Minutes

Minutes of the Planning, Performance & Review Committee of the Metropolitan Police Authority held on 8 June 2006 at 10 Dean Farrar Street, London, SW1H 0NY.

Present

Members

• Richard Sumray (Chair)
• Karim Murji (Deputy Chair)
• Tony Arbour
• Reshard Auladin
• Dee Doocey

MPA officers

• Siobhan Coldwell (Head of Scrutiny and Review)
• Joan Duke (A/Management Accountant)
• Jane Owen (Head of Planning and Performance)
• Ruth Hastings Iqball (Committee Officer)

MPS officers

• Steve Allen (Commander, Violent Crime Directorate)
• Ian Chappell (Traffic OCU)
• George Clarke (OCU Commander, Operation Emerald)
• Ross Daniels, Met Modernisation Programme)
• Simon Foy (Commander, Performance Directorate)
• Alfred Hitchcock (Commander, Territorial Policing)
• Shabbir Hussain (Commander, Traffic OCU)
• Christopher Jarratt (Det Ch Superintendent, Specialist Operations)
• Nick Jupp (Superintendent, Territorial Policing)
• Keith Luck (Director of Resources)
• Jerry Sheppard, (Det Ch Inspector, Special Operations, Continuous Improvement Unit)
• Peter Spindler (Det Ch Superintendent, Specialist Crime Directorate)
• Sue Wilkinson (Commander, Specialist Crime Directorate)
• Janet Williams (Commander, Met Modernisation Programme)

71. Apologies

(Agenda item 1)

Apologies for absence were received from Annabel Adams (Deputy Treasurer) and David Riddle (Deputy Chief Executive and Deputy Clerk).

72. Declarations of interests

(Agenda item 2)

No declarations of interest were received.

73. Minutes of the meeting held – 24 April 2006

(Agenda item 3)

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 24 April 2006 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

74. Criminal Justice update

(Agenda item 4)

Members received a report giving an update on the work being carried out by the Department of Criminal Justice with the ultimate aim of bringing more offences to justice. In relation to asset recovery, it was noted that this report said the volume of confiscation orders made in London for 2005/6 was £18 million (CPS data), yet in the ‘Corporate Performance Report: Financial Year; 2005/06’ (item 7) said £35.2 million of assets were identified by court order for seizure. Members were informed that recovered assets were counted in different ways and times (for example when the courts made a order for recovery or when the assets were actually seized), seizures were made by a variety of agencies and sometimes there were long delays before assets could be ceased. It was agreed that members would receive a briefing paper on the subject.

With regard to the ‘Inside Justice Week’ to be held 18-25 November, members stressed the need for a multi-agency approach and recognised the public’s lack of confidence in the justice system, and courts in particular.

RESOLVED - That

1. the report be noted; and
2. members receive a briefing paper on asset recovery.

75. Best Value Review of Managing Demand

(Agenda item 5)

This report provide members with an update on the Demand Management Best Value Review implementation plan, detailing the progress that had been made and the ongoing work still required to complete the recommendations. It also sought the Committee’s approval to make amendments to selected recommendations.

Members queried the line in the ‘Effective Control Framework’, “Each officer in the Metropolitan Police is sufficiently capable, confident and skilled to deal with the majority of incidents on their own. Therefore, the style and ethos for effective patrolling within the MPS will be that of a single patrol …..” Officers and PCSOs invariably walked in pairs, chatting to each other, thus making it awkward for the public to approach them. They suggested, if risk assessments suggested the pairing of officers or PCSOs were required, that it would be better if they were on opposite sides of the road. Officers agreed this should be the case, subject to risk assessment.

Members were concerned by the difficultly of obtaining front counter service in police station and welcomed the customer focus outlined in the proposed approach. They also asked why, if there was reduced use of front counters, more were being provided. They were informed that it was planned, if agreed within the MPS, to have three types of front counter: 24 hour counters for enforcement, more welcoming counters in high street ward bases and PCSO contact points. 250 prospective sites had already been identified.

Members asked why the patrol style for vehicles was a double crew. They were informed that two officers were required to drive, use mobile data equipment, the radio and provide an adequate response. It was noted that different vehicles were used by the police, and further explanation of this approach was requested in the next report on this subject to be received in six months time.

RESOLVED – That

1. members agree the completion of recommendations 6, 8, 11, 13, and 14 of the Demand Management Best Value Review;
2. approve the ongoing work as detailed in the recommendation updates contained within this report; and
3. that the next report on the Demand Management Best Value Review; contain a further explanation of two man crewing of vehicles.

76. Policing London Strategy and Plan update

(Agenda item 6)

A report was received updating members on the latest position on the Policing Performance Assessment Framework (PPAF) local domain, the integrated strategic financial/planning framework, the timetable for the 2006/07 planning process and the outcome of the planning process de-brief.

It was noted the MPS had selected the following as targets with the Local Domain: disruption of 100 criminal networks and reduction of disorder CADs for the 100 Safer Neighbourhood wards with the highest number. Members asked how they had been arrived at and how the MPS would prevent criminal networks reforming. Members also noted that the MPS had last year disrupted 115 criminal networks (when the target had been 50). Members were informed that reducing criminal networks was a corporate priority for the Serious Crime Directorate (SCD) and that the target of 100 would be revisited during the year. Members asked how ‘disruption’ of criminal networks was defined. Members were informed the SCD’s Business Unit decided this by a formal process, rejecting 30% of claimed disruptions. Members would be provided with a briefing note on the subject.

Members were informed that 20% of contact with police was in relation to recorded crime and the remaining 80% to incidents, 50% of these being recorded as miscellaneous. It was hope that dealing with the latter would increase engagement with the community.

Members were also informed of the background to the selection of local domains, which were additional to the seven PPAF domains, should not duplicate existing statutory performance indicator and cover a local priority area. The Head of Planning and Performance added that some other police authorities appeared to be agreeing targets for the local domain that did not meet all of these rules and that she would be raising this further once the Local Domain targets for other police forces were published.

Members expressed disappointment that there was no local domain target in relation to terrorism, but acknowledged that target setting in this area was difficult.

In relation to the revised financial and strategic planning framework it was noted there would a joint meeting with the Finance Committee. Members were informed that the GLA is using the GLA Act to demand early access to the financial planning process. This meant that the GLA was getting sight of documents in some cases before the Finance Committee.

RESOLVED - That

1. the proposed content of the local domain as the final version for submission to the Home Office for the 30 June deadline be agreed;
2. the planning timetable for 2007/08 be agreed;
3. the developmental activity required to integrate the strategic planning and financial planning frameworks be noted; and
4. that an additional Planning, Performance and Review Committee be held in February 2007, allowing members to provide comments on a draft policing plan at an appropriate level of development before the final draft is submitted to the Full Authority in February.

77. Corporate performance report: financial year; 2005/06

(Agenda item 7)

A report was received providing an overview of MPS performance for the financial year, 2005/06 with regards to the targets and indicators in the 2005/06 Policing Plan. It included a retrospective overview of how the year has gone in performance terms; detailed analysis of street crime/robbery issue, including action plans; issues that have arisen during 2005-06 in meeting the targets and any issues likely to impact upon meeting the 2006-07 top level targets. Members noted the MPS’s successes in meeting crime targets and public satisfaction. Areas of concern were the rise in robbery, theft from vehicles (for satellite navigation equipment and of number plates) and the challenges in meeting the national recruitment standards.

In response to the increase in robbery, on 15 May the MPS had introduced an Operation Safer Streets ’06. As a result, robberies had fallen from 120 per day on 14 May to 100 per day. It was noted that within a year victim in the 10-17 years old age group had increased from 35% to 49%. At the same time perpetrators in the 10-17 year age group had risen from 60% to 70%. This had shaped the MPS response. Operation Safer Streets ’06 was resource intensive, but was increasing its sustainability by a partnership approach. Dedicated lawyers were being placed in custody suites, and the speeding up of justice was being piloted. In addition a London-wide statement concerning the impact of these crimes was being drafted to be read in court. Work was also being undertaken with the Home Office robbery team. Members agreed that Operation Safer Streets ’06 must leave a lasting legacy.

Members asked about the increase in commercial robbery, black and ethnic minority (BEM) officer recruitment figures and the increase in robbery involving and perpetrated by young people at a time when police were present in all schools. Members were informed that strategies developed to prevent crime involving large businesses were now being adapted for smaller ones. This had lead to decease of 5.4%. Members were informed that strategies were in place to combat theft from motor vehicles. Crime involving young people was taking place outside school hours, the target time being 3 to 6 pm. In Haringey and Lambeth the Transport Operation Command Unit was providing support on buses, backed up by PCSOs being present in town centres after school.

The Chair requested a report on theft from motor vehicles and that reports in the period ahead contain more information on youth involvement in crime He felt the authority should receive a report on BEM recruitment.

RESOLVED - That

1. the report be noted;
2. members receive a report on theft from motor vehicles; and
3. reports in the period ahead contain more information on youth involvement in crime.

78. Violent Crime Directorate - problem solving on identified wards

(Agenda item 8)

A report was received setting out the approach being taken by the Violent Crime Directorate (VCD) to develop sustainable solutions in the wards in London that experienced the highest levels of recorded violent crime. The approach involved building cross business group and partnership responses based on well-developed problem profiles. As the report had been circulated to members with less than five clear working days’ notice, however, the Chair agreed to receive it as an urgent item under the provisions of section 100B (4b) of the Local Government Act 1972 in order that the Authority could be kept up to date on the latest information of the VCD.

Members were informed that 39 wards, principally across five boroughs, had twice the number of offences. This was driven by social deprivation, drugs and domestic violence. Next Thursday the VCD would be looking at profile of these wards with partners to consider long-term solutions. Members were informed that that the wards would not be named to prevent their stigmatisation.

Questions were asked about the VCD’s Intelligence and Analysis Unit, the resourcing of the Directorate, how combating gun and knife crime fitted into the Directorate’s role, how domestic violence related to the public’s perception of quality of life issues and about the displacement of crime. The Commander, VCD, informed members that the Intelligence and Analysis Unit was NIM compliant. The Directorate had about 150 officers and staff, who were mainly in domestic violence, missing persons and racial crime units. However, it also facilitated working together to combat violent crime across the MPS. In relation to knife and gun crime, conversations were ongoing about the ownership of Operation Blunt, and he was working with the lead on gun crime to ensure gaps did not exist. The Commander believed that the same perpetrators committed violence at home and in public. He also stated that criminologists did not believe displacement to be a significant factor.

In relation to questions about an increase in domestic violence during such event as the World Cup, members were informed that ACPO was leading on a national response.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

79. Specialist Operations management information

(Agenda item 9)

This report and its appendix gave a summary of Specialist Operations Command performance against its objectives from April 2005 to March 2006. It was noted that work was being done to develop Specialist Operations management information to make it less superficial.

RESOLVED – That members note the report.

80. Specialist Crime Directorate management information

(Agenda item 10)

A report was received providing a summary of Specialist Crime Directorate’s performance against their key objectives from 1 April 2005 to 31 March 2006. A briefing paper was requested on Street Pastors.

RESOLVED - That

1. the report be noted; and
2. a briefing paper be received on Street Pastors

81. Child Abuse Investigation Command – child protection update

(Agenda item 11)

Members noted a report providing an update on the four key strategic projects managed by the Child Abuse Investigation Command (CAIC) to Safeguard London’s children and updating members on strategic partnerships through the London Child Protection Committee (LCPC). The four projects covered the MPS response to faith related abuse, child death, child trafficking and child abuse on the Internet.

Members asked if the handing over of some national responsibilities to the new Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (affiliated to the Serious Organised Crime Agency) would free up resources. They were told it would not as CAIC would providing operational support. It was noted that the developing relationships would have to be observed. Questions were asked about the 80 unaccompanied children per week seeking asylum at Lunar House and about the instruction of children by mosques, unregulated by the safeguards within the national education system. Members were informed that the children arriving at Lunar House had not always entered the country alone or in secret but had come in with adults or on false document, however the issue was one of concern. The Muslim Council for Britain was aware of the issues of child protection in mosques and was taking ownership of the matter and drawing up protocols. The issue was also pertinent to other organisation that religious instruction of children.

RESOLVED - That the report be noted

82. Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) activity – update report

(Agenda item 12)

This report updated members on ANPR activity carried out by the Traffic Operational Command Unit (OCU) for the performance year 2005/6. It was requested at the full Authority meeting 6 December 2005 when members sought clarification on the ethnicity figures in relation to ANPR stops. At that meeting it was agreed was that further information, including annual figures on the use of ANPR should be circulated to members in future via the Planning, Performance and Review Committee and by a briefing note. A map of the greater London area was distributed showing the correlation between the top volume crime wards, boroughs with the highest ‘fail to stop’ wards and the highest ‘no insurance’ post codes.

In addition to the Traffic OCUs work with the MPS Diversity Directorate and an Independent Advisory Group, members felt there was a need for the statistical data to be explained properly to the public. Members noted that the stopping of vehicles due to ANPR activity was dictated by the process and that the MPS could not be blamed for the disproportionality in the results. The map circulated clearly showed where the Unit’s activity should be directed.

RESOLVED - That the report be noted

83. Draft planning, performance and review committee annual report 2005/06

(Agenda item 13)

This draft annual report for the Planning, Performance and Review Committee for the year July 2005 to March 2006 was submitted describing the main projects, topics considered and achievements of the committee for the year. This report would be a key input in the Authority’s overall Annual Report. Members were asked to make any comments to MPA officers within the coming week.

RESOLVED – That the draft annual report for the Planning, Performance and Review Committee be agreed for presentation to the full Authority.

84. Membership of the Planning Panel

(Agenda item 14)

The Committee was asked to appoint the Chair, Deputy Chair and membership of the Planning Panel for the committee year 2006-2007.

RESOLVED – That the membership, Chair and Deputy Chair of the Planning Panel for the committee year 2006-2007 be the same as that for the Planning; Performance and Review Committee.

The meeting ended at 4.35 p.m.

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