The Borough Commander, Chief Superintendent Stuart Macleod, introduced his deputy, Superintendent Steve Wallace, and Chief Inspector Phil Palmer who has lead responsibility for operations. In introducing the performance information data for Merton and its statistical neighbours the Borough Commander said that Merton is ahead of target on the MOPAC7 crime figures and that, of its neighbours, only Croydon had achieved greater reduction in crime. Merton continues to be a low crime borough.

In response to detailed questions about the crime figures he said that a number of factors had contributed to the reduction in robbery, including policing practices, success in detection and conviction plus CCTV coverage and work with mobile phone companies to make it harder to steal and re-sell phones. Rates for violence with injury have gone up across London, primarily due to changes in recording practices rather than any change in incidence. Domestic abuse is still under-reported so an increase in numbers is a positive step. Gun crime remains low in Merton compared to the rest of London but there is no room for complacency so lots of work is being done locally to address gun and knife crime. Child sexual abuse and counter terrorism work are likely to remain priorities for the Met following the mayoral elections.

The Borough Commander said that the model of policing was broadly unchanged since the last time he had reported to the Commission. There had been substantial savings made though these were lower than initially anticipated. The impact locally had included the loss of a senior police manager (Chief Inspector) as for other boroughs, small decline in the number of PCSOs and some outsourcing of back office services such as finance and HR. In response to questions he said that he was committed to ensuring that there was dedicated ward coverage by one PC and one PCSO per ward and that there were no immediate plans to sell police buildings in Merton.

The Borough Commander and his colleagues provided responses to each of the questions raised by Commission members, as set out in the agenda report:

Q1 – has the Borough Commander given any thought to how the government’s announcement on greater collaboration between the emergency services might be taken forward locally?

Response – there is already a strong working relationship locally between the police, fire and ambulance services and some joint working is taking place, for example on smoke alarm and crime prevention advice on some estates as well as the work with councillors on visits to neighbourhoods to provide a one stop shop approach to crime and anti social behaviour. The Borough Commander anticipates sharing of emergency response (999) control rooms in the future, but this will be a corporate initiative rather than a local one.

Q2 – has the reduction in the use of stop and search powers impacted on knife crime?

Response – there has been some impact but overall Merton remains a safe borough with small numbers of knife crime. Although the number of stop and searches has reduced, the proportion of these that have resulted in police action has increased and exceeds the target. The Borough Commander has continued to provide training to ensure stop and search is carried out appropriately and that his officers feel confident in using the stop and search powers.

Q3 – how does the level of policing and reduction in number of officers compare to other boroughs?

Response – Merton has the same policing model and is no different to other boroughs. At present, Merton has some extra officers (above establishment probationary officers) and these are deployed on safer neighbourhood teams but will be moving on in due course.

Q4 – Is the dispersal of rough sleepers in Hyde Park likely to have an impact locally?

Response – there is no empirical evidence of an impact. The action taken in Hyde Park was primarily aimed at appropriately encouraging foreign nationals to leave the country. The number of rough sleepers has increased slightly in Merton but there is no indication that this is a displacement issue.

Q5 – How do the ward teams work together? In particular, how is consistency across the borough monitored and how is good practice shared between teams?

Response – collaboration and sharing good practice is at the heart of police work. This is discussed regularly at team meetings and feeds into deployment decisions and training.

Q6 – how much collaboration is there between the police, council and other agencies to deal with low level crimes? Will there be an impact on the council’s planning enforcement team when these issues are not dealt with by the police?

Response – the police continues to respond to all reported crimes. There is strong partnership working with the council and other partners, such as local betting shops and off licences, on anti -social behaviour and this has led to a reduction in reports to the police.

Q7 – have cutbacks had an impact on 999 call response times?

Response – policing levels have not been reduced in Merton. Merton has exceeded the target for 999 calls by responding to 91% within 15 minutes compared to Met target of 90%.

RESOLVED: that the Commission thank the Borough Commander and his officers for their hard work and success in continuing to keep crime rates low in Merton.