Gangs Matrix and ICO enforcement notice (2)

Meeting:

MQT on 2019-01-17

Session date:

January 17, 2019

Reference:

2019/0267

Question By:

Siân Berry

Organisation:

City Hall Greens

Asked Of:

The Mayor

Question

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) Enforcement Notice, published on 13 November 2018, stated that the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) admitted to taking an "Al Capone Approach; ie where prosecution for specific gang-related offences is not possible the gang members were targeted more generally." Has the MPS provided or supported any specific diversionary tactics that help people on the Gangs Matrix get into work or education? If so, could you provide details of a) when this proactive work took place, b) what MPS team was responsible for it, c) how many people were targeted, and d) what were the successful outcomes?

Answer

Gangs Matrix and ICO enforcement notice (2)

Answered By:

The Mayor

Date:

Thursday, 17th January 2019

Met officers often consider wider interventions - where proportionate and effective - to prevent further involvement in criminality, as well as dealing with the offence in front of them. Therefore it is important that the Met works with key partners to reduce the impact of gangs and signpost young people to organisations that can help.

All police officers routinely refer young people into MOPAC funded pan-London services such as London Gang Exit, Response & Rescue and Empower. The Met also directly fund Divert. Divert is a scheme which engages with young people in police custody and offers them opportunities out of offending. Between 2015-2018 of the 118 young people engaging with the scheme the re-offending rate is 7 per cent; 22 per cent less than the average rate.