Stops and Searches Scrutiny Board

Report: 6
Date: 7 October 2005
By: the Chief Executive and Clerk

Summary

This report outlines the reforming of the Stops and Searches Scrutiny Board.

A. Recommendations

That

1. Members note the contents of this report.
2. Support the activities of the Board that will be undertaken in boroughs.

B. Supporting information

Background

1. The Stop & Search Scrutiny & Implementation Panel (SSSIP) was formed in 2004. Formerly chaired by Lynne Featherstone, it emerged from the MPA Report of the MPS Scrutiny of Stop & Search Practice. The report made 55 recommendations under five key themes of: policy, training, monitoring, supervision and raising awareness. The purpose of the SSSIP was to monitor and support the MPS’ progress against the 55 recommendations.

2. Since the departure of the out-going chair and the aftermath of 7/7 and 21/7, members and officers have been working to re-form the SSSIP in the light of recent events. With stops and searches moving up the political agenda, the Stops & Searches Scrutiny Board (SSSB) chaired by John Roberts, with Jenny Jones as deputy chair, has been formed. The members of this group have been working towards gaining cross-party support for this Board. The terms of reference for this Board are contained in Appendix 1.

Supporting information

1. The SSSB proposes to meet bi-monthly after Full Authority. It will be a meeting held in public and key stakeholders will be invited to comment on progress towards the original 55 recommendations. In addition, given the recent events in London, the Board will also focus on stops and searches as it impacts on community reassurance and resilience. The Board will also provide a regular place on its agenda for members of London’s diverse communities to relate their experiences of stops and searches.

2. Another significant feature of the new SSSB are borough visits that will be undertaken by the Board. The purpose of these visits is to support local borough commanders in their stops and searches activities, as well as speak to local groups, especially youth groups, about their experiences of stops and searches. These Board visits will be supported by MPA officers and link members will also be invited to attend these events.

3. The SSSB will also be kept informed of the [Stop & Search] Community Monitoring Network. The first meeting of the Network was on 21 September 2005 and was attended by over 50 community representatives, as well as police officers. The purpose of the Network is to support the community in intervening, supporting and challenging stops and searches practices. The Network will provide an invaluable mouthpiece for community views on stops and searches practices.

C. Race and equality impact

1. There are considerable race and diversity implications arising from the activities to be undertaken by the SSSB. As stated in the MPA Report of the MPS Scrutiny of Stop & Search Practice, ‘The issue of disproportionaility of stop and search rates is an important indicator impacting on the level of trust and confidence in the police amongst members of London’s diverse communities…’ (page 6, paragraph 2).

2. The work of the SSSB will go a long way towards ensuring the MPS is publicly held to account for its performance in this work area. Not only will the Board assist in holding the MPS to account in terms of its service delivery of stops and searches, but it can also, with its work with local diverse communities, support police officers undertaking this activity.

D. Financial implications

1. There are no direct financial implications arising from this report. Any budgetary consequences will be primarily met by existing budgets held by the MPA Race & Diversity Unit.

E. Background papers

• MPA report of MPS Stop & Search Practice (2004)

F. Contact details

Report author: Laurence Gouldbourne, MPA.

For more information contact:

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

Appendix 1

MPA Scrutiny on MPS Stop and Search Practice - Equal Opportunities and Diversity Board Sub-Group

Stops and Searches Scrutiny Board - Terms of Reference

Purpose:

• To review and scrutinise the implementation of the Metropolitan Police Service’s (MPS) Stops and Searches Practice.
• To scrutinise progress by the MPS against the 32 scrutiny recommendations for which they have responsibility.
• To lead implementation of the 25 recommendations involving engagement with statutory and voluntary partners.
• To consider the wider implications of the impact of stop and search on community cohesion, engagement, resilience and reassurance.
• To support the Community Monitoring Network and to receive regular updates.

Accountability

• The Board is a sub-group of EODB and works on its behalf to lead implementation of the scrutiny recommendations.
• The MPS will report to the board on any aspect of its response to the scrutiny recommendations. Any issues which the board cannot resolve, will be referred to EODB for decision. The board will report to EODB through written and verbal updates at committee.

Membership

• MPA Members:
  • John Roberts (Chair)
  • Jenny Jones (Deputy Chair)
  • Cindy Butts
  • Dee Doocey
  • Peter Herbert
  • Damian Hockney
  • Karim Murji
  • Murad Qureshi
  • A space reserved for a Conservative representative

The Board will be supported by officers from both the MPA and MPS stops and searches leads.

Quorum

A minimum of three members must be in attendance for the board to be quorate. In the event of there being insufficient membership, meetings will not go ahead as planned.

Board

• The board will hold bi-monthly meetings in public. This will be held on the afternoon following full Authority. However, there will be opportunities for closed sessions.
• Board meetings will be structured to ensure part of each meeting will involve discussion with MPS colleagues and an external agency either:
  • referenced in the scrutiny report; or
  • having a direct relevance to community cohesion, resilience and/or reassurance
• The Board will seek to involve representatives from the London’s diverse communities to the scrutiny in order to track improvement where appropriate.

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