MPS performance against drugs

Report: 05c
Date: 14 February 2002
By: Commissioner

Summary

This paper provides an update on MPS performance against 2001/02 targets (judicial disposals and arrest referral schemes), Operation Crackdown, and other drugs initiatives within the MPS.

A. Recommendation

Members are asked to note the report.

B. Supporting information

Performance against targets 2001/02 – Judicial Disposals

1. The 2001/02 objective of reducing damage to London's communities caused by drug dealing is supported by the target to increase the number of Judicial Disposals (JDs) for supply and possession with intent (PWI) to supply Class A drugs by 10 % (baseline: 2001/02 level). This target focuses in particular on the drugs of heroin and cocaine, including crack cocaine. A further target has been set to increase the number of arrestees referred into treatment through arrest referral schemes to 3000.

2. Over the first nine months of the planning year (Apr – Dec 2001), there have been 1,892 Class A JDs (supply and PWI to supply). This is a 42% increase over the previous year's figure of 1330 (Apr – Dec 2000). Chart 1 (see Supporting material) shows the monthly variations in the level of JDs. This shows a clear increase in the number of JDs during Crackdown activity phases (see also paragraphs 7 – 9). The number of JDs during the last activity phase (17 Sept – 14 Oct 2001), whilst not up to the level of the previous phase, maintains the increase in JDs seen since July.

3. The 10% Class A JD target increase over the year to date is also being achieved comfortably for the specific drugs of crack (98% increase) and cocaine (49% increase). Although not up with the Class A target, there has been a 4% increase in the number of JDs relating to heroin over the year to date. Chart 2 (see Supporting material) illustrates the changing yearly levels for these specific drug types since 1998/99.

4. Following a dip in 1999/00, Chart 3 (see Supporting material) illustrates the steady increase in JDs over recent years. By far the biggest increase relates to crack, which now reflects a much higher level of JDs than heroin or cocaine. The high level of JDs relating to crack means that it is now certain that the year total will exceed the 2000/01 total by the 10% Class A target.

Other trends in MPS drugs statistics

5. Whilst targets have been set around JDs in relation to Class A drugs (supply and PWI), the number of JDs relating to all drugs (supply and PWI) has also increased by 29% over the year to date. Within this, the increase relating specifically to Class B and C drugs is 8%. Class B and C JDs remain a large proportion of the overall number:

6. Officer proactivity to increase the number of drugs JDs will also result in an increase in recorded drugs offences. For this reason, the percentage of offences resulting in a JD is understandably high, for example, the percentage of JDs to offences for the 12 months to Dec-01 is 87% for all trafficking offences. This figure has remained consistent at 87% since 1999/2000. The percentage of JDs to offences (of possession of drugs) has reduced slightly from 89% in 1999/2000 to 83% for the year to Dec-01, perhaps indicating the greater focus, in line with targets, on offences of supply and PWI to supply.

Operation Crackdown update

7. As reported previously, Operation Crackdown is designed to reduce drug-related crime by prioritising and co-ordinating enforcement and intelligence gathering activity across the MPS. This involves responsibility towards delivering the target increase in JDs for supply and PWI to supply Class A drugs.

8. Since 1 April 2001, some 44 operations have been authorised targeting street dealers, over 900 raids have been carried out, and 76.9% of the £1.5m budget has been spent or allocated.

9. During the activity phase, which took place 17 September to 14 October 2001, and despite the huge demand on boroughs owing to the 11 September attacks the following activity, occurred:

• 400 raids
• 25 pro-active operations that targeted street drug dealers across the MPS
• 350 JDs for supply and PWI to supply Class A drugs were achieved (approximately 16% of the year's target JDs in 8% of the counting period)
• In Brent, a covert operation focusing on a high profile drugs street market resulted in 50 arrests. This received much praise from the local community and a large amount of press coverage.

Borough performance

10. Appendix 1 summarises borough performance against the Class A drugs JD target in the form of a Boston Box. "Performance" reflects borough activity in terms of the number of Class A JDs per 100 officers (supply and PWI). Appendix A shows that, of the 32 boroughs, 22 are achieving the 10% increase. Six boroughs (Richmond upon Thames, Southwark, Ealing, Sutton, Haringey and Enfield) however, are showing reductions in the number of JDs over the year to date.

11. By far the greatest level of JDs per officer is at Greenwich (42 JDs per 100 officers). The reasons behind the high rate at Greenwich were highlighted in a previous report to PSPM (PSPM/01/85) and focuses on regular test purchase operations and quick response to intelligence. Over half of the Class A JDs at Greenwich are for heroin supply and PWI.

12. One of the greatest percentage increases in the number of Class A JDs (350% increase) is at Brent (see paragraph 9 above). During the month Sept and Oct 2001, the months of the latest Crackdown activity phase, 74 JDs were recorded, compared with a total of 16 JDs over the remaining seven months of the planning year.

13. Tower Hamlets saw a large increase in Class A JDs in December following Operation Sabre, a strand of Operation Strongbox. There were 66 JDs in December compared with 42 during Apr – Nov 2001. A number of drug raids were carried out, the most notable being a dawn offensive on 18 addresses in Bethnal Green. The intelligence-led initiative resulted in the arrest and charge of 15 men in connection with supplying Class A drugs as well as the seizure of ten vehicles and a quantity of cash.

Performance against targets 2001/02 – arrest referrals

14. The MPS target for 2001/02 is to refer 3,000 arrestees into treatment via drug arrest referral schemes. This is an increase of 1,000 over the 2000/01 target. Figures for the current year (Apr – Oct 2001) show that 2,137 people have been referred for treatment. Providing referrals continue at a similar rate, will mean around 3,600 referrals for the year, a comfortable achievement of the target.

Funding of arrest referrals

15. The MPS agreed to support Arrest referral for a minimum of three years, to March 2003. Currently Arrest Referral within the MPS is part funded by the Home Office. This was initially agreed for two years and was subsequently extended for a further year. Funding was costed at £1.8M per annum based on Home Office guidance. The MPS and Home Office have contributed £900k per annum. There has been a slight underspend to date, due to the recruiting and retention of workers, though any future funding may need to include data collection costs as well. A working party, to be chaired by the Head of Drug Strategy is being set up to look at the success of the schemes.

Referrals - borough

16. Appendix 2 (see Supporting material) provides a borough breakdown of the numbers of arrestees who have had some form of contact with drugs workers. Chart 4 (see Supporting material) shows the number of referrals into treatment as a percent of adult arrestees and therefore reflects more closely the differing levels of activity. This shows that Lewisham have referred the greatest percent of adult arrestees into treatment (3.2%), followed by Lambeth (3.0%), Kensington and Chelsea (2.8%) and Southwark (2.7%).

Compulsory Drug Testing Pilot Scheme

17. A pilot commenced in mid-Sept 2001 in Hackney and Nottingham following earlier trials held in Staffordshire. Saliva samples are taken from people charged with certain acquisitive crimes (e.g. robbery / burglary) or Class A drug offences. Offenders who test positive are offered the opportunity to enter treatment. Test results are provided to the court to help assist with bail and sentencing decisions. Up to the end of November, 195 people had been tested, of which 54% tested positive for drugs. This pilot is part of a Home Office project and a full evaluation will be carried out on their behalf. The pilot includes provision of five gaolers at Hackney funded by Home Office.

Other initiatives - Drug Driving (Recognition and Testing)

18. Research conducted for the Home Office which sought to identify the number of vehicle occupants killed in road traffic accidents with a measurable quantity of drugs in the body, identified that over a ten year period, there had been a six-fold increase in the incidence of illicit drugs. There was no evidence that these drugs caused any impairment or were contributory factors in the accident. The rise was, however, considered significant to justify research, one part of which sought to identify best practice in tackling drug driving in Europe and the United States.

19. The most suitable system, used by LA Police Department, trained selected officers in two techniques; Drug Recognition and field Impairment Testing. Drug Recognition Training enables an officer to assess, by observation, whether a person is under the influence of a drug and, by watching for signs and symptoms, possibly to identify the major drug group involved. Field Impairment Testing involves a suspected drug driver undertaking a series of simple tests, the observation of which assists an officer to assess the degree of any impairment. The American system has been adopted for use within the UK and successfully trialed in provincial forces. The techniques have been adopted by ACPO and recommended to all police forces.

20. Within the MPS, two boroughs (Havering and Redbridge) are taking part in a pilot scheme that aims to train officers to recognise the signs of drug. Around 100 officers have taken part in a two-day course. The pilot reports at the end of 2002, however the initial response from officers who have been trained is encouraging. There are no cost implications from the training – MPS trainers have been trained in the techniques. The only resource implications are the abstractions from duty for officers to attend training.

21. A real advantage of training in these techniques is the increase in the confidence of the officer to recognise and gauge impairment through drugs. Quite apart from the impact that drug recognition training may have upon road traffic casualty reduction, it also has the potential to impact upon the activities of drug using criminals.

Future actions against drugs

22. The Government's Ten-Year Strategy for Tackling Drugs is currently being reviewed by the Home Affairs Select Committee. In addition, the Home Secretary has asked the Advisory Council on Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) for their assessment of the arguments for re-classifying cannabis from Class B to Class C.

23. Ministerial Priorities for 2002/03 have recently been issued by Home Office. The first priority has been expanded to include specific reference to Class A drugs:

"to help create safe communities by reducing crime, anti-social behaviour and disorder through effective partnership working, including reducing the availability and use of Class A drugs."

24. At the same time, it has been proposed that the Best Value Performance Indicator 129 (number of offenders charged, reported for summons or cautioned for supply offences in respect of Class A drugs) is dropped from the suite.

25. The current MPS 3 year Drug Plan was written in 1998 in line with the Government's Strategy. The MPS Plan is now due for renewal and is currently being reviewed. The main strands are likely to focus on upholding the law, and working in partnership.

26. The review of the MPS Drug Plan is in the process of internal consultation, with a seminar planned for the end of March, which will involve law enforcement and multi-agency partners. The seminar is to be hosted by DAC Fuller, Head of Drugs Strategy, and independently chaired by Mike Trace (Performance Director of the National Treatment Agency).

27. DAC Fuller has carried out an internal review of MPS activity against drugs and identified areas where improvements in the delivery of policy could be made. This has led to the introduction of the ACPO role of Head of Drug Strategy to co-ordinate activity and build links with strategic post holders in law enforcement and partner agency groups. The Drugs Directorate is being brought under this strategic lead. Further work is underway to improve strategic intelligence and co-ordinate enforcement activities against middle market drug dealers. This work includes a recent bid to the Home Office for a Drug Task Force (£13.5m over three years), which would be used to develop our disruption strategy, in particular through seizure of criminal assets and improved partnership working.

28. The Lambeth pilot was initiated to reduce the time spent on the borough dealing with arrest and prosecution of persons for possession of cannabis for personal use, and to allow officers more time to concentrate on activity against Class A drug dealers and core business. Persons found in possession of cannabis for personal use only, are given a formal or informal warning. The pilot at Lambeth was initially due to run to the end of December, but is being continued until after the outcome of the debate on the re-classification of Cannabis from Class B to Class C. The evaluation of the first six months of the pilot, which is taking the form of interviews with staff and statistical information, is due to be completed during February. In addition, the Police Foundation has supported external evaluation considering the impact on the community in the form of a MORI survey involving street interviews and focus groups. The MORI report is due to be published on 18 February.

29. The MPS is currently reviewing the policy on cannabis and preparing recommendations on how the warning system could be rolled out to boroughs, should the pilot prove to be successful. The re-classification of cannabis would affect how we administer a warning system. There are also a number of administrative problems to be addressed prior to any extension of the warning system, in particular our policy in relation to the formal warning of young people.

30. The possession of cannabis remains a criminal offence and police have a duty to uphold the law. If cannabis were re-classified as a Class C drug, it would still remain an offence punishable with two years imprisonment. The policy of the MPS will continue to concentrate proactivity and resources on tackling trafficking in Class A drugs, particularly heroin and cocaine, including crack cocaine.

C. Financial implications

Have been covered in main body of text - Operation Crackdown (paragraph 8); referrals (paragraph 15); compulsory drug testing (paragraph 17); drug driving (paragraph 20); Drug Task Force (paragraph 27).

D. Background papers

• PSPM/01/57 – Operation Crackdown (update)
• PSPM/01/35 - MPS performance against drugs
• PSPM/01/08 – Drugs Update – Operation Crackdown

E. Contact details

Report authors: Lesley Nichols, Corporate Performance Analysis Unit, MPS.

For information contact:

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

Appendix 1

Interpretation of the Boston Box

The vertical axis shows performance during the 2000/2001 planning year. Depending on the focus subject, this could be either number of offences per population*, % judicial disposals or drugs JDs per 100 officers. Overall, MPS performance is used to position the horizontal axis and those boroughs performing better than the MPS average are shown in either section 1 or 2 (i.e. above the horizontal axis).

The horizontal axis (trend) shows how last year compared with the year before (either % increase/reduction in number of offences in 2000/01 compared with 1999/00, change in JD rate between 1999/00 and 2000/01, or % increase / reduction in drugs JDs). Those boroughs whose performance has improved in the last year are shown in either section 1 or 3 (i.e. to the right of the vertical axis.)

Family groupings

Boroughs have been grouped by crime and disorder reduction partnership (CDRP) families in order to show how performance compares between similar boroughs. The families, and key to the colour used to represent each family on the Boston box, is as follows:

CDRP Family

Send an e-mail linking to this page

Feedback