MPA statement - response to today's comments made by Peter Smyth of the Metropolitan Police Constables Branch

29/06
16 May 2006

Len Duvall, Chair of the Metropolitan Police Authority, said today:

"Sir Ian Blair’s vision of policing the capital, which places the needs of Londoners at the very heart of the modernisation programme, is one that is shared not only by the majority of Metropolitan Police Authority members, but also by Londoners and the vast majority of rank and file police officers themselves.

“Under Sir Ian’s strong and focused leadership, we now have an unprecedented expansion of police officer and Police Community Support Officer numbers, and the introduction of Safer Neighbourhoods teams in every ward a full two years ahead of schedule. Londoners demanded a greater emphasis on community-based policing and Sir Ian has delivered.

“At the same time the C3i communications system is delivering a revolution in call handling that is essential in dealing with the growing numbers of calls for assistance from the public – expected to reach 23 million phone calls and emails a year by 2010.

“Other areas of reform and change have been necessary to provide a police service fit for the 21st century and one that faces demands that were unthinkable just a few years ago. We only have to think of the 7 July bombings to see how much things have changed.

“The Police Federation has been fully involved in the police modernisation programme and we will continue to work with its members and all police officers and police staff to bring about the changes necessary to deliver a first-class police service.

“Everyone shares our vision to make London the safest major city in the world and Sir Ian deserves our support in making it a reality.”

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