Agenda item

The Panel welcome Helen Millichap, the Police Borough Commander, and Inspector Neil Billaney.

Ms Millichap reported on the policing priorities that had been set for Haringey.  The Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) had specified that all boroughs would have sexual violence, domestic abuse, child sexual exploitation, weapon-based crime and hate crime as priorities as well as anti-social behaviour.  In addition, local priorities of robbery and non-domestic violence with injury had also been set.   Violence with injury and robbery had increased across the Metropolitan Police area.   They had now both plateaued in Haringey and, in addition, the number of knife injury victims had seen a sustained decrease in the past year.

In answer to a question regarding what had led to these decreases, she stated that the borough had bid successfully for additional resources.  Assistance from the Territorial Support Group had been obtained who had adopted a specific focus on Stop and Search.  In addition, the Metropolitan wide Violent Crime Task Force had been active and this had included plain clothes officers targeting habitual knife carriers.  Diversionary activities that had taken place over the summer had also appeared to have had an impact.  In answer to another question, she stated that it was difficult to determine whether incidents involved schoolchildren or were gang related.  It was estimated that about half of gun crime was related to gangs and slightly less than half of knife crime.  There were now Police officers linked to all secondary schools within Haringey.  In addition, the MOPAC had offered knife wands to all schools in London.

In answer to a question, Mr Billaney stated that it was acknowledged that there were limitations to the effectiveness of knife wands and arches as knives could be concealed elsewhere if it was known that they were going to be used. Wands could be used on a random basis, making their use more difficult to anticipate.  Wands and arches also had an educational function.  The Borough Commander commented that no single tactic was effective on its own.  It was most important to influence young people at an early stage, before they began carrying a knife.  She agreed to find out which schools had knife wands or arches and pass this information onto the Panel.

Sandeep Broca, Intelligence Analyst, outlined current statistics for illegal firearm discharges and stop and search.  There had been a 15% increase in the past year but this was slightly lower than the London average.  There had been 38 discharges, which constituted one in ten within the capital.  Haringey had the second highest number in London.  The increase was nevertheless slowing down. Incidents tended to be clustered in the east of the borough. 

He reported that there had been approximately 5,500 stop and searches in the previous year, which was the eighth highest number in London.  The number had declined by 2%.  The largest number of stops were for drugs.  This was 55% and similar to the London average.  The outcome of searches was also very similar to the London average, with 71% resulting in no further action.  The rate of stops was 13 per 1,000 for people identified as white and 51 per 1,000 for people identified as black.  The largest percentage of searches were carried out on young people between the ages of 15 and 19, where there were 107 per 1,000.  This was higher than the London average of 83 per 1,000.  The percentage of positive outcomes by demographic was broadly similar.  In respect of Section 60 searches, where Police had special powers to search people in a defined are for a specific period of time, the Panel noted that 115 searches had taken place in the Ducketts Common area between January and August.  The majority of these took place in April in response to a number of incidents. 

In answer to a question, the Borough Commander stated that in 70% of searches in London, no further action was taken.  This percentage had reduced in recent year as Police had got better at using stop and search effectively but she nevertheless wanted to see better figures.  Its use also had a deterrent role though.  It was important that stop and search was used fairly, was intelligence led and proportionate.   She stated that the levels of diversity within the Police in London had changed and data was available to demonstrate this.  The Commissioner was also still committed to maintaining a London focus in recruitment.  However, the changed focus took time to fully filter through. 

She stated that most London boroughs had seen an increase in Stop and Search.  The numbers in Haringey had nevertheless reduced slightly and it was a challenge to maintain them at a high level.  Officers were now wearing cameras on their bodies and these were proving to be a useful tool in ensuring that Stop and Search was deployed sensitively and effectively.  She was not enthusiastic of the use of Section 60 searches as she felt that Police officers should be required to explain why searches were being undertaken. It was to be expected that Haringey would be in the top ten of boroughs for searches as this reflected the level of offences.  Stop and Search hotspots correlated to crime hotspots.

In respect of firearm discharges, the Borough Commander reported that these did not mean that they were lethal.  However, the outcome could still be serious.  Mr Billaney commented that searches of young black men for drugs that yielded no outcome were a source of concern and efforts were being made to ensure that searches were evidence based.  Videos of searches by officers were scrutinised to see how practice could be improved.  He stated that he would like to see fewer searches for drugs and more for weapons.  In particular, he felt that searches for cannabis could be divisive.  The Panel noted that the terminology used to describe the outcome of searches was set centrally. 

In answer to a question, she stated that the TSG had been used in Haringey on occasion.  Local officers who were familiar with the area worked with them when they were deployed and efforts were made to ensure that they behaved appropriately.  Most TSG officers had themselves been local officers.  No local officers carried firearms.

Councillor Mark Blake, the Cabinet Member for Communities, Safety and Engagement, reported that the statistics did not convey the impact that Stop and Search could have in individual cases.  Some children could be traumatised by the experience and the frequency with which some young people had been stopped was also an issue.   `The Panel noted that the number of violent offences in Haringey was still higher than in Enfield although the trajectory in Haringey was currently better. 

In answer to a question, the Borough Commander stated that it was important that community relations were considered.  The workforce of the Police was currently more diverse and reflective of the community. She felt that Police officers should not necessarily aim for the “easy pickings” such as young people smoking drugs as there was a danger of unnecessarily criminalising them.  Action needed to be sensitive and proportionate.  Stop and search was just one tactic that was used to address crime and disorder and its use was closely monitored.  Research by the Godwin Law Foundation on the views of children and young people showed them to be in favour of the right people being stopped and apprehended.  Early intervention was also important in addressing crime and actions such as the work that was undertaken in schools helped to develop good relationships with children and young people. The disproportionality that there was amongst those who were stopped was also reflected amongst victims of crime and perpetrators.

David Murray, Interim Assistant of Environment and Neighbourhoods, reported that the Council and its partners had noted the views of children and young people and efforts were being made to effect change at an earlier stage. 

The Borough Commander stated that she was happy to speak to any young person who had had a negative experience of being stopped.  In answer to a question, she stated that stop and search was monitored closely everywhere.  Efforts were being made by the Police to establish a panel of young people to assist in monitoring within Haringey and, in particular, provide an element of challenge.  She was happy to receive any suggestions regarding how this might be set up most effectively.

AGREED:

That the Borough Commander be requested to find out which schools have knife wands or arches and pass this information onto the Panel.