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This page contains press release 33/06, in which the MPA gives details of the MPA request to the MPS to produce report on Forest Gate operation.
Warning: This is archived material and may be out of date. The Metropolitan Police Authority has been replaced by the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPC).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.
Metropolitan Police Authority – MPS requested to produce report on Forest Gate operation
33/06
12 June 2006
Len Duvall, chair of the Metropolitan Police Authority, has asked the Commissioner for a full report into the issues surrounding the police operation at Forest Gate. He said:
“The public have a right to expect that questions should be asked about the way the police operation was conducted. There was clearly credible intelligence leading to the police operation at Forest Gate but as with any operation it is important afterwards to review it and to see whether there are any lessons that can usefully be learnt from the way it was conducted.
“I have therefore asked the Commissioner to compile a report that will cover all aspects of the policing operation, which will be shared with the Home Secretary and the Mayor of London.
“The Authority would like to thank Londoners for understanding that the police must continue to be vigilant in the fight against terrorism. But at the same time the Authority is concerned that the MPS must realise that policing has to be sensitive to all our community concerns.
“It is a difficult balance to strike and these are difficult times – only last year the police disrupted a number of alleged terrorist atrocities.
"Last week’s operation was in response to very specific intelligence that, if not acted upon, would have posed an unacceptable threat to public safety, particularly in that area.
“While the search of the house has been completed, this remains a live inquiry and elements of the intelligence continue to be pursued and will be until the MPS is satisfied that the intelligence has been supported or refuted.
“I and the majority of MPA members retain confidence in Ian Blair and his senior management team to carry forward our joint policing plan and modernisation agenda on behalf of Londoners. During Sir Ian’s tenure we have had an unprecedented expansion of police officer and Police Community Support Officers numbers, and the introduction of Safer Neighbourhoods teams in every ward to full two years ahead of schedule. Londoners have demanded a greater emphasis on community-based policing and Sir Ian has delivered”
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