London Crime Reduction Board - 12 April 2023 - Minutes

Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London (Chair)

Sophie Linden, DMPC
Diana Luchford, MOPAC
Will Balakrishnan, MOPAC
Tamara Barnett, MOPAC
James Bottomley, MOPAC
Natasha Plummer, MOPAC
Sarah Bott, MOPAC
Connie Stygall, MOPAC
Dame Lynne Owens, MPS
Jane Garvan, MPS
Lib Peck, VRU 
Cllr Ian Edwards, London Councils
Cllr Gareth Roberts, London Councils
Daniel Houghton, London Councils
Cllr Nesil Caliskan, London Councils
Althea Loderick, London Councils
Doug Flight, London Councils 
Ella Watson, London Councils
Kilvinder Vigurs, Probation 
Lionel Idan, CPS South 
Barry Hughes, CPS North
Ian Bickers, London Prisons Group
Sinead Dervin, NHS

Apologies

Kenny Bowie, MOPAC 
Ali Griffin, London Councils
Claudia Stuart, YJB
Henry Smithers, YJB
Fiona Taylor, London Councils
Debbie Weekes Bernard, DMC&SJ
Cllr Darren Rodwell, London Councils
Andrea Simon, EVAW
Cllr Jas Athwal, London Councils
Cheryl De Freitas, YJB
Claire Waxman, MOPAC
Joanne Towens, HMCTS

The previous minutes were agreed, and MOPAC went through the outstanding actions. There is progress in relation to resettlement teams between Probation and Prisons and an update will be provided at the next meeting. In respect of court backlogs, MOPAC has now started work with partners to develop a model of capacity and demand across the CJS and partners have agreed to share data. The issue of court backlogs will be discussed again at the next LCRB in July.

1. MPS response to the Casey Review and consideration of the Turnaround Plan
2. Ways for partners to support the MPS with the next steps to address Casey’s recommendations

Dame Lynne Owens spoke about the Casey report which she described as devastating and deeply concerning. Dame Lynne Owens reflected that aspects of the report which are not the subject of formal recommendations, but still require action, are being collated. The MPS have published a draft Turnaround plan, a revised version will be published in due course in the light of the consultation feedback incorporating recommendations from Casey, previous MOPAC reports, HMICFRS and others. From this, Dame Lynne Owens discussed 6 areas/asks for partners on the board to consider supporting the MPS with:

1. Feedback on the Turnaround plan
2. Community engagement
3. Estate strategy
4. External expertise
5. Public protection
6. Supporting vulnerable people

Partners on the board offered their support to the MPS in achieving the recommendations and transforming the MPS. London Councils raised continued concerns regarding the Estate Strategy and BCU model. Dame Lynne Owens agreed that the former needs to be reviewed and welcomed feedback from partners. She discussed the role of the new Superintendent for each London borough and set out the vision of how this will improve neighbourhood policing.

London Councils reflected on Baroness Casey’s view of the relationship between MOPAC and the MPS and MOPAC’s oversight. The Mayor and DMPC advised that MOPAC accept the recommendations and are responding to them. MOPAC are in the process of developing the new London Policing Board and will update partners once decisions have been made about its structure.

DMPC Sophie Linden reported that there has been progress and work since the initial discussion in 2021, through the LCJB and the Disproportionality Board.

Partnership work on adult disproportionality within the CJS is progressing through four working groups: pre-charge and charge, courts and sentencing, offender and sentence management and third sector and service user voice.

Since publishing the Youth Justice Criminal Action Plan in Autumn 2019, MOPAC’s Disproportionality Challenge Fund was launched in June 2022 and grants have now been awarded to three projects covering six London boroughs in areas of high disproportionality within the youth justice system.

Commander Nick John is leading MPS criminal justice work which includes disproportionality considerations within out of court disposals; particularly considering the new legislation and forthcoming framework. A disproportionality scrutiny panel has also been set up by the CPS following a commissioned review. Learning is being shared with prosecutors and officers to improve decision making.