Major changes proposed by MPA crime management review

42/02
19 April 2002

The Metropolitan Police Authority has agreed recommendations that pave the way for major changes in how London is policed. Proposals arising from the Authority’s ‘best value’ review of crime management include:

• establishing a 24-hour central bureau to allow crimes to be reported by telephone and, if appropriate, to conduct an initial investigation on the telephone;
• improving the service to victims of crime by establishing a contact desk within the central bureau to provide specialist help and advice;
• employing support staff skilled and trained in specific aspects of crime investigation and victim care to help free-up police officer time.

The review’s findings were considered by members of the Finance, Planning and Best Value Committee at their meeting on 18 April 2002. Reshard Auladin, lead member for best value on FPBV Committee said,

“At the moment officers must go back to a police station and spend thirty minutes or more typing details into a computer for every crime reported. This is not the best use of valuable police time. The proposals agreed today will enable officers to spend more time on the streets and will improve the support given to victims and witnesses.”

The review was carried out on behalf of the MPA by a team of MPS officers led by Detective Chief Superintendent John Bates. The review looked at processes concerning investigation and intelligence, specifically those linked with crimes most likely to be reported at police stations. The review team followed statutory guidelines and challenged current practices. They consulted service users and taxpayers, compared the performance of the Met to other police services and assessed whether some services could be provided by other agencies.

Assistant Commissioner Michael Todd, chair of the review’s project board said,

“These improvements are aimed at strengthening our frontline policing capability. Officers are often frustrated by working practices which tie them to the police station. The changes would allow police officers to be deployed more appropriately allowing them to spend a larger proportion of their time on visible policing."

A team will now develop plans to implement the review which will be submitted to the MPA for approval in due course.

Notes to editors

1. The Metropolitan Police Authority has a statutory duty to review all functions of the Metropolitan Police Service under the Local Government Act 1999. 
2. For full details of the Finance, Planning and Best Value Committee review see Internal links.

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