Minutes

Minutes of the meeting of the Metropolitan Police Authority held on 23 July 2009 at Chamber, City Hall, The Queen’s Walk, London, SE1 2AA.

Present

Members

• Boris Johnson (Chair)
• Kit Malthouse (Vice Chair)
• Jennette Arnold
• Reshard Auladin
• John Biggs
• Faith Boardman
• Christopher Boothman
• Valerie Brasse
• Victoria Borwick
• Cindy Butts
• James Cleverly (from agenda item 3)
• Dee Doocey
• Toby Harris
• Kirsten Hearn
• Jenny Jones
• Clive Lawton
• Joanne McCartney
• Caroline Pidgeon
• Graham Speed
• Richard Tracey

MPA officers

• Catherine Crawford (Chief Executive)
• Annabel Adams (Deputy Treasurer)
• Jane Harwood (Assistant Chief Executive)
• Nick Baker (Head of Committee Services)

MPS officers

• Sir Paul Stephenson (Commissioner)
• John Yates (Assistant Commissioner)
• Anne McMeel (Director of Resources)

Part 1 (Annual Meeting)

15. Apologies for absence and announcements

(Agenda item 1)

15.1 Apologies for absence were received from Neil Johnson, Steve O’Connell, and Deborah Regal.

15.2 The Chairman informed to members of the appointments of Tim Goodwin as Deputy Commissioner and Cressida Dick as Assistant Commissioner, Specialist Crime Directorate and joined members in congratulating them on their appointments.

15.3 Members joined the Chairman in thanking Ken Hunt, MPA Treasurer, following his recent retirement from the Authority.

16. Declarations of interests

(Agenda item 2)

16.1 No declarations were made.

17. Minutes: 25 June 2009 (Part 1)

17.1 Members considered the minutes of the Authority meeting held on 25 June 2009 (Part 1).

Matters arising

Member protocol on confidential items

17.2 In response to members, the Chief Executive confirmed that that the protocol on members handling confidential items, an issue arising out of a Standards Committee, had been drafted and would be considered at a meeting of the Standards Committee in the early autumn.

Sexual violence around buses and night time economy

17.3 It was confirmed that a briefing note on this matter would be circulated in due course.

London Gangs Tactics Board

17.4 The Vice Chairman confirmed that he would be discussing with members how they could feed into the work of this Board.

Resolved – That the minutes of the Authority meeting held on 25 June 2009 (Part 1) be agreed and signed as a correct record.

18. Commissioner’s report

(Agenda item 4)

Police Bravery awards

18.1 The Commissioner introduced to the Authority officers: PS Stephen Hayter, PC Barry Leban, PC Richard Cousins and PC Michael Carroll from the MPS Territorial Support Group who had been voted the bravest officers in England and Wales at the recently held annual Police Bravery Awards.

18.2 The Commissioner informed members that the officers had approached a violent gang member during a routine stop and search in March 2008. This person then pulled a hand gun on the officers which fortunately misfired.

18.3 Members both congratulated the officers on their award and acknowledged that it had been awarded in recognition of the challenging and demanding work that officers perform on a daily basis.

Anniversary of death of Jean Charles de Menezes and ‘7/7’

18.4 The Commissioner reminded members of the anniversary of the death of Jean Charles de Menezes and informed them that he had also attended a memorial ceremony in Hyde Park to commemorate the events of 7/7. He added that regrettably the memorial in Hyde Park had been defaced by obscene graffiti and that this was being invested by the Parks Police.

Performance issues

18.5 The Commissioner presented a report summarising the progress of the MPS against the objectives in the Policing London 2009-2012 Business Plan. The report covered May and June 2009 with data for individual measures reflecting the 12-month period ending 31 May 2009.

18.6 In presenting the performance figures the Commissioner made comment on the release of the tackling knives action programme statistics and that, for London, for the period to the end of June 2009 recorded knife crime showed a decline of 8.2% which equated to 1,000 fewer offences.

18.7 The Commissioner confirmed that youth violence had decreased by 3% on last year, with youth knife crime homicide down by three cases on the previous period last year and serious youth violence down by 8% (157 fewer cases). Members asked the Chair of the Authority, in his mayoral capacity, to lobby central Government for a larger proportion of knife crime funding.

18.8 The Commissioner raised concerns about two areas: gun crime and serious violence. Whilst there was a substantial decrease in gun crime, compared with last year, recent months had seen a worrying increase. He also reported that in the year to date (April to June) there had been an increase in most serious violence and assaults with injury of 3.2% compared with the equivalent period in 2008. The Commissioner stated that he was keen that these short term increases did not become sustained trends and informed the Authority that the MPS had planned significant activity to maintain a focus on serious violence. An example of this was the implementation of ‘Operation Verrano’ a cross MPS operation designed to reduced on-street violence, with an emphasis to gain intelligence, the analysis of which in turn would influence the development of activities including:

• Operation Neon – an overt armed response to intelligence arising from automatic number plate reader.
• The Blunt taskforce
• Town Centre policing operations covering late evenings on Fridays and Saturdays.

18.9 The Commissioner discussed the linkage between domestic violence and homicide. He informed members that there is a possibility that one in six homicides were related to a domestic violence type of cause. While historically, this figure was relatively ‘flat lining,’ domestic violence detection/arrest rate was second only to the sanction detection rate for homicide at approximately 72% which is a significant increase for London. He stressed how domestic violence can relate to the extreme violence of homicide and how important it was for the MPS to remain focused on domestic violence.

18.10 Burglary, it was reported, had shown an increase in recent months and the MPS were actively targeting prolific offenders and cross border burglaries. The Commissioner by way of an example reported that earlier that week 13 people had been arrested in a co-ordinated operation targeting those suspected of involvement in car burglaries across south east London.

HMIC review of G20

18.11 As members were aware the Commissioner had requested that the HMIC review the policing of the G20 policing operation. The HMIC had now published its review and the Commissioner welcomed the recommendations and recognised that the significant challenges, particularly around containment. He added that in relation to the use of force by individual officers he could not comment further as this was an ongoing investigation being undertaken by the IPCC. Members noted that the MPA, through the Civil Liberties Panel, would also be reviewing the HMIC report and recommendations. In addition members also thought that the MPA should be assessing the MPS use of public surveys. In particular, looking at the number satisfaction surveys that are undertaken, the methods used to obtain information and value for money.

18.12 In recognising the challenges that the MPS face, the Commissioner informed members that the MPS were looking at the recommendations and how to learn from them. He confirmed that the MPS would be reporting to the Authority’s Strategic and Operational Policing Committee in October and no doubt it would also form part of the remit of the Authority’s Civil Liberties Panel.

PCSOs

18.13 Following advanced notification of two questions from Dee Doocey, the Commissioner stated that the MPS did not have a policy to reduce police officers patrolling and replace them with PCSOs. In doing, so he added that there is a wide range of activities that PCSOs carried out to improve visibility, including: forming part of the town centre teams; acting as part of the enhanced neighbourhood teams who are performing night duty in places such as Soho and patrolling singly, which might give an impression of an increase in PCSO numbers.

BME and female officers

18.14 In response to the second question, the Commissioner confirmed that the MPS do not have a policy to fast track female or BME recruits, as this would be unlawful. He assured members that all applications were processed in the same manner and tested against the National Recruitment Standard regardless of gender or ethnicity. He added that the MPS continued to aim for a Service that reflected London’s community and the only occasion when a successful applicant might be appointed out of order was if they had specific skills, such as languages, that would benefit the MPS and London’s communities. He also agreed to provide members with details of the current workforce representation of BME officers and in particular Black officer.,

Flu pandemic

18.15 The Commissioner confirmed that as of 22 July 2009 there had been 272 reported cases of suspected or confirmed pandemic (swine) flu among police officers and police staff. He outlined details of strategies and processes that were in place to deal with incidents, including a Gold Group and being linked in with other partners, such as the GLA for pan London responses.

Issues raised by members

Police Officer numbers

18.16 The Chairman reminded members that the police officer numbers in the MPS were at a record level in excess of 33,000. Additionally, this includes the largest recorded number of BME and female officers.

HMIC report – Baby P

18.17 Members asked the Commissioner if the HMIC report into the death of Baby P had been made public and if the report had been made available to a recent review of this case. The Commissioner stated that the report was from the HMIC and that it was confidential. He added that it was therefore a matter for them to decide if they should they wish to disclose it. In relation to the review referred to, he was not sure if the report had been considered and the Chief Executive undertook to find out if it had.

Phone tapping

18.18 Members asked the Commissioner for an update on the investigation into allegations that thousands of public figures had their phones tapped by journalist working for News International.

18.19 On behalf of the Commissioner, AC Yates responded to members and provided them with details of the investigation. He stated that there was no new evidence of criminal activities. AC Yates added that those people who had been subjected to phone tapping would be informed and he would not be giving specific details in a public forum as that was a matter between the MPS and the victim. Arising from the discussion members asked if there was any evidence of police officers being in receipt of payments for information. The Commissioner stated categorically that this was illegal and therefore any officer doing so would be subjected to criminal investigation.

MPS Special Constabulary

18.20 Members, in noting the record number of ‘special officers’ asked for further details on the number of those officers that were currently on active patrol. Members also asked for further details on the range of specific skills that some ‘special officers’ had and methods used to ensure that this important resource was both retained and motivated. The Commissioner confirmed that he would provide members with this information.

Drink fuelled hotspots

18.21 In response to members concerns about possible ‘drink fuelled hotspots’ the Commissioner reported that the MPS had been focusing on town centres with extra patrolling during weekends. He agreed to provide members with a breakdown of those town centre teams.

Gun crime

18.22 In the light of work and initiatives being undertaken around knife crime, some members asked if this had resulted in the increase in gun crimes. The Commissioner acknowledged that there may be some connectivity and the MPS needed to remain aware of this possibility.

Business continuity

18.23 Following a recent power failure in south-east London, the Commissioner reported that a generator at Bexleyheath Police Station had not operated correctly. Members asked if regular checks of such vital equipment were undertaken. The Commissioner stated that equipment was regularly checked and he would feed into the Business Continuity Gold Group members comments .

Homophobic crime

18.24 Members noted the increase in the reporting of homophobic crimes. The Commissioner stated that he believed that this increase was a result of increased confidence in reporting these crimes and added that an increase in borough-based LGBT officers had also resulted in confidence in reporting. The Chair of the Communities, Equalities and Peoples Committee suggested that either that committee or one of its sub-committees could look at around confidence in reporting homophobic crimes and on the impact of having LGBT Liaison officers.

Investigation of crimes

18.25 In response to members’ questions, the Commissioner confirmed that there was no policy that any crimes with a specific faith element to it should be investigated by officers of the same faith.

Restructuring of Sapphire teams

18.26 Members sought further information relating to the restructuring of Sapphire teams into SCD2 and in particular the impact on experienced detectives in such specialist areas such as child abuse. The Commissioner stated that he felt that there were potential disbenefits and benefits of the restructuring, but believed that the benefits outweighed the disbenefits by building towards a central cadre. He added that as part of the restructuring the MPS needed to be aware of potential risks, particularly as a considerable number of staff would be affected. Delivery of ‘sapphire’ at a borough level would remain a key to maintain a degree of connectivity, intelligence and links. AC Yates added that the restructuring would be rolled out, pan-London, by mid-September.

Form 696

18.27 Members asked the Commissioner if he had received a letter from the Chief Executive of UK Music and his suggestion that there needed to be a consultation on the use of form 696 which is used as part of staging music events. The Commissioner could not confirm if the MPS had received the letter. Whilst he was unsure if a consultation process would be effective, he confirmed that he would consider this suggested.

18.28 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 the report be received.

19. Terms of reference of the Civil Liberties Panel

(Agenda item 5)

19.1. At a meeting of the Panel on 9 July 2009 and following further consultation with members the revised terms of reference were presented to the Authority for approval.

Resolved – That the terms of reference of the Civil Liberties Panel be endorsed.

20. MPA/MPS Policing London Annual Report 2008/09

(Agenda item 6)

20.1 Following its deferral at the June meeting of the Authority, members were asked to consider and approve for publication the MPA/MPS Policing London Annual Report 2008/09.

Resolved – That the MPA/MPS Policing London Annual Report 2008/09 be approved for publication.

21. Any other urgent business

(Agenda item 7)

Inquiry/MBPA

21.1 Members noted that an independent investigation was being undertaken in relation to a complaint against the MPA Chief Executive by the Metropolitan Black Police Association. In noting the investigation, members expressed their support and confidence in the Chief Executive in refuting the claims.

Flanagan report into Blair inquiry

21.1 Members asked for details relating to the status of the report considered by the Professional Standards Cases Sub-Committee relating to former commissioner Sir Ian Blair.

21.2 As Chairman of that Sub-Committee, Reshard Auladin confirmed that the report had been considered as a confidential report. The decisions of the Sub-Committee were made public by Sir Ian Blair and his solicitors and the MPA subsequently responded to those comments. The report could not be made public as it contains information about individuals. However, once the Sub-Committee has concluded its business on this matter it may be released albeit heavily redacted. The Chief Executive confirmed that Sir Ian Blair does not have a copy of the report.

22. Exclusion of the press and public

(Agenda item 8)

To resolve that the press and public be asked to leave the meeting during discussion of the remaining item of business because exempt information as defined in paragraphs 3 and 7 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 is likely to be made known.

Part 2

23. Minutes: 25 June 2009 (Part 2)

23.1 Members considered the minutes of the Authority meeting held on 25 June (Part 2).

23.2 Minor amendments were made to minute 14 (para 14.3 replace ‘advisable’ with ‘possible’ and removal of first sentence at paragraph 14.5).

Resolved – That subject to minor amendments the minutes of the Authority meeting held on 25 June 2009 (Part 2) be agreed and signed as a correct record.

24. Any other urgent business

(a) MPA reorganisation

24.1 Members were briefed on proposals for the restructure of the Authority. Whilst supportive of the proposals members expressed concern about the role of Business Management Group (BMG) as a decision maker, and the transparency of the decisions they made. It was therefore agreed that in future notes of BMG meetings would be circulated to all members.

Resolved – That the notes of BMG are circulated to all members.

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 23 July 2009.

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

• Provide details of public surveys undertaken by MPS.
• Provide a briefing note on the MPS Special Constabulary - to include numbers on active patrol, details of the ‘specific special skills’ of officers and retention and motivation issues.
• Provide information on business continuity/checking of equipment (specifically relating to Bexleyheath Police Station).
• Consider further consultation on form 696.
• Provide a breakdown of Town Centre Teams.
• Provide evidence that the recruitment of Black male officers was proportionate.
• Ensure consistency in the reporting of police figures.

2. Provide details of public surveys undertaken by MPS

The MPS has considerable experience and a strong track record in the use surveys to capture insights on the public's preferences and priorities for policing. The cornerstones to this work are two extensive continuous surveys:

3. User Satisfaction Survey [USS]:

A continuous survey to capture timely feedback from victims of burglary, violent crime, vehicle crime, road traffic accidents and racially motivated incidents on the service provided by the police. The Home Office mandates the survey methodology and several of the questions featured across all forces in England & Wales.

4. Public Attitude Survey [PAS]:

A continuous survey to capture Londoners' perceptions of policing, policing priorities and experiences of crime and policing. Introduced in 1983, the survey informs longer-term strategic and shorter-term operational actions to address the problems people face both locally and pan-London. As with the USS above, the PAS is also subject to HO guidance in respect of the technical aspects of survey methodology.

A more detailed briefing on the surveys will be issued to MPA members in due course.

5. Provide a briefing note on the MPS Special Constabulary - to include numbers on active patrol, details of the ‘specific special skills’ of officers and retention and motivation issues.

A full briefing covering all of the issues raised has been sent to the MPA.

6. Provide information on business continuity/checking of equipment (specifically relating to Bexleyheath Police Station).

An update on this matter has been sent to the MPA

7. Consider further consultation on form 696.

AC Allison spoke with Jeanette Arnold to explain all the work that had been done in relation to the form 696, including the consultation that had been undertaken. Jeanette expressed her satisfaction with MPS activity.

The MPS have also submitted a report on Form 696 to the Communities, Equalities and People Committee on 10th September 2009.

8. Provide a breakdown of Town Centre Teams.

A breakdown of town centre teams is contained in the briefing note on the MPS Special Constabulary and has been sent to the MPA.

9. Provide evidence that the recruitment of Black male officers was proportionate.

The data presented in appendix ‘A’ sets out the current MPS demographic by ethnicity for all staff (including specifically police officers) where they have declared their ethnicity. Alongside this is London’s economically active population expressed as a percentage for comparison.

The McPherson recommendations of 1999 acknowledged the need for the MPS and other public bodies to better represent the communities they serve. At that time there was 890 BME Police Officers within the MPS’s 2751 BME staff members. Year on year we are narrowing the gap and increasingly looking like the London we police.

10. Ensure consistency in the reporting of police workforce figures.

We will ensure that the figures contained in the performance report are consistent with the way they are presented within the Business Plan.

C. Race and equality impact

There are no specific race and equality implications arising directly from this addendum report.

D. Financial implications

There are no financial implications arising directly from this addendum report.

Appendix A: Sum of Current Workforce with Stated Ethnicity

The MPS demographic relates to a data trawl as at the 31 Mar 2009. The London EAP data is drawn from the London Labour-force Survey of 2005.

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