Significant improvements to policing already underway, MPA says as new report is published

37/02
10 April 2002

The Metropolitan Police Authority has welcomed the Policing for London report to be published tomorrow and says it has already embarked on a comprehensive programme of scrutiny and review and set exacting priorities for the Met that will bring about many of the improvements demanded by Londoners. 

Toby Harris, Chair of the MPA, said: 

"We welcome this latest report which helps to keep policing and law and order at the top of the political agenda and keeps us all focused on people's expectations and concerns. But time has moved on since the report was written and this was a snapshot of views taken some little time ago.

"As we all know the pace of change in London is dramatic and things have moved on since then. I believe we are seeing an upsurge in confidence in policing among a range of communities." 

"Since its formation in July 2000, the MPA has been working closely with the people of London and the Commissioner, Sir John Stevens, to raise standards within the Metropolitan Police and deliver a more responsive and equitable service to Londoners.

"We have consulted with the people who live and work in London, reviewed current performance and considered partners' views in setting policing priorities for 2002/03 to increase security, create safer communities, improve the police response to vulnerable victims and tackle youth offending.

"These priorities are underpinned by challenging performance targets, some of which were selected after consulting with borough commanders in line with our continued drive to establish borough commands as the main focus of policing.

"We are also ensuring more police officers are available for local use. Our target last year to recruit 1,050 police officers has been met and we aim to recruit over 1,200 more officers during 2002/03. Londoners have told us that they want more officers on the beat and we are delivering on that.

"Over the past 12 months I have personally visited every London borough to meet with police, the community and local authority to hear about local concerns and look at new ways of tackling crime hotspots, street robberies and anti-social behaviour.

"Many of the public concerns identified by the report have been reflected in the feedback I have received during my discussions in the boroughs.

"People have repeatedly called for higher profile policing in the boroughs and a style that is much more responsive and sensitive to local priorities and concerns.

"Through our statutory role of maintaining an efficient and effective police service for London, the MPA is constantly looking at ways of raising standards to meet public demand and expectations.

"Through a continuous, wide-ranging programme of efficiency and best value reviews and day-to-day scrutiny of all aspects of policing the capital, major changes are underway that will transform a service that has suffered in the past through an erosion of numbers and morale, and an absence of a proper system of scrutiny and financial management.

"But as we have seen over the past year, and especially since 11 September and more recently in the successful battle against street crime, there is now much to be positive about and upon which we can build. And we are also clear that the responsibility for operational policing remains with the Commissioner in whom we have the utmost confidence.

"Through partnership and mutual cooperation and support we are working to build a service that will deliver safer streets for all of London's richly diverse communities."

Notes to editors

Policing for London, by Marian FitzGerald, Mike Hough, Ian Joseph and Tareq Qureshi are available from Willan Publishing 01884 840337/849085.

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