MAPPA Annual Report - 2004/2005

13th January 2006

 

Strictly embargoed until 10am on Monday 17 October 2005
 
PUBLIC PROTECTION IS OUR HIGHEST PRIORITY
 
The Metropolitan Police, City of London Police, London Probation and HM Prison Service - London Area are working together more closely than ever to protect the public from dangerous and sex offenders in the capital.
 
The latest London MAPPA (Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements) Report details the work of the police, prison and probation services, in partnership with other statutory agencies, to monitor and reduce risk to the public from sexual and violent offenders.
 
In 2004-05, a key objective for MAPPA in London was to promote joint work with health agencies. This was the theme of the MAPPA regional seminar held during the year which attracted both senior managers and clinicians from London's mental health trusts.
 
A major national step during the year has been for the Prison Service to become part of the MAPPA Responsible Authority. This has helped to ensure even more effective management of offenders being released into the community from custody.
Another new development has been the recruitment of lay advisers to assist the MAPPA strategic management board. The advisers are members of the general public and were recruited via adverts in the media targeted to access all of London's diverse population.
 
David Scott, Chief Officer of London Probation said: "Protecting the public is at the heart of everything we do. It is important that the people of London are aware of the work that we do and have confidence in it. So I am delighted that we will now have the benefit of the lay advisers' perspective."
 
Ian Delbarre, Commander Territorial Policing Crime, said: "The Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements represent the ongoing commitment of the Metropolitan Police Service to effectively work with our partners to manage dangerous offenders in order to protect the citizens of London from harm. The MPS looks forward to enhancing the partnerships, especially with the Lay Advisors involvement, to minimise the risks of re-offending and protecting the vulnerable from further violence."
 
Jane Miles, Public Protection Manager, HM Prison - London Area: "The agencies in London have very effective working relationships which means we understand one another's roles and responsibilities and share information promptly. The Prison Service is fully committed to playing an active role in public safety arrangements."
 
Notes for editors
 
1. - The London MAPPA Annual Report, for the period April 2004 to March 2005, can be found on the following websites:
www.met.police.uk/annualreport
www.cityoflondon.police.uk

The report is also available in London libraries.
 
2. - The Criminal Justice and Court Services Act (2000) established the MAPPA and placed them on a statutory basis. The Criminal Justice Act (2003) re-enacted and strengthened those provisions. Essentially, the legislation requires the Police, Prison and Probation Services (acting jointly as the 'Responsible Authority') in each of the 42 Areas of England and Wales:
  1. To establish arrangements for assessing and managing the risks posed by sexual and violent offenders
  2. To review and monitor the arrangements
  3. As part of the reviewing and monitoring arrangements, to prepare and publish an annual report on their operation.
3. - As a result of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 the Responsible Authority in each of the 42 Areas of England and Wales now comprises the police, probation and prison services. In addition a range of other agencies have also been placed under a duty to co-operate with the Responsible Authority. These include:
  1. Local Authority Social Services
  2. Primary Care Trusts, other NHS Trusts and Strategic Health Authorities
  3. Jobcentres Plus
  4. Youth Offending Teams
  5. Registered Social Landlords which accommodate MAPPA offenders
  6. Local Housing Authorities
  7. Local Education Authorities
  8. Electronic Monitoring providers
4. - The Criminal Justice Act 2003 introduces new sentences for the protection of the public. Dangerous sexual and violent offenders will be subject to assessment by the Parole Board, and in serious cases will not be released until their level of risk is assessed as manageable in the community.
 
For further information contact:
Elizabeth George, London Probation, 020 7960 1137
Bernadette Ford, Metropolitan Police, 020 7321 9059
Jane Miles, HM Prison Service - London Area, 07968 908239
Julian Goodchild, City of London Police, 0207 601 2220
A H N R C E