London Crime Reduction Board meeting minutes - 25 October 2022

Present

• Sadiq Khan - Mayor
• Sophie Linden - Deputy Mayor, MOPAC
• Tamara Barnett - Head of Partnerships, MOPAC
• Helen Ball - Deputy Commissioner of the MPS
• Barry Hughes - Chief Crown Prosecutor, CPS
• Lionel Idan - Chief Crown Prosecutor, CPS
• Will Balakrishnan - Director, C&P, MOPAC
• Kenny Bowie - Director, S&MPS Oversight MOPAC
• Ian Bickers - London Prisons
• Sinead Dervin - NHS England
• Carolyn Downs - London Councils
• Diana Luchford - CEO, MOPAC
• Cllr Racheal Robathan - London Councils
• Gareth Roberts - London Councils
• Doug Flight - Advisor, London Councils
• Jane Garvan - HQ Strategy & Governance, MPS
• Shobnam Islam - Officer, MOPAC
• Naomi Sterling - Senior Advisor, MOPAC
• Damien Egan - Mayor of Lewisham

Apologies 

• Claire Waxman - London Victims Commissioner
• Cllr Jas Athwal - London Councils

• Kilvinder Vigurs - Regional Director, NPS
• Claudia Strut - CEO, YJB
• Cllr Darren Rodwell - London Councils
• Debbie Weekes-Bernard - Deputy Mayor

The mayor formally welcomed Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley to the meeting. MR stated that he was eager to attend and lay out his future goals and top priorities for providing policing.

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved by the members. Members also brought up an unresolved issue from the previous meeting. TB summarised the collaboration between MPS, CPS, and MOPAC on stalking training. Stalking is now one of the outcomes prioritised by the MOPAC VAWG Board.

MR summarised several major goals and challenges of Met reform before focusing on partnerships. While there is improvement in various demographics and geographical areas, a key concern is the experience of black Londoners. MR’s aim is to have: More trust, fewer crime, and high standards are the objectives. Highlighted that it is easier to focus on providing services, with too little attention to the foundations, but those foundations occasionally fail us.

In the coming year, MR promised to examine internal standards and values by changing the MPS approach, being more assertive, and devoting more resources to internal enforcement. MR noted that long-term changes in cultural approaches to leadership, according to the research, are significantly more difficult, and MPS acknowledges that long-term prevention is something to return to. Accusations of racism, misconduct, and misogyny have been levelled for decades, however, he accepted that MPS has not delved deeply enough into its culture.

MR also noted challenges such as the present police model, which he said need to stabilise locally, is having an impact on neighbourhood resources because of abstractions made to backfill other teams due to resource constraints. MPS is focusing its initial resource efforts on bolstering community policing, which must be co-developed and co-delivered with partners and communities. MR also stressed the importance of technology and data. MR said MPS, as a modern organisation, lacks the necessary capabilities - its data and technology are inadequate.

Concerning the Engage process, he stated that we are all members of partnering organisations, all of which are open to evaluation and suggestions. MR said he recognised that two major themes in these recommendations are public safety and victim care. MR emphasised the importance of MPS meeting its recruiting and renewal goals. MR said that because of microcultures within MPS, systemic flaws may affect many colleagues, but not all. He felt that officers were hesitant to disclose anything because they don't trust the system or their superiors and that this can be difficult to manage internally.

SK noted that one of the goals of this board is to ensure that everyone works together to try and use the experience and knowledge across the board. The same is true of their interactions with probation officials, CPS, and other key systems. The comparison between residents' experiences with the police and those of constituents in the adjoining borough was expanded upon by SK.  In response to the Mayor's remarks regarding the system and how we might improve it collectively, SRB extended an offer of assistance. MR approved; offline discussions will take place.

BH wondered if there were any other types of crimes that required officers to be more focused, such as domestic abuse. MR said he wants to look at radical ideas that are both practical in the context of a clogged justice system and can improve outcomes for Londoners. SD expressed gratitude for the opportunity to discuss mental health and expressed a desire to continue addressing issues related to sexual violence and mental health in London. SD went on to say that the appointment of Commander Southworth was a great chance to refocus and set priorities. Partners agreed to connect with the MPS on issues raised.

The perception is that policing takes precedence over criminal justice, which appears to be a minor component of policing. LI inquired whether MR has any priorities or areas of focus in terms of criminal justice. MR said the first is witness support and hearing first-hand from them about the difficulties they face with constantly changing court dates. SK emphasised that this is a perennial issue, and victims and the general public do not want to be caught between the police and the CPS. It was also highlighted that file quality issues should not be the reason for prosecutions not proceeding quickly and effectively.

KB spoke of the fact that inflationary pressures have now combined with other factors. He noted that according to a survey conducted by Women's Aid, 73% of respondents believe the cost of living crisis makes them less likely to leave their partner. KB said we may be able to predict that when people have less money, there will be more acquisitive crime and violence. KB clarified that MOPAC will commission some innovative and interesting data-driven work to gain a better understanding of what will happen in London. KB welcomed input from partners to help provide an evidence-based judgement and insight, that MOPAC would then take forward.

There was no other business to report.