Agenda item

The latest figures for Bromley Police revealed that over the five year period commencing 2011/12, overall crime over the MOPAC 7 range of targeted crime areas had decreased by 17.4%; this was against a 20% target reduction. At the time of writing the overall MET reduction was 18.10%.

The Borough Commander (BC) was pleased with the progress that had been made in reducing the number of criminal damage cases, and asked the Committee to note that the volume of cases of Theft of Motor Vehicles had increased because individuals were becoming more aware that the current MET policy was not to give chase in these circumstances.

Confidence / Satisfaction / Call-handling

• R12 = 90.5% of I calls within 15 mins and 91.1% of S calls within 60 mins
• Satisfaction was 83%, which was the highest in the MPS.

Met 2020

The Police Commissioner had recently announced that there would be a move to a BCU (Basic Command Unit) model of policing, which would not be Borough based. The number of BCU’s had not been decided, but it was likely to be in the region of 10-16. There would not be a final decision on this until the Mayoral elections were completed. Each BCU would have 4 portfolios, which would be Response, Neighbourhood Policing, Investigation, and Protecting Vulnerable People.

Neighbourhood Policing was likely to have District Ward Officers and Police Community Support Officers allocated to each Ward, as well as Strategic Problem-Solving Teams and an Operational Support Team. Bromley Police had been running a similar structure to this with Operation Omega over the past year which had positively impacted on crime detection and confidence levels.

The Borough Commander explained to the Committee that the Police had moved their Safer Neighbourhood resources into Tasking Teams; this gave the Police more flexibility to allocate extra officers to higher crime locations or to deal with specific issues. The size of the Response Teams had been enlarged to provide more units responding to emergency calls and to improve primary investigation.

The Borough Commander commented that these changes had been able to be implemented as Bromley Police were currently over strength, except with respect to the number of sergeants, where they were under strength. 

General Update

A volunteers’ appeal had been incorporated into the last SBP Newsletter.

Bromley Police were in the process of agreeing protocols with Oxleas based on good practice established with SLAM / Bethlem concerning “Metallah” (incidents), missing persons and crime investigation, including the funded police officer.

Stop & Search

Bromley Police averaged between the 9th-15th highest user of stop and search in the Metropolitan Police Service. Officers had been encouraged in its use because of problems concerning Gangs over the last 18 months, and to the ongoing focus on Operation Omega. On average, around 400 searches a month were undertaken. Around 18%-21% of searches resulted in an arrest, and there was some form of positive outcome in around 30% of cases. 

Met-Trace

The Borough Commander advised that approximately 3,000 kits had been delivered so far. A negotiation was currently ongoing with respect to volumes for year 2 numbers. Bromley Police had currently been allocated 700 units, but had requested 2000 units to make use of the extra PCSOs currently available. The Borough Commander concluded his update by informing the Committee that there would continue to be a focus on Operation Omega until directed otherwise by the new Mayor. 

The Chairman enquired why the Violence with Injury (VWI) figures had increased. Were weapons being used, and did the Police undertake searches for knives?  The Borough Commander assured the Committee that the volume of knives being used was low, and that searches were undertaken for both weapons and drugs. Bromley Police stop and search volumes were above the London average, with the most searches being undertaken in the Crystal Palace area.

Cllr Samaris Huntington Thresher asked if the VWI crimes were increasing over a particular age range, and if it was possible for the Police to support LBB in the fight against fly tipping. The Borough Commander responded that there had not been an increase in youth crime, the age range relevant to the volume increase was aged 25+.

The Committee were informed that a joint operation between LBB and the Police was just about to be launched with the support of the Portfolio Holder for Public Protection and Safety.

Dr Robert Hadley asked why Bromley Police was under-strength  in terms of sergeants, when as a force they were over-strength. The Borough Commander

clarified the figures:

·  Bromley Police were over-strength by 44

·  Bromley Police were 5 sergeants under-strength

·  7 individuals were on the list to become sergeants

The reasons why sergeants had not been promoted recently was partly financial, and partly due to Policy. This was now beginning to change, however, there would not be a sergeant allocated per ward.

Councillor Benington asked about the police constable that was based in the Bethlem Hospital Site, and enquired if the Borough Commander felt that the arrangement was working. In response, the Borough Commander stated:

·  The arrangement  was very effective and working well

·  It assisted with crime investigations

·  It facilitated communications for ongoing investigations

·  It helped to build trust between the two organisations

Kate Frail from Victim Support commented that the fact that the VWI figures had increased, could reflect an increased public confidence in the Police.

The Chairman thanked the Borough Commander for his comprehensive update.

RESOLVED that the Police Update be noted.