MQT police answers June 17
NICC funding
PQ 2017/2615
Andrew Dismore
What is your current estimate of NICC expenditure, and how much do you expect the Government to refund for this?
Written response from the Mayor and the Commissioner
Based on the 2015/16 exercise to identify NICC expenditure, NICC functions are estimated to cost the Met £344m a year. Of this, £281m is associated with direct policing costs and £63m with support costs and overheads. The independent panel chaired by Sir Richard Mottram recommended funding of £281m, excluding support costs. The Home Office approved funding at 62% of this level, i.e. £174m. In 2017/18 the Met will receive £174m, leaving a funding gap of £107m compared to the £281m recommended by Sir Richard Mottram, and a gap of £170m compared to the costs the Met estimated – the equivalent to a cost of circa £59 for every Band D household in London, per year. I have raised this issue with the Home Office and will continue to press for a fairer funding settlement for London and the Met.
Detectives
PQ 2017/2616
Andrew Dismore
How is your initiative to recruit detectives direct from the public going?
Written response from the Mayor and the Commissioner
In a first for UK policing, Londoners now have the opportunity to join the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) directly as a detective constable. This is a ground-breaking initiative that is making good progress.
The original target of 1,000 applicants was met in the first week of the campaign following extensive media coverage. As of 21st June, 2153 completed applications have been received.
The ‘Meet the Detective’ events have been well attended with the last two events held on 22nd and 28th June.
The campaign is scheduled to end on 3rd July at which point applicants will progress to the next stage and be asked to complete a verbal reasoning test. Additional sifting and testing will take place throughout the year.
The ambition is to recruit 160 detectives in 2018.
Policing professional football matches (1)
PQ 2017 / 2617
Andrew Dismore
What was the total cost of policing professional football matches in the 2016/17 season: and how much was recovered towards the cost from football clubs?
Written response from the Mayor and the Commissioner
The total cost of policing professional football in the capital in the 2016/17 season was £7,060,202.11, and the MPS recovered £361,000 – the full amount allowed under the current legislation. We continue to lobby the government to allow the recovery of all costs incurred in policing football matches.
Policing professional football matches (2)
PQ 2017 / 2618
Andrew Dismore
Which were the 3 football matches in the 2016/17 season which incurred the highest policing costs; in each case what were those policing costs; and in each case, how much was recovered from the clubs concerned?
Written response from the Mayor and the Commissioner
The table below sets out the cost and recovery of the three highest cost football matches in 2016/17.
| Match | Policing Cost | Recovery |
| Manchester Utd v Southampton – EFL Cup Final 26.2.17 | £152,733.14 | £38,474 |
| Tottenham v KAA Gent – Europa League 23.2.17 | £123,609.22 | £10,604 |
| Tottenham v Millwall – FA Cup quarter final 12.3.17 | £120,040.26 | £40,813 |
We charge the football clubs the full amount allowed under the current legislation. We continue to lobby the government to allow the recovery of all costs incurred in policing football matches.
Policing professional football matches (3)
PQ 2017 / 2619
Andrew Dismore
Which 3 football clubs incurred in the 2016/17 season the highest policing costs; in each case what were those policing costs; and in each case, how much was recovered from the clubs concerned?
Written response from the Mayor and the Commissioner
The table below sets out the cost and recovery of the three football clubs which incurred the highest policing cost in 2016/17.
| Club | Policing Cost | Recovery |
| West Ham | £1,078,578.92 | £33,318 |
| Chelsea | £726,682.75 | £156,375 |
| Tottenham | £652,974.77 | £55,797 |
We charge the football clubs the full amount allowed under the current legislation. We continue to lobby the government to allow the recovery of all costs incurred in policing football matches.
Policing professional football matches (4)
PQ 2017 / 2620
Andrew Dismore
It is reported that Millwall’s FA Cup quarter-final defeat at Tottenham Hotspur in March cost £250,000 to police. What was the policing cost of Millwall’s return to Wembley for the League One play-off final with Bradford City?
Written response from the Mayor and the Commissioner
The policing cost of the Tottenham Hotspur v Millwall FA Cup quarter final match was £120,040.26. The policing cost of the Millwall v Bradford City League One Play off final match was £119,568.57. We charge the football clubs the full amount allowed under the current legislation. We continue to lobby the government to allow the recovery of all costs incurred in policing football matches.
Motorcycle crime
PQ 2017/2621
Andrew Dismore
On Wednesday 3rd May my constituent Neil Morgenstern had his motorbike stolen in West Hampstead. He informed the police around 9:35pm and because the vehicle had a tracker, the tracker company was able to locate exactly where it was, which was in Kentish Town. Although the location was in the same road as a police station, no police officer attended the location, where Mr Morgenstern waited for about an hour. Then close to 11pm the gate behind which it was locked was opened and a rider came out on it and drove off towards a location in Holloway. Mr Morgenstern made his way to Kentish Town Road and flagged down a police officer, but before they proceeded to the location they took down details, then took a roundabout route by which time it appears that the tracker had been neutralised by breaking its antenna. The motorbike was photographed the next day in Belsize Park where it was being used to commit more crime, in particular there were two people riding on it attempting to steal more motorcycles. Again the police were called, during the daytime, and took over 30 minutes to show up. At this point the criminals simply signalled to the police and drove off. How are we to deal with moped and motorcycle theft and moped and motorcycle enabled crime and how are we to persuaded people of the importance of tracking devices after such a poor response?
Written response from the Mayor and the Commissioner
The response Mr Morgenstern received was not as expected, when considering the location and the information. The MPS apologise for that and have made contact with Mr Morgenstern to re-iterate that fact and are reminding staff of expectations when live tracking information is flagged to police. In terms of the following day’s activity, the response was correct as it was an “S” graded call (respond within 1 hour) and on police attendance the moped made off and pursuit was not initiated due to the circumstances at the time. There is a comprehensive tactical and strategic response under Operation Venice to deal with these matters, and there have been a number of successes of recovery and arrest in similar circumstances, which we advertise to the public. In addition, tracking devices are one of many ways motorcycle owners can limit the appeal of their vehicle to thieves, and MOPAC are continuing to explore how this technology can be further harnessed to protect vehicles. As highlighted by the Met’s recently launched Be Safe campaign, the more visible the security on a vehicle, the less visible it is to thieves who are looking for quick and easy opportunities. Whilst a tracking device will help locate a motorcycle once stolen, the Met are recommending that owners consider locking both the front and back wheels of their vehicles to prevent theft in the first place.
I and S calls in Camden
PQ 2017/ 2622
Andrew Dismore
What has been the percentage performance in Camden on S and I call attendances, since the borough merger; and how does this compare to the same period last year?
Written response from the Mayor and the Commissioner
We have, since February 2017, measured the performance for the BCU as one area (i.e. not split into Camden / Islington).
19/3/17 to 18/6/17 I calls 9455
19/3/16 to 18/6/16 I calls 8606
Increase of 849 I calls
Performance = 74.6%, compared to 88.4% in same period last year.
19/3/17 to 18/6/17 S calls 11993
19/3/16 to 18/6/16 S calls 13151 Decrease of 1158 S calls
Performance = 64.6%, compared to 80.3% in same period last year.
There is a recovery plan in place for I and S calls and response has been affected by the testing of a new deployment and management of radio traffic structure.
June 2017, if taken in isolation, has seen an average of 75% for I calls and 69% for S.
Anti Semitic attack, Stonegrove Park
PQ 2017/2623
Andrew Dismore
A female 16 year old student was recently set upon by two males in Stonegrove Park, Edgware, being abused, punched and kicked in what was a clear anti Semitic attack. The police were called on 999. How long did it take for the police to respond to the call?
Written response from the Mayor and the Commissioner
Our understanding of the incident is as follows; police were called at 19:18 by a witness to an incident where it was alleged that a young girl was attacked, in the company of two other young girls. The witness didn’t know the location but by her description police were able to identify it as Stoneyfields Park. She stated she would wait with the girls.
It later transpired that as the incident occurred on the Sabbath, the girls did not themselves wish to use a phone to report the attack, and the call made no mention of the anti-Semitic nature of the attack. Police arrived at 19:37, but there are eight entrances to the park and the officers could not find anyone. The police called the witness back but she had left the girls and had not taken their names and officers could not therefore find the victim. The victim’s father contacted the Community Support Team (CST) and police were able to make contact with the family the next day. It is now being investigated.
While both the Commissioner and I want to see an immediate and robust response when hate crimes are reported, there are clearly circumstances in this instance that prevented officers from being able to provide the assistance and support they would want. However, it is encouraging that the witness was willing to make the call to 999, and that the victim was able to report some of the details of the attack through one of our third-party reporting partners, the CST.
My Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime and I are working closely with the Met Police, and partners across London, to ensure that victims have the confidence to report crime so that it can be effectively investigated and, where appropriate prosecuted. We will also ensure that victims have the support they need to cope and recover from the impact of these incidents.
Detectives
PQ 2017 / 2624
Andrew Dismore
How is your initiative to recruit detectives direct from the public going?
Written response from the Mayor and the Commissioner
In a first for UK policing, Londoners now have the opportunity to join the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) directly as a detective constable. This is a ground-breaking initiative that is making good progress.
The original target of 1,000 applicants was met in the first week of the campaign following extensive media coverage. As of 21st June, 2153 completed applications have been received.
The ‘Meet the Detective’ events have been well attended with the last two events held on 22nd and 28th June.
The campaign is scheduled to end on 3rd July at which point applicants will progress to the next stage and be asked to complete a verbal reasoning test. Additional sifting and testing will take place throughout the year.
The ambition is to recruit 160 detectives in 2018.
Knife crimes in Camden
PQ 2017/2625
Andrew Dismore
Given the increase in the number of knife crimes in Camden alongside the fall in sanctioned detections, what action are you taking to deal with these problems in Camden?
Written response from the Mayor and the Commissioner
On 27 June, I launched London’s first Knife Crime Strategy. The strategy focuses on:
- Targeting lawbreakers
- Offering ways out of crime
- Keeping deadly weapons off our streets
- Protecting and educating young people
- Standing with communities, neighbourhoods and families against knife crime
- Supporting victims of knife crime
The Strategy recognises the disproportionate impact that knife crime has on particular areas and communities across London, and provides seed funding for community groups to support them in finding local solutions to the issue. It also commits to intervening earlier with children and young people, incorporating a prevention campaign with toolkits for schools, community and faith groups, and materials for parents. And where necessary, the strategy advocates for a tough response to persistent and violent offenders.
In Camden there continues to be ongoing police activity at hotspot locations to inform intelligence led stops and for effective execution of weapons sweeps and warrants. There has been targeted seizure of restricted weapons in retailers, particularly in Camden High Street. Secondary head teachers and safer school leads have been briefed regarding knife crime and a safer schools programme focussing on knife crime is currently being rolled out.
Seven Dials
PQ 2017 / 2626
Andrew Dismore
Is it correct that at the relevant ward panel meeting the police offered a choice of either the police arresting drug dealers and users (which would take officers off the streets for too long a time) or dispersal meaning the police strategy is actually one of displacement of the offenders? Is this the Met’s approved policy approach to this issue?
Written response from the Mayor and the Commissioner
The MPS are very clear that where drug dealing takes place, they will use enforcement whenever possible. There are also additional ways of problem solving by designing out crime, using lighting, surveillance and other methods, which may have been interpreted as dispersal but in fact are recognised methods of preventing crime as part of a toolset along with enforcement.
The MPS follows Home Office policy towards the policing of drugs. The approach, in line with that policy, is to address the harms of drug misuse by diverting users into treatment (post arrest) to break their cycle of offending. Also, there is ongoing work to restrict the supply of drugs by identifying and prosecuting those involved in the importation and supply of drugs, confiscating their proceeds of crime.
The MPS are introducing a new Drug Strategy (to be published this summer) which will clearly set out the policing approach to this issue.
In this particular example, the local ward Sergeant, through engagement with the local community, utilised his small team to engage in the tactic of high visibility police presence, where residents/businesses could see police and to prevent drug related ASB in his area. This is just one tactic available to police.
Burglary in Hackney
PQ 2017/2627
Jennette Arnold
Incidences of burglary and theft have risen in my borough of Hackney by 12% since last year. How will you ensure that this type of crime will not persist or worsen if Hackney merges with Tower Hamlets in the new BCU structure?
Written response from the Mayor and the Commissioner
Burglary is a terrible crime that affects victims for a long time after the incident, and that is why I ensured that my Police and Crime Plan gave local areas the opportunity to discuss with us what their local volume crime priorities will be.
There has been an increase of 1.9% in burglary in Hackney over the past 12 months. One factor has been that since 1st April 2017 the Home Office recording rules changed and items stolen from sheds or garages are now being recorded as a residential burglary. Robbery has seen a rise of 39.3 % and theft person of a mobile phone 71.8 % which is due to the significant increase in moped enabled offences. The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) has launched a corporate response to tackle Theft Person offences by assailants using mopeds under Operation Venice.
As you will be aware, both Hackney and Tower Hamlets have included burglary in their agreed local priorities, so this will be given appropriate resource and focus in both boroughs.
Each Borough also has its own bespoke burglary reduction plan supported by partners. A joint Forensic Investigation Team (FIT) has been in operation since 1st April 2017 with officers including supervisors assigned from both Boroughs. In addition, the Forensic Managers for Hackney & Tower Hamlets have also been aligned to help improve performance.
The changes to local policing which are currently being tested in two areas of London, are designed to give greater flexibility to local Commanders to focus resources on the crimes that cause the greatest harm, particularly the most vulnerable and are important to local people.
Fundamental to the proposed change is delivering a policing service that is better equipped to deal with crime and antisocial behaviour locally, across the city and online, strengthening neighbourhood policing, giving Boroughs a say in local policing and crime priorities and transforming the way the Met works to ensure it is equipped to deal with 21st century policing needs.
Hacked journalists emails
Question No: 2017/2497
Andrew Dismore
The Guardian has asked the Metropolitan Police if a secretive police unit illegally accessed the emails of its reporters and photographers. Did this occur; and if so when, and why?
Written response from the Mayor
Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.
Police cannabis disposal team scheme
Question No: 2017/2494
Andrew Dismore
Will you ask the Met to consider introducing a similar scheme to that operated by the West Midlands Police Cannabis Disposal Team, who distribute the compost, plant pots, irrigation equipment, gardening tools, lights and heat lamps seized from illegal cannabis farms to community groups, sports grounds, schools and gardening projects?
Written response from the Mayor
As my Deputy Mayor Sophie Linden outlined in her letter to you in April, the Met’s primary objective when clearing cannabis farms is to disrupt criminal networks and reduce the harm caused by drugs. Accordingly, the cannabis and specific growing equipment is seized. More general items such plant pots, compost or gardening tools are not usually removed unless they have forensic value. This means in the variety of cases, the Met do not collect the same range of equipment as West Midland’s Police.
The Met have no plans to change their cannabis farm closure policy, however they are looking with interest at the work of West Midlands Police Cannabis Disposal Team. MOPAC will continue to discuss this issue with the Met to ensure the best methods of disposal are implemented for Londoners.
Black Police Officers Association
Question No: 2017/2496
Andrew Dismore
Why was the decision taken to remove funding from the Met’s Black Police Officers Association; and do you agree with that decision?
Written response from the Mayor
There has been no decision to stop funding the Met’s Black Police Association (BPA).
The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) are reviewing how all staff support associations are funded and supported. This process is ongoing and the MPS continue to engage with the BPA and other staff support associations.
I am committed to supporting the MPS increase the diversity of its workforce and staff support associations have an important role to play. I look forward to the completion of the review.
Alleged Saudi Arabian war crimes in Yemen
Question No: 2017/2498
Andrew Dismore
Is the Metropolitan Police war crimes unit assessing whether criminal prosecutions could be brought over Saudi Arabia’s devastating aerial campaign in Yemen; and if so with what progress?
Written response from the Mayor
The MPS are not currently dealing with any referrals relating to the conflict in Yemen. In initial consideration of war crime referrals, it must be established if the UK has jurisdiction for the potential offences; this primarily means if a possible suspect is residing or present in the UK.
Rwandan war criminals in London
Question No: 2017/2499
Andrew Dismore
There are a number of alleged war criminals from the Rwandan genocide living in London with apparent impunity. Are they being investigated? If so, how many? What is being done to bring them to justice?
Written response from the Mayor
As I understand, there are a number of individuals in London engaged in a lengthy extradition process in relation to allegations of genocide in Rwanda. The MPS are monitoring this process. The War Crimes Team work closely with the Residual Mechanism of the International Criminal Tribunal of Rwanda, the Rwandan authorities and other relevant authorities to consider any individual living in the UK suspected of crimes relating to the Rwandan genocide. There are currently no ongoing investigations.
Domestic abuse crimes
Question No: 2017/2500
Andrew Dismore
In London, reports of domestic abuse crimes increased by more than 2,000, from 72,535 to 74,770, between 2015 and 2016; however there were over 600 fewer police charges in 2016 than in 2015 with the volume of charges dropping from 15,694 to 15,010.what is the explanation for this disparity?
Written response from the Mayor
Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.
101 calls (1)
Question No: 2017/2501
Andrew Dismore
What is currently the average time to get through to an operator on 101?
Written response from the Mayor
The average call waiting time for May was 298 seconds (just under 5 minutes).
There has been a significant increase in 999 calls since the beginning of 2017 which has led to longer wait times on 101. This is due to prioritisation of emergency calls.
For the average 101 wait time per month since April 2015 please see MQ 2554.
101 calls (2)
Question No: 2017/2502
Andrew Dismore
Although the automatic reply tells callers to the Met 101 number that s/he may have to wait 5 minutes, a constituent has complained to me that they were on hold for 25 minutes without a result; how common is this?
Written response from the Mayor
The average call waiting time for May was 298 seconds – just under five mins.
There are occasions when extended wait times are recorded on the 101 line, particularly when there is high 999 demand. This is due to prioritisation of emergency calls.
Since the beginning of June a daily maximum wait time of 25 mins was recorded on three separate occasions.
The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) receives in the region of 240,000 101 calls a year.
101 calls (3)
Question No: 2017/2503
Andrew Dismore
Has the Met made any arrangements to limit the cost of calls to the 101 number on a PAYG phone in cases where the callers are on hold for lengthy periods?
Written response from the Mayor
All calls to 101 are charged at 15 pence per call regardless of whether they are from landlines or mobile networks.
This cost is fixed no matter what time of day the call is made or how long callers are on the phone.
Rehiring retired officers
Question No: 2017/2504
Andrew Dismore
Was it value for money to use Metropolitan Police funds of over £200m paid to Reed Recruitment to rehire its own retired officers and staff rather than making it known directly to such people formerly in hard to recruit roles that they can offer to return?
Written response from the Mayor
Like other police forces across the country the MPS has seen demand for detectives increase significantly.
The MPS is undertaking a broad range of activity to meet this demand including direct entry to detective; progression of existing officers into the Criminal Investigation Department (CID); and, where appropriate, the recruitment of retired detectives through a third party agency (Reed) as civilian investigators.
Agency staff are used to fulfil short term vacancies where specialist skills are needed and account for 1.1% of the MPS overall detective workforce.
The figure of £200m covers a period of spend over six years and the bulk of payments to Reed are for staff salaries.
Abstractions data
Question No: 2017/2505
Andrew Dismore
Why has the Met/MOPAC decommissioned the current system of providing abstractions data, before the alternative is up and running?
Written response from the Mayor
MPS data systems are used for a broad range of purposes for which generating abstraction information is only a small part.
Abstraction data was taken from an operational system for managing public order called POSMIS. This system was antiquated, technically unsupported and on its own servers, and as a result could not be moved from the previous New Scotland Yard building.
A new operational system on Share Point was developed and implemented before POSMIS was decommissioned. A solution to provide efficiently abstraction data from this new operational system has been commissioned.
Al Quds Day’ marches
Question No: 2017/2506
Andrew Dismore
For each of the Al Quds Day’ marches on 10th July 2015 and 3rd July 2016 please state separately for each event:
- The total number of arrests recorded;
- The total number of arrests recorded which resulted in charges;
- The total number of arrests recorded which were made under s.13 of the Terrorism Act 200; and
- The total number of arrests recorded which were made under any sections of any of the Terrorism Acts.
Written response from the Mayor
There were no arrests recorded for the 2015 or 2016 Al Quds March.
There were no arrests recorded for the 2015 or 2016 Al Quds March.
There were no arrests recorded under s.13 of the Terrorism Act 2000 for the 2015 or 2016 Al Quds March.
There were no arrests recorded under any sections of Terrorism Act for the 2015 or 2016 Al Quds March.
Forensic reports
Question No: 2017/2522
Andrew Dismore
Further to Question No: 2017/1847
‘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?
Your response being:
Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.
Will you now give a substantive reply?
Written response from the Mayor
Please see my response to MQ 2017/1847.
Faulty Met screens
Question No: 2017/2495
Andrew Dismore
Metropolitan Police control centre screens used to co-ordinate major operations such as Remembrance Day and the State Opening of Parliament .have reportedly suffered equipment failures at ‘critical’ times. What is being done to deal with this?
Written response from the Mayor
The control centre screens at the Met Communication Command centres in Lambeth and Hendon are being replaced with modern and upgraded versions. The upgrade will be completed this summer.
