PCD 1669 Funding agreement from Jaguar Land Rover to tackle vehicle theft

This paper seeks approval to accept a donation of £200,000 from Jaguar and Land Rover Plc to enhance the MPS activities in tackling theft of motor vehicles.  

The Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime is recommended to:   

1. Approve a donation of £200,000 from Jaguar and Land Rover PLC (JLR) to the Metropolitan Police Service. 

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

1. Introduction and background 

1. MOPAC approved funding of £230,000 in 2023/24 for surge activity in relation to Theft of Motor Vehicle (TOMV). 

2. Issues for consideration 

1. The MPS and Jaguar and Land Rover Plc (JLR) carried out a joint operation working with the JLR police liaison and loss prevention teams as a proof of concept. JLR are satisfied with the proof of concept and the proposal of how the donations will be spent with a joint vision of less TOMV offences in the capital for all vehicle makes not just JLR.  JLR will not own or have control over any MPS funding or resources, however MPS will consult with JLR regarding our plans and provide them with spending and performance updates. 

2. This donation will be used for the below points:-  

• Reduce Crime - Reduced Vehicle Thefts: The New Met for London plan includes targeted actions to decrease motor vehicle thefts. This could involve increased patrols in high-risk areas, improved use of technology to track stolen vehicles, and more effective investigation techniques. 

• More Trust - Improved Public Safety: By tackling vehicle theft, the plan aims to create a safer environment for Londoners. Stolen vehicles are often used in other crimes, so reducing thefts reduces overall criminal activity. Additionally, joyriding with stolen cars can lead to accidents, so bringing down theft numbers improves road safety. 

• More Trust - Stronger Community Engagement: The plan may incorporate initiatives to build trust between the police and the public regarding vehicle security. This could involve community outreach programs that educate residents on theft prevention strategies and offer support to victims of vehicle theft 

3. The MPS will be using the donation to disrupt Organised Crime Gangs (OCG’s) that target all vehicle thefts not just JLR. The donation will be used for further surge activity for additional officer’s to be on duty and to respond to all reports of theft of motor vehicles. This funding will enable additional activity through overtime primarily before or after shift times. The funding will support and supplement local BCU Community Crime Fighting plans. 

3. Financial Comments 

1. The donation is for a value of £200,000 to be spent during 2024/25.  

4. Legal Comments 

1. The MPS Directorate of Legal Services assures that the donation can be lawfully accepted in accordance with s.93 Police Act 1996 on the basis that it is an unconditional offer and the terms of the s.93 agreement are complied with. 

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 inward donations and sponsorship £50,000 and above in value. 

5. Commercial Issues 

1. The MPS Commercial Services has endorsed the proposal.  

6. 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 project does not use personally identifiable data of members of the public, so there are no GDPR issues to be considered. 

7. 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 MPS assure that this business case has undergone an initial equality screening, and that as a result, no negative impact has been identified to any individual and/or group safeguarded by a protected characteristic and to those who are not negating the requirement to document any mitigation. 

8. Background/supporting papers 

• Appendix 1 – MPS Report - Jaguar and Land Rover PLC Donation to MPS