Metropolitan Police Service

Noted (AI summary) The Trust has implemented an additional recommendation that discharge of Crisis Team service users due to non-engagement must be discussed in a multidisciplinary meeting with senior overview, and clearly communicated to relevant parties. Legal advice has been sought and guidance circulated to staff regarding potentially dangerous packages. Royal Mail asserts that their processes for handling restricted and prohibited items are adequate and appropriate, given the legal restrictions on interfering with postal packets. They state that they do not intend to take any action in response to the report. The MPS is developing a Suicide Prevention Policy Document and Toolkit. An investigative standards document is also under development as guidance for police first responders. The Department of Health and Social Care describes actions taken to limit the availability of chemicals used in suicides, including working with a chemical supplier to identify suppliers on online retail platforms and noting eBay's global prohibition of the sale of the chemical. It also notes work with the media to improve suicide reporting and the publication of an Online Harms White Paper. The Home Office is aiming to establish a consultation this summer on possible amendments to the Poisons Act, which will include more obligations on online marketplaces including reporting suspicious transactions within 24 hours.

Noted (AI summary) The City of London Police (CoLP) are working with partner agencies to test interoperability of communications and enhance training scenarios, including a 7 day live trial in February 2020 to station staff in the MPS control room, with a review in Autumn 2020, and are engaging with the MPS in ICCS and CAD upgrade projects, planning an interim solution until upgrades are complete. The BVRLA has worked with the DfT and law enforcement to prevent the use of rental vehicles in terrorist attacks, providing training, guidance and engagement opportunities to members, and has included additional criteria within member audits from Jan 2020 to monitor awareness, training and compliance against the Rental Vehicle Security Scheme. The LAS is planning a live trial for seven days in February 2020, with LAS and LFB staff based in the MPS control room, and will analyze the outcome and consider a recommendation for approval by Autumn 2020; it is also working with its emergency service partners and increased visibility of the HART and TRU teams. The Home Office acknowledges the coroner's concerns and provides context, stating that the issues raised are technical and will be considered by the police in collaboration with the Emergency Services Network programme. It also mentions ongoing work led by the National Police Chiefs' Council. The MPS is trialing a "London Emergency Services Contact Centre" with representatives from the LFB and LAS deployed within the Specialist Operations Room, with a table top exercise followed by a real-life 7-day trial planned for early 2020.

Noted (AI summary) The Parliamentary Authorities confirm that they already plan to consider the automation of Carriage Gates and their general ease of use as part of the ongoing renewal project; and external reviewers have already been extensively involved in the New Palace Yard project, and will continue to be involved. The MPS will revise Post Instructions to relevant groups by direct emails, in hard copy and/or via electronic devices; MPS is working with MO19 and the National Police Chief’s Council to provide additional training on de-escalation techniques; and the MPS will ensure that there is appropriate input from tactical advisers at challenge panels, and the newly appointed PaDP OFC Sergeant will ensure that AFOs fully understand not only relevant changes to post instructions but also the rationale behind the changes. The BVRLA has increased counter terrorism training and guidance made available to vehicle rental and leasing firms, and routinely shares data and intelligence with police and counter terrorist authorities. The Department for Transport launched its Rental Vehicle Security Scheme in December 2018. The MCA states sufficient guidance already exists in the public domain for operating commercial vessels and leisure boats on navigable rivers and canals, referring to existing codes and training courses. The Home Office states the government accepts the Chief Coroner's recommendations and has taken action. The Department for Transport (DfT) launched the Rental Vehicle Security Scheme (RVSS) on 6th December 2018, and an industry led Advisory Panel was launched in January to oversee the development of the scheme. The London Ambulance Service states that the Chief Coroner found no matters of concern regarding their actions, so they will not be taking any further action. TfL implemented internal changes in October 2017 to improve communication of security advice. TfL is currently reviewing the height of all its bridge parapets to identify those that are below 1m high, with high priority bridges expected to be completed by April 2019.

Noted (AI summary) The Metropolitan Police states that the existing pursuit policy remains unchanged but will be fully explored in the context of a formal disciplinary process for the officers involved, and notes that their guidance is kept under constant review and revision.