Establishment of MPA pan-London Race Hate Forum

Report: 15
Date: 28 November 2002
By: Clerk

Summary

A report on the proposals for the establishment of an MPA coordinated pan-London Race Hate Forum was presented to the Coordination and Policing Committee on 16 September. The committee asked for revisions to be made to the report and for this to be considered by this Board.

The attached paper has been revised and approved by the membership of the current Race Hate Crimes Working Group and is presented to MPA members for approval.

A. Recommendations

Members are asked to:

1. note and agree the revisions that have been made to the proposal, notably to paragraphs 4, 5 and 6, which aimed to address the key concerns of the members on 16 September.
2. consider and approve the consultation process outlined in paragraph 9.
3. note that Roger Casale, MP for Wimbledon, has offered to host the launch of the Race Hate Crimes Forum in the New Year.

B. Supporting information

1. The Race Hate Crimes Working Group was established in July 2001 following a recommendation to the Authority in the report presented by Peter Herbert, the then Deputy Chair of the Authority. This is attached at Appendix 1.

2. The paper identified practices in addressing race hate crimes across Europe and noted that ‘a serious concern for those in the MPS and CPS, particularly in the Race and Serious Crime Task Force was identified by the Director of Public Prosecutions in his speech to the CPS Diversity conference in Birmingham on 16/2/2001. He stated that there was clear evidence that the CPS were putting forward evidence of aggravating circumstances in a range of offences under s 28(3) of the Crime and Disorder Act only to have judges refuse to recognize that racism was an issue. In one case the use of the word “nigger” was said to be a vulgar expression not indicative of racism.

3. Based on the presentations at the conference, the paper concluded that the work of the MPA and MPS will be compromised in this area if the work to combat race hate crimes is not supported fully by the judiciary and further observed that the need for consistency across Europe was essential if the free movement of people is to have full legal effect for the people of London.

4. The Authority supported the observations made and the recommendation that the London wide working group should be set up to initially review and map the way in which the key agencies (MPS, local authorities, The Magistracy, The Judiciary, CPS, Victim Support, Probation etc, were dealing with race hate crimes, and whether and how this was being coordinated to ensure consistency in approaches, policies etc.

5. Early in its formation, the Working Group considered whether it should be extending its remit to address other hate crimes, given the broad diversity responsibility of the MPA. Initial mapping identified that the Mayor’s office, in partnership with key agencies such as the Association for London Government (ALG) and the MPS had already taken a lead to progress a pan-London forum on Domestic Violence.

6. Although there was increasing evidence of crimes relating to faith/religion, this was a new area, and few of the key partners involved in the working Group, except the MPS, had any significant knowledge or experience of multi-agency working on this area. It was also felt, that such crimes often had a element of racist to them.

7. On the basis of the above, and due to the fact that many local authorities, the MPS and other key partners in the local Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships (CDRPs) already had statutory responsibility as well as experience of well developed local arrangements in place for dealing with race hate issues, it was in the interest of the Working Group to make this its initial sole focus.

8. The learning developed could be cascaded to inform the developments of other multi-agency working groups that may need to be coordinated by other agencies. Additionally, once the work of the MPA Hate Crimes Working Group has been established, it may be in the interest of the Authority, with the support of the MPS and other partners and stakeholders, that the work be extended to include similar coordination of approaches for other hate crimes.

9. The Working Group has been steadily working to ensure that its terms of reference, membership and process of carrying out its future work. It has paid close attention to the statutory responsibilities of the key partners for this area, and has clearly established that this is an area in which no clear lead or guidance has been developed for addressing as regional approach to addressing race hate crimes.

10. A revised proposal outlining the way in which the establishment of a pan-London multi-agency Forum will work, following comments by members of the Coordination and Policing Committee (16 September 2002) which asked that three specific areas should be looked at again. These were:

1. Gap analysis - whether the MPA was embarking on a role that is already being carried out by another organisation of agency in London;
2. Terms of reference – that this be clarified, including the possible support role to local authorities;
3. Structure – members were not convinced that the two-tier structure proposed in the original paper was the most efficient way for addressing this issue and;
4. Resourcing – proposals on how the work was to be funded.

Revisions to earlier paper

11. The revised paper, addressing each of the above is attached at Appendix 1. This was discussed by members of the Race Hate Crimes Working Group on 12 November at which time the report was approved. It is now presented to members of this Board, which has the overall remit for the progress and direction of this area of work and to whom the Chair of the Forum will be accountable.

12. Gap Analysis - The significant areas are contained in paragraph 4 of the appendix. This outlines the work carried out to verify that the initiative does not duplicate any work that is already underway by any central or local London organisation.

13. Terms of reference - The proposed terms of reference for the Forum has been revised in paragraph 5 of the attached report, to address the potential need for support by local authorities and other local multi agency panels as well as being a resource to address and advice on race hate critical incidents.

14. Resourcing – Members of the CoP were particularly concerned that the Authority should be seen to be the sole funding body for the work of the Forum. Unfortunately, members of the Working Group have not been able to present the finalised report to their own organisations and seek approval for funding, until this had been approved by the relevant committee of the Authority.

15. Subject to approval by this Board, letters will be sent to key partners in the Forum (ALG, GLA, MPS Government Office for London and the Home Office), requesting financial contribution to support the work of the Forum in the financial year 2003/04. If this is not forthcoming the question of funding will be referred back to the Board.

16. Forum Structure – This has now been reviewed and members will see that a more transparent and simple structure has been proposed for progressing the work of the Forum.

Forum sponsor

17. Through the membership of the Greater London Magistrates Courts Authority, approaches have been made to Roger Casale MP for Wimbledon, who has agreed to as a sponsor to the Forum by hosting a launch to promote the work of the Forum. This will be held in early 2003. Dates will be confirmed with the MP, following the approval of this Board.

C. Equal opportunities implications

The focus of the Forum in coordinating practice and performance on addressing race hate crimes across London is aimed at bringing a direct benefit to the equality issue.

D. Financial implications

The MPA has a budget for this work area in 2003/04, however, there are likely to be additional resource implications that will be made clearer once approaches to other partners for their financial contribution have been finalised. As detailed in the appendix all partners will be expected to contribute towards the cost of the part-time Administrator.

E. Background papers

• COP/02/13
  Stockholm Race Hate Crimes Grotius Seminar 11th – 15th February 2001

F. Contact details

Report author: Julia Smith

For more information contact:

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

Appendix 1: Report to the Metropolitan Police Authority pan-London Multi-Agency Race Hate Crimes Forum

12 November 2002

1. Background

1.1 The MPA Coordination and Policing (CoP) committee has considered the paper previously agreed by this Working Group, however, they have asked for further work to be done in reviewing the options for progressing the work of the Forum.

1.2 This paper addresses the following:

1. Gap analysis in order to identify whether the proposed Race Hate Crimes Forum duplicates the work that is being undertaken by any pan-London organisation or Group.
2. Clarification on the terms of reference of the Forum
3. Resourcing the proposed work of the Forum
4. The benefits that the Forum will bring to this area of work.

2. Introduction

2.1 The Metropolitan Police Authority pan-London Race Hate Crimes Working Group was formed in July 2001 under the chairmanship of Mr Peter Herbert, deputy Chair of the MPA.

2.2 The Working Group drew its membership from a wide range of agencies with key responsibilities for progressing policies and influencing practices on Race and other Hate crime issues in London.

3. Methodology paper establishing new arrangements of the pan-London Forum.

3.1 The Working Group fully considered a methodology paper developed by Claudia Webbe, the Mayor’s advisor on Culture. The paper outlined in some detail, the rationale, context and process that should be considered in establishing a pan-London Race Hate Crimes Forum.

3.2 Initial proposals for the structure of the new Multi-Agency Race Hate Crimes Forum are proposed in the attached paper at Appendix 1 and should be read in conjunction with this paper which forms the basis for the proposals outlined in this paper.

3.3 The Mayor’s Domestic Violence Strategy and working Group, is a multi-agency pan-London approach to addressing a specific issue which is achieving a good measure of success, and on which the RHC Forum will which to parallel its approach.

4. Gap analysis

Gap analysis in order to identify whether the proposed Race Hate Crimes Forum duplicates the work that is being undertaken by any pan-London organisation or Group.

4.1 The following organisations have been contacted to ascertain whether the proposed work of the Forum will duplicate the activities that are currently underway by any pan-London organisation, group or Forum:

• The Home Office (John Usher, Race Equality Unit). John confirmed that the Home office did not have any working Groups, committees or other looking in to Race hate matters. There was support for the proposed Forum which, it was felt, could add benefit to this gap in the work of the Home Office. The Home Office representative has asked to be represented at future meetings of the Group.
• Association for London Government – The ALG has facilitated a group for local Authority Race Harassment coordinators in the past. However, theses meetings have ceased. It is understood that the ALG would wish to play an active role in the formation of the Forum.
  There are no other known pan-London agencies; groups or organisations in place that takes a coordinated view on Race hate issues in London.
• Government Office for London – Discussions with the GOL has already identified that it does not currently perform this role, although it would be supportive of the MPA and key the membership pursuing this area of work.
• Contact with the Racial Harassment Organisation - which takes an overview and research practices and approaches to dealing with racial harassment issues in England and Wales, have confirmed that they too are not aware of any other police authorities or regional agencies involved in such interagency work. It is the case, however, that many boroughs and local authorities have their own multi agency panels consisting of various such organisations.
• Other key pan-London organisations, groups etc, that could have coordinated such an approach are in support of the work to establish the Forum. Organisations include:
  • Criminal Justice Agencies
  • Victim support agency
  • Crown Prosecution Service
  • Magistrate Court Authority
  • Local Authority
  • Housing Sector – Private, LA and Housing Association
  • Black and ME organisations
  • Government agencies
  • Police

5. Clarification on the terms of reference of the Forum

5.1 The terms of reference of the Forum will be to:

1. Effect policies, protocols and processes that will contribute to the effective and efficient implementation and monitoring of performance of the Race Hate Crimes “aspect” of the Crime and Disorder Audits and strategies by the local partnerships at a pan-London level.
2. Engage with key central government departments and pan-London agencies to secure agreement to a pan-London Protocol for responding to and dealing with Race (and other) Hate Crimes at local partnerships.
3. Secure the agreement among key agencies, pan-London and locally, for the sharing of personalised and depersonalised information in order to satisfy agency responsibility under section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1988.
4. Co-ordinate and disseminate good practice examples in dealing with Race (and other) Hate Crimes across the key statutory and voluntary agencies in London.
5. Provide Policy and guidance to local Crime and Disorder partnerships in their dealings with Race (and other) Hate Crimes.
6. Continuously monitor and review the learning gained from developments on Race Hate, to inform the development of policies, protocols and practices on other Hate crime areas.
7. Proactively establish relationships with other stakeholders, central government departments and pan-London agencies.
8. In consultation with ministers, central government departments, the Association for London Government (ALG), Government Office for London (GOL) and other key agencies, develop protocols and agreements that would hold the partnerships accountable for the delivery.
9. In addition to the above, it is proposed that, due to the range of key organisations that will be members of the Forum, that it could act ‘as a one-stop-shop’ to local authorities, the police and other partner organisations, that require the provision of expertise and coordination in the event of critical race hate incidents.

5.2 Thought has been given to whether and how the Forum will be able to respond to local groups/organisations that may wish to seek guidance on local practices and discussions are underway with Victim Support who may be able to provide telephone assistance for coordinating such requests through its current arrangements.

6. Resourcing the proposed work of the Forum

6.1 This has been the most troubling aspect of the work of the Group, whilst it is recognised that this has been difficult to achieve without the detailed consultation o by partner member, there is a need for assurances to be given on the likely Resourcing of the Forum so that MPA members will be reassured that the Authority will not be responsible for meeting the full cost of the initiative.

6.2 Resourcing required: Initially, the cost required will be for a part time administrator who will be able to develop the initial work for the Forum. This should be reviewed after the first 6 months of the establishment of the Forum.

6.3 The cost for a part time Administrator will be in the region of £19,000-£22,000 pro rata (based on the salary of MPA administrators).

6.4 The key members of the forum, especially those with a Crime and Disorder responsibility will be asked to make a financial contribution toward the salary costs of the Administrator. These arrangements will be reviewed in the first year of the operation to see where improvements could be made, and the effectiveness of the arrangements.

7. Benefits of the Forum

7.1 The current MPS Race hate crimes statistics indicate that race crimes is on the increase. The coordination of approaches for dealing with this crime, could significantly contribute to efficiencies in practice, as well as costs across London. The following benefits will include:

7.2 Influence the development of policies and guidance by central government, the Judiciary, Criminal Justice organisations and the association for Chief Police Officers (ACPO), the Local Government Association (LGA), the voluntary sector and others on matters relating to Race (and other) Hate Crimes issues in order to ensure a consistency and co-ordination in approaches, policies and practices in pan-London agencies dealing with Race (and other) Hate crime issues.

8. Forum structure

8.1 In order to achieve its aim, the Forum will comprise of one main committee, and a number of smaller sub committees addressing specific areas or issues as they arise, or are anticipated. Each will have a different focus and will report directly to the Main Forum to ensure that the overall objectives of the Forum are achieved.

8.2 The key responsibility of the main Forum will be that of:

• liasing with central government departments to monitor and review policies and guidance on Race Hate matters.
• Influencing key decision making agencies (including the judiciary) at pan-London and borough levels in order to progress the objectives of the Forum.
• Publishing papers, holding seminars and conferences etc in order to support and compliment the work being progressed by partner agencies (and others).

Membership

8.3 Due to its prime focus on broad strategic issues that will influence and bring about the changes in policies and practice required, the membership of the Policy and Strategy sub committee will initially comprise of the following:

Sub-committees

8.4 The various sub-committees could have greater overview of practice and performance of local CDRPs. As such the sub committees could:

• Consider the performance of CDRPs against their Race Hate audits and report progress to the Policy and Strategic sub-committee.
• Identify development and publish examples of good practice.
• Consider potentially difficult cases presented by agencies and make recommendations on outcomes.
• Identify emerging issues that could be progressed by the main Forum
• Propose the annual work programme for the Forum.

Membership of the sub committees could be drawn from a range of organisations on an ad-hoc basis. These will change as required to ensure continuous involvement and engagement with a range of groups, organisations and bodies. The flexibility of this arrangement will ensure that it will be both proactive and responsive to matters as they emerge.

9. Consultation and approval process

9.1 The MPA, MPS and other proposed member organisations may have a range of reporting and approval processes in place for approving the proposals in this paper in order to achieve the level of support and “sign-up” to the establishment of the Forum.

9.2 The partner agencies may need to put in place formal (or informal) processes for confirming membership and support for the Forum. For example, the terms of reference will need to be agreed, or amended as required. Member organisations, partners and stakeholders may want to give more detailed consideration to the draft protocol outlining the way in which the Forum should carry out its work.

9.3 It is therefore proposed that an 12-week consultation period (December –March) should be put in place in order to seek the views on the proposals.

Send an e-mail linking to this page

Feedback