Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has today issued its post-inspection review into the child protection practices of the Metropolitan Police.
In response, Chairman of the London Assembly Police & Crime Committee, Steve O’Connell AM, said:
“This report has not extinguished many of the concerns we have about how the Met Police safeguards the children who come into contact with the force.
“Some progress has been made, especially around governance and oversight, but the Met anticipates work to ensure that children receive consistently improved responses will take a further two years. This is simply not good enough.
“It is particularly worrying that the HMICFRS found 69 per cent of the 303 cases it reviewed required improvement or were inadequate; and that some had to be referred back to the Met because of serious concerns.
“The HMICFRS report also cited children in police custody are not provided with early access to an appropriate adult. The Committee raised its concerns about appropriate adult provision in the ‘Healthcare in Police Custody’ report and will continue to press the Met and MOPAC for action.
“We will be watching closely for further progress, as it is absolutely vital that the Met’s practices ensure improved outcomes for children in its care.”
Notes to editors
- Steve O’Connell, Chairman of the Police & Crime Committee is available for interview.
- Find out more about the work of the Police & Crime Committee.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Alison Bell on 020 7983 4228. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer. Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.