Mayor Sadiq Khan sets out new plan to make London safer and rebuild trust in Met. The mayor’s new Police and Crime Plan hinges on four key priorities: reducing and preventing violent crime, rebuilding trust and confidence in the police; supporting victims, and protecting people from criminal exploitation
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan published his new plan for policing in London over the next three years. Following consultation with nearly 4,000 Londoners, victims of crime, community groups, businesses and others, the Mayor’s Police and Crime Plan sets out the key priorities and objectives for policing, which will help to make London safer – and feel safer – for all Londoners.
“Tackling crime and making London safer is my number one priority. Thanks to our relentless efforts over recent years and record investment from City Hall, violent crime continues to fall. But there’s still much more to do to prevent violence and to stop the terrible loss of young lives in our city,” said the mayor. “My new Police and Crime Plan outlines how I will continue to be both tough on crime and tough on the complex causes of crime, taking the action needed to make our city safer and to ensure victims of crime are supported.
“We have a long-standing tradition in this country of policing by consent. But a series of deeply concerning incidents have seriously damaged public trust and confidence in our police. When trust is eroded, it makes it harder to tackle crime, with victims failing to report crime and witnesses discouraged from coming forward when they see criminal activity. That’s why my plan is also focused on ensuring the Met and the next Commissioner urgently make the changes and reforms necessary to rebuild trust and confidence with Londoners.
“As Mayor, I’m determined to ensure that we restore trust in the police and that we continue to build on the progress we have made in tackling violent crime across our city.”
“The role of Commissioner is to lead the Metropolitan Police Service in keeping Londoners safe. The Met is operationally independent but gives due regard to the Mayor’s Police and Crime Plan for the provision of policing in London,” said Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick.
“Over the course of the last Plan, the men and women of the Met have worked hard to keep London safe. Last year compared to before the pandemic, murders were down by 13%, knife crime with injury was down 20%, and the number of young people being stabbed was down 27%. Met officers seized almost two thirds of the guns seized nationally and gun crime was down 35%. From 2018 we have delivered sustained reductions in violent crime following many years of increases.
“We reintroduced dedicated ward officers with PCSOs in all 629 wards to help us to connect further with neighbourhoods and tackle local problems. We are boosting local presence with Town Centre Teams in areas where they are needed most. Our Predatory Offender Units have arrested thousands of high harm offenders who pose a risk to vulnerable adults or children. And officers have continued to bear down on County Lines, gangs, drug dealers and organised crime – while safeguarding those who the criminals exploit.”
Cllr Jas Athwal, London Councils’ Executive member for Crime and Public Protection, said: “London needs a police service that is fair, trusted, diverse and effective. We welcome the new Plan’s expectations on radically improving the Metropolitan Police’s culture and practices to urgently build back trust and confidence, particularly among women and ethnic minority communities.
“London boroughs are a key partner of the Metropolitan Police when it comes to cracking down on crime and I welcome improvements to collaborative working and the Basic Command Unit (BCU) structure.
“Reducing and preventing violence is a top priority for boroughs right across London, especially tackling violence against women and girls, and it is positive to see this reflected in the Plan. An increased emphasis on understanding and tackling the underlying causes of drug-related crime – which can have a devastating impact on communities – is also promising.”
Claire Waxman, London’s Independent Victim Commissioner said: “I strongly welcome the Mayor’s new Police & Crime Plan, which rightly prioritises the rights and needs of victims. It is now more important than ever that victims receive the right treatment and can easily access effective support, to help them navigate the complex justice system and ensure they can make informed decisions.
“I am also pleased to see clear acknowledgement that public trust and confidence have been damaged and urgently need to be rebuilt. It is crucial for the individual wellbeing and protection of victims and for wider public safety that victims feel able to come forward to report and the Mayor’s new Police & Crime Plan will help us achieve this in London.”
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