HO funding for continuance of Regional Online Investigation Teams

This report seeks permission for the MPS to accept a further years funding from the Home Office to continue to deliver its online investigative capability and target serious and organised crime.

In 2018, a grant was accepted from the Home Office for £500,000 to establish a small team in London as part of a regional network (PCD 510). It was anticipated that a further years funding of £250,000 would be made available to continue the work of the team, which tackles the issues of illegal goods and services for sale online.

The Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime is recommended to approve an offer of grant funding from the Home Office for £250,000 for 2020/2021 to continue the work of the Online investigative team targeting serious and organised crime.

1. Introduction and background

1.1. In 2018, in support of a joint strategy with the Home Office and National Police Chief’s Council in relation to online criminality the Home Office provided significant additional funding to increase online capability in every ROCU Cyber Crime Unit in England and Wales. This included the Metropolitan Police Cyber Crime Unit (MPCCU). This capability is over and above existing staffing levels.

1.2. The Home Office provided £500,000 in the form of a grant for two years, 2018/19 and 2019/20. The funding was allocated to the MPS with a terms of reference for the unit. Spending and delivery is scrutinised on a monthly basis by the Home Office and NPCC.

1.3. The unit has been successful in targeting a number of organised criminal networks and identifying individuals importing and distributing Class A drugs.

1.4. As outlined in the original decision to accept the first two years of funding (PCD 510), the Home Office have made available further funding for the continuation of the work of the team in 2020/21.

2. Issues for consideration

2.1. The funding is sufficient to cover the costs of the small team.

2.2. If funding is not accepted the ability to tackle those who deal in illicit commodities and services online, such as firearms and drugs will be weakened.

3. Financial Comments

3.1. The Home Office are providing £250,000 through continuation of grant funding for 2020/21. There is no additional cost to the MPS and therefore no risk through acceptance of this funding.

3.2. At the conclusion of the funding period, following review, the MPCCU, if appropriate, will seek to maintain the assets through MPS funding and further appropriate bids for Home Office support.

4. Legal Comments

4.1. This report seeks MOPAC’s approval to accept grant funding of £250,000 to support staffing and cost of licences.

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

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 continues to meet its compliance requirements.

5.4. A DPIA was completed for this project when the original funding was provided. DPIAs support the accountability principle, as they will ensure the MPS complies with the requirements of GDPR and they demonstrate that appropriate measures have been taken to ensure compliance.

6. Equality Comments

6.1. As this is an extension of an existing service this work does not change any aspects relating to equality or diversity. The purchasing of equipment will be compatible with assistive technology and training will be conducted on a needs basis.

7. Background/supporting papers

7.1. PCD 510 provides the original business case to support this decision.