Firearms discharge

82/11
15 December 2011
MPA briefing paper 82/2011

This briefing paper has been prepared to inform members and staff. It is not a committee report and no decisions are required.

Members requested a briefing regarding firearms discharges at the meeting of the Strategic and Operational Policing Committee on 13 October 2011.

This briefing paper has been prepared by: DCS Stuart Cundy, OCU Commander SCD8 Trident.

Summary

This briefing note is for MPA members and provides a breakdown of firearm discharge figures with an associated summary for each borough.

The MPS records firearms discharges in accordance with the Assessments of Policing and Community Safety (APACS) Gun Crime definition. Namely, the offence falls within the four Major offence categories of: Violence against the person, Sexual offences, Robbery, and Burglary, and (a) The firearm used is not CS gas or pepper spray, and (b) A “shots fired” feature code identifying a firearm usage has been added to the crime report.

Thus, this figure incorporates all firearms discharges including air weapons, starting pistols, ball bearing guns etc. However, the figure omits incidents where shots have been fired into property but where no victim is present, which under APACS is recorded as criminal damage.

The MPS allocates lethal firearms discharges to the Specialist Crime Directorate (SCD) for investigation (this excludes air weapons, ball bearing guns or starting pistols), investigating commands are:

• SCD8 Trident - all non fatal shootings and fatal shootings where the victim and suspect are from the black community
•  SCD1 Homicide and Serious Crime Command - fatal shootings not investigated by SCD8 Trident
•  SCD7 (5) Flying Squad - non fatal shootings as a result of a commercial robbery

The Specialist Crime Directorate records all shooting incidents; this includes those firearms discharges that are classified as criminal damage. This briefing provides a breakdown of these shootings incidents that provide a greater understanding of the nature of shootings across London’s boroughs.

Overview

Shooting incidents have decreased over the last three years with 372 recorded in 2009/10, 354 in 2010/11 and 165 (up to end of October 2011) in 2011/12. Over the same period fatal shootings were 16 in 2009/10, 25 in 2010/11 and 12 (up to end of October 2011) in 2011/12.

Shootings do not always involve an injury to a victim; they can also include premises being shot, vehicles shot and victims shot but missed. The motives behind these crimes are complex and manifold. They include tit for tat shootings amongst the criminal fraternity, personal relationship disputes and cases of mistaken identity.

Commander Martin Hewitt leads the MPS response to preventing and investigating firearms discharges. Activity is co-ordinated across all business groups and London boroughs. The MPS continues working hard to maintain this overall downward trend in offences. Every gun crime is a priority to our communities and to us, and is the subject of extensive policing activity by all Borough Operational Command Units, and by specialist staff and officers in Trident, the Flying Squad and other specialist units.

This activity includes the development and implementation of specific action plans to address areas most affected by gun crime. These plans have been drawn up with the help of community members and involve enforcement, prevention and deterrent activity. The MPS makes extensive use of mediation and other interventions to diffuse volatile situations and prevent shootings.

In addition, proactive operations continue to generate significant arrests and gun seizures. Between April and October 2011 the MPS seized 187 live firing weapons plus a high number of other firearms that could be converted to lethal firing weapons, 72 of these firearms have been recovered by Trident. The nature of firearms use in London shows that firearms are not always used in one particular borough; wherever firearms are seized it will have an impact not just on that borough but across London.

Trident broadly categorises all shootings under one of three motives - Revenge, Respect or Revenue. The reasons for the reductions/ increases in shootings across London boroughs are many and varied, but what is evident is that the problem cannot be addressed by police alone. It is vital that the members of the public, partners and the police continue to work together to ensure that within our communities there is no tolerance of those who carry and use guns.

Detailed below are details for each of the main areas affected by shootings including commentary for significant boroughs.

Table showing number of shooting incidents and discharges by borough

Shooting incidents: Investigation of discharges of lethal barrel weapons only.

Firearms Discharges:- APACS defined 'Gun Crime' offences where a 'Shots Fired' feature code has been placed on CRIS and includes air weapons, pellet guns and blank firing weapons.

South London

Lambeth

Lambeth borough has recorded the highest number of firearm homicides (6) and shooting incidents (26) since April 2011. The number of shootings has been consistent over the last three years. There are a number of ongoing SCD operations and Lambeth Police enforcement activity targeting those involved in shootings and firearms supply, 16 lethal firing firearms have been recovered since April 2011. Lambeth and Trident are working closely with a variety of partners to reduce shootings and combat firearm related criminality.

Southwark

Shooting incidents for 2011/12 are significantly down compared to 2010/11. This decrease is likely to be due to local engagement approaches and significant arrests and firearm recoveries by both Southwark Police and Trident (14 firearms recovered since April 2011). However, shooting incidents remain a major concern in Southwark with ongoing tensions between local gangs fuelling much of the gun related crime.

Lewisham

Whilst 2010/11 showed a decrease in shootings compared to 2009/10, there has been a slight increase in shootings for 2011/12. One significant arrest in 2009/10 of an individual heavily involved in firearms had a significant impact on the Borough. There are a number of ongoing SCD operations and Lewisham Police enforcement activity targeting those involved in shootings and firearms supply, 7 lethal firing firearms have been recovered since April 2011. Lewisham police and Trident are working closely with a variety of partners to reduce shootings and combat firearm related criminality. For example the Trilogy approach in the borough has had a significant impact over recent years.

Other South Boroughs

In Wandsworth there has been a significant decrease in shootings since 2009/10. This is mainly due to significant operations and arrests of a prominent gang by both Trident and Wandsworth Police. Croydon has seen noticeable reductions in the last two years and the remainder of the South London Boroughs recorded low numbers of shootings that have been relatively stable over the past 3 years.

North-East London

Hackney

Hackney witnessed significant decreases in shootings since 2009/10. This is mainly due to the joint approach of Hackney Local Authority, Hackney Police, Trident and local communities. This approach achieved significant reductions by focusing activity on individuals and gangs who are causing the most harm. Building on the significant successes to date, this strong partnership continues and 10 live firing firearms have already been recovered this year.

Waltham Forest

2010/11 saw a significant increase in shootings due to conflicts between local gangs. The MPS responded through a joint approach involving Waltham Forest, Trident and Operation Connect; working locally to prioritise and target enforcement and prevention activity against those involved in gun criminality. As a result, Trident has seized over 50 lethal firing firearms linked to the borough.

Newham

There has been an increase in the use of firearms as the lower level street gangs have evolved and become involved in more serious criminality, this has included conflict with gangs in Waltham Forest. Compared to most other boroughs, Newham has high levels of shotguns being used in shootings.

Other North East Boroughs

Tower Hamlets has lower level of shootings and has been relatively stable over the past three years. There are historic issues between gangs and work is ongoing through mediation in this area. The figures for the boroughs of Havering, Redbridge and Barking and Dagenham are low and fairly consistent with all currently showing a decrease against the last financial year. Whilst these boroughs do not have high levels of shootings, the MPS responds to all incidents and takes action wherever possible.

North-West London

Haringey

Haringey has seen a steady decline in shootings since 2009/10. In 2009 the feud between opposing gangs from Tottenham and Hackney resulted in a high number of shooting incidents and murders. In response there has been a sustained MPS response utilising enforcement activity on those gangs involved in gun criminality to compliment community engagement and reassurance.

Brent

Historically Brent had always seen high levels of shooting incidents, often as a result of conflict between rival gangs. A joint approach involving the local community, Brent Police, Brent Local Authority and Trident has delivered long term reductions and recovered high numbers of firearms (22 recovered in 2010/11). Recently there has been an escalation in shootings with possible links to a fatal shooting in Bristol in July 2011 and ongoing tensions between gangs from South Kilburn and Westminster Borough.

Ealing

Ealing has witnessed an increase in shootings since 2009/10. There are a number of reasons for the increase, mainly involving criminal disputes amongst individuals and organised crime gangs involved in illegal drugs supply. Trident is working closely with Ealing borough and partners to target those involved.

Other North West Boroughs

Hammersmith and Fulham has seen a rise in shootings in 2010/11, believed due to disputes amongst drug dealers. Islington has seen a reduction in shootings since 2009/10 after arrests emanating from the Tottenham and Hackney feud, which crossed over to the borough.

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