London Criminal Justice Board - 12 September 2023 Minutes

• Sophie Linden, DMPC (Chair)
• Claire Waxman, Independent Victims’ Commissioner for London
• Will Balakrishnan, MOPAC
• Tamara Barnett, MOPAC
• Fiona Murphy, MOPAC
• Aisha Graham-Sharif, MOPAC
• Tom Dodsworth, MOPAC
• Connie Stygall, MOPAC
• AC Matt Twist, MPS
• Cmdr. Nick John, MPS
• Andrew Wadey, MPS
• Leah Simms, HMPPS, Probation
• Claire Solley, Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS)
• Kris Venkatasami, CPS South
• Jaswant Narwal, CPS North
• Charlie Doyle, BTP 
• Umer Khan, CoLP
• Helen Isaac, CoLP
• Jo Towens, HMCTS
• Stephen McAllister, HMCTS
• Joseph Kearns, HMCTS
• Kate Langley, YJB
• Henry Smithers, YJB
• Andrea Simon, EVAW
• Stephen Douglass, London Councils

Apologies

• Diana Luchford, MOPAC CEO
• Kenny Bowie, MOPAC Director of Strategy and MPS Oversight
• Lionel Idan, CPS South
• Clare Ansdell, HMPPS Probation
• Fiona Taylor, London Councils
• Althea Loderick, London Councils
• Kilvinder Vigurs, HMPPS Probation
• Jamilla Hinds-Brough, GLA
• Debbie Weekes-Bernard, GLA
• Sinead Dervin, NHS London
• Lib Peck, VRU
• Ian Bickers, HMPPS London Prisons Group
• Mo Foster, HMPPS London Prisons Group

There was agreement on the previous minutes and the DMPC advised that a copy has been uploaded on the MOPAC website.

MOPAC Head of Partnerships went through the LCJB completed actions.

Item 2a. Update on the LCJB Serious Case Review task and finish group

MOPAC updated that LCJB Serious Case Review Task and Finish Group members are working with members of the MOPAC CJS team to collate a combined list of themes that emerge from these case reviews to be discussed at the next meeting. The summary of key themes will be presented in October, to enable a discussion between partners about what action is being taken in these key areas and how the system might be strengthened in light of consistent recommendations.

Item 2.b Update from Probation on recommendations implemented from the McSweeney serious case review 

HMPPS Probation updated that there has been an internal review of progress against the 10 recommendations from the HMIP action plan published on 24th January 2023. All recommendations were accepted by HMPPS and relate to organisational changes across all Probation regions. A written update on action taken against the 10 recommendations from the HMIP review will be circulated with LCJB members. HMPPS, Probation gave a verbal update on developments towards a neurodiversity strategy, which was a HMIP recommendation specific to London, and an update on recruitment.

Item 2.c Update on Diversion and OOCD – including:
i) MPS decision on the Operating model for the 2-tier framework
ii) MoJ consultation on the Code of Practice
iii) Development of the Diversion Strategy

The MPS updated that the Operating model for the 2-tier framework has now been agreed and there will be an uplift in posts into existing IOM teams. The MPS are now finalising the recruitment process and their training and performance framework. The MPS have made a business case for a digital solution to tackle disproportionality and enable effective case management, monitoring of breaches and to simplify the feedback process for diversion service providers. The MPS updated that the draft Code of Practice has been published for consultation.

MOPAC updated that a series of workshops have been held with LCJB members to develop a shared definition of diversion and define the key areas of focus that will be addressed through the development and delivery of the Diversion Strategy. The final Diversion Strategy will be presented at the LCJB in December 2023.    

Bringing more perpetrators to justice: Case File Quality pilot update 

The MPS’ case file quality pilot is running in two BCUs, EA and CW, and involves the investigating officer passing the case file at the point of charge, to the CMT to build. The number of cases that have gone up to the CPS to date is small as the pilot is identifying flaws in evidence being gathered by the investigating officers. All cases sent to the CPS through the pilot to triage have passed GD6 compliance and there has been a quick turnaround from review to triage. The CPS agreed to work with the MPS to support the case file quality pilots.

CPS South and the MPS have conducted a series of joint DA deep dives which started in Q1 and have identified a number of themes and learning, including preventing victim attrition, improving the quality of case build and increasing the number of evidence led prosecutions. As a result of the learning from the dip samples, CPS South are in discussion with the MPS about testing a joint Westminster DA initiative focusing on expediting investigations and charging decisions. This will be supported by joint DA surgeries and will look at complex cases that would benefit from CPS early advice, learning from good practice for RASSO cases. The MPS are expanding their DA training, offering mentoring and designing joint CPS and MPS training based on learning from the deep dives. CPS North have engaged with HMCTS regarding a DA specialist court at Thames and trail court at Bromley which the CPS are keen to progress with support from LCJB.

HMCTS updated that Harrow Crown Court has been closed as precautionary due to identifying RAAC concerns, for an estimated 6-9 month period. HMCTS are working through longer-term plans with partners to utilise court rooms in other Courts.

The date of the next meeting is Wednesday 13^th December.