Crime and public protection

Victims’ Bill Consultation

The government’s proposed Victims’ Bill, which aims to improve services and support for victims of crime, will impact on the work of local authorities in a number of ways. Ahead of legislation being drawn up, the government is consulting on how best to deliver justice for victims. This briefing advises members of key areas under consultation and the current proposals.

Police and Crime Plan for London 2021-2025

The draft Police and Crime Plan (published on 16 November) sets out the Mayor’s priorities on crime and policing for the period 2021-2025. The Plan also covers the annual budget for the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), the funding of crime prevention work and commissioned services to support victims of crime.

Domestic Abuse Act

This briefing is to provide an update on the implementation of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, following the act receiving Royal Assent in April 2021.

Home Office’s Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy

This briefing alerts members to the main components and policy implications of the Home Office’s Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls strategy, published on 21 July 2021.

County Lines and Modern Slavery

This briefing alerts members to recently commissioned research into the links between drug taking, County Lines and Modern Slavery and raising awareness of these issues.

Funding Domestic Abuse Services

This briefing reviews detail of the government’s proposals for funding domestic abuse refuges and other accommodation-based support, as part of a wider programme of work around the Domestic Abuse Bill.

Podcast: Let's talk about gambling and public health in London

This podcast informs members about the topical issue of gambling.

Transforming the Response to Domestic Abuse - the Draft Domestic Abuse Bill

The government published the draft Domestic Abuse Bill last week with a full response to the consultation launched earlier this year. Key measures in this longawaited legislation include a statutory definition of domestic abuse, strengthened responses to perpetrators through the introduction of new civil orders and the establishment of a Domestic Abuse Commissioner in law.

Overview

Alongside the legislative reforms, a broad package of additional measures was also announced in the Government’s full consultation response covering four main areas:

A Public Health Approach to Youth Violence

Following the success of the Violence Reduction Unit in Glasgow, violence is increasingly being viewed through the lens of the “Public Health Approach”

Problem Oriented Partnerships

Problem Oriented Partnerships (POP) are an effective way of dealing with persistent crime and public protection issues. Councils can play a key role in taking this work forward, complementing the work of the Metropolitan Police. This briefing discusses the council role in Problem Oriented Partnerships and provides details of the winners of the 2018 POP Awards, announced this week, which offer useful models for this approach.

Reducing Re-offending

This briefing looks at where we are now in tackling persistent adult offending and looks at the key issues and opportunities for London in this area.

Tackling Serious Youth Violence

London boroughs are putting tackling serious youth violence, including knife crime, at the top of their list of priorities and want to see immediate action to protect the capital’s children and young people. They are also looking at the drivers of violence and prevention in the long term. This briefing highlights some of the promising practice in this area, and introduces the London Councils repository on serious youth violence.

National Female Offender Strategy and implications for London

This briefing will provide an overview of the government’s new Female Offender strategy with consideration for what it means for London

Key Crime Issues in London

Tackling serious crime is a priority for London boroughs and vital for creating safe, thriving communities for all Londoners

London Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy

This briefing summarises the Mayor’s new VAWG strategy for London

Changes to Operational Policing in London

This briefing presents details and a timetable for the proposed reconfiguration of the Metropolitan Police's Basic Command Units and issues for local authorities to consider.

Problem Oriented Policing

This briefing discusses the council role in Problem Oriented Partnerships and provides details of the winners of the 2017 POP Awards which offer useful models for this approach.

Promoting Successful Social Integration in London

Social integration is increasingly cited as one of the major challenges facing London today; with commentators pointing to divides of faith, ethnicity, class and age.

The Lammy Review

David Lammy’s independent review into the treatment of, and outcomes for, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) individuals in the Criminal Justice System was published on 9 September.

Implementing the National VAWG Strategy in London

This briefing reviews progress on implementing the national VAWG strategy in London to date and the possible future direction of policies in the capital.

Moving Towards a Devolved Criminal Justice System

The case is currently being made for a devolved, more integrated Criminal Justice System (CJS) that enables London government, including the Mayor of London and boroughs, to manage demand on the system and reduce offending and reoffending at a local level. In a centralised country facing decreasing budgets, should local leaders be given the flexibility and powers to join up services in order to deal with the causes of crime and its consequences?

Tackling Knife Crime

The London Knife Crime Strategy which was launched in June sets out the Mayor’s plan for a partnership approach to tackling knife crime.

Stamping Out Illegal Tobacco in London

The use and sale of illegal tobacco has been identified as a concern across London. This member briefing provides information about the work London boroughs are engaged in to fight it

The London Gang Member Referral Guide

The London Gang Member Referral Guide was launched by London Councils this week

Circle Safety App Launched

Circle, a free personal safety app for London, has been launched. This briefing outlines the background, the benefits to boroughs and links to further information and resources.

Developing the 2017-2021 Police and Crime Plan

This briefing outlines some of the key themes in the draft Police and Crime Plan for 2017-2021.

Problem Orientated Partnerships

This briefing discusses the council role in Problem Oriented Partnerships and provides details of the winners of the 2016 POP Awards, announced this week, which offer useful models for this approach.

Developing the 2017 - 2020 Police and Crime Plan

The Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime is developing the statutory 2017-2020 Police and Crime Plan for London. This briefing outlines the process and the opportunities for boroughs.

Ending Violence Against Women and Girls: Strategy 2016-2020

This briefing explores the implications of the government’s refreshed Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) strategy for London

The Casey Review: Boosting Opportunity and Integration

Louise Casey was tasked by the Prime Minister to conduct a review to consider how to boost opportunity and integration in Britain.

Counter Extremism Strategy

The government has published its new counter-extremism strategy. This briefing explores the implications of the strategy for London and the challenge ahead as the government increasingly looks to local partners to respond to the threat of extremism. Local government needs both the funding and means if it is to fully meet its growing responsibilities in tackling counter-terrorism and extremism at a local level.