘The MPS recognises concerns and issues relating to the continuity of leadership and relationships tension with police careers.

However, the policing environment within Lambeth will offer significant professional development for senior and middle managers. As such, it will develop competent senior officers who will be selected for promotion or other challenging roles within the MPS.

Stuart Lowe is a prime example and whilst a loss for Lambeth, he has a strong skills profile to perform the borough commander role. He has been posted to Wandsworth, specifically to draw upon his Lambeth background and to tackle cross borough crime issues (as referred to in Val's letter).

Careful and attention is given to selection of senior officers, particularly for Lambeth. The new Borough Commander, Sharon Rowe, is an experienced borough commander and her posting to Lambeth will bring experience, skills and knowledge to the role, which will quickly be seen as an asset.

However, as stated previously, the MPS recognises the need for continuity; and in doing so, Dave Musker will be temporarily promoted as he offers strong understanding of the crime issues facing Lambeth, particularly in Brixton and Alistair Sutherland has remained at Lambeth on promotion for 4 years for these reasons.

Confirmation can be given that at superintendent level, no other officers are transferring and the MPS are currently undertaking a Chief Inspector promotion process and the MPS are confident that suitable candidates will be identified to fill roles at Lambeth.

In 2006/07 Lambeth Borough achieved significant reductions in the key crime categories of residential burglary, personal robbery, motor vehicle crime and violence. In addition, Lambeth also met its target for sanction detections. These results were accomplished whilst demonstrating good fiscal and human resource performance and with particular careful attention given to selection of senior officers for Lambeth.

Lambeth benefited from outstanding leadership resulting in 16 AC/Commissioner’s commendations and crime reduction in all major categories over the last 5 years’.

Resolved – That the Chief Executive’s response be sent to Val Shawcross.

24. Violent Crime Strategy

(Agenda item 7)

Members considered a report that presented the MPS’s draft Serious Violence Strategy. The report assessed the key issues in developing and implementing the Strategy and sought members’ views pending formal approval of the Strategy in the autumn.

As the report had not been circulated in accordance with statutory requirements, the Chair agreed to receive the report on the grounds of urgency, as the Strategy needed to subjected to a consultation process over the coming months and would contribute to the formation of the MPS’ Youth Strategy scheduled to be presented to the Authority in October.

In presenting the report, A/AC Rose Fitzpatrick reiterated the MPS’ core business was to tackle and reduce serious violence and in developing the Strategy she had tried to ensure that it was consistent and complementary with other related strategies on youth, drugs and public protection. She added that the Strategy was unsustainable without the input and support from partners and stakeholders.

Members welcomed the draft strategy and in particular they welcomed the research that showed that violence had a disproportionate impact upon communities in terms of age, gender and ethnicity and that specific implications were being identified through an equalities impact assessment.

Members suggested a number of issues that the Strategy should develop. These included:

• The need to reach those in fear of crime and those who do not usually engage with authorities.
• To link in with the work of the MPA Domestic Violence Board and Race Hate Crime Forum.
• To develop the child abuse strand to include particular issues occurring within the black community.
• Include alcohol related crime, particularly the need to impose sanctions upon licensees on whose premises drug taking or under age selling of alcohol was taking place.
• Include in the Strategy better offender management and liaise with prison and probation representatives and National Criminal Justice Board on issues of repeat offending.
• Ensure that the strands within the Strategy are cross cutting and where appropriate strengthen where they relate to each other.
• Clearly indicate within the Strategy the role and links with other agencies, such as CDRPs and local authorities.
• Ensure that the Strategy can work/deliver across London.
• A clear indication within the Strategy of the role of public protection.
• The development of action plans, a performance framework and the determination of success.
• Members asked that the Strategy contain appropriate language.

In noting the comments made by members, A/AC Rose Fitzpatrick confirmed that the Strategy would be a two year strategy. She also invited members to join a working party to help develop and steer the Strategy.

Resolved – That

1. members’ comments on the draft Serious Violence Strategy be noted; and
2. the following members be invited to join the working party to develop the Strategy:- Jennette Arnold, Faith Boardman, Cindy Butts, Kirsten Hearn, Peter Herbert, Elizabeth Howlett, Aneeta Prem and Richard Sumray.

25. Domestic Violence Board

(Agenda item 8)

The Authority received the Domestic Violence Board annual report, which asked members to agree to the Board continuing its work for a further three years subject to annual review.

The Chief Executive, in introducing the report to the Authority, drew members’ attention to the Board’s annual report and in particular to the forward of the report and added that domestic violence accounted for 1 in 3 common assaults, 1 in 4 cases of actual bodily harm and 1 in 8 cases of grievous bodily harm, but conviction rates remained at just over 10%.

The Chair of the Authority, in welcoming the annual report, asked the Board’s Chair, Cindy Butts to comment. Cindy focused on the work of the Board over the past year and asked that her thanks be noted to those partners, specialist and individuals that had attended and contributed to the work of the Board. She also thanked MPA officers, Hamida Ali, Michael Wadham and Kim Webster for their support and work with the Board.

The Chair of the Board commended the annual report to members and drew attention to the recommendations it contained, including the need to dip sample caution decisions on domestic violence cases regularly, the issuing of clear policy on the use of Safer Neighbourhoods Teams in tackling domestic violence and concerns relating to dual arrests.

In welcoming the report and supporting the continuation of the work of the Board for a further three years members suggested further areas that the Board could consider. These included: recognising domestic violence against disabled people and abuse from carers, same sex partnerships, the elderly and domestic violence against men. Whilst it was acknowledged that there was more work for the Board to consider, some of the areas identified by members had been considered by the Board.

It was suggested that the work undertaken in Westminster with outreach workers would be of interest to the Board and members supported the proposal in Appendix 1 of the annual report that funding be sought for research study into the needs of BME.

Resolved – That

1. the Domestic Violence Board annual report be received;
2. the Domestic Violence Board continue for a further three years, subject to an annual review; and
3. funding for research study into the needs of BME be identified.

26. Review of policing

(Agenda item 9)

Members received a report that provided an update on the independent policing review led by Sir Ronnie Flanagan. The report included an initial response from the Chair of the MPA and the Commissioner, which outlined key points to inform an interim report. A full further submission would be presented in due course.

The Chair of the Authority informed members of recent discussion and debates relating to the Review and the need for the MPA to lead, as it was much more advanced in many areas such as neighbourhood policing and the challenges of cross borough issues than other police authorities.

Members highlighted the particular issue of policing accountability, which remained a complicated matter and it was suggested that direct discussion with Sir Ronnie Flanagan on the Review would be beneficial.

Members also raised a number of other issues which included: concerns relating to the financial impact on the MPS of NCR standards and other national standards; overlap of reviews; a clear indication that safer neighbourhood models will not fit the local challenges faced by other police services ???; issues around dual patrolling; the need to consult with disabled groups; improvements in written documentation; clarification around the impact on reducing bureaucracy and signing on bail reduction; the need for stronger input/collaboration work with Government Office for London; and a consistent approach when working with partners.

Members also suggested that it would be useful to hold a half-day session with borough leaders to discuss cross borough issues and ‘localisation’ matters.

Resolved – That

1. the interim submission to the Policing review be noted;
2. the Chair of the Authority, Chief Executive, Treasurer, Assistant Chief Executive and MPA officers work to develop MPA policy positions; and
3. the MPA policy positions be presented to members during a special policing review session following the October Co-ordination and Policing Committee, which will be open to all members of the Authority to attend.

27. London Community Safety Partnership

(Agenda item 10)

At the Authority meeting in June, members agreed to consider further the MPA representation to the London Community Safety Partnership. It was noted that representation to the partnership should now consist of one MPA member and one MPA officer.

Resolved – That Len Duvall and the Deputy Chief Executive be appointed to the London Community Safety Partnership for 2007/8

28. Commissioner’s update

(Agenda item 11)

Operational and non-operational news

The Commissioner commended the circulated report on operational and non- operational news to members. He drew members’ attention to a number of awards that had been presented to officers and staff and to the details of ‘Operation Telon’. Concerning the latter issue and members concerns that some people arrested had only received cautions, the Commissioner stated that CPS guidelines had been adhered to and those under arrest for suspicion of supplying had not been cautioned.

Performance issues

The Commissioner presented performance information and figures, comparing the period April to June 2007 with April to June 2006.

The Commissioner reported that notifiable offences fell by 6.4%. Following the debate earlier in the meeting on domestic violence, he was pleased to draw attention to the reduction in this area. However, he highlighted his concerns over increases in gun enabled crime and homicides.

Counter terrorism

The Commissioner provided an update in relation to the failed bomb attempts in Haymarket and Park Lane. He praised the bravery of explosives officers who had manually defused the devices.

In response to some members’ suggestion that information that could have located the suspects should have been more widely circulated, the Commissioner supported the decision of senior counter terrorist officers not to do so for operational reasons. Other members supported the need for the MPS to have been extraordinarily cautious about revealing information and praised the investigation for being well conducted.

Protest - Heathrow

Members were informed that a protest was scheduled at Heathrow airport during August. The Commissioner confirmed that although organisers were co-operating with the police, intelligence showed that whilst many attending were expected to be law abiding there were some people attending who could prove to be very disruptive. He confirmed that the British Airways Authority were not financially supporting the policing of the protest. He added that he had concerns that the service could be stretched during this period as there were other events taking place across London.

Other issues

Use of informants

The Commissioner confirmed that he had received a request from members for more details relating to the use of police informants. AC House, on behalf of the Commissioner, briefly outlined the use of informants and the need to restrict information relating to details of their use for protection reasons. He added that when an informant was used, attempts were made by the MPS, based on information provided, to obtain its own evidence. Regarding the payments to informants, he confirmed that assessments were made prior to any payments and the issue of consistency was also considered and added that relevant independent bodies inspected payment details. Toby Harris, Chair of the Authority’s Corporate Governance Committee, added that there was a requirement to scrutinise such payments and to be confident that there was value for money. He added that systems were in place for the Corporate Governance Committee to undertake this scrutiny.

Operation Trident

Following the announcement of another teenager shoot in south London, the Commissioner confirmed that due to the number of shootings over a short period of time, it was becoming increasingly difficult for Operation Trident to be in a position to investigate all such incidents. He added that if it was likely that any additional incident occurred in the near future the incident would have to be investigated outside of Operation Trident.

Article in the Voice newspaper

The Commissioner agreed to write to the Voice newspaper in response to its article that the MPS were failing to meet targets in the recruitment of BME officers. He added that the targets set by the Home Office were unobtainable, but confirmed that recruitment of BME officers and retention of existing BME officer was good and that there was significant uptake from PCSO BME officers in applying to become officers. He was also encouraged by the increase in BME across the service including PSCOs, specials, cadets and voluntary staff.

Waltham Forest CDRP/Safer Schools officers

In response to some members concerns at the lack of Safer School officers in some areas, the Commissioner agreed to report back to members on this matter.

He also agreed to write to the Waltham Forest partners congratulating them on their partnership working.

Additional request for armed police

The Commissioner confirmed that he had written to the Home Secretary requesting funding for the training of more officers to use firearms. He emphasised that he remained committed to the MPS being a predominantly unarmed police service, currently only 10% of officers are armed, but there was a need to have enough officers trained to deal with future events such as the Olympics.

Tour de France

Following the London leg of the Tour de France, the Commissioner informed members he was pleased with the policing of this event and in particular, he was pleased with the new operational centre in Lambeth which co-ordinated much of the policing of the event.

Operation Kratos

The Commissioner confirmed that Operation Kratos was a national operation and was reviewed regularly.

GLA motion

The Commissioner confirmed that he had noted the GLA motion which called for an increase in traffic police. He agreed that there was a need for a debate in the proper place around allocation of resources.

Retention of DNA

Members asked the Commissioner to comment on the retention of DNA of people not convicted of a crime. The Commissioner, whilst acknowledging the benefits of having DNA from an operational point of view, agreed that such retention could be seen as unjustified. He added that he would welcome a debate on this matter, but he felt it was not one, which the police should lead on.

Cash in transit raids

In response to members’ questions, the Commissioner confirmed that there had been an increase in the number of raids on cash in transit vehicles. He confirmed that many of these had been gun enabled and the problem was prevalent in London. Despite this, he added that there had been a number of arrests.

29. Report of the MPA Standards Committee

(Agenda item 12)

A report was received that outlined matters considered by the Standards Committee, which took place on 21 June 2007. In receiving the report members supported, in relation to benefits for members, the decision to provide clear guidance.

Resolved – That the report be received.

30. Members attendance 2006/07

(Agenda item 13)

Members received a report on attendance at MPA bodies to which they were appointed during 2006/07.

Resolved – That the report be received.

31. Urgent Action taken

(Agenda item 14)

A report was considered that informed of action taken under delegated authority on the grounds of urgency, as outlined in the Authority’s standing order 6.1.

Resolved - That the report be received.

32. Exclusion of Press and Public

(Agenda item 15)

Members considered and agreed Part 2 of minutes of the meeting held 28 June 2007, without comment and therefore there was no need to seek a resolution to exclude the press and public from the meeting.

33. Minutes: 28 June 2007

(Agenda item 16)

Members considered and agreed Part 2 of minutes of the 28 June 2007, without comment

Resolved – That the minutes (Part 2) of the meeting held on 28 June 2007 be agreed and signed as a correct record.

The meeting ended at 1.10 pm

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