Minutes

Minutes of the Strategic and Operational Policing Committee of the Metropolitan Police Authority held on 3 September 2009 at 10 Dean Farrar Street, London SW1H 0NY.

Present

Members

• Reshard Auladin (Chair)
• John Biggs
• James Cleverly
• Toby Harris
• Jenny Jones
• Joanne McCartney
• Caroline Pidgeon

Also in attendance: Faith Boardman (part) and Richard Tracey.

MPA officers

• Jane Harwood (Deputy Chief Executive)
• Ruth Hastings Iqball (Committee Officer)

MPS officers

• Chris Allison (AC, Central Operations) (item 1-5)
• Richard Clark (Director of Strategy) (item 1-5)
• Tracy Dancy (Head of Profession for Intelligence Analysts, Specialist Crime Directorate)
• Cressida Dick (AC, Specialist Crime Directorate)
• Tony Eastaugh (Commander, TP)
• Anna Gardiner, Head of EIDU)
• Ian Harrison (Ch Supt, TPHQ)
• Paul James (Director of Finance Services)
• Anne McMeel (Director of Resources)

24. Apologies for absence

(Agenda item 1)

24.1 Apologies for absence were received Jennette Arnold, Chris Boothman, Cindy Butts and Neil Johnson (members) and Tim Godwin (Deputy Commissioner.)

25. Declarations of interest

(Agenda item 2)

25.1 No declarations of interest were received.

26. Minutes: Strategic and Operational Policing Committee (Part 1) – 9 July 2009 - to agree

(Agenda item 3)

26.1 Members considered the minutes of the above meetings.

26.2 Recommendation 3 of agenda item 13 stated that ‘the recommendation that the Civil Liberties Panel, on behalf of the SOPC, lead a programme of work to consider MPS compliance with Human Rights Act 1998 and consider long term proposals for MPA monitoring and scrutiny be reconsidered’. Members stated that the Civil Liberties Panel had agreed it was not going to lead such a programme of work and that the recommendation should be amended to reflect this. The recommendation was amended to read ‘SOPC would lead a programme of work to consider MPS compliance with Human Rights Act 1998 and consider long term proposals for MPA monitoring and scrutiny.'

Resolved – That the minutes of the Strategic and Operational Policing Committee (Part 1) held on 9 July 2009 be agreed and be signed as a correct record subject to the change outlined above.

27. Urgent actions (if any) and urgent operational issues - oral report (if any)

(Agenda item 4)

Climate Camp

27.1. The AC, CO, gave an oral report on the policing of the Climate Camp. He stated that Chief Supt Ian Thomas as ‘Gold’ and Supt Julia Pendry as ‘Silver’ had done a lot o work embedding the recommendations of the G20 review. About 500 officers were involved. 200 of these were from other forces on mutual aid, and were given appropriate training. The officers were used elsewhere if not required to police the Camp. At the request of those running the Climate Camp, no officers had enter it, however the police had made it clear that they would enter the Camp if necessary.

27.2 Members praised the policing of the event, and felt it was something to build upon after the criticism following the G20 demonstrations. They also noted that the leaders of the Climate Camp allowed fire officers onto the site. It was noted that the next climate camp would be held in Nottinghamshire in October.

Notting Hill Carnival

27.3 11,000 officers had been involved in policing the event, in which ‘Gold’, Cdr Bob Broadhurst, had been supported by Chief Superintendent Mick Johnson as Silver with a number of experienced Bronze Commanders. The event had been preceded by a lot of work with local councils and the organisers on organisation, noise and disorder. The plan to finish the event early and clear the streets had not worked, however floats had been persuaded to turn off their music at 8.00 pm. Pan London activity by TSG intelligence had disrupted gang activity, for instance a gang armed with knives from south London had been arrested at Victoria. Crime appeared to be down, but there had not yet been time to analyse all the reports.

27.4 The AC, CO, added that public order officers had been deployed in normal headgear, but had their protective headgear about their person so it could be used if required, as in the previous year officer had felt unprotected. This use of this tactic had been highly effective as officers had come under sporadic attack as a result of bottles being thrown during this year’s event, though thankfully the violence was far less than last year. The challenge in policing public order events was choosing the right time to don protective clothing and balancing officer safety with what could be perceived as provocation. Members felt the media should be made aware of these complexities.

27.5 The Chair thanks the MPS and officers involved in the policing of these events following the criticism of the policing of the G20 demonstrations.

Resolved – That the oral updates be received.

28. Headline performance report - 12 months to July 2009

(Agenda item 5)

28.1 The committee received a report providing an overview of progress against targets set for Critical Performance Areas and other corporate measures featured in the Policing London Business Plan 2009–12.

28.2 Members noted that ‘most serious violence’ had increased by 0.6% over the period April – July 2009 compared to the same period in 2008 and asked if the picture varied across London. The Cdr, TP, said the picture was complex and that there were large variations across boroughs and added that in addition the Home Office had changed the accounting rules. Members asked for borough breakdowns of crime figures.

28.3 Members were concerned to note that over the 12 months to July, the sanction detection rate for serious sexual offences was 28.1%, against a target of 31% for 2009/10. They were informed that a report on the conviction rate and surrounding issues would be received at the next meeting of the Committee. The Cdr, TP, added that the sanctioned detection rate was also not the most helpful way of looking at the MPS’s service to victims, as a high conviction rate could hide a low rate of reported crime; however the MPS needed to reach the set target. Members also asked if the conviction rate had been affected by the internal changes within the MPS and about the problem profiles that were being completed by the four boroughs with the highest number of stranger attacks. They were assured the changes had not affected the conviction rate and the MPS undertook to provide more information on the four boroughs.

28.4 Questions were asked about burglary, particularly in Merton. The Cdr, TP, informed members about Operation Orion which targeted people with outstanding warrants, adding that Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs) and cross business group working involving Special Operations and the Specialist Crime Directorate were also used to tackle burglary. He added that burglary in Merton was also linked to car theft, not just of new vehicles, but of old vehicles for their scrap value.

28.5 Members asked about Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) recruitment which had reduced since 2008/09 year end, it was agreed a briefing note proving more information would be provided to members. Questions were also asked about the confidence measure and the effect of the criticism of the policing of the G20 demonstrations.

Resolved – That the latest performance against the MPA/MPS Policing Plan and the MPS’s activity underway to improve outcomes be noted.

29. TP thematic performance report (crime data accuracy)

(Agenda item 6)

29.1 A report was received detailing the existing oversight arrangements in relation to crime data accuracy, describing existing risk management of crime data, updating progress against the recommendations made in the MPA Crime Data Recording Scrutiny and considering relevant finance and resource implications and value for money.

29.2 Questions were asked about paragraph 6 ‘DAT (Data Accuracy Team) have a published audit programme....however, due to the activity in relation to Most Serious Violence it has only been possible to undertake very limited audit work in relation to other areas of identified risk’. Members were informed that the work was now on track, and outstanding action would be completed.

Resolved – That

1. the existing arrangements for assuring the accuracy of MPS crime data and the oversight provided for those arrangements be noted; and
2. the existing arrangements for managing the risks associated with crime data be noted.

30. Update on Joint Engagement Meetings (JEMS)

(Agenda item 7)

30.1 This report provided an update on development of the Joint Engagement Meetings (JEMs) joint problem solving process, between the MPS, Greater London Authority (GLA), local authorities and partner agencies. Six JEMs had been held to date and all but three of the remaining boroughs were scheduled to participate before the end of December 2009.

30.2 Members asked if Transport for London engaged in the process. The Deputy Chief Executive stated that it did. She was asked if there were any negatives in the process. She said that that there was reluctance at the beginning of the process and partners had felt they were being held to account but feedback had not been negative.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

31. Update on progress with the policing pledge

(Agenda item 8)

31.1 The Committee received a report summarising the work being undertaken in the MPS to deliver its Policing Pledge – its promise to the public. The report also provided information about the developing performance framework and developmental work that would improve service delivery.

31.2 Members asked about the training provided and noting that SNTs spent 96.2% of their time spent on ward duties asked what the lowest and highest figures were. They asked also to see the reports from the mystery shopping checks. Members were told that training in the Pledge was included in other training. The figures on ward duties and details of mystery shopping would be supplied outside the meeting. Members also asked for the detail to be supplied at borough level. They were told this could be done. The issue of response times in the more rural parts of the Metropolitan Police Distinct was also raised. Members were told this was being re-examined.

31.3 Members noted that only 33% of those surveyed had heard of SNTs and asked how the Pledge fitted into this. They were told that part of the marketing of the Pledge included space on partners’ websites. The Chair added this was an important question and was a weakness identified by HMIC across the country. Borough Commanders had been required to produce action plans arising from a Pledge self assessment process. He asked for a report on these.

Resolved – That

1. the Committee note the report and discuss how it would provide ongoing oversight of delivery of the Pledge; and
2. a report be received on action plans arising from the Pledge self assessment process.

32. Satisfaction gap between white and BME victims of crime

(Agenda item 9)

32.1 This report provided an update regarding the satisfaction gap between white and black and minority ethnic (BME) victims of crime reported to the Committee in April 2009, background information regarding the satisfaction gap and the work currently being undertaken by the MPS to reduce the gap.

32.2 Members noted that there had been a lot of work in this area in the past few years but little improvement. They suggested the MPS look at satisfaction in terms of other factors such as address, age, deprivation and education. The Cdr, TP, said that the MPS did not have that information in relation to satisfaction data, but felt the work being carried out would have benefit in the long run. Members also questioned the term BME, as it didn’t distinguish between old and new communities or identify eastern Europeans. It was noted that young people’s confidence in policing increased when there was a police presence in their schools.

32.3 Members noted the comments in the report about translating letters but cautioned that recipients might not always be able to read their native languages.

Resolved – That

1. the content of the report and progress being made to narrow the satisfaction gap between white and BME victims of crime was noted; and
2. a further report be received in 6 months time

33. The use of analysts in the MPS

(Agenda item 10)

33.1 This report was requested to explain:

• the use of analysts within the MPS and associated career progression,
• whether the current structure made best use of analysts and their expertise, identifying areas for improvement,
• how analysis was shared across the MPS, including how performance and intelligence analysts interact, and
• any issues with recruitment and retention of analysts

33.2 Members asked if analysts used open source data. They were informed that some analysts did, for instance those involved in future planning. The Chair asked how finance and effectiveness were measured and how the MPS knew it was getting value for money from its analysts. He was informed this wasn’t happening at the moment and the working group being set up would look at this and that national performance indicators were being considered. Members also commented on the reported use of analysts for administrative duties and asked for more information on scanning, which was provided.

33.3 Members noted that analysts were less than 1% of the workforce and asked if the MPS underinvested in this area compared to other organisations. They were told benchmarking suggested this was the case, but some within the MPS felt their cost would be better used employing uniformed officers. The Chair suggested greater working with MPA analysts.

Resolved – That

1. the direction of travel contained within the report be noted, and
2. a further report be received in six months.

34. Impact of changes in the use of forensic medical examiners on custody provision

(Agenda item 11)

34.1 A report was received setting out the current position with regard to accessing healthcare provision within the MPS, taking account of the contractual changes in January 2009 and including the arrangements for clinical governance and specialist provision.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

35. ‘Blue Light Museum’ feasibility study

(Agenda item 12)

35.1 This report informed members that Stuart Davies Associates had been commissioned by the GLA to investigate the feasibility of creating a Blue Light Museum which would bring together the heritage collections of the MPS, the London Ambulance Service Museum and the London Fire Brigade Museum.

35.2 The Deputy Assistant Executive noted that the project had legal and financial implications, the project was unfunded at the moment, there were issues over the ownership of objects and that the MPA was not empowered to run a museum. Members felt the latter could be managed if it was regarded as a form of income generation. .

Resolved – That the report be noted.

36. Report on the Sub Committees of the Strategic and Operational Policing Committee

(Agenda item 13)

36.1 This report contained a summary of reports received by the sub committees of the Strategic and Operational Policing Committee.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

37. Exclusion of press and public

(Agenda item 14)

20.1 A resolution was put to exclude the press and public from the meeting during remaining items on the agenda as they were likely to disclose exempt information as described in Schedule 12(a) of the Local Government Act 1972, paragraph 3.

Resolved - That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during discussion of the remaining items on the agenda

Part 2

38. Urgent actions and authorisation for funding of legal representation and authorisation of requests for settlement of civil claims (if any)

(Agenda item 15)

No reports were received under this item.

39. Minutes: Strategic and Operational Policing Committee (Part 2) – 9 July 2009 - to agree

(Agenda item 16)

Resolved – That the minutes of the Strategic and Operational Policing Committee (Part 2) held on 9 July 2009 be agreed and be signed as a correct record.

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