Funding for an Evaluation of MPS DA Perpetrator Identification

The MPS records over 150,000 incidents of Domestic Abuse (DA) in London every year with varying level of risk and harm associated. In order to reduce the harm suffered to some of the most vulnerable in society the MPS seek to proactively target perpetrators with the aim of reducing levels of harm and repeat victimisation. To support this activity the MPS are moving from the use of a methodology called ‘Recency, Frequency and Gravity’ (RFG) to ‘Recency, Frequency and Harm’ (RFH). This change has been given governance sign off at Front Line Policing Chief Officer Group (FLP COG) in July 2020. This decision was based upon initial internal analysis and external key partner engagement. Simply, use of RFH better supports the MPS in identifying individuals engaged in crime types most linked to deadly harm such as controlling and coercive behaviour.

The RFH list will produce a list of DA perpetrators based upon latest evidence base on risk factors linked to high harm offending. The source of this data input is the MPS Crime Reports held in the MPS Crime Reporting Information System (CRIS).

The use of a methodology that identifies individuals for targeting using a range of police tactics requires transparency and academic rigour to ensure that the public have confidence in MPS use of this algorithm.

Following successful engagement with the Home Office, the Mayors’ Office for Policing and Crime have been offered a Grant of £57,112.50 + VAT. The funding will be used to engage with University College London (UCL) in an evaluation study to record, document and detail the effectiveness of RFH versus RFG. Using MPS data from a point in recent history the research will better support our understanding of the predictive value that the methodologies may hold.

The Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime is recommended to:

1. Approve the acceptance of a Grant of £57,112.50 + VAT (£68,535 including VAT) from the Home Office.

2. Approve the use of the approved funding for the purpose of engagement with the UCL to conduct an evaluation study.

1. Introduction and background

1.1. The strategic context for this paper is that it is vitally important that the MPS have the tools available to allow for operational leaders to identify the Domestic Abuse (DA) perpetrators who are most likely to go on to commit high harm offences and highest levels of repeat victimisation. These outcomes directly link to the MPS DA success measures of:

• Reducing DA harm per head of the population (Using the Cambridge Crime Harm Index)

• Reducing Repeat Victimisation per head of the population

• Improving Criminal Justice Effectiveness

1.2. The MPS currently use the RFG algorithm to support operational leaders. However, a change has been agreed at Front Line Policing Chief Officer Group (FLP COG) to move to using the RFH algorithm. The use of algorithms can cause concern in the communities we serve. In order to maintain and reinforce policing legitimacy an academic evaluation of the RFH algorithm compared to RFG is required. This will allow for transparency and understanding. The research will evaluate both algorithms and document the methodologies.

1.3. On a daily basis the MPS Predatory Offender Units (POUs) currently use RFG as a starting basis for a decision as to which offender should be proactively targeted using a range of tactics. This evaluation will allow the MPS to continue to improve the methodology used as it implements the change to RFH.

2. Issues for consideration

2.1. The MPS will be working with the University College London (UCL) to complete this evaluation. All funding needs to be approved and the payment out to UCL be completed by the end of the financial year 2020/21. The spending of the money and the completion of the research are requirements of the grant. This research is proposed to be shared widely to aid UK Policing and shared ambitions and focus on reducing harm associated to DA.

3. Financial Comments

3.1. The funding will be used entirely to support the costs of the UCL to undertake a research study as outlined and will be used to fund staff and expenses as outlined below. The work is funded entirely by the Home Office supported with a Grant Agreement. The total quote provided by the UCL for this is broken down as follows:

Staff Costs: £39,800.00

Expenses (Student Support): £14,062.50

Expenses (Datalab fees): £3,250.00

Total: £57,112.50 + £11,422.50 (VAT) = £68,535

3.2. The MPS will act as a recipient and distributor of this Grant from the Home Office. UCL are the approved institution due to the provision of a ‘data lab’ which allows for the sharing of anonymized data which can we worked on in a secure and safe data environment. The outcome from the use of this funding will provide the MPS with an academic evaluation of this high risk and high volume demand area. The evaluation is likely to be nationally significant and support other force areas in their decision making and framework in identifying the most harmful DA perpetrators. This may well support a wider piece of future work to ensure nationally we can identify the most harmful perpetrators.

4. Legal Comments

4.1. This paper seeks MOPAC’s approval to accept an offer of funding for evaluative research and the use of this funding for the purposes outlined.

4.2. Para 4.8 of the MOPAC Scheme of Consent and Delegation provides the DMPC with delegated power to approve all offers made of grant funding.

4.3. The grant agreement will be published pursuant to The Elected Local Policing Bodies (Specified Information) (Amendment) Order 2012.

4.4. DLS consider that MOPAC have the legal power necessary to enter into this grant agreement. In relation to the receipt of grant monies, under Section 93 of the Police Act 1996, MOPAC “may, in connection with the discharge of any of its functions, accept gifts of money, and gifts or loans of other property, on such terms as appear to [MOPAC] to be appropriate”. Furthermore, under Schedule 3, paragraph 7 (1) Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) MOPAC has incidental powers to “do anything which is calculated to facilitate, or is conducive or incidental to, the exercise of the functions of the Office.” Paragraph 7 (2) (a) provides that this includes entering into contracts and other agreements. We consider that these powers are sufficiently broad to permit MOPAC to enter into the grant agreement.

5. GDPR and Data Privacy

5.1. The MPS is subject to the requirements and conditions placed on it as a 'State' body to comply with the European Convention of Human Rights and the Data Protection Act (DPA) 2018. Both legislative requirements place an obligation on the MPS to process personal data fairly and lawfully in order to safeguard the rights and freedoms of individuals.

5.2. Under Article 35 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Section 57 of the DPA 2018, Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIA) become mandatory for organisations with technologies and processes that are likely to result in a high risk to the rights of the data subjects.

5.3. The Information Assurance and Information Rights units within MPS will be consulted at all stages to ensure the project meets its compliance requirements. Data sharing conversations have already been held and an agreement is in the process of being completed. This will be completed in a time frame that allows for this work to be delivered.

5.4. The project does not use personally identifiable data of members of the public, so there are no GDPR issues to be considered.

6. Equality Comments

6.1. It is assessed that there will be ‘no impact’ to equality and diversity from agreeing to act as recipient and distributor of this grant. The research received will allow the MPS to better understand the implications of using RFH within the diverse communities found in London.

7. Background/supporting papers

7.1. Report