Special Police Services Agreement with Westfield Europe Limited

Westfield Europe Limited has requested special police services (SPS) under Section 25 of the Police Act 1996 for the provision of SPS. The request for SPS is for a period from 1 April 2019 to 31 December 2024 to be provided by a dedicated police team of one Police Sergeant and six Police Constables at an estimated cost in year one of £513,050.

Section 4.8 of the MOPAC Scheme of Delegation and Consent requires the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime (DMPC) to approve the provision of policing services to external bodies where the contract value is £500,000 or above.

It is recommended that the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime to approve of the SPS Agreement with Westfield Europe Limited.

The Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime is recommended to approve the Special Police Services Agreement with Westfield Europe Limited.

1. Introduction and background

1.1. Westfield Europe Limited (Westfield Europe) has requested special police services (SPS) under Section 25 of the Police Act 1996 for the provision of SPS at the Westfield Europe Shopping Centre (Centre). The request for SPS is for a period from 1 April 2019 to 31 December 2024 to be provided by a dedicated police team of one Police Sergeant and six Police Constables at an estimated cost in year one of £513,050.

1.2. There is an existing SPS Agreement with Westfield Europe at the Centre that is due to expire on the 31 March 2019.

2. Issues for consideration

2.1. The SPS Agreement with Westfield Europe directly supports the Police and Crime Plan in that the funded officers, through their work with partners in the Centre, 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 Centre. In addition, the officers will combat volume crimes such as acquisitive crime, anti-social behaviour and deter / disrupt terrorism.

3. Financial Comments

3.1. The charge for SPS to Westfield Europe for the period 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020 of £513,050 is reflective of the full cost recovery of one Police Sergeant at £85,675 and six Police Constables at £71,229 per Police Constable. There will be an adjustment to increase income and expenditure budgets by £513,050 to reflect this new SPS Agreement for the period 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020. There will be further adjustments for each successive year of the SPS Agreement to reflect pay increases and thereby continue to represent full cost recovery.

4. Legal Comments

4.1. The MPS may provide policing resources to SVDP under Section 25 of the Police Act 1996. Under that Act the Commissioner may, at the request of any person, provide SPS at any premises or in any locality in the police area for which the force is maintained, subject to payment to MOPAC on charges on such scale and on such terms as it may determine.

4.2. Section 4.8 of the MOPAC Scheme of Consent and Delegation requires the DMPC to approve the provision of policing services to external bodies where the contract value is £500,000 or above.

5. GDPR and Data Privacy

5.1. The proposal does not use personally identifiable data therefore there are no GDPR issues to be considered.

6. Equality Comments

6.1. There are no equality or diversity implications arising from this report.

7. Background/supporting papers

7.1. MPS report