Minutes - draft

These minutes are draft and are to be agreed.

Minutes of the Strategic and Operational Policing Committee of the Metropolitan Police Authority held on 15 October 2009 at 10 Dean Farrar Street, London SW1H 0NY.

Present

Members

• Reshard Auladin
• Chris Boothman
• Cindy Butts (Item 4 to 5)
• James Cleverly
• Toby Harris (Vice Chair)
• Neil Johnson
• Jenny Jones
• Joanne McCartney

Also in attendance: Valerie Brasse

MPA officers

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

MPS officers

• Ailsa Beaton, (Director, DOI)
• Caroline Bates (Det C Supt SCD2)
• Clive Chalk (Supt, DPS)
• Cressida Dick (AC,SCD)
• Carol McDonald (Head of PIB, DOI)
• Janice McDonald
• Anne McMeel (Director or Resources)
• Guy Morgan (Ass Director, DLS)
• Mark Simmons (Commander, TP)
• Ian Thomas (C/Supt, CO11)
• Moir Stewart (Cdr, DLS)
• Mike Wood (Cdr, SO Security)

40. Apologies for absence

(Agenda item 1)

40.1 Apologies for absence were received from Jennette Arnold and Caroline Pidgeon (members).

41. Declarations of interest

(Agenda item 2)

No declarations of interest were received.

42 Minutes: Strategic and Operational Policing Committee 3 September 2009 and 9 July 2009

(Agenda item 3)

Resolved – That the minutes of the Strategic and Operational Policing Committee (Part 1) held on 3 September and 9 July 2009 be agreed and signed.

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

(Agenda item 4)

Palace of Westminster incursion

43.1. The Cdr, SO Security, gave an oral report on the incursion at the Palace of Westminster. He stated that two vehicles with four ladders had stopped in St Margaret’s St and protesters had used ladders to gain entry to the roof of Westminster Hall via the visitor centre’s roof within 1½ minutes. Following negotiation, the protesters had eventually come down off the roof and had been arrested. They had been released them on bail until January 2010, with the condition of staying away from the Palace of Westminster. A report on the incident would be presented to the AC, Specialist Operations, within two weeks, and vulnerability study was being completed. This would be considered by a joint parliamentary committee on 19 October The Cdr, SO Security, added that it was Parliament’s prerogative to agree its security arrangements and that a further three year security contract for the Palace of Westminster was in the process of being again given to the MPS.

43.2. In answer to questions, members were told that an officer had been on the scene of the incursion in 30 seconds and that no physical damage had been caused. It was noted that MPs and Lords would ask how predictable such an incursion was given similar events in the past, and that the incident highlighted the level of staffing and funding when Parliament was not sitting. Members also asked about the danger of protestors being shot. The Cdr, SO Security, said that Parliament could decide to rail the Palace of Westminster off or completely surround it by guards.

HGV Education Unit

43.3. Members noted that TfL was no longer funding the HGV Education Unit. The Unit had 11 officers, funded by TfL, who amongst other things were responsible for stopping and checking lorries, of which 77% were found to be deficient. Members were informed that the primary function of the Unit was education, and that this function would now be fulfilled by the HGV trade association. The MPS would continue to enforce traffic legislation.

43.4. It was also noted that TfL was also cutting funding to the Camera Safety Partnership. Members noted that this illustrated that core MPS functions were often funded by other organisations and that this funding could be lost in the present economic climate.

43.5. Later in the meeting, members were told that the Unit consisted of three sergeants and nine PCs. These officers were primarily engaged in education but were also traffic officers. Members were also informed that the Traffic OCU was being reviewed.

Resolved – That the oral updates be received.

44. Directorate of Information thematic performance report

(Agenda item 5)

44.1. The Committee received a report summarising the Directorate of Information’s (DoI) performance against its key business group targets and the MPS Information Communication and Technology Strategy 2006-9. It highlighted shortfalls, corrective actions and financial implications and described how DoI was developing its contribution to the single measure of performance (that of confidence in the police and local councils) and its role in delivering the Policing Pledge.

44.2. Members asked about the Points of Presence (PIPs) pilot and were told these were unmanned terminal kiosks where the public could report crimes etc. In answer to a question about freedom of information (FoI) requests, the Director of Information stated that a ‘gold’ group was now be formed to provide a planned response where an immediate response could not be given. Members asked why the target was not 100% instead of 90%. They were told this was to give an achievable target, as some questions could not be answered in 20 days.

44.3. Members queried the phrase in para 16 of the report “…on average, 47% of BOCUs are achieving ‘excellent’ or ‘good’.” They were told that the threshold had recently changed from 97% to improve data quality.

44.4. Members noted that the Operational Personal Digital Assistants (PDA) pilot went live in August to a group of traffic officers to test the functionality of the device as well as the issuing of Fixed Penalty Notices. The Director of information said that feedback was thus far positive and she would like to see all officers having this facility. The Chair asked if the Home Office was still funding the pilot and was told that funding was running out and out a business case would be needed to continue with it.

44.5. Questions were also asked in relation to an OJEC notice for the Digital & Electronic Forensic Services (DEFS) which provided state of the art technology in extracting and analysing evidence from seized electronic material for investigating officers. Members were told that this function had grown in nine years from a small section staffed by post graduates to a commodity service. It was the commodity part of the business that was being outsourced. Members asked of the MPS/MPA liability if the outsourced work was leaked. They were told outsourcing was only done if it was safe and cheaper than keeping the function in house. Members asked about retaining some investigative capability within the MPS. They were told that losing the commodity work made the MPS a more attractive employer to high quality staff.

Resolved – That the report was noted.

45. MPS position on Home Office Data Hub requirements

(Agenda item 6)

45.1. The Committee received a report stating that the Home Office was implementing a data hub that would hold detailed record level data from force crime and HR systems for statistical and research purposes. The Home Office saw significant benefits to the government in having a better source of police information to support research and publication of statistics. However, for data protection reasons, the MPS was concerned this would give the Home Office and researchers access to a wide set of detailed data. There were also cost and other implications for forces arising from implementing links to the data hub. Discussions were continuing with the Home Office regarding these concerns. The Director of Information stated that since the report had been written the MPS had received legal advice that the Commissioner was the ‘data controller’ for the purposes of FoI. She added that the Home Office had clarified that there was statutory basis for its data request and it had reduced the level of detail required. However the MPS remained concerned and a meeting was now planned between the Home Office, MPS and Information Commissioner’s Office.

45.2. Members asked about the cost of the interface and were told that it was £100,000. They also asked about the position of ACPO and the APA in regard to the matter. They were told that ACPO had said the information belongs to chief constables so the APA should not be involved. The Chair felt this was a premature decision and the Director of Information stated that ACPO was developing its position. Members felt that as the Home Office requirements involved expenditure, police authorities were involved as they were responsible for value for money and so the APA should be engaged. It was agreed that a rider would be added to the recommendations to the effect that the members recognised the MPS’s reservations. The Chair added that the Authority wished to see to a report in advance of any agreement and this should outline how the MPS was going to guarantee the safety of its data.

Resolved – That

1. members approve the approach taken by the MPS;
2. recognised the MPS’s reservations; and
3. a further report be received in advance of any agreement.

46. Headline performance report

(Agenda item 7)

46.1. A report was received 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.

46.2. Members were told that it was becoming more difficult to reach the BME recruitment target as police recruitment had slowed due to fewer than expected officers resigning/retiring. There were also informed that retaining officers with specialist skills for the Olympics was no longer had been resolved.

46.3. Members noted that the latest Home Office data showed “The Offences Brought To Justice (OBTJ) rate for serious sexual offences for the MPS was 24.8% and that it was fourth in its Home Office group of three other ‘most similar forces’. They asked what the OBTJ rate was for the highest achieving force.* Members also asked about the variations in borough performance and were told about the performance management regimes in place and support that was offered.

46.4. Members were informed that the challenge in burglary had moved from inner to outer London boroughs and that the MPS were working with coterminous forces to bring the crime figures down. Members asked if this was to do with patrolling patterns in outer boroughs, but were told that 10% of burglaries were attributed to theft of car keys, and it was in the outer boroughs where cars could be seen on drives.

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

(Post meeting note: The OBTJ rate was the highest in Greater Manchester Police which achieved 38.1% followed by West Midlands with 37.1%.)

47. Learning from murder and serious violence

(Agenda item 8)

47.1 The Cdr, TP, introduced a report on the lessons learnt by the MPS in respect of recent high profile cases in relation to homicide and serious violence (including rape).

47.2 Members noted the problems caused when inter-agency cooperation broke down and asked who was driving this forward. They were told that this was invariably the MPS, although the Strategic Management Board was developing ‘multi agency public protection arrangements’ (MAPPA). Members also asked about officer training due to a recent high profile incident. Members were told that there was organisational learning from this incident and that all front line officers were receiving training on dealing with sex offences. So far 65% of PCs and 75% of PCSOs had received the training.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

48. Transfer of responsibility for rape investigations

(Agenda item 9)

48.1 A report on the transfer of responsibility for the investigation of rape and serious sexual offences from TP to SCD had been received by the Committee in May. This report outlined the activities completed and the key remaining risks.

48.2 Members asked about staffing and were told that 100 officers were on secondment to SCD2 and it was hoped half would apply to stay. There were not a large pool of Sexual Offence Investigative Techniques (SOIT) trained officers to select from and the MPS was training PCs during Nov/Jan/Feb/Mar and seeking to recruit trained detectives externally. Members asked if secondees were distributed equally and were told that they were by Region, as were vacancies. Members asked how training was prioritised and were told that those who were staying were receiving training first. Members noted the number of officers who were not specialists or trained. The Det Ch Supt, SCD2, stated that the situation was better than in the past and that at least half of every team had received additional training created just for SCD2. Members asked how the risks were being mitigated and were told that the MPS was comfortable with the direction of travel, but acknowledged that, in an ideal world, all officers would be trained. Members were told that until recently there had been no specific training on sexual offence investigations for Sapphire teams in existence and that secondees were all fully trained detectives or trained SOITs and fully vetted for the role.

48.3 Members recognised the shortage of detective constables and asked if moving them to SCD2 exacerbated problems elsewhere. They were told it had a low impact. Members also noted that 59% of the officers were women and, whilst acknowledging the success this represented in terms of diversity, felt that this could bring other challenges. The Det Ch Supt, SCD2, acknowledged this was a challenge, but added that succession planning was in place.

48.4 Members also asked if advice was taken from victims in formulating SOIT training and about the facilities available for interviewing victims. They were told that each borough had a ‘comfort suite’ where vitims can go on first attending stations and some have more than one, but there was not a suite at every police station. In answer to questions, members were told that there were four SOIT trained officers on duty every night, plus 4 DCs and a DS. Members noted that the community engagement strategy did not mention the MPA’s Domestic Violence Board, and were told since the report was written & the Board extended to cover Sexual Violence, such a link had been made.

48.5 The Chair requested that a further report be received on the transfer of responsibility from TP to SCD in six months time and that it should include performance.

Resolved – That

1. members note the report, which was provided as an update to a previous report to this Committee on 7 May 2009;
2. members note the budget realignment of £21.497m (2008/09 figures) from TP to SCD to reflect the transfer of functions between business groups; and
3. a further report, including performance would be received in 6 months time.

49. Police authority inspection update

(Agenda item 10)

49.1 This report updated members on the police authority inspection due to take place at the end of November 2009. It provided details on the timing and content of the inspection process. The Deputy Chief Executive reminded members that that there would be a briefing session for them on the subject on 23 October, and that the inspection team would be contacting members to participate in interviews.

Resolved – That members note the report and begin preparation to take part in the process.

50. Report on the sub-committees of the Strategic and Operational Policing Committee

(Agenda item 11)

50.1. A report was received containing a summary of reports received by the sub committees of Strategic and Operational Policing Committee.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

51. Exclusion of Press and Public

(Agenda item 12)

51.1 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.

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

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