Andrew Dismore

Met detective shortage

Question No: 2017/4572

Andrew Dismore

How many detectives is the Met short of at present?

Written response from the Mayor 

As of the end of October the MPS has 4,681 detective constables. The MPS ambition is to have 5,433 detective constables. This means they are currently 752 short of target.

 

Detective recruitment remains a challenging area and AC Gallan continues to lead a Met Diamond group to explore ways to resolve the shortfall.

 

The introduction of direct entry detectives in the summer of 2017 is anticipated to make a considerable difference and the first successful group of around 160 applicants will begin training in early 2018. This is a ground-breaking initiative that is making good progress.

 

Other means to improve the detective shortfall include additional courses to support potential trainee detectives through the National Investigative exam process; and investigative coaching and mentoring processes to support the development and experience of trainee detectives.

 

MOPAC will continue to monitor the number of detectives.

 

Moped Crime in Camden

Question No: 2017/4573

Andrew Dismore

Camden is the capital’s worst borough for moped enabled crimes: what is being done in the borough to fight this crime wave?

Written response from the Mayor 

A number of Met operations are ongoing to tackle moped enabled crime in Camden. Operation Venice has seen officers conduct mass checks on stationary and moving motorcycles as well as raids on individuals suspected of vehicles, high visibility patrols in key areas and Automatic Number Plate Reader deployments. Operation Attrition has brought together officers specifically from Camden, Islington and the City of London police to conduct overt and covert investigations in this area.  Operation Vocare is similarly targeting suspects in north London, specifically the gang elements associated with this form of criminality.

 

Security at the Peel Centre

Question No: 2017/4574

Andrew Dismore

What consideration has been given to security at the Peel Centre, given the height of the tall buildings and the extent of overlooking from the flats in them, now being constructed on the sold part of the Peel Centre site, retained close to the retained site and the training facilities, parade ground and other vital buildings and operations on the site?

Written response from the Mayor 

The security of MPS real estate and the users of it is a high-priority and overseen by an officer of commander rank.  The design, building and development of the Peel Centre has been done in collaboration with security advisers and balanced against the most likely threats. Maintaining security of the estate and its people is at the heart of ongoing internal communication campaigns focussed on personal, operational and information security.  The integrity of the MPS estate is regularly tested and, where necessary, improvement measures implemented.  Where appropriate, specific counter-threat operations are conducted and this has included the Peel Centre.

 

Independent report on deaths in custody

Question No: 2017/4575

Andrew Dismore

On 30 October Dame Elish Angiolini published an independent review into serious incidents and deaths in custody. The aim of the review was to examine the procedures and processes surrounding deaths and serious incidents in police custody, including the lead up to such incidents and the immediate aftermath, through to the conclusion of official investigations. The report makes 110 recommendations across a range of themes, including restraint, the custody environment, health and training. Will you implement her recommendations in the Met.?

Written response from the Mayor 

I welcome Dame Angiolini’s recently published Independent Review of Deaths and Serious Incidents in Police Custody.  The Review has made 110 recommendations to police forces and other agencies across the country, dealing with a range of issues, including the use of restraint, the custody environment, and training.

 

As you would expect both my Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime and the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service are considering these recommendations as part of ongoing work to improve the safety of those in police custody, and will provide a formal response in due course.

 

The MPS has already implemented many of the changes outlined in the report, for example with the roll out of Body Worn Video cameras to all officers across the 32 boroughs.  They have also worked in partnership with health colleagues to ensure they are safeguarding those who come into contact with the police who have mental health issues, for example through Liaison and Diversion services, which identify people who have mental health, learning disabilities, substance misuse or other vulnerabilities when they first come into contact with police and divert into health and social care provision as appropriate.

 

So far this year four persons detained under section 136 of the Mental Health Act have been taken to a police cell as a place of safety, which is the lowest ever recorded by the MPS – someone is only taken to a police cell when we have exhausted all other options.

 

Serious ASB problems in Stonegrove, Edgware

Question No: 2017/4566

Andrew Dismore

Will you ask Barnet Police to look into the serious problems of ASB and drug dealing in the Stonegrove Estate in Edgware? Can you ensure that complaints to the police are treated seriously, and there is a speedy attendance on the estate when called?

Written response from the Mayor 

The local safer neighbourhood team are aware of the issues being faced by the residents of Stonegrove estate. The police are using techniques such as focused stop and searches, extra patrols and engagement with troubled families to tackle the ongoing anti-social behaviour. All calls received are triaged by trained call handlers to ensure that incidents with the greatest risk are treated as such. Local police will aim to respond to urgent calls where there is the risk of imminent violence or harm on an immediate response which means within 15 minutes. All calls to the police that require attendance follow strict procedures to ensure the police response is appropriate to the situation.

 

Support for preventing crimes to businesses

Question No: 2017/4567

Andrew Dismore

What support is available to help businesses reduce the risk of crime to them? For example, is there financial support for businesses to install shutters or basic security measures?

Written response from the Mayor 

It is essential for the economic wellbeing of our city that businesses see London as a safe place to operate and that they and their staff are protected from crime. More than 2,000 businesses in London are members of a Business Crime Reduction Partnerships allowing businesses to share information and which have a proven ability in reducing crime.

 

Where a business is situated within a Business Improvement District there may be funding available for crime reduction measures. In addition, Safer Spaces is a self-assessment tool that can help a business assess their risks and provide some guidance on how best to respond to them.

 

Local neighbourhood officers can make a referral to a Design out Crime Officer. In addition, Police CPI Ltd produces a number of free Crime Prevention Guides for businesses.

 

firearms and shotgun licensing

Question No: 2017/4568

Andrew Dismore

What is the cost to the Met of administering firearms and shotgun licensing; what is the income generated from licensing; and if the cost is greater than the income, what is being done about it?

Written response from the Mayor 

In 2015 the Firearms Enquiry Team (FET) administered 8725 certificates of differing types. The total income generated was £399,867. During 2015, pay costs alone for issuing the 8725 certificates was approximately £2,351,543.

 

The fees relating to firearm and shotgun licensing are set nationally by the Home Office.

 

The FETs across the country have a crucial role in managing risk to the public from people seeking to become licensed firearms holders and this should be recognised when conducting any cost benefit analysis.

 

dangerous dogs

Question No: 2017/4569

Andrew Dismore

What is the cost to the Met of the seizure, kennelling and veterinary care of alleged dangerous dogs; the total of any legal costs involved; how many seized dogs are ultimately returned to their owners; and how much of the costs are recovered from dog owners?

Written response from the Mayor 

It is not possible to identify data relating solely to dangerous dogs and the answers relate to all dogs taken into police possession. This includes reasons such as animal welfare investigations, dogs taken into temporary possession as prisoner’s property and dogs temporarily held by Police pending transfer to another agency where they are unable to act in the event of an emergency.

 

The cost to the Met in 2016 for seizure, kennelling and veterinary care relating to all dogs seized by police was £1,310,830.  The majority of cases are prosecuted by the Crown Prosecution Service. In 2016 729 out of 1057 dogs were returned to their owner at the conclusion of proceedings. Costs recovered for specific types of cases are not available. Any award made is subject to means testing by the relevant Court and is considered after compensation is awarded elsewhere e.g. victims of dog attacks