MPA Chair tells Police Federation “tackling crime is the responsibility of everyone”

27/00
18 October 2000

The Chair of the Metropolitan Police Authority, Toby Harris, this evening addressed the Police Federation for the first time since the Authority took over responsibility for the Metropolitan Police Service from the Home Secretary on 3 July 2000.

Speaking at the Police Federation’s meeting held in Church House, London, the Chair said:

“I am very conscious that the Met has been through a difficult time in recent years. That has not been easy for anyone. But it is perhaps worth remembering that, despite all that, you are nonetheless representatives of a Service that is highly respected and whose good practises are emulated throughout the free world.

“I wish to place on public record this evening our very sincere thanks and that of the general public to all police officers for the very difficult and dangerous job you carry out.

“This morning I took part in the unveiling in Twickenham of a memorial to PC Sidhu who was tragically killed carrying out his duties. An important reminder of how much the public owes to its police service.

“Having said that, the MPA will expect London’s police officers to accept change, to recognise that the communities they now serve are more diverse than ever and to learn the lessons from the death of Stephen Lawrence. Many police officers felt it was unfair to condemn everyone for the failures in that case. But it has to be said that far too many people belonging to minority communities felt in turn that the police had little respect or consideration for them, were not prepared to listen to their problems and regarded them as third class citizens.

“The Authority recognises that the Met has been undertaking the most intensive and extensive programme of reform since they were set up. And there has been enormous progress. The situation has improved, given the enormous effort by many police officers at all levels to respond positively to the criticisms that have been made.

“Together we must address the key issues that concern the public. This will mean, in particular, cutting street crime drastically and reducing drug-related incidents significantly. It will mean making our streets safer and making all of us feel more secure in our homes. Indeed, I believe that this Authority’s success or failure will be judged on whether crime in London is reduced and the Metropolitan Police achieve its stated objective of making London the safest major city in the world.

“We must all recognise that crime is the responsibility of all of us. Together we can make a real difference, but progress will not be achieved simply by relying on one agency - the police - to do all the work.

“But tackling crime has got to be seen as a partnership - a partnership between the police and the public and between the police and other agencies, such as local councils. Local communities know where local crime hot spots are and have a fund of information. The public need to tell the police when they see something suspicious and have the confidence that what they say will be taken seriously. They need to know who their local beat officers are and how to contact them. I believe these beat officers must be the cornerstone of London’s policing - men and women who understand the local area, are seen as part of the community, and who are accessible and can stop trouble before it gets started.

“The Authority views the building up of partnerships between public and the police, such as those developed with the boroughs, local community groups and other agencies under the Crime and Disorder Partnerships a major step in winning the battle against rising crime.

“To all London’s serving policemen, I say, wear your uniform with pride, you belong to an elite police service that has had a proud history. Modern policing techniques and a highly diverse community, speaking many languages, in a constantly changing world throws up enormous challenges - the Authority believes in the Met and believes you can all live up to those challenges.”

Note for editors

The Metropolitan Police Authority took over responsibility for the Metropolitan Police Service from the Home Secretary on 3 July. Lord Toby Harris was elected Chair and Peter Herbert and Richard Barnes were elected Deputy Chairs.

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