Performance and Measurement

Summary

With a population of over 7.5 million, rising by around 40,000 a year, London is home to both some of the wealthiest and most deprived people in the country. The metropolitan police service (MPS) employs in excess of 50,000 people, providing a pan-London, national and international service. Major structural changes this year mean Territorial Policing now have oversight of the whole process of initial contact from the public, through to their involvement with the criminal justice system. During 2007/08, London continued to face a very serious threat from terrorists. A series of complex prosecutions were supported by the Counter Terrorism Command. Despite these demands, the Counter Terrorist Command has continued to improve its capabilities with newly trained staff based in most London Boroughs to help develop and strengthen counter terrorism capabilities locally.

The force has recently been graded as ‘exceeds the standard’ in the HMIC Major Crime report, identifying that it is delivering at the appropriate level for the higher risks being faced in addressing major crime. Throughout 2007/08, the force’s Safer Neighbourhood teams have been tackling crime levels and local community priorities. The MPS ‘met the standard’ in the HMIC assessment of neighbourhood policing and in doing so, clearly demonstrated some leading edge innovation and robust implementation. In the assessment of Citizen Focus, the force also ‘met the standard’.

The force has demonstrated strong performance against many of the priorities and targets set by the Metropolitan Police Authority during 2007/8. Overall crime levels have fallen again this year by 6.5%, achieving the lowest recorded crime level in the capital for nine years. Violence against the person has also decreased again, with almost 30,000 fewer offences than the peak year of 2004/05. However, public concern over the number of violent attacks upon, and involving young people has resulted in the MPS developing specific responses to address these issues. Although the MPS has exceeded its overall target for offenders brought to justice, there is still work to be done to achieve its target for gun crime detections. It has also achieved success in increasing the number of criminal networks disrupted during the year.

During 2007/08, a total of 40 people were convicted of terrorist-related offences, the sentences amounting to approximately 600 years imprisonment in total. The Proceeds of Crime Act has continued to be an effective tool against criminal networks, resulting in an increase in the restraining and seizing of assets. The value of cash forfeiture and confiscation orders was £35 million, an increase of 37% on the 2006/07 figure. Operation Argon, established to combat the problem of gun crime in and around London’s nightclubs yielded many successes, including 102 arrests for offences including possession of firearms and other weapons, drug dealing and violence. The MPS has also made considerable progress within its criminal justice reform programme. Examples of work undertaken during 2007/08 include piloting Community Justice Boards, resulting in the direct engagement between offenders, and magistrates and the Criminal Justice Simple Speedy Summary project, implemented across London to speed up and simplify case progression. The MPS is working with HMIC and the Audit Commission, focusing on how well the MPS uses its resources. The outcome of this work is expected in October 2008.

The MPS continues preparation to deliver safe and secure Olympic and Paralympic Games in London in 2012, and also continues to enhance policing capacity and capability to keep London safe against the real and continuing threat from terrorism.