§ Mr. Eldon Griffithsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has any evidence of self-styled vigilante groups financed in part or whole out of public funds interfering in the operations of the Metropolitan Police; what is his policy towards the establishment within the Metropolitan Police area of private police monitoring groups; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MayhewWe know that there are some groups which claim that they act as vigilantes, although we do not know how they are funded. The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis and his officers will take whatever action may be necessary if there is evidence that members of any such group have acted in breach of the criminal law. We do not believe that the approach of so-called monitoring groups is the right or effective way to improve relations between the police and the community. My right hon. Friend has already made clear his desire to see a development of consultation arrangements in each borough which include a wide cross-section of representatives and the police themselves.