Performance and Measurement

Summary

The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) is the largest police organisation in England and Wales. Primary service is delivered through 32 borough operational commands that share boundaries with the London borough authorities policing 620 square miles. It has a resident population of over 7.4 million and a daily influx of 5.5 million.

The MPS’s response to the July 2005 attacks drew universal praise, deterred further terrorist activity and reassured the public. While effective leadership, team-working, training and commitment were evident, the MPS continues to seek learning from those and subsequent events, and retains the national policing lead on counter-terrorist and security matters. The threat from terrorism will continue to be a major challenge.
The tragic shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes has been the subject of investigative scrutiny by the Independent Police Complaints Commission, whose findings and report is awaited.

Flagship initiatives this year include the Safer Neighbourhoods programme, establishing a dedicated mixed policing team in every local authority ward in London, and a pioneering unit to tackle the supply of Class A drugs, which has seized over £1 million and over 137kg of cocaine.

Four major change programmes have been prioritised for 2006/07: MetCall, the migration of control room functions into three specially constructed facilities; the creation of a Metropolitan Intelligence Bureau; the Safer Neighbourhoods programme; and Together, an organisational development programme to develop leadership and encourage greater working between MPS departmental boundaries.

The MPS has already begun planning for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

For further information see the full baseline assessment.