Minutes

Minutes of the Planning, Performance & Review Committee of the Metropolitan Police Authority held on 11 December 2003 at 10 Dean Farrar Street, London, SW1H 0NY.

Present

Members:

• Richard Sumray (Chair)
• Reshard Auladin (Deputy Chair)
• Elizabeth Howlett
• Sir John Quinton

MPA Officers:

• David Riddle (Deputy Clerk)
• Elizabeth Turner (Treasury)
• Jane Owen (Head of Planning and Performance)
• Yvonne Peart (Committee Officer)

MPS Officers:

• DAC Suzanna Becks (Specialist Operations)
• Cmdr John Yates (Territorial Policing)
• DAC Richard Bryan (Planning and Performance)
• Cmdr Brian Moore (Criminal Justice)
• Lawrence Morris (Corporate Performance Analysis Unit)
• Mick Debens (Corporate Planning Group)
• John Zlotnicki (Head of Corporate Planning)

Part 1

38. Apologies for absence

(Agenda item 1)

Apologies for absence were received from Anthony Arbour and Lynne Featherstone.

The Chair welcomed Cmdr Brian Moore to the meeting.

39. Declarations of interest

(Agenda item 2)

No interests were declared.

40. Minutes

(Agenda item 3)

Resolved – That the minutes of the Planning, Performance and Review Committee held on 9 October 2003 be agreed and signed as a correct record.

41. Criminal Justice update

(Agenda item 4)

The Committee received a report that provided an update on the work carried out by the Department of Criminal Justice with the ultimate aim of bringing more offences to justice.

The meeting discussed the issue of cracked and ineffective trials, particularly around police non-attendance at court and its impact on the reputation of the MPS. Members acknowledged that there have been improvements in the criminal justice system; however, they continue to be concerned that the improvements are not reflected in the courts and furthermore not seen by victims and witnesses.

The Chair said he was pleased that the CPS lawyers at the point of charge have been rolled out to 22 boroughs and that Glidewell has been implemented in other areas. He requested a longer term set of data for future meetings and requested that the trends are outlined in future reports.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

42. Best Value Review of managing demand – implementation plan

(Agenda item 5)

The Committee received a report that outlined the process being used and progress made in respect of each recommendation from the managing demand best value review.

In reply to members’ questions, the MPS confirmed that recommendation 1 is currently assessed as a low priority when measured against integrated borough operations project plan. The Chair said that it is an important area for public satisfaction and asked the MPS to note that this Committee does not accept that it is low priority and should be reviewed as high priority.

Resolved – That

1. the action being taken in respect of each recommendation from the managing demand best value review and progress being made be noted; and
2. a report showing how the recommendations agreed by PPRC are being incorporated into C3i be presented to a future meeting of the Committee.

43. Operational support review – final report and improvement plan

(Agenda item 6)

This report was circulated with less than five working days notice, under the provisions of Section 100B 4b) of the Local Government Act 1972. The Chair acknowledged that the report had not been circulated within statutory timescales and agreed to accept the report as urgent as relevant information within it had not been available at that time.

The report set out the improvement plan as recommended by the Project Board from the final report of the Operational Support Policing Service Improvement Review. It also outlined financial implications and key action to implement the recommendations.

The Chair thanked the MPS for the report which seeks to achieve better and closer working relationships between different MPS units. He suggested that the Review’s final report should contain an additional recommendation to look at MPS relationships with Customs and Immigration. The Chair also commented that recommendation 2 of the Review’s final report should be met by opportunity costs and that he was content for recommendation 10 to be considered by the MPS Management Board, but supported its implementation.

Resolved – That

1. the final report as given at Appendix 1 be endorsed;
2. the recommendations and improvements plan as set out in Appendix 2 be approved; and
3. an update of progress towards the improvement plan be received every six months.

44. Crime management BVR – implementation plan update

(Agenda item 7)

A report was received which considered the implications of a borough based Telephone Investigation Bureau (TIB) as opposed to a centralised function and described the impact this decision has on the other CMBVR recommendations.

The MPS reported that following a mystery shopper exercise; lack of consistency was highlighted as a challenge to borough based TIB’s. The meeting was assured that every effort would be made maintain consistency, standards and detections.

In reply to members’ questions, the MPS confirmed that completed recommendations are evaluated to see if they produce the expected results.

The Chair requested that future reports document the initiatives that have been implemented and progress on TIBs.

Resolved – That the impact on the implementation of the CMBVR resulting from the requirement to find savings of the financial years 2004/6 be noted.

45. Service improvement reviews 2004/05

(Agenda item 8)

Members considered a report that presented two areas for service improvement review in 2004/05 proposed by the MPS Management Board.

Members approved security clearance and the provision of security guarding for MPS premises as reviews for 2004/05; they were regarded as discreet and good reviews. All MPA members are to be sent details of the reviews and would be asked to express their interest in being attached to them.

Resolved – That the two proposed areas for review in 2004/05 be accepted.

46. Update on implementing Bureaucracy Task Force recommendations

(Agenda item 9)

Members received a report that provided an update on the progress of the Bureaucracy Taskforce Implementation. The MPS stated that their report detailed the major changes that have occurred since the last update in July 2003 and set out the national issues and the MPS progress within the national framework.

Resolved – That

1. the progress made within the MPS on the Taskforce recommendations be noted; and
2. a further report be presented in 6 months to provide information on issues that are specific to the MPS.

47. Update on Policing Plan 2004/05

(Agenda item 10)

The Committee received a report that summarised the development of the 2004/05 policing plan, including the impact of the 2004/07 National Policing Plan and the arrangements for establishing the corporate priorities and objectives.

Following a meeting of the Planning Panel on 4 December 2003, the MPS produced a supplementary report, which was presented to the meeting. The MPS reported that they have produced a revised timeline for the annual planning cycle to reflect the discussions at the meeting. The MPS management board will meet on 6 January to discuss the measures to support the objectives of the Policing and Performance Plan for 2004/05 and the rationale for the selections made. The outcomes of this meeting will be presented to a meeting of the Planning Panel on 8 January 2003 and will then be taken forward to the Co-ordination and Policing meeting on 23 January 2004 and then presented to full Authority on 29 January 2004.

The Chair requested that the MPS ensures that reports are presented to PPRC for discussion and not just to note. He said that PPRC is the committee that should receive the justifications for the decisions made by the Planning Panel and asked the MPS to ensure that members are appropriately engaged at this committee in the future.

Resolved – That

1. the revised timetable for the annual planning process with key events and products be noted;
2. the MPS response to observations made by members at the Planning Panel be noted; and
3. arrangements be made for an additional Planning Panel meeting in January 2004 be agreed.

48. Audit report on 2002/03 Policing And Performance Plan

(Agenda item 11)

The Committee received a report that provided an update on the MPS action plan previously submitted in May 2003 responding to the District Audit report and recommendation on the 2002/03 Policing and Performance Plan.

The Chair said that members would continue to monitor the action plan to ensure that the MPS continue to adopt effective approaches to continuous improvement.

Resolved – That

1. the MPS action plan provides the basis for the Authority to make a formal response to the District Audit report be agreed; and
2. the timescales and dates be presented to a future meeting.

49. October 2003 performance plan

(Agenda item 12)

The Committee considered a report that outlined the MPS performance against policing plan objectives for 2003.

Members noted that the offence figures for street crime had shown a small decrease and that offence figures for burglary, autocrime and gun related violent crime.

The meeting discussed judicial disposal (JD) rates and members noted that the recent improvement in figures were due to changes in how JDs are counted. The MPS methods of counting clear ups are now aligned with those in other forces for comparison purposes.

The Chair referred to comments made by Steve Norris MP on clear up rates for the MPS, it was claimed that clear up rates in London have fallen since the mid-1990’s. He requested information that would enable him to understand how the statistics cited by Mr Norris were calculated.

Resolved – That

1. the report be noted; and
2. a report be presented to a future Committee that would identify the JD rates for London since 'the late 1990’s and an explanation that would account for the changes.

50. Police performance monitors

(Agenda item 13)

Members considered a report that provided an update on the publication of performance monitors for 2002-3.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

51. Special Operations management information

(Agenda item 14)

This report was circulated with less than five working days notice, under the provisions of Section 100B 4b) of the Local Government Act 1972. The Chair acknowledged that the report had not been circulated within statutory timescales and agreed to accept the report as urgent as relevant information within it had not been available at that time.

The report summarised Specialised Operations Command performance against its objectives from April to October 2003.

The MPS reported that Specialist Operations Command is in the process of looking at its performance indicators for next year, in conjunction with other agencies. They are also looking into attempted intrusions and how they were dealt with.

The MPS provided an update on the work of the Royalty and Diplomatic Protection Group (RDPG) and the rifle and specialist support they provide to MPS operations and to boroughs.

The Chair suggested that the areas of work with which RDPG get involved should be incorporated in a note and circulated to all MPA members.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

52. Report on the MPS findings of the multi-agency domestic violence murder reviews in London

(Agenda item 15)

This report was circulated with less than five working days notice, under the provisions of Section 100B 4b) of the Local Government Act 1972. The Chair acknowledged that the report had not been circulated within statutory timescales and agreed to accept the report as urgent as following the implementation of recent legislation on this issue, made it important that this Committee receive this report.

The Committee considered the report, which gave recommendations to a number of agencies including the police. The recommendations included the use of a two-pronged approach of murder review and a risk assessment model. The MPS risk assessment model has been piloted and evaluated and is now being piloted in West Yorkshire to assess its transferability.

The Chair commented that this was good report that considers the findings of reviews that have been done and relationships with child protection agencies.

Resolved – That

1. the report be noted;
2. an update on the implementation of the recommendations to date be presented to a future committee; and
3. a follow-up report be presented to a future committee on what and how the recommendations need to be developed and what contribution the MPS will make toward this.

53. Group rape

(Agenda item 16)

The Committee received a report that provided an update on ‘group rape’ and the steps being taken by the MPS to improve victim care and prevent and detect it.

Commenting on examples of good practice in France, the MPS said that every secondary school child in France have been given a copy of a book called ‘Code Junior’, which covers every aspect of behaviour and details the rights and obligations of those under 18.

The MPS reported that there is soon to be pan-London coverage of Havens, St Mary’s will open in the New Year and St Bartholomew’s will open in April.

The MPS is represented on a Ministerial Committee on Sexual Offences, which will be tasked to take forward the implementation of the new Sexual Offences Bill.

Resolved – That

1. the step being taken by Project Sapphire to improve victim care for rape victims and the investigation of rape be supported; and
2. the existence of ‘group rape’ and the steps being taken by the MPS to prevent and detect it be noted.

54. Update on the implementation of NCRS.

(Agenda item 17)

A report was considered that informed members of the progress made by the MPS in implementing the National Crime Recording Standard (NCRS) and reported on the actions taken since the Audit Commission’s Review of Crime Recording 2003.

The MPS reported that they have examined the work areas where the Audit Commission had identified shortfalls. The Crime Integrity Team has taken steps to address training issues and to improve the awareness and knowledge of NCRS throughout the MPS. The development of short term training packages is being progressed and staff have access to information via a number of avenues including a website and a help-line.

Resolved – That

1. the progress and the commitment of the MPS to ensuring full compliance with NCRS be noted; and
2. a report be presented to a future committee on how the issues highlighted in the Audit Commission’s report will be addressed, to include information on what/how, timescales and the numbers involved.

55. MPA update on the implementation of the CDRP Scrutiny

(Agenda item 18)

The Committee received a report that provided an update on the progress made in implementing the recommendations in the MPA Scrutiny into crime and disorder reduction partnerships (CDRP).

The Deputy Clerk informed members that the MPA have now recruited three members of staff. The officers have been in touch with members and CDRPs. They will be tasked with supporting members in their link role and to disseminate good practice between CDRPs.

The Deputy Clerk said link member roles would be revisited when the new membership of the Authority is in place and consideration would be given to ability of 23 members to cover of 32 boroughs.

Resolved – That the progress made in implementing the recommendations be noted.

56. Police officers in school

(Agenda item 19)

The Committee received a report that set out the roles of the School Beat Officer, which forms part of the Safer Schools Partnership.

The MPS reported that there are currently 80 School Beat Officers (SBO) working in schools. SBOs undertake the standard Youth Justice Board training, which includes problem solving and drug awareness; in addition a number of other training modules are being rolled out in the MPS.

Resolved – That

1. the report be noted;
2. the work being carried out by the school officers continues to be supported; and
3. a report be presented to a future committee that looks at the impact of policing in schools on both the MPS and Schools, this should include if schools feel safer and does it prevent bullying.

57. Street crime update

(Agenda item 20)

Members received a report that focused on street crime performance since the launch of Operation Safer Streets Phase III the commenced on 29 September 2003. It outlined plans for future phases during this performance year.

The MPS reported that boroughs produce their own plans for tackling street crime, which is funded by Territorial Policing units and are developing and spreading good practice. Wandsworth, Croydon and Waltham Forest Boroughs received extra Home Office funding in order to achieve an extra 4% Street Crime reduction for the MPS.

The MPS provided an overview of the street crime performance figure, which showed that October saw a significant reduction in Street Crime and similar reductions were seen in November. It was reported that if the current progress were sustained then a significant reduction would be seen by the end of the year, although not meeting the 10% target.

The MPS reported that 50% of street crime offences involves as mobile phone, whilst 30% is a mobile phone and a peak is expected after Christmas, when mobile phones are given as presents. A National Mobile Phone Crime Unit is to be launched on the 17 December. The unit will work in partnership to combat those that steal, handle, reprogram and export mobile phones.

Resolved – That

1. the report be noted; and
2. a report on mobile phones be presented to a future committee, to include what has been delivered, the successes and targets for next year.

The meeting ended at 12.25 p.m.

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