Minutes

The minutes published are an edited version

Minutes of the meeting of the Metropolitan Police Authority held on 26 March 2009 at Chamber, City Hall, The Queen’s Walk, London, SE1 2AA.

Present

Members

• Boris Johnson (Chairman)
• Jennette Arnold
• Reshard Auladin
• Faith Boardman
• Chris Boothman
• Victoria Borwick
• Valerie Brasse
• Cindy Butts
• James Cleverly
• Dee Doocey
• Toby Harris
• Kirsten Hearn
• Neil Johnson
• Jenny Jones
• Clive Lawton
• Joanne McCartney
• Kit Malthouse (Vice Chairman)
• Steve O’Connell
• Caroline Pidgeon
• Deborah Regal
• Graham Speed
• Richard Tracey

MPA officers

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

MPS officers

• Sir Paul Stephenson (Deputy Commissioner)
• Tim Godwin (Acting Deputy Commissioner)
• Anne McMeel (Director of Resources)

84. Apologies for absence and announcements

(Agenda item 1)

Apologies for absence were received from John Biggs and Neil Johnson.

85. Declarations of interest

(Agenda item 2)

No declarations were made.

86. Minutes

(Agenda item 3)

Members considered the minutes of the Authority meetings held on 26 February 2009 (Part 1).

Matter arising: Stop and search

Confirmation was given that views on stop and search issues were being sought in order to facilitate the drafting of a report to a future meeting of the Communities, Equalities and People Committee. An undertaking was made that all members would have the opportunity to give their views.

Matter arising: Stockwell Scrutiny

The Chairman reported that he would be writing to Len Duvall to confirm that he would remain on the MPA Stockwell Scrutiny in order to allow business to be concluded.

Matter arising: Corporate Lead for organisational learning

The Commissioner agreed to circulate to members the timetable for identifying an operational lead in the process for delivering organisational learning.

Resolved – That the minutes of the Authority meetings held on 26 February 2009 be agreed and be signed as a correct record.

87. Chairman/Vice Chairman’s update

(Agenda item 4)

The Chairman informed the Authority that since the last meeting of the Authority meeting it was his first opportunity as Chairman formally to welcome the new Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, Sir Paul Stephenson.

He added that the Authority had selected four new Deputy Assistant Commissioners – Sue Akers, Rod Jarman and Stuart Osborne from the MPS and Lynn Owens from Surrey.

Following concerns by the Authority, the Chairman was pleased to announce that the MPS had now established a dangerous dogs unit.

The Chairman reported that the Authority, lead by Kit Malthouse, had now hosted four Joint Engagement meetings (JEMS) and the feedback to date had been positive. As part of these meetings the Vice Chairman of the Authority had chaired a seminar for borough leaders and borough commanders to promote the benefits of joint partnership working across London – and to dispel some of the myths about ‘JEMS’

The Chairman added that elsewhere on the agenda there was a report on the work undertaken by Committees since the last meeting of the Authority. He wished to record his thanks to members for all the detailed work that goes on between Authority meetings to ensure the MPA’s responsibilities are properly discharged and to support the Commissioner and his colleagues in their vital work.

The Chairman added that the Race and Faith inquiry, lead by Cindy Butts, was still ongoing and was progressing well.

Finally, the Chairman paid tribute to Len Duvall, who has now formally resigned from the Authority. He stated that Len was driven throughout his chairmanship of the Authority by a real desire to see policing in London thrive and meet the needs of Londoners. The Chairman confirmed that he had appointed John Biggs in his place.

Resolved – That the report be received.

88. Commissioner’s Report

(Agenda item 5)

The Commissioner presented a report that summarised the progress of the MPS against the objectives in the 2008-2011 Policing Plan for London. The report covered the period between January and February 2009 with data for individual measures reflecting the 12-month period ending January 2009

The Commissioner highlighted a number of areas where there continued to be improvements of performance. These included:

• A 13.7% reduction in knife crime during April to January 2009 compared with corresponding period in 2007/08.
• During April to January 2009 1,914 fewer youth victims of crime, with the number of youth homicide victims down to 18 from 23 compared to the same period in 2007/08;
• The serious acquisitive crime rate was at its lowest level in any rolling 12 month period for 10 years.

In presenting these figures, the Commissioner also raised issues where performance was good, but there was a need for MPS to continue to meet challenging needs. These included:

• The need to continue to build public confidence in services and increase the satisfaction of victims;
• Not to be complacent in relation to the decrease in residential burglaries.
• For work to be undertaken in dealing with business crime; and
• Whilst welcoming the highest police officer numbers recorded to ensure that female and Black and Minority officer numbers increased.

The Commissioner also reported to the Authority on a number of other issues.

Operation Danzey

The Commissioner made a statement to members on Operation Danzey, which related to the investigation into a linked series of rape and sexual assault allegations from June 2002 through to February 2008, in which London black cab driver, John Worboys targeted and attacked vulnerable females travelling home late at night.

He informed members that initially there were fourteen reported offences between 2007 and 2008 and that following a sexual assault in Greenwich in July 2007 an investigation lead to the arrest of Worboys. However, no further action was taken, citing insufficient evidence. He added that In February 2008 a series of sexual offences were identified and subsequently Worboys was arrested. Following an appeal a further 71 women came forward who had not previously reported an offence.

The Commissioner confirmed that following a review into the previous investigation and arrest the case had been voluntarily referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

The Commissioner also outlined to members details of the investigation issues, details and the background of Project Sapphire, which was established to improve rape investigation and victim care.

The Commissioner outlined a number of improvements made by the MPS and these included:

• The development of a new MPS Corporate Serious Sexual Violence Control Strategy, which is currently being consulted on;
• A mandatory training programme for all front line responders, which includes elements on the awareness of drugs facilitated sexual assaults;
• A new policy of a forensic intervention for all serious sexual offences which is managed and monitored by Forensic Services Directorate who continue to provide sexual offences liaison officer training to selected staff
• Standards of initial investigation for rape are monitored on a daily basis by the central Sapphire Team and subject to new performance regimes.
• Maintaining the Sapphire Specialist Advisory Group, which brings together professional and organisational experience from partners, support agencies and academics and the Group provides guidance on policy and supports investigators through case study presentations

In addition the Commissioner confirmed that as part of the wider learning a new Cab Enforcement Strategic Partnership Group, chaired by Transport for London had been established. The Commissioner stated that the aim of this group, which replaces the GLA Safer Travel at Night meetings, is to strengthen partnership working in order to improve safety when travelling by cab. He also confirmed that the NIPA had been consulted about the MPS on the learning from this case, in order to develop the new ACPO and CPS Guidance on investigating rape and serious sexual assaults.

The Commissioner then outlined to members initiatives that have been implemented arising from this case. He stated that the resourcing for sapphire teams across the MPS had previous been determined at a local level by borough commanders, supported by Sapphire at the centre. He felt that this process leads to challenges around the competing demands for detectives and that this needs to be revisited. Following a review he confirmed that the MPS had established a new centralised rape and serious sexual offences command within the Specialist Crime Directorate. This command would provide a dedicated structure and single line of command so that the MPS could provide consistency and accountability across all such investigations. The new command will give MPS wide dedicated 24 hour response and will have ring fenced detectives. He hoped that as the command was being implemented that it would replicate the learning from the creation of the dedicated homicide command.

Whilst noting the good work the relating to Havens, the Commissioner concluded by acknowledging the MPS mistakes in this case and the need to meet the challenges arising from it.

Members welcomed the acknowledgment that there had been service failures and the number of challenges facing the MPS in the investigation of rape and sexual offences cases. In particular, members expressed concern that this case had seriously damaged public confidence and therefore confidence in the reporting of rape.

In noting that the Commissioner was undertaking an investigation in to the issues relating to the failure to arrest John Worboys earlier, members suggested that there was a need to include an independent element in that investigation, which would help restore public confidence. Members also suggested that the MPA needed to consider establishing a separate independent investigation into the case and it was agreed that this suggestion should be taken forward by the Chief Executive, with details presented back to the Authority.

Members also raised a number of other issues including:

• Members sought assurances around resources and officer attrition for investigation of rape and sexual assault cases.
• That the repairing of public confidence was important to reduce the under reporting of these crimes.
• That any investigation into this particular case should address cultural attitudes to the reporting of rape and sexual assaults.
• The importance of training staff dealing with rape and sexual assault cases, particularly improving interaction between officers and victims. Members suggested that training could be better informed by engagement with women’s groups.
• Members asked if there was an increase in drug facilitated sexual assaults.
• In welcoming the development of the Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Command, members asked if the resources would be ‘ring fenced’
• Members asked the Commissioner about crime patterns, including the apparent pattern of sexual assault taking place on certain days and at certain times.

The Commissioner agreed with members that he believed that under reporting of these crimes was an issue and that it had become both a priority and a challenge for the MPS. He also agreed that this particular case had seriously damaged public confidence in the MPS. However, he was confident that the implementation of those areas outlined in his introduction to improve the MPS service would facilitate the reporting and improve confidence. In relation to public confidence he acknowledged that this would also only improve with working with and alongside partners and other organisations such as the Crown Prosecution Service.

He agreed with members that attrition of resources over time was an issue but added that the moving of rape and sexual assault cases into central command would limit this. He also agreed that in relation to drug facilitated sexual assaults there was a need for greater analysis and research in this area, which remained extremely challenging particularly as those affected usually cannot recall all the details of an attack. He agreed that the MPS needed to undertake further work on this matter.

The Commissioner confirmed that crime pattern analysis formed part of an investigation into sexual assaults crime and that this helped form part of the prevention work. The Acting Deputy Commissioner also outlined a number of areas where prevention work was already in place including working with partners as previously outlined.

Babar Ahmad

The Commissioner reported on the recent case surrounding a complaint by Mr Babar Ahmad relating to his arrest by the MPS under the terrorism Act 2003.

In relation to the Commissioner’s review of this case, members felt that the review lacked any independent input and that this would damage public confidence. Members suggested that the Commissioner should consider this aspect further. In addition, members agreed that the MPA should initiate its own independent review of the case and asked that the Chief Executive take this issue forward.

The Commissioner in noting the comments made by members, reassured them that the review would be thorough.

G20

The Commissioner reported to the Authority arrangements in place for the policing of the G20 summit being held at the Excel Centre.

He confirmed that the policing of the event was estimated to be £7m and that Home Office had agreed to pay the additional policing cost of £2m for this event. All police leave had been cancelled with 10,000 officers covering the event.

He confirmed that in line with the Authority’s policy it had proved necessary to designate this event as ‘exceptional circumstances’ and that there were around 5,000 abstractions of officers from boroughs. The abstractions would be undertaken as per a formula to ensure that they were done as fairly as possible.

Individual protection of politicians or dignitaries had been approved by the Commissioner in liaison with Home Office and Commonwealth Office

In the light of this being the first visit to the UK of the new president of the United States of America and the potential interest from London’s BME community, the Commissioner also agreed that media messages about the policing of the G20 summit would be published in the BME press.

Issues raised by members

Firearms/Taser

The Commissioner reassured members that those officers with a conviction for violence and still in post were not permitted to train or use firearms. The Acting Deputy Commissioner confirmed that any officer applying to a post where firearms or Taser could be used would be subject to vetting and if they had been convicted of violence they would be factored out, unless their conviction was minor and spent. In response to members, he added that he would check how many, if any officers who had a (minor) common assault conviction were currently on firearm duty.

Vetting

Members welcomed the improvements in the vetting process, but asked about the quality of vetting. The Acting Deputy Commissioner confirmed that the vetting was subject to quality assurance and agreed to provide members with details of that process and what had been identified over the past last 12 month period.

Special Constables

The Acting Deputy Commissioner undertook to provide members with further details relating to the number of specials that would be part of Operation Tyrol He added that the discrepancy in the London Policing Business and Budget Plan and Metforward which states there are plans for 10,000 and 6,000 special police constables was still subject to negotiation with the Home Office on funding issues

Those issues that the Commissioner undertook to report back on to members have been circulated in the form of an addendum report and are appended to these minutes at Appendix 1.

Resolved – That

1. the report be received;
2. the Chief Executive, in consultation with leading members, take forward the request for an MPA independent investigation into the complaint by Mr Babar Ahmad relating to his arrest by the MPS under the terrorism Act 2003.

89. Metforward

(Agenda item 6)

The Vice Chairman provided an oral update on the development of ‘Metforward’.

He confirmed that as part of the initial consultation on the strategy a number of members had yet to respond. In order to allow them comment it was planned to extend the deadline and report back to the Authority in more detail in due course.

Resolved - That following informal discussion between members a further report be presented to the Authority on Metforward.

90. Policing London business plan and budget 2009/12

(Agenda item 7)

The 2009-12 Policing London Business and Budget Plan has been evolving in line with the objective of improving between the MPA and MPS business and financial planning process. Both officers and members had been involved in the development of the final documents and formulation of the plan and budget.

Following approval of the Mayor’s final 2009/10 budget process on 11 February 2009 and Government announcements on the general policing grant and other specific grants, members now received a report that sought approval of the Plan and Budget for publication by 31 March 2009, as required by statue.

Resolved - That

1. the 2009-12 Policing London Business and Budget Plan (capital and revenue) as required by statute as outlined at Appendix 1to the report be approved;
2. the revised Capital Programme details projects as outlined in the exempt Appendix 3 of the report be approved and
3. the revised Capital Programme prudential indicators as outlined in Appendix 4 of the report be agreed.

91. Reports from Committee

(Agenda item 8)

The Authority received a report outlining key issues that had been considered at recent Authority Committee meetings. The report covered the following meetings:

• Finance and Resources Committee(special ) – 5 March 2009
• Joint Finance and Resources Committee and Strategic and Operational Policing Committee - 5 March 2009
• Strategic and Operational Policing Committee- 5 March 2009
• Communities, Equalities and People Committee – 12 March 2009

92. Action taken under delegated authority

(Agenda item 9)

Members received a report that provided them with details of action taken by the Chief Executive under delegated authority.

Resolved – That the report be received.

93. Any other urgent business

(Agenda item 10)

(a) GLA Group Framework Agreement

A report was considered that sought the endorsement of members which outlined the respective roles and responsibilities in relation to powers and duties given to ‘key’ agencies within the Greater London Authority (GLA) group.

The report was received as urgent as the GLA were keen to progress the framework with the support of functional bodies and within a deadline of 31 March 2009.

Resolved - That

1. the GLA group framework Agreement be agreed; and
2. the progress being made to ensure the MPA has the appropriate codes and protocols in place to ensure it meets the requirements set out in the framework Agreement.

(b) Appointment of member to committee

Following the appointment of John Biggs to the Authority, the Chief Executive confirmed that he had forwarded expressions of interest in joining the Finance and Resources Committee and the Resources Sub-Committee.

The Chief Executive added that in line with protocol, John Biggs should be appointed link borough member of boroughs in his GLA constituency, namely; Barking and Dagenham; Newham and Tower Hamlets.

In order to facilitate this Faith Boardman had agreed to stand down as link borough member for Tower Hamlets and Toby Harris from Newham. Barking and Dagenham lay vacant following the resignation of Len Duvall from the Authority.

Faith Boardman had agreed to fill the vacancy as borough link member for Lewisham and Steve O’Connell for Greenwich which were both vacant following the resignation of Len Duvall from the Authority.

The appointments would be until the annual meeting (2009) of the Authority.

The Authority in noting the appointments thanked both Faith Boardman and Toby Harris for acceding to the protocol on borough link membership and for the work that they had undertaken in these boroughs.

Resolved – That

1. John Biggs be appointed to the membership of the Finance and Resources Committee and the Resources Sub-Committee until the annual meeting of the Authority;
2. John Biggs be appointed as borough link member to Barking and Dagenham; Newham and Tower Hamlets
3. Faith Boardman and Steve O’Connell are appointed as borough link members for Lewisham and Greenwich respectively.

94. Exclusion of press and public

(Agenda item 11)

As members had no comments to make on item 12 and 13 it was not necessary to exclude the press and public for these items.

95. Policing London business plan 2009-12 exempt annex 1 appendix 3

(Agenda item 12)

Members noted the exempt appendix 3 to agenda item 7.

96. Minutes of authority meeting: 26 February 2009

(Agenda item 13)

Members considered the minutes of the Authority meetings held on 26 February 2009 (Part 2)

Resolved – That the minutes of the Authority meetings held on 26 February 2009 (Part 2) be signed and agreed as a correct record.

The meeting closed at 12.00 noon

Metropolitan Police Authority 30 April 2009

Addendum to the Commissioner’s Report

Report by the Commissioner

This report follows up on the actions and commitments made verbally by the Commissioner at the Full Authority meeting on 26 March 2009.

The Commissioner committed to provide an update to Members on the following issues:

• Timetable for appointment of corporate lead for organisational learning.
• Undertaking of further work/analysis/research on drug facilitated sexual assaults.
• Ensuring media messages about the G20 summit are included in the BME press.
• The number of officers with common assault convictions and who use either firearms or taser.
• Feedback on the quality assurance of vetting and details of issues identified over the past 12 months.
• Details of Operation Tyrol, including the number of special officers involved.

Corporate lead for organisational learning

1. Members asked for the timescale for the appointment of an MPS lead for delivering organisational learning. The MPS is currently reviewing its organisational learning as part of its work on developing its performance management frameworks. Proposals will be considered by Management Board in May prior to a report being submitted to SOP Committee in June.

Further work/analysis/research on drug facilitated sexual assaults

2. A briefing note has been prepared for members which considers whether there have been any recent changes to the reporting of drug facilitated sexual offences in light of recent high profile media coverage of Operations Danzey and Anflora. The briefing includes restricted information and is therefore circulated to members only.

3. Further research is underway into crime patterns to inform the work of the project board overseeing the establishment of the new Sapphire teams. MPA Committee Service will ensure this research is reported to Strategic and Operational Policing Committee in due course.

Ensuring media messages about the G20 summit are included in the BME press

4. MPS media messages about the summit were made available to BME press. As well as dealing with national and regional media the MPS Directorate of Public Affairs worked closely with the Foreign Press Association (FPA) and other international news organisations such as Associated Press in the lead up to and throughout the G20 to keep international media, which includes a number of media organisations accessed by and of interest to BME audiences in London, informed and updated. This included:

• An invitation to a press briefing for international media via the FPA on 30 March 2009 to discuss the policing arrangements of the G20. Several interviews were also given afterwards.
• On 31 March a photographic/filming opportunity was held at the Met’s Special Operations Room in Lambeth for media to see where and how the whole operation would be overseen. International and BME media attended.
• A dedicated webpage with G20 updates was produced and publicised to media including international through the FPA. A link to the general MPS media website (which includes other news, statements, appeals etc) ensured interested press including other BME and specialist media could access the updates.
• Interviews were available and facilitated where possible during the event on 1 and 2 April.

5. From initial media monitoring up to and beyond G20 a number of BME media titles did carry MPS lines about the policing of the event.

The number of officers with common assault convictions and who use either firearms or taser.

6. In response to a Freedom of Information request it was identified that between 2002 and 2008 seven serving police officers had received convictions for common assault. Following a request from members, a review of these officer’s records can confirm that none of them are Authorised Firearms Officers (i.e. they are not authorised to use a firearm or taser).

Feedback on the quality assurance of vetting and details of issues identified over the past 12 months

7. A report on vetting including quality assurance of vetting, will be reported to the Strategic and Operational Policing Committee in June.

Details of Operation Tyrol, including the number of special officers involved.

8. Operation Tyrol builds on the introduction of the twenty-one Safer Transport Teams in 2007. Staff are partly funded by Transport for London (TfL) and under the Service Level Agreement cannot be used for other borough activities. The four main objectives of Safer Transport Teams are to:

• Tackle local crime and disorder priorities, as agreed at the Joint Transport Action Group (JTAG), on and around the bus network.
• Improve passenger and staff perception of safety and security on and around the bus network. Reduce crime and anti-social behaviour on and around the bus network.
• Increase public confidence in and satisfaction with the policing on and around the bus network.

9. In 2008, three pilot sites were introduced at prominent transport hubs in the boroughs of Croydon, Newham and Haringey. After a successful pilot full time teams consisting of 1PS, 1 PC and 7 PCSOs were introduced. A further 29 sites were identified.

10. The hub teams have the same priorities as Safer Transport Teams but focus their activities on pre-determined areas around the transport hub. At certain locations this might involve close working relationships with the British Transport Police and the relevant bus and underground companies.

11. Since the inception of phase 3 of Tyrol, and the hub team launches, there has been a drive by the Metropolitan Special Constabulary (MSC) to assist and work with the Tyrol hub teams to increase the enforcement arm by having uniformed Special Constables patrolling hub team areas across the MPS.

12. As the teams are rolling out BOCU's are aligning their existing MSC complement to work on the hub areas and are actively recruiting MSC to increase their complement to fulfill the MSC commitment to this project.

13. It is anticipated that there will eventually be up to 50 MSC patrolling each transport hub area working various shifts including MPS civilian staff released on the 'Employer Support Programme'.

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