PCD 1285 Westfield Stratford Shopping Centre SPS

PCD 1285 Westfield Stratford Shopping Centre SPS 

This paper seeks approval to enter into a Special Police Services (SPS) agreement for the provision of dedicated police support at Westfield Stratford.  This will continue the existing arrangement. The year 1 cost is £565,317 and the term of the agreement is for three years therefore the three-year value of the agreement would be £1,695,951. 

The Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime is recommended to:   

1. Approve the Special Police Services (SPS) Agreement between MOPAC and Westfield Stratford for a dedicated police support team at Westfield Stratford. 

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

1. Introduction and background  

1. The MPS has been providing this special police service (SPS) since 2011 and the current agreement expires in September 2022.  

2. Issues for consideration 

1. The role of the funded police officers is to provide SPS at Westfield Stratford with a focus on visible patrols to combat crime and anti-social behaviour and to improve the level of confidence among visitors and workers at the shopping centre. 

2. The SPS agreement with Westfield Stratford directly supports the Police and Crime Plan in that the funded officers, through their work with partners in Westfield Stratford, are focused on tackling policing matters that are important issues to the local community such as violent crime and curtailing gang activity from specific individuals drawn to the shopping centre. In addition, the officers will combat volume crimes such as acquisitive crime, anti-social behaviour and deter / disrupt terrorism.   

3. Financial Comments  

4. The charge for SPS to Westfield Stratford is reflective of the full cost recovery of one sergeant at £94,251 and six constables at £78,511 per constable per annum.  At an annual value of £565,317 the estimated three-year value of the agreement would be £1,695,951 

2. There is a provision in the contract which acknowledges that the charges may be increased annually in line with any updated rates. 

4. Legal Comments 

1. MPS Legal services assure that the MPS may provide policing resources to Westfield Stratford under Section 25 of the Police Act 1996. Under that Act the Commissioner may, at the request of any person, provide SPS in accordance with legislation and current case law, subject to payment to MOPAC on charges on such scale and on such terms as it may determine. 

2. 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 requests to bid tender or quote for the provision of services to other organisations (including other GLA functional bodies and local authorities) for £500,000 and above. This does not apply to the provision of mutual aid by the Commissioner to another force under s24 Police Act 1996 nor the provision of advice or assistance to international organisations under the Police Act 1996, which are subject to consultation with the DMPC. 

5. 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.   

2. The MPS assure that the proposal does not use personally identifiable data of members of the public, so there are no GDPR issues to be considered. 

6. Equality Comments    

7. 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. 

8. The MPS assure that the proposed agreement has been approved by the MPS Equality Impact Assessment team, and that as this is a renewal of an existing service this work does not change any aspects relating to equality or diversity. 

7. Background/supporting papers 

• Appendix 1 MPS Report - SPECIAL POLICE SERVICES WITH WESTFIELD STRATFORD