HMIC inspection of Barking and Dagenham BOCU

Report: 6
Date: 13 May 2010
By: Assistant Commissioner Territorial Operations on behalf of the Commissioner

Summary

This report highlights the recent HMIC Inspection of Barking & Dagenham BOCU, sets it within context and indicates action to progress and address the recommendations within it.

A. Recommendation

That

1. Members note this report detailing the recent HMIC Inspection and
2. Appendix outlining Recommendations, Good Practice, Strengths and Areas for Improvement.

B. Supporting information

1. HMIC conducted its BCU Inspection of Barking & Dagenham BOCU between 21-25 September 2009 having completed a ‘Leadership Audit’ between the 17-18th.

2. The final report is yet to be published. The Draft recommendations along with the findings of the ‘Self Inspection’ process have already been incorporated into a wide-ranging Improvement Plan, first quarter progress against which has just been signed off by the Borough Commander.

3. The Inspection took place following what was described by HMIC in its Executive Summary as a “particularly challenging year” in terms of performance for Barking & Dagenham. It is worth noting that the early “green shoots” that were noted by HMIC during their Inspection have now become significant improvements in performance in some areas. There is clearly more work to be done to produce the kind of lasting performance improvements the Borough Commander and his Team wish to see.

4. There are five main recommendations. These relate to, Governance Arrangements; Sanction Detection Improvement; Developing Performance management; Increasing capacity through increased resource leverage; and Development of Key NIM Processes. Action on these recommendations and a range of ‘areas for improvement’ (AFIs) commenced immediately on receipt of the ‘hot debrief in late September and were refined and added to following receipt of the ‘Draft report’ in October 2009.

5. The recommendations are detailed in Appendix 1, which includes an executive summary from the HMIC report, good practice and strengths & weaknesses identified within the draft report.

6. HMIC have drawn up a ‘notional contract’ in which it expects Barking & Dagenham to have improved its MSBCU quartile position in of variety of crime type reductions and sanction detections by the time of their re-visit on or around the 31st of October 2010. The Borough Commander acknowledges the significant nature of this challenge but is confident significant reductions in Most Serious Violence, Residential Burglary, Theft of Motor Vehicle and Serious Youth Violence can be maintained, along with the substantial increases in the sanction detection rates for Most Serious Violence, Domestic Violence, Racist, Religious and Homophobic offences.

7. The ‘Draft Report’ HMIC recommendations and AFIs are featured within a BOCU Improvement Plan. Work is currently on-going to meet both the headline issues and the detailed comments within them. Barking & Dagenham’s Plan also incorporates findings from its own self inspection process that were not pursued by HMIC; other inspections carried out by the DACs Team and the Violent Crime Directorate in 2009; and the findings of the joint MPA/MPS JEMs process, undertaken in September 2009. Together it is felt this forms a comprehensive structure through which to manage and map progress to ensure improvement is delivered.

8. The Leadership and Management Team at Barking & Dagenham BOCU, under the Borough Commander, are under no illusions as to the extent of the challenge. They are encouraged by the significant improvements already being seen and the renewed vigour and morale being felt within the BOCU and the wider Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnership.

C. Race and equality impact

1.  The report identifies the need to update the BOCU’s Diversity Strategy something that the Borough Commander had already identified and begun work on. This has developed into a complete restructuring of the Borough’s Community Advisory Group set up and Community Police Engagement Group. The key objectives centre on working together with the LSP to support the delivery of national objectives in the areas of policing, race equality and community cohesion, together with equipping people with the skills, attitudes behaviours and policies required to effectively contribute to a modernising police service.

2. Significant improvements seen since mid 2009 in the sanction detection rate for hate crime offences has assisted the Borough Commander to re-invigorate relations with and service to the LGBT community. He will ensure a continued focus on these areas of business. Although religious and racist driven hate crime has reduced over the past year the Borough has received external and media driven scrutiny, particularly focussing on offences in those wards with BNP councillors. Examination of the last 5 years crime trends in those wards does not reveal any enduring increase trends, but this is an area that the BOCU will continue to monitor closely.

3. Mention is made in the HMIC Report of the potential impact of the British National Party in Barking & Dagenham. The Borough Commander is acutely aware of the situation in a year of both Local and General elections. The Borough Commander has instituted a strategy to manage all political parties and associated/affiliated groups, and is working closely with Partners and the MPS Centre, through the Area Commander, to monitor and assess the impact of these events and our policing response. A full Community Impact Assessment has been completed as part of the BOCU’s operational response to the elections. Together with Partners and Community Communicators the Borough has a system in place to monitor tensions and respond to reassure communities.

D. Financial implications

1. The recommendations as outlined in the draft HMIC report are expected to be implemented within existing approved budgets. Any proposals requiring additional resources will be subject to agreed approval processes.

E. Background papers

None

F. Contact details

Report author: Commander Nick Bracken - East Area Commander, MPS

For information contact:

MMPA general: 020 7202 0202
Media enquiries: 020 7202 0217/18

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