MPS removed from ‘enhanced monitoring’ as inspectorate recognises major improvements

In June 2022, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) placed the force under its enhanced monitoring process ‘Engage’ and highlighted concerns in a number of specific areas.

On Thursday (January 23), HMICFRS announced it is removing the MPS from Engage entirely as a result of improvements across the board,

Following two and half years of intensive work by the force, improvements have been recognised in areas including call handling, child exploitation, public protection, workforce planning, culture and counter-corruption.

His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary Lee Freeman said: “I am pleased with the good progress that the MPS has made so far. Whilst there is still a significant amount of work to do, I have recommended removing the service from our enhanced level of monitoring, known as Engage, and return it to routine monitoring.

“I am reassured by the plans that the Commissioner has put in place to continue making sustainable improvements. We will continue to monitor the progress of the MPS to make sure those living and working in the capital are getting the service they deserve from their force.”

Improvements made by the MPS include responding more quickly to emergencies and Londoners getting help when they need it most.

“Last year our dedicated staff and officers in MetCC responded to 4,660,891 contacts, of which 2,394,416 were 999 calls, 1,279,552 were 101 calls and 988,923 were digital contacts, the MPS said.

“The per cent of 999 calls answered within ten seconds for January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024, was 86.2 per cent compared with 77.6 per cent the previous calendar year, with January 2024 reaching 90.9 per cent.”

In addition, the force has:

• Trained 8,000 officers in the identification of child exploitation, launched a new Children’s Strategy and significantly increased the number of officers in its child exploitation teams.
• Put hundreds of more officers in its domestic assault and rape and sexual offence teams, doubled the number of charges for rape and sexual offences and tripled the numbers in its nationally recognised Stalking Threat Assessment Centre.
• The new neighbourhood policing model has been bolstered by an additional 500 staff ranging from superintendent to PCSO, working closer than ever with communities to understand their concerns.
• Embedded new values in the organisation through its Culture Plan and London Race Action Plan and rolled out two days of face-to-face training for everyone in the MPS to help deliver “a change in the culture that our people want to see”; and
• Rooted out officers who do not meet the MPS’s high standards by stepping up its proactive work to identify offenders and possible corruption.

To tackle the areas of concern identified by the inspectorate and address failings brought to light by the force’s own officers and other recent inquiries, including the Casey Review, the A New Met for London plan was launched in July 2022, setting out the collective mission to rebuild the organisation and deliver ‘More Trust, Less Crime and High Standards’.

“Over the past two-and-a-half years, Met officers and staff have worked tirelessly to address more than 100 recommendations, several ‘causes for concern’ and improve our service to London in areas far beyond those highlighted by HMICFRS,” the force said.

“They have done so in the face of significant budget challenges, the sustained demand of public order and protest in London, increased scrutiny and accountability, all while continuing to do their day jobs keeping Londoner’s safe.”

Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said: “The progress we have made over the last two-and-a-half years would not have been possible without the unwavering passion, sense of duty, courage and hard work of our officers and staff in the face of some incredibly challenging circumstances.

“The whole of the Met has worked to fix our broken foundations and make sure our officers are set up to deliver for London.

“Their achievement is all the more extraordinary in a budget constrained, shrinking Met which is facing increased demand.

“Our exit from Engage is welcome recognition that we are on the right path to deliver on our promise to Londoners of ‘More Trust, Less Crime and High Standards’.”

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “Today marks an important and welcome step in the Metropolitan Police’s improvement plan to increase standards and rebuild confidence. In London and across the country, communities rightly expect the highest standards from their local force.

“While the scale of the challenge is clear, and there have been many problems to deal with, the commitment and progress made by the Met Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, officers and staff across the capital in raising standards is extremely important, and reflects the hard work and dedication of all those involved.

“Everyone recognises that there is still more work that must be done to improve performance and restore public confidence, and I will continue to work closely with the Commissioner and the mayor to ensure this is just the first step in a long-term mission to improve the Metropolitan Police and keep people safe across London.”

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan added: “I welcome His Majesty’s Inspectorate confirming that significant improvements are being made by the Met Police on both improved performance and transforming culture.

“This is down to the hard work of the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, Met officers and staff, who are rebuilding public confidence and trust in the force, as well as record investment and support from City Hall. Emergency calls are now being answered faster, vetting is being strengthened and neighbourhood policing is being revitalised.

“Having asked the HMI to look in particular at concerns around child sexual exploitation, it’s reassuring that the Met Police have made significant improvements in this area, including around missing children and victim blaming language.

“There’s still more to do, and as Mayor, I’ll continue to work with the Commissioner to ensure we drive through the further improvements needed as we build a safer London for everyone.”

The inspectorate has recognised that the ‘A New Met for London’ plan is achieving results and the MPS no longer requires increased scrutiny and oversight.