The Police and Crime Committee held a question and answer session with the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) to discuss key issues affecting Londoners. Discussions focused on tackling shoplifting and retail crime, the impact of police officer numbers and specialisms, the effectiveness of policing at Notting Hill Carnival, and concerns surrounding data protection and free speech.

Shoplifting and Retail Crime

Kaya Comer-Schwartz, Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, acknowledged that the cost of living crisis is a factor in the rise of shoplifting, but stressed that organised crime and substance abuse also play significant roles. MOPAC and the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) are implementing strategies such as Operation Retail and Operation Zoridon to address the organised nature of these crimes, alongside initiatives like Operation Yamata and Operation ADDER to tackle the root causes of substance abuse. The Deputy Mayor highlighted the effectiveness of new IT platforms, which have reportedly increased positive charges and conditions by 20% in pilot areas, contributing to an overall 8% reduction in shoplifting.

However, Assembly Member Susan Hall AM questioned the effectiveness of these measures given the reported loss of over 2,000 MPS officers in the past two years. The Deputy Mayor responded that while the MPS has faced underfunding for decades, leading to reductions, the focus remains on targeting high-volume crimes. She also noted that the MPS is supporting businesses to provide evidence and is working with neighbourhood teams to improve reporting processes.

Assembly Member Gareth Roberts AM raised concerns about underreporting of shoplifting, particularly by larger supermarkets, and the potential impact on licensing applications. The Deputy Mayor acknowledged this issue and stated that MOPAC is working with retailers to improve reporting and share best practices. The expansion of static Live Facial Recognition (LFR) technology in high footfall areas and a new iteration of Operation Zoridon in October were also mentioned as part of ongoing efforts.

Assembly Member Emma Best AM questioned the commencement of Section 47 of the Crime and Policing Act 2026, which aims to address shoplifting. While acknowledging its importance, the Deputy Mayor could not provide a definitive timeline for its commencement, stating that it is dependent on Home Office scheduling. She committed to seeking assurances on this matter.

Police Specialisms and Officer Numbers

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing the tough choices facing the MPS regarding officer numbers and specialist units. The Committee expressed concern about the lack of public information regarding these choices, despite the known impact of previous cuts on areas like front counters and Royal Parks Police. The Deputy Mayor stated that operational decisions rest with the Commissioner, but MOPAC is involved in discussions about finances and savings, with a focus on threat, demand, harm, and impact assessments.

The Mayor's commitment to policing was highlighted, with the Deputy Mayor noting that the Mayor now funds a quarter of the MPS budget, amounting to a record £1.26 billion last year. However, Assembly Members expressed concern about the overall reduction in officer numbers and the sustainability of annual cuts. The Deputy Mayor acknowledged these concerns, stating that the MPS is working on financial planning and seeking to maximise income opportunities.

Regarding specialist teams, the Deputy Mayor confirmed that MOPAC is assessing choices based on threat, demand, harm, and impact, and that equalities impact assessments are being conducted. However, specific details on the operational and financial impact of cuts to specialist units were not fully elaborated upon. The rotation policy, intended to address stagnation in specialist teams, was also discussed, with the Deputy Mayor acknowledging concerns and promising to provide a breakdown of additional training costs.

Notting Hill Carnival

The policing of Notting Hill Carnival was discussed, with Assembly Member Marina Ahmad AM highlighting a reduction in serious violence but an increase in overall crime. The Deputy Mayor confirmed an additional £4.66 million investment from the Mayor for Carnival this year, which supported over 3,000 additional stewards and improved CCTV and signage. Proactive policing measures, including bail conditions and weapon seizures before the event, were noted. The economic benefits of Carnival, estimated at £400 million, were also discussed, alongside the need for financial sustainability and exploring additional income streams. Concerns were raised by Assembly Member Emma Best AM about officers working long shifts and the sustainability of increasing funding for Carnival while cutting MPS budgets.

MPS Data Breach

The Committee addressed the recent MPS data breach, with Assembly Member Benali Hamdache AM questioning MOPAC's awareness of weaknesses in the MPS' data protection measures. The Deputy Mayor confirmed awareness and highlighted ongoing work to improve training, technological solutions, and data compliance. She acknowledged the harm such breaches can cause to victims and the corrosive impact on trust in the police. The issue of systematic failings and the need for a culture of learning and accountability was emphasized.

Free Speech

Assembly Member Alex Wilson AM raised concerns about the MPS' approach to free speech, particularly regarding non-crime hate incidents. He questioned the allocation of resources to investigating matters that are not crimes. The Deputy Mayor affirmed the importance of free speech but stressed the need for clarity in legislation, especially concerning online harms. She acknowledged that the MPS is taking a different approach to investigating non-crime hate incidents, but recording them remains important due to the potential for escalation. The Deputy Mayor also committed to requesting data on the prevalence of Caution Plus 3 interviews under the Malicious Communications Act and the Public Order Act.

The Committee also sought confirmation on whether the MPS consults with specific Muslim organisations regarding community engagement, a matter that has gained attention due to questions surrounding the Government's Islamophobia definition. MOPAC agreed to investigate this.

Decisions Made

• MOPAC agreed to provide a list of MPS assets disposed of since the publication of the MPS Estates Strategy.
• MOPAC agreed to share a breakdown of additional training costs incurred due to the MPS officer rotation policy and how these costs are budgeted.
• MOPAC agreed to provide an update on the effectiveness of Notting Hill Carnival policing once the review is concluded.
• MOPAC agreed to request a month-by-month breakdown from the MPS of Caution Plus 3 interviews issued under the Malicious Communications Act and the Public Order Act over the past 12 months, and to indicate if any evidence obtained subsequently resulted in an arrest.
• MOPAC agreed to confirm whether the MPS has consulted with specific Muslim organisations regarding community engagement.
• The Committee noted the report and discussion, the monthly report from MOPAC, and its work programme.
• Authority was delegated to the Chairman, in consultation with party group lead members, to agree any output arising from the discussion.

The next meeting of the Committee is scheduled for 14 October 2026.