PCD 1441 Additional Funding 2023/24 - specialist support for victims of crime

PCD 1441 Additional Funding 2023/24 - specialist support for victims of crime 

The Mayor is determined to see that victims of crime in London are better supported as a result of the steps set out in his Police and Crime Plan 2022-25.  He is clear that the police, justice agencies and other partner organisations must work together if service is to be improved for victims pursuing their case through the justice process and for those who choose not to report. 

In March 2022 MOPAC were notified of ongoing Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) investigation where additional specialist support is required for the victims identified. MOPAC currently commission Galop to provide a range of support victims of crime, and PCD1167 approved additional funding to increase their capacity to support those affected.  

In March 2023, MOPAC were notified of charges made in relation to the investigation and these are progressing through the criminal justice system. The need for specialist support for the victims identified will continue throughout and beyond this process, and it is anticipated that additional funding may be required to support any new victims that may be identified and/or impacted.  

This decision seeks approval to award Galop up to £200,000 additional funding in 2023/24 for the provision of this support. 

The Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime is recommended to:   

1. Approve the award of up to £200,000 additional funding in 2023/24 to Galop to provide specialist support to those victims identified, yet to be identified, and/or those impacted by these ongoing criminal proceedings. 

2. Delegate authority to the MOPAC Chief Finance Officer to sign the applicable variations to the existing grant agreement to accept and disburse this funding.  

PART I - NON-CONFIDENTIAL FACTS AND ADVICE TO THE DMPC 

1. Introduction and background  

1. In March 2022 MOPAC were notified of ongoing Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) investigation where additional specialist support was required for the victims identified.  

2. MOPAC currently commission Galop to provide a range of specialist support to victims of crime from the LGBT+ community in London, and PCD1167 approved additional funding to increase their capacity to support those affected as part of this investigation.  

2. Issues for consideration  

1. In March 2023, MOPAC were notified of charges sought by the MPS and approved by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in relation to the investigation, and these are progressing through the criminal justice system. Whilst some of those charged have pleaded guilty, proceedings are still ongoing and the timeframe on the case reaching court is likely to increase as a result of the known issues on court backlogs.  

2. It is anticipated that as the criminal justice process continues, demand for support will increase for those directly impacted by the case as well as other victims prompted to come forward to seek support.  

3. There is also likely to be implications on the wider community as this case progresses, and more victims of similar offending may present to the MPS and/or MOPAC’s commissioned services seeking support, with better confidence in reporting their experiences to the MPS.  

4. In order to support the MPS in achieving the priorities set out in its Turnaround Plan 2023-25, it is important that the services supporting and protecting the most vulnerable victims in London have the capacity to do so.  

5. To achieve this, Galop require additional funding to increase and sustain their capacity to support those affected. This will enable specialist advocates to provide a flexible, needs-led therapeutic service for victims. It will also include management of the additional staff members as well as training and enhanced clinical supervision.  

6. This decision seeks approval to vary the existing grant agreement in place between MOPAC and Galop, to award Galop up to £200,000 additional funding in 2023/24. 

7. Baroness Casey’s review into the standards of behaviour and internal culture of the MPS found it to be institutionally homophobic, and that the relationship between London’s LGBTQ+ community has been significantly damaged. Trust in the Met has fallen significantly amongst the LGBTQ+ community. 

8. The MPS’ Turnaround Plan commits to protecting the most vulnerable and those Londoners who are most likely to be at highest risk of harm from crime, focusing resources to protect and remove them from harm.  

9. Providing specialist tailored support to the victims identified as part of this ongoing investigation (directly or indirectly), in the lead up to, during and post-criminal justice processes, is crucial to both ensuring they receive the support and/or criminal justice outcomes they desere and improving the trust and confidence of London’s LGBT+ community.  

3. Financial Comments  

1. The total budget requirement for this work is £200,000.  

2. The programme will be funded by Specialist Support for LGBT SV Survivors 2023/24 budget.  

4. Legal Comments  

1. MOPAC’s general powers are set out in the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (the 2011 Act). Section 3(6) of the 2011 Act provides that MOPAC must “secure the maintenance of the metropolitan police service and secure that the metropolitan police service is efficient and effective.” Under Schedule 3, paragraph 7 (1) MOPAC has wide incidental powers to “do anything which is calculated to facilitate, or is conducive or incidental to, the exercise of the functions of the Office.” Paragraph 7(2) (a) provides that this includes entering into contracts and other agreements.   

2. Section 143 (1) (b) of the Anti-Social, Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 provides for MOPAC to provide or commission services “intended by the local policing body to help victims or witnesses of, or other persons affected by, offences and anti-social behaviour.”   

3. There are further relevant powers set out in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 at sections 17(1) (a) to (c) which place MOPAC under a duty to exercise its functions with due regard to the likely effect of the exercise of those functions on, and the need to do all it can to prevent, crime and disorder (including anti-social and other behaviour adversely affecting the local environment), reoffending in its area, and the misuse of drugs, alcohol and other substances in its area. The proposed arrangements are consistent with MOPAC’s duties in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.   

4. Paragraph 4.8 of the MOPAC Scheme of Delegation and Consent provides that the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime (DMPC) has delegated authority to approve all the award of all individual grants whether to secure or contribute to securing crime reduction in London or for other purposes.  

5. Paragraph 4.6 of the MOPAC Scheme of Delegation and Consent provides the DMPC authority to delegate those functions which are reserved for the DMPC.    

6. These recommendations are in line with the MOPAC Scheme of Delegation and Consent.   

7. Officers must ensure the Financial Regulations and Contract Regulations are complied with.   

8. Officers should ensure that the funding agreements are put in place with and executed by MOPAC and each of the providers before any commitment to fund is made. 

5. Commercial Issues  

1. The victims requiring support in this case are from the LGBT+ community and need specialist support by an organisation that can meet their needs. Galop, as a ‘by and for’ organisation, specialises in supporting LGBT+ communities across London and have been identified as an existing commissioned service best placed to provide the support required.  

2. This decision requests to extend or vary existing grants and contracts, as laid out in 2.6 above.  

3. MOPAC makes no commitment to provide this additional funding to Galop until the grant modification has been signed by both parties.  

4. The modification request to the grant agreement will comply with the MOPAC Scheme of Consent and Delegation. 

6. Public Health Approach 

1. This decision provides funding to enable a better informed and more cohesive partnership approach to improving outcomes for victims in London which will align with and support the VRU’s public health approach to tackling the causes of violent crime in London.  

7. GDPR and Data Privacy  

1. MOPAC will adhere to the Data Protection Act (DPA) 2018 and ensure that any organisations who are commissioned to do work with or on behalf of MOPAC are fully compliant with the policy and understand their GDPR responsibilities.   

8. Equality Comments 

1. MOPAC is required to comply with the public sector equality duty set out in section 149(1) of the Equality Act 2010. This requires MOPAC to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations by reference to people with protected characteristics. The protected characteristics are: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. 

2. The victims requiring support in this case are from the LGBT+ community and need specialist support provided by Galop, which is a ‘by and for’ organisation. It is possible this may require cross-working with the MOPAC Victims’ Team within the Commissioning and Partnerships Directorate, who commission the CATCH hate crime service as there is potential for the case to prompt anti-LGBT+ hatred toward the victims-survivors and/or their communities. 

3. MOPAC will ensure Equalities considerations form part of all work commissioned with this funding. As part of the quarterly performance monitoring of each service we collect demographics information, which helps us to understand who is accessing each service and how any barriers to accessing may be overcome. 

4. Given the findings of institutional racism, misogyny and homophobia in the Casey review there should be enhanced assurance that the recommendations incorporate actions to address this.   

9. Background/supporting papers 

• Appendix 1 PCD 1167 Additional funding 2022/23 – Support for Victims (Galop)