Metropolitan Police Authority Statement: MPS takes further action of minimise risk posed by violent offenders

28/08
5 June 2008

At the Metropolitan Police Authority's Coordination and Policing Committee today, Commissioner Sir Ian Blair outlined MPS action to deal with potentially violent offenders who have come into contact with police.

Sir Ian informed Authority members that on Tuesday 3 June he attended Assistant Commissioner Tim Godwin's meeting with senior officers from every London borough to reinforce that the police investigate thoroughly every allegation involving potentially violent offenders before some go on to commit more serious violent crime. The intention is to ensure that there is a high level of supervision and risk assessment of investigations in what may appear to be minor incidents that involve violence, or the threat of violence, and which may be a precursor to a more serious attack.

Officers have been tasked to reassess every case on their borough where there is a named or identifiable suspect involved in woundings, assaults, threats to kill and harassment type allegations with a view to expediting everything that can be done and taking appropriate action.

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

"There are legitimate questions about whether the MPS did all it could in the weeks leading up to the tragic murder of Arsema Dawit that must be answered as a matter of urgency.

"An internal MPS review of police action into the crime allegation prior to the murder is already underway, together with a separate Independent Police Complaints Commission investigation, and we expect thorough, timely reports to pinpoint exactly what happened.

"We want to be reassured that no similar cases exist and that every instance reported to the police is investigated with the urgency and thoroughness it needs. We all recognise that this is a matter both of public protection and confidence in London's police service and the Authority welcomes the actions within the Met outlined to us today by the Commissioner."

"However, we realise that this can do nothing to relieve the pain and anguish felt by the family and friends of Arsema Dawit and our thoughts and prayers are with them."

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