National Crime Recording Standard Update

Report: 8
Date: 09 September 2004
By: Commissioner

Summary

This report is intended to provide an update to the Planning, Performance and Review Committee on the current position with implementing the National Crime Recording Standard within the MPS.

A. Recommendations

That the report be noted.

B. Supporting information

Operation Asgard

1. The remit of Operation Asgard (which was set up in January 2004 to ensure the accuracy of the motor vehicle crime database) has now been enlarged to cover all of the MPS priority crimes. They have been tasked with ensuring that the priority crime databases are accurate and compliant with both the National Crime Recording Standard (NCRS) and the Home Office Counting Rules (HOCR).

2. Operation Asgard is currently engaged in the pro-active support of Crime Management Units (CMU) on Borough Operational Command Units (BOCU). The pro-active support involves sending in a small team of staff to review processes and where necessary practices. It provides simultaneous resources and skills in support and if needed a recovery plan designed in consultation with the BOCU.

3. Continuous review of the crime databases has enabled Operation Asgard to identify those areas where mis-classification of crime appears to be more likely. This knowledge has enabled the design of numerous searches to draw out those entries. These searches are then supplied to BOCUs for them to take ownership of the problems, correct any errors and if possible identify trends or individuals with a view to long-term prevention. Current emphasis is being directed to areas of crime that can be described as ‘Hate Crime’. This has an additional advantage in that the lessons being learnt here can be applied across the rest of the crime database.

4. A project recently started within Asgard aims to identify the best way forward for the MPS in its basic structure for recording crime. Currently this is geographically based on BOCUs and, as a result, there is the potential for large variation in the quality of the data. An over-arching principle of the task is to ensure that the only people that are allowed to enter details onto the system are fully trained and skilled in both the functionality of the Crime Recording Information System (CRIS) system and of the requirements of NCRS and the HOCR. No constraints have been applied to recommendations that can be reported and visits have been made to a number of other Forces to identify good practice.

5. A recent examination of the crime databases has revealed an increase in the level of entries that are being ‘No Crimed’ and ‘Not Crimed.’ We believe that this is as a result of training provided by Asgard to BOCU staff into the application and use of the error searches mentioned above. This thereby provides staff with the additional knowledge necessary to ensure the correct crime classification is used.

Training

6. In order to fill a gap in MPS training the Crime Integrity Team (CIT) designed an NCRS training package. This was supplied to all BOCUs in February 2004 for local delivery. This MPS specific package is based on the training provided by the Home Office for Force Crime Registrars (FCR). The content was such that it could either be targeted at individual groups that operate within the NCRS/HOCR process or so that an overview of the whole process could be given.

7. An audit was conducted into the uptake of the package at the beginning of August 2004. This identified that 17 BOCUs were either using the package or intended to use it in the near future. The majority of those have provided training for a large range of officers, including front line response teams, senior management teams, supervisors and control room staff. Those BOCUs that are not currently using the package have given various reasons including lack of resources, commitment to mandatory training, already delivering own training and intending to use parts of the package at some time. These BOCUs are to be strongly encouraged to make use of the package by the ACPO Crime Recording Lead (DAC Bryan), the Crime Registrar and TP HQ.

8. The Territorial Policing (TP) Business Group has commissioned a Performance Needs Analysis (PNA) by its own internal consultancy group into two areas. Firstly the requirements of staff on BOCUs that fulfil roles with the CMUs; and secondly, the skills required by those members of staff acting as Designated Decision Makers. Both these roles are critical to ensuring compliance with NCRS and HOCR. The data gathering stage has been completed and the report is awaited.

9. Early indications from the PNA were that any training /courses required could not be in place before early 2005. TPHQ, in liaison with the CIT, therefore designed and delivered a training programme for DDMs. This was intended as an interim course so that the roles could be introduced now to ensure detections were being correctly claimed. Courses were arranged for 150 individuals, enough to ensure all nominated DDMs received training. An additional 2 courses for early September have been arranged. A decision will be taken on the need for additional interim courses in the run up to the results of the PNA.

BOCU NCRS Self Audits

10. The MPS has been running a system of monthly NCRS audits conducted by each BOCU. Initially the audits were only conducted by the Borough Quality Assurance Officers (QAO) giving a degree of objectivity, but some boroughs are now using CMU staff to carry out this function. This self auditing process is currently being reviewed by the CIT with a view to identifying potential improvements.

11. The Boroughs are currently supplied with data in 8 different crime types and they assess the compliance from initial incident recording through to final crime recording. The results are for use internally on the BOCUs and reported centrally to the CIT. Results are collated and an MPS wide view is obtained. The results for the 12 months to May 2004 are attached in Appendix 2.

12. As part of the review process the CIT have introduced a dip sampling process for these audits. It is intended to report back to the BOCUs generic issues that arise as well as issues specific to individual boroughs. This should therefore contribute to a continuous improvement in standards as well as providing data for the review of the process.

C. Race and equality impact

1. The NCRS victim oriented approach to crime recording is a highly positive step for vulnerable and minority groups. NCRS makes it easier for third-party reporting of crime on a victim’s behalf, and requires the acceptance of a crime report unless the circumstances do not amount to an offence, or there is credible evidence that a crime did not occur. This removes pressure from victims to “prove” they are a crime victim.

2. NCRS will mean a more accurate recording of crime. This can only lead to more effective police deployment and ultimately a safer London through more effective crime fighting and reduction strategies.

D. Financial implications

1. Pending the results of the Training Needs Analysis it is not possible to estimate the additional training costs that will necessarily be incurred. However, dependent on the type of training needs identified and the solutions proposed, this could have not only financial implications but also opportunity costs due to abstractions from operational policing duty to attend training.

2. A major financial consideration is dealing with the physical CRIS database. Any changes required must be authorised by the CRIS Changes Board currently chaired by Commander Moore of TPHQ. This has a budget of £1.4 million but has already assigned £800,000 for work outstanding until today. Every change is incredibly costly, for example, changing just one entry field to a mandatory field which forces the inputter to make an entry costs in the region of £250,000. Therefore all proposed changes are subject to full research and testing to minimise financial impact.

E. Background papers

None

F. Contact details

Report authors: Inspector Colin Duncan (Deputy Crime Registrar)

For more information contact:

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

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