The Metropolitan Police Authority discusess a number of issues including an update on its stop and search scrutiny, dispersal powers and the draft budget at its meeting at 10 Dean Farrar Street, London SW1 on Thursday, on 28 October.

The MPA's stop and search scrutiny was published on 20 May 2004, and contained 55 recommendations for future actions, which the Authority is reviewing.

.Len Duvall, Chair of the Authority, said: "While the power to stop is a valuable tool for policing, the MPA recognises that it needs to be used with sensitivity to public concerns.

"Young Londoners of all backgrounds told the MPA during our stop and search scrutiny that they are worried by current practice which, in their eyes, appears unaccountable and hostile.

"The Metropolitan Police Service, along with the Authority, are determined to maintain the confidence and support of all Londoners and understand the need for sensitivity in carrying out their duties.

"This joint determination is illustrated by our intention to rollout Recommendation 61 of the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry Report across London, following two successful pilot schemes in Hackney and Tower Hamlets, in advance of the national launch next April.

"We firmly believe that Recommendation 61 is a fair and sensitive solution and that its introduction will further develop policing by consent. This is about regaining the trust and confidence of all our communities."

The MPA has an overview of the introduction of the dispersal power of the Anti Social Behaviour Act of 2003, giving gives police the power to disperse groups of more than two people and to return to their homes young people who are aged under 16 and who are unsupervised in public places after 9.00pm.

Since January 2004 this power has been used 32 times in London to curtail groups committing acts of anti social behaviour. It is intended for use as part of a package of measures agreed with partner agencies where other approaches have been tried but failed.

The Authority has to also consider the draft budget submission for 2005/6, which has to be delivered to the Mayor by 8 November. The draft budget for 2005/6 is £2,703m, which is a 5.3% increase over 2004/5. However this does not include provision at this stage for further extension of Safer Neighbourhoods under the Step Change programme.

The budget will be reviewed following the provisional grant settlement and in the meantime work will continue to identify options for reducing the budget. The final decision on the budget submission to the Mayor, including Safer Neighbourhoods, will be made on 7 December.

Other issues on the agenda include:

• MPA Corporate Strategy
• MPA Lead Member roles
• MPA/MPS sponsorship and use of logo
• Mobile Information Strategy
• Review of the Metropolitan Special Constabulary Deputy

Commissioner Sir Ian Blair presents an oral update on operational policing issues in London and a written performance report. Len Duvall, MPA Chair, Catherine Crawford, MPA clerk, and members present oral updates on MPA issues.

See the MPA website

Wednesday, October 27, 2004

If you wish to comment on this or other stories in the Journal please go to our Letters Pages

The Journal is produced as a service to the Community by Online Communities Ltd
an independent, non-profit, community group making the community websites for Richmond upon Thames.


www.oncom.org.uk

© 2004 Online Communities Ltd