Minutes - draft

These minutes are agreed.

Minutes of the Strategic and Operational Policing Committee of the Metropolitan Police Authority held on 13 January 2011 at 10 Dean Farrar Street, London SW1H 0NY.

Present

Members

• Toby Harris (as Chairman)
• Chris Boothman
• Cindy Butts
• Jenny Jones
• Joanne McCartney
• Caroline Pidgeon
• Valerie Brasse

MPA officers

• Bob Atkins (Treasurer)
• Jane Harwood (Deputy Chief Executive)
• Siobhan Coldwell (Head of Policing Policy Scrutiny and Oversight)

MPS officers

• Ian McPherson (AC, Territorial Policing)
• Anne McMeel (Director of Resources)
• Richard Clarke (Director of Strategy and Improvement)
• Nina Cope (Director TP Development Programme, TPHQ)
• Steve Rodhouse (Commander, TPHQ)
• Nick Bracken (Commander, TPHQ)
• Tony Eastaugh (Commander, TPHQ)
• Julian Wright (Lawyer, DLS)
• Naz Saleh (Assistant Director, DLS)

79. Apologies for absence

(Agenda item 1)

79.1 Apologies were received for Reshard Auladin and Tony Arbour

80. Declarations of interest

(Agenda item 2)

80.1 No interests were declared

81. Minutes of the Strategic and Operational Policing Committee 9 December 2010

(Agenda item 3)

81.1 The Chair noted that an amendment to 70.2 had been received from a Member. The Member had requested further information from the MPS regarding motor vehicle crime in north east London – which has now been supplied to him by MPA officers.

81.2 Members agreed the minutes for the above meeting, subject to noting the above.

Resolved - That the minutes of the Strategic and Operational Policing Committee held on 9 December 2010 were agreed and signed as a correct record.

82. Urgent actions and urgent operational issues - oral report

(Agenda item 4)

82.1 The MPS updated Members on the earlier stand-off at Regent Street between officers and a man claiming to have explosives. They noted that an inquiry into the event was still ongoing, and the individual responsible had been apprehended. Cordons were set up due to his claims, and police had now concluded searches of the premises.

82.2 The Chair asked whether any explosives had been recovered, to which the MPS responded that they had not.

83. Report from the Sub-committees

(Agenda item 5)

83.1 The Chair updated Members on the progress of the transfer of National Domestic Extremism Units to the MPS. This has been agreed in principle by the MPA and approved by the MPS Management Board. ACPO must agree the terms of transfer prior to it coming back to the MPA – to a joint meeting of SOP and F&R – for final approval.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

84. HEADLINE PERFORMANCE REPORT

(Agenda item 6)

84.1 AC Ian McPherson praised the efforts of officers and staff throughout the MPS, noting that they remain committed to improving performance and reducing crime. He reminded the committee that next year will see extraordinary change, due in part to budgetary constraints. He emphasised that the MPS were considering voluntary redundancies and measures geared toward rationalizing the force, and that they did not operate in isolation but rely on the continued engagement of partner organisations such as the CPS. He raised a concern that suspected offenders had been placed on police bail for longer time periods prior to the case being considered by the CPS. He noted that the amount of time offenders were spending on bail was increasing due to the impact of cuts on the CPS.

84.2 AC McPherson went on to outline significant reductions in most serious violence and burglary. Areas of increase include car theft and credit card theft. He highlighted consistently good delivery in spite of the challenges outlined.

84.3 Members asked whether the MPS had devised a strategy to deal with the fallout of partner disengagement. The MPS responded that discussions with all partners are ongoing, and although they have received indications of cuts to some services, they currently have no plans to absorb the functions of others – apart from on an ad hoc basis e.g. driving seriously injured persons to a hospital if necessary. They highlighted that the problems outlined and others were being discussed within the newly established London Crime Reduction Board (LCRB) and at the borough level, and that a swathe of strategic work is being undertaken (e.g. the deployment of joint intelligence teams).

84.4 Members asked whether it was of particular concern to the MPS that police bail was being extended more frequently, noting that this may open the path to greater levels of offending. In response it was stated that although offending whilst on bail is always a concern for the Service, strict rules are applied to police bail as appropriate. The MPS informed Members that they could not offer precise figures as to the increased delays or the number of crimes committed by those on bail.

84.5 Members expressed concern that the MPS was not adequately monitoring the distortions to business as usual caused by the pressure on partners’ resources, and were told that measures are now being looked at and will be provided to the MPA when available. On a related point, Members requested figures indicating the scale of abstractions for public order events – including those serving on overtime or called back from leave. They reminded the Committee of the difficulty in planning for public order events – does one plan for the worse and police comprehensively with a large number of abstracted officers or rely on a smaller number and risk greater disruption?

84.6 The MPS reported that its Performance Board was looking at this ‘new reality’ of potentially increasing disorder in a climate of shrinking resource. However, the Service is still performing well against indicators, including those relating to hate crime, and the use of firearms and knives to injure – an 8.6% overall reduction in gun crime on last year; and 17.5% more suspects charged. They contended that this reflects the success of Operation Blunt 2 and Operation Autumn Nights. There have also been declines in road traffic accidents causing death and injury.

84.7 Members asked what the next tactic in tackling gang related crime would be, and reaffirmed the role of Safer Neighbourhood Teams in informing people of the dangers of leaving expensive items on display in parked motor vehicles. The MPS responded that whilst Operation Blunt 2 has been successful, these tactics should be reviewed (as with anything). They cited Operation Connect, a renewed emphasis on hotspot analysis (and public education about these), and improved tasking, as steps forward. They argued that one third of robberies take place in only five boroughs and focussed intelligence gathering will leave the MPS best placed to identify such trends – including victim profiles and objects being targeted.

84.8 Members welcomed the figures on road traffic enforcement action and asked whether this work would continue. The MPS agreed that enforcement works but cautioned Members that budgetary reductions would necessitate difficult choices for police and local authorities (who provide speed cameras).

84.9 Noting paragraph 9 of the report, Members asked whether using a reputed 7% of all available officers in order to police recent protests was too much. The MPS replied that rates of abstraction should be proportionate to the intelligence received and that a fine line was to be found between over- and under-policing. A Member commended the recent MPA report on G20, noting that the MPS should be picking up the recommendations of this more effectively.

84.10 Members requested that a briefing note be provided on gang related crime and Operation Connect, and a report on gun crime. Members cited particular concern that whilst gun crime has been reduced, death resulting from gunfire has increased. The MPS agreed to provide these, whilst mentioning that MPS performance on gang violence was linked to external factors such as the speed of delivery by NHS surgeons and ambulances. With regard early intervention they told Members that this goes beyond the remit of the MPS and that they are awaiting political decisions around partnership working in relation to this. Members encouraged the MPS that they should be looking beyond year-on-year comparison to identify broader trends.

84.11 Members welcomed improved statistics in relation to hate crime, whilst noting that a number of boroughs are continuing to perform badly. They sought assurances that something was doing done in such boroughs. The MPS responded that TPHQ carries out a quarterly performance review of these crimes with Area Commanders, and that Borough Commanders assess performance on a monthly basis.

Resolved - That the report be noted.

1. MPS TO PROVIDE BRIEFING ON OPERATION CONNECT AND GANGS
2. MPS TO PROVIDE A REPORT ON GUN CRIME TO SOP
3. MEMBERS TO RECEIVE INFORMATION ON IMPACT OF CJS CUTS (IF/WHEN AVAILABLE)
4. MEMBERS TO RECEIVE FIGURES ON ABSTRACTION TO PUBLIC ORDER EVENTS (BY BOROUGH)
5. CEP TO RECEIVE REPORT ON HATE CRIME Amanda Webster-Robbins

85. TP DEVELOPMENT REPORT

(Agenda item 7)

85.1 Nina Cope introduced this report, noting that it focussed on the setting up and running of the programme as opposed to the substantial elements of each strand. She informed Members that some projects are planned to go live in March, whereas others are still being planned. The programme is not just aimed at saving money but also at increasing efficiency and effectiveness.

85.2 A strand around programme benefits and financial management will bring together TP Development with the Estates Strategy and other areas of MPS business (including ICT requirements). She noted that the HR strategy around the plan is critical, and that staff are being engaged by consultation forums and within the structures of MetFed. An internal programme is in place to manage displacement. Communication is being achieved by building in challenge panels and user forums. Strategic risks include organisational alignment and buy-in – Richard Clarke is involved to this end.

85.3 Members noted that whilst the report was helpful in outlining the processes around the TP Development Programme, it did not adequately reflect on the vision and risks – e.g. its impacts on partners and the public. They raised concern around the closure of front counters (particularly given the disproportionate impact on elderly and BME citizens that this could have), and that CPEGs were not engaged in this process.

85.4 Members agreed to note but not ‘support’ the Programme on the basis on this report, citing insufficient substantive detail. They asked that the Committee be sighted on savings and a realization plan as soon as possible. The MPS agreed to provide a substantial programme of reporting which will include briefings (as with Operation Hannah). They agreed that oral presentation would be helpful insofar as the environment is fast-changing and this may not be captured in written reports.

85.5 The MPS responded that no assumptions were being made in relation to front counters, although the Service accepts that different groups use different forms of access. They agreed that buy-in from all parties would be necessary to realize the Programme, and that dialogue around the change was handled at a local level by borough commanders. Savings will be detailed in the business case for each strand, as will risks.

85.6 Members asked what the phrase ‘significant displacement’ meant, to which the MPS replied that this did not mean redundancy or spare capacity but moving officers to different places. Whilst emphasising that the changes were aimed toward reducing inefficiency and duplication, the MPS could not confirm that no police officers would end up replacing police staff. They did, however, confirm that there was no explicit intent that police staff is reduced only to be replaced by officers – rather the opposite is the truth insofar as this Programme aims to align force asset to operational requirements.

85.7 With regard the financing of this Programme, the MPS stated that the budget will be scrutinized by the MPA as ever – the three year budget will go to Full Authority and be revised throughout that process. They queried that SOP Members were asking for financials whilst RAP are requesting operational policing information. As the Programme cuts across business groups a lead committee must therefore be identified to assist the MPS in their report writing. It should, however, be noted that SOP was agreed to be the principal forum within the MPA on the morning of 13 January at a meeting of RAP.

85.8 With regard estates, the MPS stated that no radical recall is proposed. However, the business case, when developed, will give a clearer understanding. On the subject of consultation, they noted that different projects are at different phases – as appropriate to their differing lifecycles. Ultimately, they confirmed that the project remains as big and creative a restructure as originally planned.

Resolved – That the recommendations be agreed subject to recommendation 1 being amended to read ‘Members note the TP Development Programme’.

6. DEVELOP TIMELINE OF REPORTING TO THE MPA MPA/MPS

86. TP PERFORMANCE REPORT

(Agenda item 8)

86.1 Members raised concerns that a number of press articles had emerged to suggest that the national pilots of virtual courts had proved them inefficient. They asked whether this had proved to be the case within London, and whether any problems identified would be surmountable. The MPS responded that the national pilot was relatively small in comparison to work within London (which is now being evaluated). The pilot is now being extended, with Her Majesty’s Courts Service leading on this. They highlighted that efficiency will be increased by more effectively engagement with the defence and by officers giving evidence outside of courts (which is going live shortly).

86.2 A Member welcomed the Diamond Districts pilot, asking what would happen to this now – and what happens to offenders who were receiving this service? The MPS replied that the pilot was not yet over, only that no new clients were being taken on. Evaluation suggests that 20-25% of those taken into the initiative were not high risk, and negotiations are ongoing as to how to take this work forward. One question is around the incorporation of payment by results. The evaluations will be made available to Members as part of a report to SOP.

86.3 Members asked that more exhaustive reports be received on restorative justice, virtual courts and offender management.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

7. REPORTS TO SOP ON: DIAMOND DISTRICT, RESTORATIVE JUSTICE INTERVENTIONS, VIRTUAL COURTS, OFFENDER MANAGEMENT MPA/MPS

87. STOP AND ACCOUNT UPDATE

(Agenda item 9)

87.1 The MPS introduced this report, which detailed their response to the changes in respect to the recording of stop and search (and stop and account) notified in the Crime and Security Act 2010. A community engagement and consultation process, which was agreed and delivered with MPA staff, was started in August 2010. Unfortunately, feedback has been sparse and insufficiently detailed to inform a decision on the cessation of stop and search recording rules.

87.2 Whilst agreeing that recording in its current form may be excessive, Members welcomed the MPS’s consultative approach to this, noting that the Government had invited the police to stop recording stop and search data in January 2010 and the MPS originally expressed the intention to do so. They were glad to have received an EIA and were assured that this would be populated by further consultation.

87.3 Some Members expressed reservations about changing the status-quo at any future point noting that this is a question of public confidence, and emphasised the need to keep the MPA informed of any decisions that may be taken regarding the reporting standards before they are implemented.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

88. EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC

(Agenda item 10)

88.1 Members agreed to exclude press and public.

89. REQUEST FOR FUNDING TO SETTLE A CIVIL CLAIM

(Agenda item 11)

89.1 Members discussed a request for funding to settle a civil claim.

Resolved – That the recommendation be agreed.

Meeting closed - 4.00 pm

SUMMARY OF ACTION ITEMS: STATUS IF KNOWN:

1. MPS TO PROVIDE BRIEFING ON OPERATION CONNECT AND GANGS
   Ongoing
2. MPS TO PROVIDE A REPORT ON GUN CRIME TO SOP REQUESTED
   Complete
3. MEMBERS TO RECEIVE INFORMATION ON IMPACT OF CJS CUTS (IF/WHEN AVAILABLE)
   Ongoing
4. MEMBERS TO RECEIVE FIGURES ON ABSTRACTION TO PUBLIC ORDER EVENTS (BY BOROUGH)
   Included in March Headline Performance
5. CEP TO RECEIVE REPORT ON HATE CRIME
   Complete – March CEP
6. DEVELOP TIMELINE OF REPORTING TO THE MPA Ongoing
7. REPORTS TO SOP ON: DIAMOND DISTRICT, RESTORATIVE JUSTICE INTERVENTIONS, VIRTUAL COURTS, OFFENDER MANAGEMENT Scheduled for forthcoming SOP meetings.

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