The Overview & Scrutiny Committee met on Monday 26 February 2024 to review the delivery and achievements of the borough commander and discuss community safety. The meeting heard testimonies from local residents regarding their experiences of community safety and policing, and received a presentation from Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway, the Borough Commander for Tower Hamlets and Hackney.

Community Safety and Policing Experiences

The meeting began with testimonies from local residents Ruth Fernandez, Barna Mazisi, and Safiya Jama MBE, who shared their lived experiences of community safety and policing in Tower Hamlets. They highlighted concerns about women's safety, the need for increased police presence, improved street lighting, and accessible reporting mechanisms.

Ruth Fernandez spoke about her personal struggles with mental health and financial hardship, emphasizing the importance of communication and collaboration to create safe spaces for women. She suggested a cross-community project to identify and address the needs of women in Tower Hamlets, using data from existing surveys and a bespoke questionnaire.

Barna Mazisi, a lifelong resident of Tower Hamlets, echoed concerns about women feeling unsafe in the borough. She proposed solutions such as collaborative patrols, enhanced public transportation safety, empowerment workshops, distribution of safety alarms, investment in infrastructure like improved street lighting and CCTV, and addressing root causes like domestic violence and negative stereotypes.

Safiya Jama MBE, representing the Somali Muslim community, stressed the importance of representation and accessible platforms for women to share their lived experiences. She highlighted challenges faced by her community, including Islamophobia and language barriers, and emphasised the need for culturally sensitive services and increased trust between the community and the police.

Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway, Borough Commander for Tower Hamlets and Hackney, responded to the residents' testimonies, acknowledging the challenges and outlining the Metropolitan Police's ongoing work on Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) strategies. He discussed the new neighbourhood model, which aims to increase officer presence in local wards, and highlighted initiatives such as the VORG 100 programme targeting high-harm offenders and the proposed use of live facial recognition technology. He also addressed concerns about domestic abuse reporting, the importance of third-party reporting mechanisms, and the need to improve arrest rates for domestic violence.

Councillor Abu Talha Chowdhury, Cabinet Member for Safer Communities, along with officers Ann Corbett (Director of Community Safety) and Keith Stanger (Head of Neighbourhood Operations), provided an update on the council's work on community safety. They highlighted the council's commitment to VAWG strategies, the development of a new strategy informed by a needs assessment, and the upcoming announcement of a safe space for women. They also discussed the recruitment of Tower Hamlets Enforcement Officers (THEOs) and joint tasking initiatives with the police.

The committee also discussed the importance of gender-inclusive design in public spaces, the language used when discussing women's safety, and the need for more investment in CCTV and lighting, particularly in parks and residential areas. The role of THEOs in community engagement and support was also a key point of discussion.

Borough Commander's Presentation

Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway presented an overview of the Metropolitan Police's priorities, challenges, and strategic plans. He outlined short-term priorities including tackling domestic abuse, knife crime, and high-harm offenders. Challenges identified included funding shortfalls, recruitment difficulties, and the abstraction of officers to manage protest events.

Conway detailed the New Met for London strategy, focusing on improving trust and confidence through initiatives such as a new approach to stop and search, a compact between policing and education, enhanced communication and engagement, mental health support, and diversionary activities for young people. He also discussed the restructuring of neighbourhood policing teams to increase visible presence and the expansion of THEOs.

Long-term trends discussed included a rise in serious violence and robbery, with a focus on reducing under-25 knife crime injuries through partnership work. He also highlighted improvements in positive outcomes for rape and serious sexual offences, a reduction in reported rape offences, and a modest increase in domestic abuse reports, which is seen as a sign of improving confidence. The presentation also covered efforts to combat drug markets through disruption of gangs and organised crime networks, and the ongoing challenge of hate crime, particularly in light of recent events.

Key Discussions and Concerns Raised

• Women's Safety and Trust: A significant portion of the meeting focused on women's safety, with residents and councillors expressing concerns about feeling unsafe in public spaces, the need for better lighting and CCTV, and the importance of accessible and culturally sensitive reporting mechanisms. Building trust between the community and the police was identified as a critical ongoing challenge.
• Domestic Abuse: The accessibility of reporting domestic violence, particularly for women with limited English or no recourse to public funds, was a key concern. The role of GPs and community hubs as initial points of contact was discussed, as was the need for culturally sensitive support throughout the legal process and beyond.
• Crime Reduction and Policing Tactics: The effectiveness and proportionality of stop and search powers were debated, with a commitment to more targeted and less discriminatory use. The ongoing challenge of drug gang disruption and the need for long-term solutions to prevent new gangs from emerging were also discussed.
• Resource Allocation and Community Engagement: The committee discussed the allocation of resources for policing, including the recruitment of THEOs and the importance of visible and consistent ward teams. The need for improved communication and engagement with diverse communities, including through faith leaders and community centres, was also highlighted.
• Car Theft: An increase in car theft, particularly keyless car theft, was noted as a growing concern in the borough.

The meeting concluded with thanks to the borough commander, the lead member for community safety, and the residents who shared their testimonies. The committee acknowledged the importance of continuing to scrutinise the Metropolitan Police's performance and addressing community safety concerns.