London Crime Reduction Board meeting minutes - 6 July 2021

Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, Chair

Sophie Linden, Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime

Assistant Commissioner Nick Ephgrave, MPS

Sinead Dervin, NHS England

Carolyn Downs, London Councils

Cllr Rachael Robathan London Councils

Dick Sorabji London Councils

Cllr Darren Rodwell London Councils

Doug Flight London Councils

Cllr Jas Athwal London Councils

Cllr Gareth Roberts London Councils

Georgia Gould London Councils

Kris Venkatasami CPS Claudia Sturt Youth Justice Board

Kilvinder Vigurs NPS

Damian McCleave HMCTS

Dina Pataki Leapwise Consultancy

Ella Watson London Councils

Sean Cregten Leapwise Consultancy

Jade Appleton London Councils

Lisa Ramsarran DCCP Homicide & RASSO North

Ali Picton Mayor of London’s Private Office

Joan Smith Chair of VAWG Board

Gary Poole NOMS

Jade Appleton London Councils

Natasha Plummer MOPAC

Grace Loseby-Morris MOPAC

David Clarke MOPAC

Jane Garvan HQ Strategy & Governance, Metropolitan Police Service

Tom Gash Leapwise Consultancy

The minutes of 2 February 2021 were agreed.

An overview of action undertaken to progress and fulfil the Mayor’s Disproportionality Action Plan was provided.

City Hall is now well into the delivery phase of the Action Plan with the second public meeting scheduled. Key updates included: policy officer recruitment and reviewing the drugs enforcement policy. The importance of improving community relationships across partners and not just between the community and MPS was highlighted.

The Board received an update on recent violent incidents in London. Overall violence, gun discharge and knife crime with injury, is below what it was in 2019. However, there is a pressing problem of young teenage boys experiencing and a rise in violence.

MPS had recently been in communication with boroughs affected to discuss the collective experience, common threads and what should be done to address the issue. Emphasis was placed on prevention and predicting violence.

Board members discussed new approaches to tackling violence including a CPS team which had been set up to address serious violence and gangs. It was reported that the relationship with the MPS in this area had improved and grown stronger. There was a need to improve file quality and provide better training to support domestic abuse victims. It was noted there was a host of activities throughout the summer and autumn to process cases and that cases such as these (violence, knife crime) were prioritised. Also highlighted was the Summer Violence Partnership and VAWG and the opportunity to increase women and girl’s confidence in the CJS.

Highlighted was the importance of involving parents in prevention work and the need to look at implementing effective communication regarding summer activities to inform the community of the violence prevention work. The need to turn over every stone to ensure the partnership is doing everything it can to reduce violence in London, was emphasised. The ways in which the community could work with partners was explained. This work would help to reduce and prevent violence such as the Hard Calls Save Lives Campaign, giving violence prevention information and support for parents. It was noted that Our London Map, an online resource where activities for young people are listed, would be launched week commencing 12 July.

The Board was advised regarding the police uplift and thanked the Mayor for his support in this area. All Borough Command Units will have at least one additional officer. There would also be an increase in Central CSG, Homicide, Digital media, IOM and Public Protection. Highlighted was the MPS recruitment and determination to change the view of the MPS. It was reported that the purpose of the new officers was to provide a visible presence, and should impact Londoners sense of safety and drive prevention.

A update on the PCP was provided. It was noted the PCP would be outcomes focused and influenced by Home Office metrics, Mayor’s manifesto and the MPS direction. The PCP would include the following key themes: building a safer London, building trust and confidence in the police, and improving service for victims. There is a plan to involve partners in the consultation and delivery of the plan. Partners will be spoken to soon.

There was no other business to discuss.