Andrew Dismore

Restorative justice

Question No: 2017/1834

Andrew Dismore

For each of the last three years, how much was MOPAC awarded by the Government for restorative justice; and what happened to any underspend?

Written response from the Mayor

MOPAC is allocated an annual grant by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) for the provision of victims’ services and such services may include the provision of restorative justice (RJ).

However, the MOJ have not applied a ring-fence to this fund for the sole purpose of commissioning RJ services and MOPAC receives no RJ-specific grant.

I am committed to providing high quality services that meet victims’ needs and through MOPAC have committed £1.2 million for the implementation of a London Restorative Justice Service – Restore:London.

 

Sick days due to depression in the Met

Question No: 2017/1835

Andrew Dismore

To what do you attribute the 15% increase in sick days due to depression in the Met; and what are you doing to ameliorate this?

Written response from the Mayor

It is not yet clear where the increase due to depression has come from, but the MPS is seeing an increase in psychological related illness.

 

Psychological ill health is more prevalent in public service industries, such as education; health and social care; and public administration and defence. There is a higher likelihood of police officers being exposed to psychological risks due to the nature of their role and hence this is an issue for all police forces and not just the MPS.

The MPS provides holistic support for psychological ill health through a variety of support services and initiatives, underpinned by any active treatment care from an individual’s GP and the NHS, via the Occupation Health (OH) service.

These initiatives include fitness for work psychological screening, peer driven psychological support techniques and 24 hr counselling support. A formal psychological trauma support programme is also in place.  All systems employed are based on clinical evidence and use a variety of established clinical impact service measures.

 

Police informants (1)

Question No: 2017/1836

Andrew Dismore

The Metropolitan police  paid £5.2m from 2011 to 2016, more than a quarter of the amount paid out nationally, to informants. What safeguards are in place to oversee such payments?

Written response from the Mayor

The payment of informant rewards within the MPS is carried out in accordance with guidance set out by the National Police Chief’s Council Manual of Minimum Standards (Covert Human Intelligence Sources- CHIS). Reward applications are supervised by an operational CHIS manager prior to submission and authorised by an officer of at least Superintendent rank.

Significant rewards are escalated to an NPCC officer for approval and only after validation by an independent review.

MOPAC’s operational oversight continues to include undercover policing.

 

Police informants (2)

Question No: 2017/1837

Andrew Dismore

What was the largest individual sum paid out to an informant from 2011 to 2016; and what result was achieved as a result of the information supplied?

Written response from the Mayor

In accordance with long-established principles and the position of National Police Chief’s Council, the MPS is unable to provide specific details of informant rewards (below the annual ‘by Force’ expenditure already published).

 

West Ham vs Chelsea football match policing

Question No: 2017/1838

Andrew Dismore

What was the cost of policing the West Ham vs Chelsea football match on 6th March 2017; and how much of that is expected to be recovered from the clubs concerned?

Written response from the Mayor

The total cost for policing the West Ham vs Chelsea football match on 6th March 2017 was £89,163 and £22,858.45 has been charged to West Ham.

 

Cost of policing London’s football matches

Question No: 2017/1839

Andrew Dismore

What steps have you and the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime taken to raise with Government the need for a change in the law so that the full cost of policing London’s football matches is  met by the clubs concerned; what meetings have you had on the issue with the Home Office; and with what result?

Written response from the Mayor

My Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime and I regularly discuss MPS funding when I meet Ministers and Parliamentarians, this includes discussions around policing football matches.

My Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime is continuing to lobby the Home Office to allow for full cost recovery.

She has recently written to the Home Office on this very issue and MOPAC are making representations to the Home Office regarding how the MPS can recoup more money for policing from football clubs.

Dedicated football officers

Question No: 2017/1840

Andrew Dismore

Further to question No: 2017/0570:

‘How many dedicated football officers are there in the Met; how much of a Dedicated football officer’s time on average in each football division is spent on these duties; and who pays for this time?’

Your response being:

‘There are 15 Dedicated Football Officers in the MPS, who all fall under the MPS Public Order Branch.  They spend 100% of their working time performing this role and are paid from the MPS Public Order Branch budget’

Do you agree that if these costs were met by the football clubs who benefit   from this work and which work would not be necessary but for the clubs, 15 more officers could otherwise be patrolling the streets of London; and what steps are you taking to try tom recoup these costs from the clubs or their leagues?

Written response from the Mayor

Dedicated Football Officers (DFO) play an important role in ensuring that the MPS is able to effectively police football across London. They provide a level of expertise and professional engagement with clubs and fans which means that the MPS is best able to discharge core duties efficiently and effectively.

MOPAC are making representations to the Home Office regarding how the MPS can recoup more money for policing from football clubs.

 

Tasers used disproportionately

Question No: 2017/1841

Andrew Dismore

According to official figures, 40% of cases where Tasers have been  used in London  since 2014 involved people of black or mixed white and black ethnicities  suggesting that black and mixed-race people in London  who comprise 15.6% of London’s population have been disproportionately Tasered since 2014. Why, and what is being done about it?

Written response from the Mayor

My Police and Crime Plan puts reducing inequality and disproportionality at the heart of our approach for the next four years. MOPAC have published Taser statistics via the Intrusive Tactics dashboard since May 2015 and will continue to monitor Taser deployment statistics to hold the MPS to account.

Current statistics, to September 2016, shows that black and mixed race individuals were subject to 41% of all Taser deployments, slightly below the proportion of white individuals. However, deployments of Taser do not equate to incidents – for example – if two Taser equipped officers attend an incident then this would be recorded as two deployments. A deployment does not necessarily refer to when a Taser is fired.

Deployments are split into seven categories with the four key actions defined as:

• Drawn: Removed from holster.
• Aimed: Pointed at an individual/subject.
• Red Dot: Pointed at an individual/subject with red dot laser sight active, so red dot appears.
• Fired: Cartridge attached. Taser switched on & trigger squeezed causing cartridge to fire.

 

Incident level data from January to September 2016 shows that 11% of deployments against black subjects result in a Taser being fired, with the figure for white subjects being 14%.

Earlier this month, the Home Secretary announced that police forces will be required to collect and publish detailed data on all use of force, including Taser usage.

 

Met‘s Special Enquiry Team

Question No: 2017/1842

Andrew Dismore

When was the Special Enquiry Team formed? What is the function of the SET? What cases and what types of cases has it been allocated in each of the last 5 years?

Written response from the Mayor

The Special Enquiry Team has been in existence for approximately 15 years.

The function of the Special Enquiry Team is to investigate sensitive and confidential enquiries within London involving high profile subjects and politically exposed persons, which require specialist investigations.  It function is also to investigate allegations relating to offences committed by those in public office and/or on the Parliamentary Estate where the matter relates to the disclosure of their duties as a public official. It also investigates allegations of electoral fraud and malpractice.

 

Since 2013 the Special Enquiry Team has investigated over 170 recorded criminal offences; a significant number of other allegations have been assessed but did not result in a criminal investigation.  This has included investigations into allegations of bribery, perjury, theft, misconduct in public office, perverting the course of justice, electoral fraud and malpractice, blackmail, harassment, malicious communications and offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

 

Metropolitan Police procurement

Question No: 2017/1843

Andrew Dismore

Further to Question No: 2017/0580:

‘What is your estimate of the effect of the post-Brexit drop in the value of Stirling on the Met’s future procurement of a) vehicles and b) marine craft?’

Your response being:

‘Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly’.

Will you now provide a substantive reply?

Written response from the Mayor

Please see my response to MQ 2017/0580.

Metropolitan Police procurement

Monday, 20 February 2017

Question 2017/0580

Andrew Dismore

What is your estimate of the effect of the post-Brexit drop in the value of Stirling on the Met.’s future procurement of a) vehicles and b) marine craft?

The Mayor

The MPS procure vehicles and craft via the relevant Crown Commercial Service (CCS) Frameworks, and through competitive tendering within these arrangements we invariably purchase vehicles at significant discounts.  We closely monitor market prices and those obtained through CCS and at the moment we are not forecasting any additional costs to the vehicle replacement programme.

 

The MPS rarely procure marine craft and thus do not have any recent ‘baseline’ prices.  Replacement marine vehicles would be procured through a detailed OJEU process that would ensure MPS minimise whole life costs and obtain the best value.  Currency exchange rates are only one of many factors that would be considered as part of a whole life cost analysis.

 

Merged Met Borough pilots

Question No: 2017/1844

Andrew Dismore

Further to Question No: 2017/0592:

‘By what objective criteria will the success (or otherwise) of the merged Met Borough pilots be assessed and measured?’

Your response being

‘Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly’.

Will you now provide a substantive reply?

Written response from the Mayor

Please see my response to MQ 2017/0592.

Merged Met. Borough pilots [1]

Monday, 20 February 2017

Question 2017/0592

Andrew Dismore

By what objective criteria will the success (or otherwise) of the merged Met. Borough pilots be assessed and measured?

The Mayor

The MPS has identified two critical factors in their approach to defining success for the BCU model:

 

       whether the BCU model supports partnership through effective engagement and joint working; and

       whether it positions the MPS to deliver the requirements of the Police and Crime Plan.

My Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Sophie Linden, and Assistant Commissioner Hewitt continue to meet borough leaders to discuss the new BCU model and how partnership working can be improved.

As outlined in my response to MQ 2017/ 593, each of the two Pathfinder BCUs has its own Oversight Board, which includes the MPS, MOPAC and local authority Leaders and Chief Executives.

These Oversight Boards are in turn supported by Project Boards involving the MPS and local authority partners.

For reference, referral is to this question:

Merged Met. Borough pilots [2]

Monday, 20 February 2017

Question 2017/0593

Andrew Dismore

How will the merged Borough pilots be overseen at Met and local level?

The Mayor

The merged borough pilots, known as ‘Pathfinder BCUs’, are part of the MPS’s Transformation programme overseen by the MPS’s Management Board and MOPAC.

Each of the two Pathfinder BCUs has its own Oversight Board which includes the MPS, MOPAC and local authority Leaders and Chief Executives.

These Oversight Boards are in turn supported by Project Boards involving the MPS and local authority partners.

 

Detectives in the Met

Question No: 2017/0595

Andrew Dismore

By how many detectives is the Met short of what is needed; and what are you doing to fill the gap?

Written response from the Mayor

I meet regularly with the MPS Commissioner to discuss issues of policing and workforce, and my Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Sophie Linden, receives regular updates on workforce strength from the MPS.

The MPS is currently circa 748 detectives under strength from its current design. At January 2017 there were 4,770 Detectives in total. Detective numbers in the MPS are being increased by direct recruitment and the progression of existing officers into the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

A Diamond Group chaired by AC Patricia Gallan is making progress in tackling the deficit. This group meets monthly to discuss the barriers for detectives and how the MPS can further address future recruitment and retention.

Initiatives include: the recruitment of investigative coaches from 1st Feb to support Trainee Detective constables (TDCs) and future external entry detectives; funding to provide a two-day course to aid officers sitting the National Investigators Exam (NIE) in March; and streaming officers when they join as police constable recruits onto a TDC pathway.

In addition to this, the aspiration will be to recruit 160 Direct Entry Detectives each year, in addition to internal recruitment and the development of MPS staff into the rank of Detective.

 

President Trump’s state visit

Question No: 2017/1846

Andrew Dismore

As the Government, even on their own figures, already short change London over the NICC Capital City and given that the Met’s resources are already overstretched, do you agree that the Government should pay the policing costs, which will inevitably be substantial, given his controversial opinions and statements, for President Trump’s state visit as a special grant in addition to the NICC?

Written response from the Mayor

Firstly, and as you are aware, I am in complete agreement with you over London’s unfair allocation of the NICC grant. My Deputy Mayor, Sophie Linden, and I are continuing to lobby the Government on this and Sophie raised it at her recent meeting with Brandon Lewis MP, Minister for Policing.

 

However, in order to receive a special grant, and thus for the Government to foot the bill, the cost of the visit would need to exceed 1% of our total budget. This amounts to more than £300million.

Although we still cannot speculate as to what the cost might be, I think it is unlikely to meet this threshold.

Regardless, this does not detract from our need to lobby the Government to ensure a fair funding deal for London and I will continue to do this.

 

Forensic reports

Question No: 2017/1847

Andrew Dismore

Further to Question No: 2017/0605:

‘What is the average time for a) digital forensic reports and b) scientific forensic reports to be provided?’

Your response being:

‘The estimated time for digital forensic reports is 7-10 days. This includes work undertaken on self-service kiosks and the most complex digital examinations.

The estimated time for scientific forensic reports is 67 days. This includes urgent submissions, completed in 48 hours, through to complex scientific cases that involve multiple submissions and different forensic disciplines.’

What are the implications of these waits for evidence for the Met in light of  the forthcoming new rules on time limits for police bail?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

 

Drugs and alcohol support workers

Question No: 2017/1848

Andrew Dismore

Further to Question No: 2017/0606:

‘Is MOPAC cutting funding for drugs and alcohol support workers embedded in custody suites, and if so by how much and why?’

Your response being:

‘Responsibility for commissioning alcohol and drug workers in MPS custody suites lies with the local authorities.

MOPAC funds the local authorities through the London Crime Prevention Fund (LCPF). I have protected and maintained the LCPF at £72m over the next four years, despite continued pressures on the police budget.

The majority of the LCPF is direct funding to local authorities, who have discretion to allocate this to local priorities aligned to the Police and Crime Plan.

MOPAC also funds a minimum of £1.5m for MPS drug testing in police custody suites.

MOPAC will be working with Local Authorities, MPS, NHS England and Public Health England to review London drug treatment and testing arrangements. This will aid future funding and commissioning decisions.’

In light of and despite  your protection of  the LCPF, have any local authorities cut funding for drugs and alcohol support workers embedded in custody suites, and if so by how much and which ones?

Written response from the Mayor

MOPAC is currently agreeing Local Authority spend for 2017/18 – 2018/19 as part of the London Crime Prevention Fund.

Responsibility for commissioning alcohol and drug workers in MPS custody suites lies with Local Authorities, and boroughs may use their LCPF funding but also potentially other funding sources too. Therefore you will need to contact boroughs directly to understand if there have been any changes to how they fund drug and alcohol support workers.

MOPAC will be working with Local Authorities, MPS, NHS England and Public Health England to review London drug treatment and testing arrangements. This will aid future funding and commissioning decisions.

 

Met River Police branch (1)

Question No: 2017/1849

Andrew Dismore

How many officers and in what ranks comprise the establishment of the Met River Police branch?

Written response from the Mayor

In total there are 65 Officers in the MPS Marine Policing Unit.

The rank breakdown is 2 Inspectors, 9 Sergeants and 54 Constables.

 

Met River Police branch (2)

Question No: 2017/1850

Andrew Dismore

What is the total annual revenue cost of the Met River Police branch?

Written response from the Mayor

The total annual revenue cost of the Marine Policing Unit is £4.4 million.

 

Met Mounted Police branch (1)

Question No: 2017/1851

Andrew Dismore

How many officers and in what ranks comprise the establishment of the Met Mounted Police branch?

Written response from the Mayor

In total in the MPS Mounted Branch there are 142 Officers.

The rank breakdown is: 4 Inspectors, 17 Sergeants and 121 Constables.

 

Met Mounted Police branch (2)

Question No: 2017/1852

Andrew Dismore

What is the total annual cost of the Met Mounted Police branch?

Written response from the Mayor

The total annual revenue cost of the MPS Mounted Branch is £13.78 million.

 

River police

Question No: 2016/2127

Andrew Dismore

How many police launches are there in the Met., and what is the annual cost of keeping a launch operational?

Written response from the Mayor

The MPS Marine Policing Unit has one ‘Launch’ which is a Targa 37 command and control vessel.  The remainder of the fleet is made up of five Targa 31’s and three ‘Delta’ Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats. The annual fuel costs for all vessels is approx £130,000.  Servicing is in line with manufacturers’ recommendations at 100 hours and 800 hours usage, and costs are £281 & £2800 respectively.  This reflects parts only, as any labour is financed centrally and fluctuates according to work required.  The launch averages 500 hours per annum.

Chelsea Football Club

Question No: 2017/1805

Andrew Dismore

On 6 March, you approved Chelsea Football Club’s plans for a new £500 million stadium. How much has been the cost of policing Chelsea home games this season so far; how much has been or will be recovered from the club towards that cost; what was the full cost of policing their home games last year and how much was recovered; and do you agree that if they can afford to spend £500 million on a new stadium, they can afford to reimburse the full costs of policing their games?

Written response from the Mayor

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

 

 

Night time industry impact on residents

Question No: 2017/1802

Andrew Dismore

On 23 February, your Night Czar, Amy Lamé, gave a speech to night time industry leaders, councillors, police and the culture sector at an event organised by the Night Time Industries Association and the Creative Industries Federation. In so boosting London’s night time culture, do you agree that there is a balance to be struck between the interests of night time economy businesses and customers and those of residents who may be inconvenienced or worse as the result of anti social behaviour and other crimes that are linked to the night time economy; and if so, where is that balance to be struck?

Written response from the Mayor

London’s diverse night time economy and culture, from theatres and pubs, to restaurants, music venues and nightclubs, is second to none and forms an essential part of the city’s cultural offer. It brings £26.3bn to London’s economy every year and employs one in eight people in the capital.

 

I want to make London the world’s leading light for nightlife, but to do this we’ve got to keep everyone happy, so I agree that balancing the needs of those who work at night, those who want to enjoy the nightlife and those who want a good night’s sleep is key.

 

There is currently no oversight of this critical part of London’s economy. This is why I have appointed the UK’s first Night Czar and the Chair of my Night Time Commission, who are working hand-in-glove with businesses, local authorities, the MPS, TfL and residents to share best practice and ensure that a balance is struck between the needs of businesses and residents.