MPA - Metropolitan Police dedicated to protecting the UK from Terrorism

58/06
22 September 2006

“We should not forget the unparalleled experience and determination of the Metropolitan Police Service to tackle terrorism and protect Londoners and the UK from criminals intent on mass murder” said Metropolitan Police Authority chair Len Duvall.

The Met has national responsibilities for counter-terrorist activity and the MPA has a duty to scrutinise and question these important duties to ensure the police are accountable to the people of London.

As part of this responsibility the Authority has initiated an unprecedented programme of community engagement across the capital to sustain and widen informed debate on how our society should respond to the terrorist threat.

Len Duvall said:

“The Met is doing an incredible job to protect Londoners form the threat of terrorist attack. We must not lose sight of police successes in our attempts to draw constructive lessons from past experience. While operational improvements can and are being made to police operations following the events of July 2005, the response of all the emergency services at that time was exemplified by unstinting dedication to helping those in need, often in the face of personal danger.

“Furthermore, as part of the MPA’s regular scrutiny of the Met’s counter terrorist activities, we are duty bound to question the Commissioner and his senior officers in public forum about their actions. We also hold them to account when we believe things could have been handled more sensitively or with greater understanding of the consequences for London’s communities.

“The Authority believes that as much information as possible about counter- terrorist activity should be discussed in open forum to foster a sense of public ownership of the problems and the solutions. For example, in October 2005 we debated Operation Kratos, the national police response to the threat of suicide terrorism. In addition, at our monthly full Authority meetings we receive updates from the Commissioner about counter-terrorist activity and ask him to respond to any concerns we may have.”

Talking about the Authority’s programme of community engagement, Len continued:

“The MPA recognises the potential Londoners themselves have to contribute to the safety and security of the capital. By developing a sense of public ownership of the problems, and importantly their solutions, the Authority hopes to build resilience in London, increase the possibility of Londoners coming forward with vital community intelligence, and consequently reduce the risk of future terrorist attack.

“We want to enable London’s communities to communicate their views and concerns to the police, which we believe will lead to better informed police decision making and greater public understanding of the complexities involved.”

In conclusion, Len said:

“Our thoughts are with everyone affected by last years terrorist outrages. And Londoners should rest assured that the police remain dedicated to protecting our communities from the threat of terrorism.”

Notes to editors

1. Counter-Terrorism: The London debate

A programme of community engagement events to explore Londoners’ views and concerns are taking place throughout the second half of 2006, including:

Six focussed hearings with invited audiences

• Thursday 29 June - young people
• Thursday 6 July – councillors, business and tourism representatives
• Thursday 7 September - faith groups
• Thursday 5 October - women
• Thursday 16 November - Asian men
• Thursday 7 December - police and government

2. Six confidential focus groups with students in London universities and colleges, to discuss extremist recruitment and radicalisation on campus.

3. Thirty-two local consultations - one in every London borough.

4. Analysis of qualitative data received through the MPA website.

5. A publication, featuring contributions from practitioners, commentators and community representatives.

6. Further information about the MPA’s programme of events can be found at:
www.mpa.gov.uk/issues/counterterrorism/default.htm

7. Confidential anti-terrorist hotline: 0800 789 321

8. Crimestoppers: 0800 555 111

9. Communities Together helpline: 0800 028 2390

Further media information

For further information, please contact the MPA press office

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