Agenda item

To receive a presentation from Chief Inspector Karl Curran, North Area BCU – Partnership & Neighbourhoods.

Chief Inspector Karl Curran introduced the presentation which provided an overview on Reforming the Met and the implications for Local Policing in Enfield and he advised that off the back of the Baroness Casey Review there has been some fundamental changes in the way in which business will be conducted, certainly in neighbourhoods, which is a real positive change as investment in this area is crucial. The Met is moving towards a model which is dramatically different, but it is an exciting time for neighbourhoods.

Further information was provided including detail on a selection of themes which were highlighted in Baroness Casey’s Review. Karl went on to speak about the values and guiding principles which had been set to help deliver cultural reform across the Met. These values and principles will be embedded in HR processes that develop and assess staff, meaning that everyone is judged by how they work. Karl also provided information in relation to community crime-fighting and anti-social behaviour and working with Londoners to keep them safe. This will include recruiting an additional 500 Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and putting more officers and PCSOs into local neighbourhoods and ensuring that they are delivering against the priorities of Londoners. Data will be better used to understand the demands faced and officers will then be deployed to communities where the biggest difference can be made. Specialist teams will be strengthened, with an extra 565 people who will work closely with local police teams and partners on investigating domestic abuse, sexual offences and child sexual abuse and exploitation. Work will also continue with partners to ensure individuals in need of care and non-crime help get supported by the right agency, freeing up officers’ time to tackle crime. A victim focus desk will also be provided to provide better support and advice.

Discussions took place regarding key progress in the North Area BCU and Karl advised that they are actively consulting more with local communities across Enfield and listening to residents’ views to help shape how work is prioritised. All strands have been represented at these community events with more to follow. Community led engagement is taking place across wards to establish their priorities and the way in which ward panel meetings occur is also changing, ensuring greater awareness and attendance. Neighbourhood resourcing is increasing on every ward in Enfield, and data is used to allocate resources effectively.

In response to a question regarding abstractions it was advised that these have reduced from Neighbourhoods and Local Investigation Teams by putting more officers in response and abstraction data is constantly reviewed to ensure this plan is working.

Karl went on to provide detailed information on strengthening Neighbourhood Policing and figures were provided on current and future resources which represents the ambition to increase posts on the Neighbourhood Policing Teams over the next three years (this is subject to recruitment and funding of PCSOs). An increase has already been seen in Sergeants and Inspectors within Neighbourhood Policing and it was advised that under the new model Inspectors will only be managing four wards as opposed to twenty-six.

Further information was provided on the outreach recruitment work which was taking place to increase representation across the Met, and this was welcomed by Members of the SNB.

The Chair thanked Chief Inspector Karl Curran for his interesting and informative presentation.