The Metropolitan Police has hit out at a report from the police standards watchdog which claimed it was letting down victims of crime.
Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) found the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) requires improvement at keeping people safe and reducing crime.
The report also found it was inadequate at supporting victims and protecting the vulnerable from harm, and that improvements were needed in the way it investigates crime, tackles serious and organised crime, and reduces re-offending.
The Met has been critical of the findings, noting “surprise” that there was no reference to budget cuts and “disappointment” that its work preventing terror attacks in the capital “has barely been acknowledged”.
The Peel (police effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy): Police effectiveness 2016 report found: “The Metropolitan Police Service requires improvement in respect of its effectiveness at keeping people safe and reducing crime."
Among the reports findings findings are:
- The force works hard to prevent crime and antisocial behaviour, but its inadequate approach to keeping vulnerable people safe is a cause of concern to HMIC.
- The quality of some investigations and its management of offenders also require improvement.
- Its response to gangs is impressive, but its wider approach to tackling serious and organised crime requires improvement.
- The Metropolitan Police Service requires improvement at keeping people safe and reducing crime.
Even with good news, which saw some aspects of their handling of antisocial behaviour praised, the Met was unhappy with the findings
Reacting to criticism in tackling organised crime, the Met statement says: “We are pleased that the HMIC have recognised the hard work of our officers and staff to keep people safe and to tackle crime and anti-ocial behaviour as reflected in the reduction in crime in London over the last five years.
'We do not agree with the overall findings'
“However, we do not agree with their overall view of the Met’s effectiveness, particularly in relation to tackling organised crime.
“We welcome recognition of its success in tackling organised crime which the HMIC describe as admirable in many respects and as impressive in relation to our work tackling gangs.
"We therefore do not agree with the overall judgement of effectiveness in this area.”
'Focused on preventing terror attacks'
The Met statement goes on to say: “We think the public recognise that London has faced a threat level at severe for the last two and a half years, during which period the Met has focused on preventing terrorist attacks.
“We have carried out significant work required to try and keep London safe in this period and it is a disappointing that this has barely been acknowledged in this report.”
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