Metropolitan Police Authority - February meeting

09/08
26 February 2008

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 28 February 2008 at 10.00 a.m.

Members will consider the MPA crime data recording scrutiny. Following concerns raised by both the MPA and MPS about the accuracy of MPS crime recording, the work focused on key issues and identified potential future scrutiny work on performance related areas.

Richard Sumray, joint scrutiny chair with Karim Murji, said:

“Good quality information is one of the Metropolitan Police Service’s most valuable resources. But it must be reliable and complete if the MPA is to hold the MPS to account.

“The MPA therefore undertook a scrutiny of MPS crime recording – it is essential for an effective and efficient police force and vital to issues of public confidence. At a time when overall levels of crime in London are falling the fear of crime and anxieties about violent crime persist. If the police are to show real evidence of addressing public concern Londoners must be able to trust that the figures recorded are accurate.

“The scrutiny addressed issues around data accuracy that had been raised by the MPA, MPS and the Audit Commission. Improved data quality will lead to better victim care, more intelligence-led policing (including stops and searches) and a well informed police service more able to deal with crime and anti-social behaviour. The MPA must also ensure that the MPS has sufficiently robust processes in place to guarantee the ongoing delivery of accurate crime recording.

“The report makes 11 recommendations for the MPS to work towards and the MPA Planning, Performance and Review Committee will monitor progress. The MPA is pleased to note that, following the initial draft report, the MPS has already submitted a preliminary plan of action.”

Other items on the agenda include:

• Corporate business plan;
• MPA counter terrorism oversight: and
• Independent member recruitment.

Commissioner Sir Ian Blair will give an update on operational policing issues in London and present a written performance report. Please note: the Commissioner's update will take place as near to 12:00 as possible, discussion permitting.

Notes to Editors

1. The agenda and papers for the Authority meeting can be found at: www.mpa.gov.uk/committees/mpa/2008/080228/default.htm

Further media information

For further information, please contact the MPA press office 

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