Metropolitan Police Authority – July meeting

44/06
24 July 2006

A meeting of the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) will be held in meeting room 1 (ground floor), 10 Dean Farrar Street, London SW1 on Thursday 27 July 2006 at 10.00 a.m.

Members will be updated on the progress of the MPA’s programme of community engagement to counter terrorism. The MPS will also outline their initiatives to help prevent and respond to terrorism and their assessment of the current terrorist threat.

Len Duvall, chair of the MPA said:

“Community engagement is essential to successful intelligence. The MPA wants to involve communities fully in the fight against terrorism, but Londoners have to trust that what is being done by the Met in their name is appropriate.

“We have organised a series of meetings, ‘Counter-Terrorism: The London Debate’, to ask Londoners for their input into counter-terrorism policing. So far we have heard from young people and representatives from London’s economy and local government. Each hearing has been a steep learning curve for both the MPA and the invited guests from the MPS. It doesn’t make easy listening but it is essential if we are to maintain public confidence.

“The MPS is also making progress in its work with communities in the fight against terrorism, by carrying out a full review of current policing tactics. In order to foster confidence and trust in the police, outreach work at grassroots level in communities is being increased, with Safer Neighbourhoods teams playing a central role.

“For the police and security services are to be effective, we have to listen to what Londoners are telling us and work hard to create confidence, co-operation and support among all our communities.

“Their knowledge and lessons learnt are crucial for us to piece together a jigsaw of experience which will help us, together with the MPS, make London as safe as possible for everyone.”

Commissioner Sir Ian Blair will give an update on operational policing issues in London and present a written performance report.

The Authority will hear a question from Mr M Farrant, concerning investigations following a death in custody. Catherine Crawford, Chief Executive and Clerk to the MPA will give the Authority’s responses at the meeting.

Notes to editors

1.The committee papers for this meeting can be found at:
www.mpa.gov.uk/committees/mpa/2006/060727/default.htm

2. Further information about the MPA’s programme of events for ‘Counter-Terrorism: The London Debate’ can be found at:
www.mpa.gov.uk/issues/counterterrorism/default.htm

3. Confidential anti-terrorist hotline: 0800 789 321

4. Crimestoppers: 0800 555 111

Further media information

For further information, please contact the MPA press office

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