Minutes

Minutes of the Planning, Performance & Review Committee of the Metropolitan Police Authority held on 11 November 2002 at 10 Dean Farrar Street, London, SW1H 0NY.

Present

Members:

• Richard Sumray (Chair)
• Anthony Arbour (items 6-13)
• Reshard Auladin (Deputy Chair)
• Lynne Featherstone
• Nicholas Long

Also present: Jenny Jones (Items 1-3 and 14)

MPA Officers:

• Derrick Norton (Head of Strategic Planning & Review)
• Johanna Gillians (Senior Analyst)
• Elizabeth Turner (Treasury)
• Nick Baker (Head of Committee Services)
• Yvonne Peart (Committee Clerk)

MPS Officers:

• Cmdr Shave (Transport OCU)
• Cmdr Brown (Serious Crime Group)
• DCI Walton (Project Sapphire)
• Carol McDonald (Head of Corporate Performance Analysis Unit)

Part 1

29. Apologies for absence

(Agenda item 1)

Apologies for absence were received from Elizabeth Howlett.

30. Declarations of interest

(Agenda item 2)

No interests were declared.

31. Minutes

(Agenda item 3)

Resolved – That the minutes of the former Planning, Performance and Review Committee held on 19 September 2002 be agreed and signed as a correct record.

32. Exclusion of the press and public

The Chair agreed to bring forward the presentation on ‘Trafficking of Human beings’. In doing so, the Chair acknowledged that due to some of the content of the presentation containing exempt information, a resolution was put to exclude the press and public.

33. Presentation - trafficking of human beings

(Agenda item 14)

A presentation was given to the Committee on the trafficking of human beings that built on the report submitted to the July meeting of the Committee on trafficking in human beings for sexual exploitation in the United Kingdom.

The presentation outlined a number of emerging issues including current partnership working and the effect and impact on London, the MPS and other agencies. Members highlighted the need to have a role in supporting the MPS. The Committee also recognised that the trafficking of human beings is a much wider issue than for sexual exploitation.

Resolved – That

1. the presentation be received; and
2. the Committee received at a future meeting a report on methods or ways the MPA can support the MPS on tackling the trafficking and smuggling of human beings

The Committee observed a two minutes silence in respect of those who lost their lives during the 1st and 2nd World Wars and other recent conflicts.

34. Gun crime

(Agenda item 10)

Members received a report that provided an update on the current position with gun related crime within the MPS district and which detailed the MPS response. The Committee was informed that the MPS find gun crime a challenging target due to significant growth in incidents last year. There had been a move from presumes of the organised criminal to use by lower level offenders with firearms / imitation firearms and this has seen a significant change in gun culture.

The Committee were shown a video of youths in Brixton in possession of firearms. The video highlighted the difficulties faced by officers tasked to these crimes. Members were also informed that greater use of firearms has been observed within Turkish / Kurdish groups and of the greater use of firearms to settle disputes. Although Safer Streets has had the effect of slowing down gun crime, it is still on the increase.

The MPS reported that they had embarked on a series of meetings with the Home Office and had raised the issue of awareness of the dangers posed to youth who carry firearms. They also informed the meeting that gaps had been identified and it is hoped that these would be filled by forthcoming legislation. It was acknowledged that Government were aware that something needed to be done at a much earlier age than previously recognised. This approach was also to be included in MPS programs to schools.

Members emphasised the importance of engaging with Crime Reduction Partnerships and suggested that the MPS increase this area of activity and stated that the MPA will support this.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

35. Lead member roles

(Agenda item 4)

The Committee received a report, which invited members to consider whether it wishes to make any appointments to lead member roles for subject areas within its terms of reference.

Resolved – That

1. the report be noted; and
2. Lynne Featherstone be appointed as lead member on ‘response times’
3. any other member requests be forwarded to officers as soon as possible in order that they can be included in a response to the Co-ordination and Policing Committee.

36. Update on Strategy Plan 2003/04 2004/05 and Annual Plan 2003/04

(Agenda item 5)

The Committee discussed a report that summarised the current position in relation to the development of the strategy plan and the 2003/04 Policing and Performance Plan and which also set out a proposed timetable of key dates that links the production of both documents.

The MPS reported that the two different plans have been brought together without conflict. The objectives are now being dealt with on the Policing Plan. It is envisaged that difficulties would be encountered with implementation of the National Policing Plan and that a 2-year strategy has been applied to allow for synchronisation of all plans. In the longer term will need to look beyond the Government response in order to achieve the best results.

Resolved – That

1. the current position on the development of the 2003/04 to 2004/05 strategy plan and the 2003/04 Policing and Performance Plan be noted.
2. the proposed timetable of key dates be agreed.

37. District Audit Report: review of corporate planning arrangements

(Agenda item 6)

The Committee received a report that provided an update on progress made to meet the recommendations made by District Audit in its report on the corporate planning arrangements of the MPA and MPS.

It was acknowledge that progress to ensure the planning cycle combines corporate service and financial plans was deficient and that steps need to be taken to avoid a continuing trend. It was suggested that work needs to start earlier on the action plan to line it up with the three other corporate plans and then to be aligned with financial plans.

Resolved – That members noted the updated action plan and agreed to inform District Audit of progress.

38. September Performance Report

(Agenda item 7)

The Committee received a report that summarised the MPS performance against the policing plan objectives 2002/03. In receiving this report, members were given a brief update on the recent performance figures recently received for October.

Members noted that street crime offences have decreased, burglary offences had increased and that the increase in autocrime had slowed.

Members were informed that clear management control was achieved where focus had been given to priority areas. The fringe areas of common assault and low-level violent crime had seen an increase.

The MPS expressed concern that borough commanders have indicated that they can manage ‘Safer Streets’ and ‘Safer Homes’ but would consider they would be over stretched if they had to manage any additional priorities.

The Committee was informed that there are now 57 officers placed in schools and that this exceeds the target that has been set. These officers have been strategically placed and performance indicators have been set against them.

The improvement in response times and the decline in performance in the response to incidents were noted. Members were informed that all work around response times is undergoing Best Value review.

Committee requested information on the reasons why the proportion of PYOs dealt with from charge to first court listing had exceeded the target. Also asked if the success is due to the effort of the MPS or the Criminal Justice System.

Information was also requested on the reasons for the increase in ‘no crime rate’ and the impact of NCRS on the figures.

The Chair requested a report to a future meeting that assessed the impact of police officers and also requested that a report that addressed the decline in customer satisfaction levels officers be provided to a future meeting. He also stated that gun crime data should be represented with more transparency and asked that more work be carried out around this.

Resolved – That

1. the report be noted; and
2. the committee receive reports on ‘police officers in schools’ and ‘customer satisfaction levels’ to a future meeting.

39. Rape Judicial Disposal

(Agenda item 8)

The Committee received a report that examined factors that impact on the judicial disposal (JD) rate for rape and explored wider issues relating to allegations of rape reported to police in London.

In receiving this report, members were told that boroughs are at different levels of implementation of JDs and that 80% of all reported rape is from six boroughs. MPS are liaising with boroughs to ensure that effective systems are in place.

In response to questions on the profiling of rape offenders and rape victims the MPS advised that rape is significantly under reported and it is therefore impossible to draw conclusions from the available data. It is estimated that only 20% of rape is reported and it is known that certain communities do not report rape.

In response to members concerns with the age of rape victims, the MPS reported that they have designed posters appealing for people to report sexual assault. They are also working with communities to change the level of reporting amongst certain groups.

MPS reported that a training program is currently being rolled out to officers on the use of the Early Evidence Kit. It is hoped that Project Sapphire will redefine rape to include indecent assault and oral sex. At present, it is difficult to prove free agreement and it is hoped that measures will be put in place that will require the alleged offenders to show what led them to believe there was free agreement.

The Chair requested that work be carried out around the differential performances in boroughs particularly Islington and Camden. He also requested a copy of the special notices referred to in the report.

Resolved – That Members support the steps being taken by Project Sapphire to improve victim care for rape victims and the investigation of rape.

40. Performance report street crime

(Agenda item 9)

The Committee received a report that focussed on street crime performance over the first six months of 2002/03 and compares performance across safer streets and non safer streets boroughs.

It was reported that the JD rate had shown an improvement, which was due to additional charges.

Members were informed that Phase 1 of safer streets was resource intensive. Increase in JDs is due to better use of intelligence and intelligence products. Visibility of operational resources will need to be maintained to keep street crime offences low.

In response to questions around the impact of safer streets on pickpockets, members were informed that street robbery is carried out by different people and therefore safer streets is not likely to combat pickpockets. Pickpockets are difficult to detect and needs to be intelligence led.

Nicholas Long asked that it be put on record the fantastic efforts made by Lambeth borough in this area.

The Chair requested a copy of the MPS Inspection report on good practice around Safer Streets and said this should help to gauge the public view of policing in this area. He also stated that the efforts put into the diversity issues had been recognised.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

41. Progress on PNC data quality

(Agenda item 11)

This report updated Members on the MPS position on reducing outstanding impending Prosecutions (IP) over 12 months old and implementing the recommendations of HMIC’s report ‘On the Record’.

Members noted the lack of progress on PNC quality data.

MPS said that this is an irreducible score and that at best they are monitoring boroughs to ensure that the position remains at a steady state at which they can cope.

MPS advised that the problems are partly due to civil staff and officer resources issues. They also advised that PNC and records reduction is a specialised role.

Resolved – That

1. members note the current position on the Impending Prosecution reduction target and actions taken; and
2. members also note the progress towards the implementation of the recommendations of HMIC’s report ‘On the Record’ on PNC.

42. Transport OCU - implementation update

(Agenda item 12)

The Committee considered a report that informed members of the progress made since approval was given on 25 April 2002 for the delivery of the new Transport OCU.

Members were told that the project has been rolled out within budget and that the Mayor is happy with the progress to date. It is hoped that the current funding will be maintained for next year and will plan to get an increase for the future.

Police Community Safety Officers should be allocated to Transport OCU in December. Currently the response time are below 10 minutes for non-urgent call and has seen a 30% increase in calls from drivers requesting assistance.

Closer working relationships have been established with British Transport Police, however there is still some uncertainty around the possibility of a merge of the two organisations.

In response to concerns expressed around sub standard accommodation for officers, members were informed that £12 million has been allocated for refurbishment, which would be carried out floor-by-floor basis.

Members were also advised that surveys on public perception would be carried out once more routes have been rolled out.

A Criminal Justice Board is to be set up in January to deal with the process work on crimes. This should ensure that the increase workload does not impact on boroughs.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

43. Best value in 2003/04

(Agenda item 13)

A report was considered that summarised anticipated revised statutory guidance to best value and assess its impact on the way in which the MPA/MPS undertake best value reviews as well as the number and scope of reviews in 2003/04.

In receiving this report, members were informed that due to changes in statutory guidelines, the MPS had been unable to provide sufficient information to proceed with decision-making.

Resolved – That

1. members postpone making a decision on areas to review in 2003/04 until January 2003 to allow consideration of revised statutory guidelines on best value; and
2. in line with anticipated guidelines, the MPA (consulting with the MPS) reassesses the way in which its best value responsibilities are discharged (learning lessons from other more successful processes).

44. MPA involvement in the Criminal Justice Board

(Additional item)

The Chair agreed to receive an additional report on the Criminal Justice Board, as the MPA needed to be engaged on this issue as a matter of urgency any delay would be detrimental to the MPA.

From April 2003, a new National Criminal Justice Board and 42 Local Criminal Justice Board will begin operating. The Committee considered a report that updated members on the progress being made on the APA and Chair of PPRC request to be represented on these boards.

Resolved – That

1. members support the Chair and Deputy Chair as MPA leads for Criminal Justice issues;
2. the attached letter sent to the Chair of London Criminal Justice Board and support the Chair of PPRC in approach being taken; and
3. members note that a report will be received from the MPS at the January PPRC meeting, providing an update on criminal justice issues, including MPS and MPA involvement in the London Criminal Justice Board.

The meeting ended at 12.30 p.m.

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