Crime management best value review and establishment of the central telephone investigation bureau - update report

Report: 17
Date: 9 October 2003
By: Commissioner

Summary

The Planning, Performance and Review Committee approved an implementation plan on 19 September 2002 for the Crime Management Best Value Review (CMBVR). It also agreed that formal updates would be provided twice a year, identifying costs incurred and benefits delivered.

Progress has been made, particularly in the establishment of the Central Telephone Investigation Bureau (CTIB). However, at the Finance Committee meeting of 15 September 2003, a recommendation was made to withdraw funding for the CMBVR for the financial year 2004/05, a sum of £6.7 million, as part of the requirement to identify savings of £50 million set by management Board and endorsed by the Finance Committee on 10 July 2003.

This report provides a brief overview of the impact on CTIB establishment as a result of that recommendation.

A. Recommendations

That

1. the progress made in developing the CTIB recommendation of the CMBVR be noted; and
2. the impact on the implementation of the CMBVR as a result of budgetary restrictions be noted.

B. Supporting information

1. The implementation of the CMBVR has been progressed, since the Authority approved the review, by a Project Board chaired by Cmdr John Yates (Commander Crime TP HQ). The Project Board has prioritised the establishment of the Central Telephone Investigation Bureau (CTIB), it being the key recommendation of the review, its potential to provide an enhanced service to the public, financial savings and support for Metcall, when established.

2. Funding has been allocated for the implementation of the review. In the current financial year £1.3m is available and this was set to establish the CTIB. This development would require a further £6.7 million in 2004/05 and £3.5 million in 2005/06.

3. On 15 September 2003, a report was submitted to the Finance Committee (report 7, Medium term financial plan 2004/05 to 2007/08 – interim report). This recommended that in the light of budgetary constraints, the CTIB should not now proceed and that the available finance be used to develop local TIB to support the functioning of the C3i Programme. This will be further considered at the next meeting of the Authority’s Finance Committee.

4. The relationship between CTIB, a locally based option and Metcall was considered by the C3i Oversight Committee, at a meeting on 30 September 2003. At this meeting the Deputy Commissioner placed CTIB within the scope of the C3i Programme.

5. The C3i Programme Director is currently considering the implications of this decision and an assessment made on the most cost effective way of progressing the establishment of a CTIB or other means of enhancing telephone investigation.

6. The outcome of this assessment and progress on the other recommendations of the CMBVR will be the subject of a report to December’s Planning, Performance and Review meeting.

C. Equality and diversity implications

1. Enhanced facilities to report crime over the telephone, including textphone and SMS messaging within the CTIB would help facilitate access to these services for people with sensory disabilities.

2. The under recording of crime throughout London, but in particular from the minority ethnic communities and other vulnerable groups, was identified by the CMBVR. The enhancement of internet crime reporting, as part of CTIB development and the utilisation of a language line facility within the crime reporting process, would directly support the MPS diversity strategy by supporting the principles of providing a positive and responsive police service and by treating individuals and groups according to their needs.

3. It is not clear at this time whether all these services will be available if a CTIB is not established.

D. Financial implications

1. The possible withdrawal of funding for the CMBVR and is impact on the establishment of a CTIB is noted above.

2. The impact of not progressing with a CTIB will have financial implications, including the potential loss of opportunity cost savings by deploying police resources to report a crime, which could otherwise be dealt with over the telephone. The enhancement or establishment of 32 BOCU based TIB, essential to replace the CTIB and support Metcall is currently being costed.

E. Background papers

• Implementation Plan for Crime Management Best Value Review (Planning, Performance & Review Committee - September 2002)
• Medium Term Financial Plan 2004/05 to 2007/08 - interim report (Finance Committee - September 2003)

F. Contact details

Report author: John Yates, Commander (Crime) TP HQ, MPS.

For more information contact:

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

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