MPA: Public consultation on development of the Metropolitan Police Estate debated

METROPOLITAN POLICE AUTHORITY News Release (37/08) issued by The Government News Network on 4 July 2008

The findings of a three-month programme of public consultation on future development of the Metropolitan Police Estate in London was discussed by members of the Metropolitan Police Authority at a meeting of the Authority's Co-ordination and Policing Committee on Thursday 4 July 2008.

Plans to modernise police facilities were published for each of the capital's 32 boroughs last November followed by a three-month consultation period to enable local communities to comment on proposals to make the police estate more responsive to everyone's requirements.

Steve O'Connell, chair of the MPA Finance Committee, said

"The MPA and the Met consulted with local communities about the future of the police estate but there were limitations to the process which we all recognise. The results we did get have illustrated that our communities need more information, about how the services provided in their name operate, in order to understand how they need to develop and change to improve. But it also highlighted considerable opposition in some areas to the removal of local police facilities, specifically iconic police stations.

"The police estate in London should serve everybody's needs; the police need modern facilities to enable them to tackle crime effectively, while the public want and deserve a visible presence in their midst to reassure them that the police can respond to crime quickly.

"As part of the overall budget process which will be conducted over the summer period, we will be looking urgently at the estate strategy, including the development plans that were consulted on. This will be an opportunity to explore how communities can become further involved to ensure we move forward in a way that will satisfy everyone's requirements.

"As Kit Malthouse, first deputy chair of the MPA and deputy mayor for policing, has confirmed, nothing will be done in haste and no decisions have yet been taken."

Notes to editors

1. The MPA has responsibility for all the buildings used by the Metropolitan Police in London and we recognise the vital role the estate plays in supporting the delivery of effective and efficient policing across the capital. The Authority is acutely aware that the estate is ageing - approximately 35% of the buildings pre-dating 1935 - and many buildings are inappropriately located for today's communities. To deliver an excellent police service, our buildings have to meet both today's requirements as well as our future demands. Simply upgrading or renewing individual parts of the estate is no longer an option and there is an urgent need for major change.

2. The Asset Management Plan (AMP) for each borough outlines the local strategy to improve facilities, including the provision of front counters, patrol bases, custody centres, Safer Neighbourhoods team bases and office accommodation, as well as ensuring the buildings are fully accessible in line with legislation. They are available to view on the MPA website at: http://www.mpa.gov.uk/issues/estate/default.htm#amp

3. The report 'MPA/MPS Asset Management Plan Public Consultation Feedback' is available on the MPA website at:

Website: http://www.mpa.gov.uk