An update will be provided by the Borough Police Commander.
Minutes:
The Chairman’s update was provided by acting Detective Chief Inspector Charles Clare on behalf of the police.
The Group heard that Cressida Dick had been appointed as the new MET Police Commissioner--she was the first woman to take charge of the service.
Previously she was a senior officer in the MET police and had previously worked on Operation Trident and in Counter Terrorism. Her appointment had been well received.
Confirmation had still not been received concerning the structure of the proposed new BCU (Borough Command Unit) sites. Some pilot sites had been set up and were working; some teething problems had been experienced. It was anticipated that the composition of the BCUs would be clarified in June, and rolled out between September and December. It was still possible that the new commissioner could decide to halt the BCU process, or decide that the amalgamation of forces could be limited to two instead of three.
Mr. Clare informed the Group that a Development Team had been set up to aid in driving up standards and to enable lower ranked officers to take on more responsibility. Bromley police were ten officers over strength in total, but were under strength in detectives by 14. There was a young CID in Bromley, and recruitment into the CID was a problem.
Mr Vale informed the Group that trading standards officers were able to support CID officers in fraud matters relating to rogue traders and often took the lead on these enquiries locally. Furthermore, arrangements were being made to provide a presentation to CID officers by trading standards in order that they could readily refer appropriate cases on for investigation. Mr Vale was preparing to draft an MOU in order that the current partnership working could be formalised.
Bromley was one of only four forces that was continuing to experience an overall yearly decrease in crime. It was planned that two District Ward Officers would be patrolling in each ward by the end of the year.
On March 20th, a new Acting Chief Inspector (Clair Haynes) would be appointed, and would have responsibility for Local Policing. She would in effect be the replacement for Chief Inspector David Tait.
Mr. Vale (Head of Trading Standards and Community Safety) enquired how low level resources would be pooled in the BCU model. Mr. Clare responded that the answer to this was not known at this time. Mr. Vale explained that a good working relationship currently existed between Trading Standards and the local police, and this was something that he hoped would not be lost under a BCU restructure.
The Chairman (Executive Director for Environmental and Community Services) referenced a recent meeting that had taken place between himself, Sophie Linden (Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime), the Council Leader, Chief Executive and the Portfolio Holder. Various issues were discussed at the meeting including MOPAC (Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime) funding, priorities, and possible BCU amalgamations. It was the case that Croydon and Sutton were still being considered as possible partners, but the Chairman hoped that an alignment could be made instead with a south east borough such as Bexley, Lewisham or Greenwich.
RESOLVED that the Police update be noted.