Andrew Dismore

2017/ 5305 – Camden and Islington BCU merger review

Andrew Dismore

The Camden Safer Neighbourhood Board has been told on a number of occasions that it will be part of the Camden and Islington BCU merger review. They have yet to hear how or when they will be involved. When will this occur?

Answer:

The Metropolitan Police Service recognises the importance of involving Safer Neighbourhood Boards (SNBs) in any potential changes they are considering.

I understand the BCU Pathfinder process has been an agenda item on the Camden Safer Neighbourhood Boards and Trustee Meetings since the start of this process. In addition, the BCU Commander Catherine Roper and her senior leadership team have met regularly with the SNB Chairs and their Executive Team and have provided updates around the BCU test.

With regards to gathering feedback for evaluation, following the Camden SNB AGM on 22^nd November, members were asked to provide written feedback as an alternative to a face to face meeting. A questionnaire was sent to them, the feedback was gathered and collated on 30^th November and a response was received by the MPS on the 4^th of December 2017.

This feedback is currently being evaluated by the MPS Strengthening Local Team.

2017/5306 – Government’s continued underfunding of the NICC grant

Andrew Dismore

How many officers are dedicated to security in a) Parliament and b) at Government ministries; and due to the Government’s continued underfunding of the NICC grant , is it  time to review this number and for Parliament and  Government  to look at cheaper  options funded by themselves, such as replacing police officers with civilian security officers, so that Londoners can have the benefit of more police officers being redeployed to the boroughs instead of static duties guarding those premises for which the Met is not properly  reimbursed?

Answer:

For security reasons we cannot disclose the precise numbers. The Palace of Westminster operates a successful blended model of protection between police officers and civilian security staff employed by Parliament. Some of that mitigation will always require powers entrusted to a Constable such as the power of arrest, to stop and search or to carry a firearm. The right balance between police and civilian employees is something that is kept under constant review to ensure the model remains efficient and appropriately mitigates the current threat.

The recent police funding settlement announcement once again did not increase the funding of the NICC grant, which is extremely disappointing. I have repeatedly called for full funding of the National and International Capital Cities (NICC) Grant, to reflect the true – and accepted – additional costs that come with policing the capital. The Met spends some £346m a year on this work, which includes diplomatic protection, and policing major events such as protests, concerts, football matches and state visits. The Home Office should reimburse Londoners for this work through the National and International Capital Cities (NICC) Grant, but currently underfunds London by around £172m a year. When the Home Office’s own expert panel reviewed the figures, it suggested the Met should receive £281m a year. So, on either calculation, the Met is significantly short-changed, and the Government has refused to even increase this amount to reflect inflation.

2017/5307 – Lack of integration and extremist murder plots

Andrew Dismore

Asst Commissioner Mark Rowley is reported as having said that in the fight against extremist murder plots a lack of integration in the community was a factor driving some suspects who wanted to stage attacks; and Louise Casey, former government adviser, has also said social isolation was driving rising Islamist and far-right terrorism. Do you agree, and if so what is being done about it?

Answer:

On 20 December I announced a new programme of work to Counter Violent Extremism in London.  The programme, which will begin at City Hall early next year and run throughout 2018, will aim to empower Londoners to speak out against extremism to help keep London safe.
I am determined to do everything in my power to improve work that safeguards the vulnerable and roots out and stops the people who are spreading vile ideologies and promoting terror.
London continues to be the most diverse and inclusive city in the world, something of which Londoners and I are extremely proud of. Yet across the city some communities remain marginalised, disengaged and unempowered, allowing the spread of hateful and violent ideologies with tragic consequences.
This year, the UK has seen an unprecedented shift in the threat of terrorism. London has suffered four tragic terrorist attacks at Westminster, London Bridge, Finsbury Park and Parsons Green, and many more have been thwarted.
The new work on Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) will involve an in-depth consultation with experts, local authorities, stakeholders, women’s groups and all of the capital’s communities to identify a London-specific tool-kit of operational improvements that can be implemented as soon as possible to help counter hate crime and violent extremism.

2017 / 5308 – Policing Premiership football clubs

Andrew Dismore

Are you making any progress over the need for Premiership football clubs to fund the cost to the Met of policing their matches?

Answer:

As you will be aware the current legislation does not allow the Met to charge football clubs for the cost of policing their matches outside of the area of the clubs’ ownership or control.  It is disappointing that despite making the case to Ministers the Government has not amended, or plan to amend, the legislation to allow this.

However, I am in discussions with the Premier League about how they can support the tackling of crime and prevention of violence, through other forms.