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This page contains press release 39/03, in which the MPA expresses grave concerns for New Scotland Yard resilience after they suffered a major power failure following problems affecting the Victoria area.
Warning: This is archived material and may be out of date. The Metropolitan Police Authority has been replaced by the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPC).
See the MOPC website for further information.
MPA – grave concerns for New Scotland Yard resilience
39/03
4 June 2003
Toby Harris, Chair of the Metropolitan Police Authority, expressed grave concerns today after New Scotland Yard suffered a major power failure following problems affecting the Victoria area.
Toby said:
“The power failure at New Scotland Yard, whilst the result of external problems, is of extreme concern to the MPA and calls into question the Met’s resilience to major infrastructure problems.
“Although the emergency 999 service and the police radio system were effectively maintained by being switched to local station systems, the efficiency of the service was jeopardised. There are some very basic questions to be answered and assurances to be sought concerning future resilience.
“Of paramount concern is the failure of the Yard’s backup electrical system. It is fundamental that a backup should come into action when the mains system fails and we want to be reassured that it will operate effectively in future.
"The Authority will expect a full report of the current failings and proof that they have been addressed in full at the next available MPA committee meeting.”
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