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Publication type: General
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Contents
The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) Gangs Violence Matrix (GVM) was developed in the aftermath of the 2011 London riots and is a tool used to identify and risk-assess the most harmful gang members in a Borough. From inception, the GVM has been controversial, and a number of in-depth reviews have been conducted, focusing on issues such as disproportionality and data protection. The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, made a commitment to Londoners in his 2016 manifesto and his Police and Crime Plan 2017-21 to conduct a review of the GVM. This Review was published in December 2018.
The Review, the most comprehensive ever conducted into the GVM, combined analysis of those on the Matrix, interviews with practitioners and those in communities affected by the Matrix, and detailed discussions with a Reference Group of practitioners and subject matter experts.
The Review recommended a comprehensive overhaul of the Matrix Operating Model both to restore trust in the Matrix and to bring it into line with data protection legislation. The Review recognised the GVM as a necessary law enforcement tool for reducing violent crime in London, showing reductions across various measures in offending and victimisation amongst the individuals included on it. However, the Review also identified that the representation of young, black males on the Matrix was disproportionate to their likelihood of criminality and victimisation and recognised that some of London’s communities remain concerned about how the Matrix operates.
The Review made nine recommendations. By implementing these, our expectation was that transparency and accountability would increase, and that the Matrix would be more likely to be seen by Londoners as an effective and fair tool for reducing violence. The MPS had until 31st December 2019 to complete their recommendations. The following documents provide an update on the progress made.
Update on Gangs Violence Matrix Review Recommendations - January 2021
Update on Gangs Violence Matrix - data analysis - January 2021