HC Deb 14 January 1986 vol 89 c546W
Mr. Wheeler

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the report by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis on his strategy for the coming year; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Hurd

I am today placing copies of the Commissioner's report to me in the Library, and I am sending a copy to all right hon. and hon. Members for constituencies wholly or partly within the Metropolitan police district. I plan to meet London Members shortly to discuss the report, and I hope that the House as a whole will also have the opportunity to debate it.

I have discussed the Commissioner's report fully with him. It describes the progress made towards achieving the strategy last year, and sets a new force goal for 1986.

The Metropolitan police have been under heavy pressure for much of the past year, notably during the disturbances in September and October. Despite this the Commissioner is able to report achievements in many fields. The continued growth in the number of neighbourhood watch schemes, and the further development of community-police consultative groups is particularly welcome. Consultative groups in many parts of London now play an important part in the development of the policing policies for their areas.

The force goal for 1986 will be to improve the quality of service to the public by:

  1. (a) The reduction of criminal opportunity through crime prevention, public contact, involvement and cooperation;
  2. (b) (i) The enhanced detection of specific criminal offences (for example, robbery, burglary, drug misuse, racial attacks, vandalism and auto-crime) in accordance with local or centrally identified priorities; (ii) A concerted attack on organised crime and the elimination of the profits therefrom;
  3. (c) The enhanced support, care and concern for victims of crime;
  4. (d) Improved effectiveness both in the preservation of public tranquillity through closer community-police relations and in the policing of public disorder through better tactical control, communications, equipment and training.

I greatly welcome the new emphasis on support for the victims of crime.

The Commissioner expresses in the report his views on the manpower needs of the force. As I told the House on 21 October, I have set in hand urgent work to consider where there are specific needs for further increases in the force establishment. At the same time, I have emphasised the continuing importance of securing the most effective use of existing resources. The report gives a full account of the initiatives which the Commissioner is pursuing to this end.