Decision details

Inspector Muneeb Ishtiaq reported that Covid-19 was still a big aspect of the work of the Police, mainly around breaches to regulations. There had been increased staff sickness absence also, due to Covid-19.

It had been decided that Metropolitan Police’s public meetings should remain virtual for the time being to help with resilience of the service.

The Metropolitan Police has been continuing to have productive daily meetings with Barnet Council.

Colindale Police Station, the designated front office for Barnet, has reopened after refurbishment and is open 24 hours a day.

The priorities for the Metropolitan Police in Barnet are knife crime injuries in the under-25s, robbery, VAWG, open spaces and the night time economy. Over the summer several pop-up events are expected in Barnet; there would be additional security provision including in neighbouring Boroughs, to ensure that knife crime doesn’t disperse into Barnet.

As reported at the last SCPB meeting, the Safer Neighbourhood teams have been reviewed. A new Ward Panel Handbook has been produced in agreement with the community, and this should help to ensure more corporate consistency.

The Vice Chairman for Barnet Safer Neighbourhood Board asked whether there is a Neighbourhood Inspector for each ward in Barnet. If so he would find it helpful to have these contacts for a meeting at the end of August. Inspector Ishtiaq noted that Inspector Toporowski covers the whole of Barnet. There are also two Police Constables (Designated Ward Officers) and a Police Community Support Officer for each ward, as well as a Sergeant to oversee two or three wards, moving across them as required.

Inspector Ishtiaq noted that several Interim Sergeants are acting up to the post currently. The capacity of the BCU is above its usual level and the shortage of Sergeants is being addressed with internal promotion processes.

The Assistant Director, Community Safety and Protection reported that the Council has a Sub Group focusing on security arrangements, which also continues to learn lessons from previous events. This group accompanies the Police and assists in preventing weaponry being taken into events, and with securing events with enclosures. Also, the Sub Group is working on assessments prior to events before allowing them to go ahead. 

The Borough Commander, London Fire Brigade enquired whether the BCU refers into the Youth and Community Centre Safety Scheme. Inspector Ishtiaq responded that it does and in addition to this recent funding for security around youth clubs with the aim of preventing violence, has just been made available. Inspector Ishtiaq would share details of this.

Action: Inspector Ishtiaq