The Police and Crime Committee is scheduled to discuss the implications of the Sentencing Act 2026 on the early release of prisoners and the experiences of Metropolitan Police Service officers on the frontline. The committee will also review its work programme. The committee is expected to consider reapproving guidance on handling complaints and conduct matters concerning the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) and the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime.

Early Release of Prisoners

The committee is set to examine the impact of the Sentencing Act 2026, which introduced changes to the early release of prisoners in England and Wales. This legislation, known as the Progression Model, aims to address prison overcrowding by allowing most adults serving standard determinate sentences to be released earlier than under previous rules. Prisoners will now be released after serving one-third of their sentence, compared to the previous 40-50%. However, certain offences, including rape and serious child sex offences, are exempt.

The report highlights concerns regarding the Probation Service's capacity to manage the increased number of offenders being released into the community. While the government has reported recruiting more staff and implementing new AI tools, the National Association of Probation Officers has warned of significant understaffing. Further concerns have been raised about the electronic tagging system, with reports indicating delays in fitting tags, potentially putting victims at risk. Martin Jones CBE, His Majesty's Chief Inspector of Probation, has expressed reservations about the system's ability to cope. The committee is scheduled to hear from Martin Jones CBE, His Majesty's Chief Inspector of Probation, to discuss these issues.

Experience of Metropolitan Police Officers on the Frontline

The committee is also scheduled to explore the experiences of Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) officers working on the frontline during a period of significant reform and workforce pressures. The MPS has been undergoing a wide-ranging reform programme in response to Baroness Casey DBE CB's independent review of standards and culture, aiming to improve standards, strengthen organisational culture, and rebuild public confidence.

Despite progress, the MPS faces ongoing challenges related to workforce capacity, operational demand, and financial pressures. The report indicates that the MPS has reduced its workforce in recent years, despite rising demand and increasing crime complexity. Officers are operating in a challenging environment, dealing with high workloads, staffing shortages, cancelled rest days, trauma, and public scrutiny. The committee will hear from Paula Dodds, Chair of the Metropolitan Police Federation, and Matthew Cane, General Secretary of the Metropolitan Police Federation, to understand these experiences and assess whether officers have the necessary support, training, and resources.

Police and Crime Committee Work Programme

The committee is scheduled to review its work programme, which outlines its activities for holding MOPAC to account and investigating issues related to policing and crime reduction in London. This includes formal meetings, site visits, and consultations. The report notes recent activities such as a private briefing with the Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service and an informal meeting with Dr Gillian Fairfield.

Additionally, the committee is expected to consider the GLA Guidance for the handling of complaints and conduct matters relating to MOPAC and the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime. This guidance, last reviewed in October 2024, has not seen changes in relevant legislation or operational advice from the Independent Office for Police Conduct. The Monitoring Officer recommends its reapproval without amendment.

The committee's next meeting is scheduled for 4 November 2026.