Update on scrutiny projects

Report: 06
Date: 14 February 2002
By: Clerk

Summary

At the July Professional Standards and Performance Monitoring Committee (PSPM) meeting, Members agreed a scrutiny into rape investigation and victim care. This report provides a progress update on the scrutiny. 

Members also agreed that two or three scrutinies into MPS performance would be carried out each year. The next topic for scrutiny is proposed to be crime and disorder partnerships.

A. Recommendation

1. Members note the progress made to date on the scrutiny into rape investigation and victim care;
2. A full report on the scrutiny findings be presented to the April PSPM committee; and
3. Members agree Crime and Disorder Partnerships be the subject of the next scrutiny and nominate two or more PSPM members for the scrutiny.

B. Supporting information

Scrutiny on rape investigation and victim care

1. At the July 2001 PSPM meeting the committee agreed to carry out two or three in-depth scrutinies each year into MPS performance. The first scrutiny was agreed by the committee as a scrutiny into MPS performance in rape investigation and victim care. The project started in September 2001 and this report provides an update on the progress made.

2. The scrutiny panel consists of five members, representing all MPA committees: Richard Sumray (Chair), Cindy Butts, Elizabeth Howlett, Cecile Lothian and Angela Slaven. Although Angela has now left the Authority she has agreed to stay on the scrutiny panel as an external member. The scrutiny is supported by the MPA's Performance Analysis Unit.

3. The scrutiny panel met in late September to agree the terms of reference and project plan for the scrutiny. The terms of reference were agreed to be:

• To hear evidence from victim groups and representative organisations regarding the service provided to victims of rape in London by the police
• To consider current practice in the MPS, the best practice from London boroughs, other national forces and worldwide in respect of investigation
• To provide recommendations for improving victim care and subsequent investigation

4. From October to January the panel and support officers have been gathering evidence regarding rape investigation and victim care in the following ways:

• Scrutiny hearings – in these the scrutiny panel hears from key witnesses in London regarding rape investigation and victim care and poses semi-structured questions. The panel has heard from: two MPS senior officers, rape project managers and officers working with victims and rape investigation; a victim of rape; the Chair of the Sexual Offences Independent Advisory Group to the MPS; a victim care organisation; a professor in women's studies; HMIC; and the CPS.
• Written evidence – over 100 relevant organisations and individuals in London were invited to submit written evidence regarding their views of MPS investigation of rape crimes and the service the MPS provides to victims of rape. Thirty-six written replies have been received.
• Visits – the panel has visited The Haven, a South London sexual referral centre and two victim examination suites
• Interviews – support officers have carried out interviews with MPS officers involved in Project Sapphire (the MPS rape strategy), a borough's rape investigation officers, a paediatrician who works with child victims of rape and researchers in the field
• Attendance at the national rape conference organised by the MPS in December 2001
• A questionnaire with victims of rape (although only a few returns have been received)

5. The panel and officers will meet shortly to discuss the emerging findings from the evidence gathering. The research and findings will then be brought together into a report to be presented to PSPM at the April meeting. The report will detail the findings, recommendations and how the committee will monitor progress towards the implementation of the recommendations. As this is the first MPA scrutiny, a report evaluating the scrutiny will also be produced.

Proposed scrutiny on crime and disorder partnerships

6. The rape scrutiny has now finished its evidence gathering and is in a report writing stage; hence less member involvement is required and some support officer time is freed up. As such, a new scrutiny project can be started. The proposed topic is 'Crime and Disorder Partnerships'. This is considered a particularly suitable topic, as it is an area in which the MPA currently has limited involvement. This is also an area where there are differences in performance between boroughs.

7. The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 considers Police Authorities as 'co-operating bodies'. Co-operating bodies represent local groups or agencies who can provide a significant contribution to local crime reduction. The suggestions for MPA scrutiny into Crime and Disorder Partnerships are either to focus on MPS involvement and performance in the partnerships and/or to focus on how the MPA can be more involved.

8. The Chairs of PSPM and CDO have met, together with MPA support officers, to discuss how the scrutiny can be developed. Draft terms of reference have been discussed to cover:

• To obtain written and oral evidence describing current MPS engagement in CDRPs and the CDRPs impact on improving community safety
• To assess best practice concerning the structures and effectiveness of CDRPs and in particular the MPS role on them
• To make recommendations on the dissemination of good practice, on aspects of partnerships where improvements can be made and on the nature of the MPA engagement in CDRPs.

These will be further defined and agreed at a future scrutiny meeting.

9. Members are asked to agree that Crime and Disorder Partnerships is the topic of the next scrutiny. Nominations are also sought for membership on the scrutiny panel. Membership will also be sought from other MPA committees.

C. Financial implications

1. The scrutiny into rape investigation and victim care has been carried out at minimal costs, mainly administrative costs for postage, etc. Visits and attendance at the rape conference have been organised by the MPS.

2. The scrutiny into crime and disorder partnerships is expected to be at similar administrative and visit costs.

D. Background papers

None.

E. Contact details

Report authors: Johanna Gillians, Senior Analyst, MPA.

For information contact:

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

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