COMMUNITY-POLICE Martin Bridger, Supt. Stewart Information from the CPCG CONSULTATIVE GROUP Low (Brixton), Supt. Alistair Board and Members for LAMBETH Sutherland (Kennington); Supt. Jonathan Tottman (Streatham), 6. Pauline Bower announced that MINUTES OF THE MEETING Supt. Paul Wilson (Community she had resigned as the official Partnership), Sgt. Ronnie Whelan representative of Churches 2 May 2006 SECRETARIAT Ben McKendrick Together in Clapham. A replacement had yet to be West Indian Ex-Servicemen’s & Apologies: David Corderoy, decided. She said that she Ex-Servicewomen’s Assoc. Insp. Graham Croucher, Gary would be concentrating her time Dando, Sheila Draper, Maude and energy on a project PRESENT: CPCG BOARD Paul Estwick, Rowena Estwick, Bushy concerning the 2007 bi-centenary Andell, Greta Brooks (Churches Kelly, Sally Rance, Paul celebrations of the Abolition of Together in Brixton), Canon Reynolds, Cllr. Darren Sanders, the Slave Trade Act. Ivelaw Bowman, Lee Jasper, Jim Cheryl Sealey, Hazel Watson Toohill (Victim Support), Anna 7. However, Ms Bower said that Tapsell (Ind. Membs), Wesley she had loved being part of the Stephenson (Your Story). Abdul Introduction Group although sad to be leaving Sultan Virani (Lambeth with some unresolved questions Pensioners’ Forum) 1. The Group held a minute’s related to the Group’s COMMUNITY AND silence in memory of Alfie governance. She said that the VOLUNTARY MEMBERSHIP Howard, Lambeth Town Crier, expertise of former members Nick Abengowe (Herne Hill who had passed away on 28 Paul Twyman and Paul Reid had Forum); Robert Holden (Friends April. Lee Jasper said that Alfie been lost to the Group as a result of Brockwell Park); Pauline had been an institution whose of having been treated guilty, Bower (Churches Together in presence at many events despite unsubstantiated Clapham); Rod Brown (Lambeth throughout the borough brought allegations and no evidence of Leaseholders Forum); Wally smiles to many faces. wrong-doing against them. Channon, Peggy Tyler (Clapham Town N’hood Watch); Neil 8. Similarly, Ms Bower expressed Flanigan (West Indian Ex- Minutes of the Meeting 4 April her concern about the lack of Servicemen’s and 2006 help afforded by the Group to Servicewomen’s Assoc.); David 2. The Minutes of the Meeting of Kelly ben-Maimon who, she said, Hart, Ros Munday (Clapham 4 April 2006 were accepted had suffered discrimination, while Community Partnership); Stuart without amendment. another former member John Horwood, John Gordon (Brixton Howard had also not been Market Traders Federation); treated well. Furthermore, she Hedley Johnson (West Indian Matters Arising from the said that Abdul Sultan Virani and Standing Conference); Dr Brian Minutes 4 April 2006 she had still not received a letter Mantell (Assoc. of Jewish Ex- of apology promised for the way Servicemen & Women); Ros 3. Mr Jasper said the Group’s they had been treated over the Munday (Clapham Community Board would continue to consider former Racial Harassment Partnership); The Most Rev. Dr S.44 legislation in relation to stop Committee. Bancroft McCarthy, Phyliss and search [Minute 5, 04/04/06]. Jackson (HMP Brixton 9. Ms Bower concluded saying Independent Monitoring Board); 4. Although Borough Commander that she hoped future procedural Hazel Saunders (Lambeth Victim Martin Bridger had said he would matters and internal problems Support); George Tuson provide statistics for the would be handled more justly, (Streatham Southern Sector abstraction of officers from openly and properly by the Working Group); John Brixton Town Centre, Mr Jasper CPCG Board members and that Wainwright (Clapham Sector said that the Group needed to be the Group would become a real Working Group). INDIVIDUAL clear of the purpose of asking for and respected force for good in MEMBERS Shane Collins, Peter the breakdown of statistics the borough. Harris; Lena James; Gill Kenealy, provided by the police [Minute 6, Richard Moore, Fernando Senior, 04/04/06]. 10. Mr Jasper thanked Pauline Jane Warwick STATUTORY Bower for her contribution over MEMBERSHIP; Lloyd Leon 5. With regard to the police many years of working on the Panel of Independent Custody response to an incident in Brixton Group’s behalf, which was Visitors LAMBETH COUNCIL Market, Sergeant Ronnie Whelan appreciated and recognised. Cllr. Peter O’Connell, Chris Lee said that police had responded in However, he said that some of (Asst. Ch. Exec), Simon Harding time, i.e. within twelve minutes, the issues she raised had been (Asst. Dir. Community Safety but was prepared to further heavily disputed and subject to Team) METROPOLITAN discuss the details with Stuart discussion and correspondence POLICE SERVICE Brgh. Cmdr. Horwood [Minute 13, 04/04/06]. for many years. Mr Jasper

1 added that while he understood 15. Mr Bridger stated that the the would-be bomber who grows the importance of her IPCC investigation into the direct up within a Western culture, and undertaking in respect of the complaint from the family of Jean the challenge of identifying such bicentennial anniversary of the Charles de Menezes, concerning people in the future. abolition of slavery, he hoped she incorrect information released would attend as many Group into the public domain and the 20. Mr Bridger said that he had meetings as she possibly could. subsequent failure to correct it been approached by people in was still ongoing. It was the community to hold a street 11. Jim Toohill drew the expected that the investigation party to celebrate how Brixton meeting’s attention to the would be completed shortly. had changed 25 years after the Group’s May briefing paper (see uprising and had become a place attached) for information from the for the future. Mr Bridger said CPCG Board. Items included Lambeth Police Report and that he and the Lambeth Ch. were: IPCC Stockwell Review of 2005/6 Exec. had given their support for Investigations; Lambeth CCTV the celebrations to take place on Strategy; Fridge Nightclub Drugs 16. Mr Bridger reported on a 29 May. Raid; No Deal in Brixton; MPS conference in Madrid, Spain, he Position on Drugs. had attended with Gloria Gomez 21. Mr Bridger reported on a raid 12. Lambeth Crime Statistics. Mr and Toaha Quereshi. Mr Bridger on the Fridge nightclub on 15 Toohill reported that, at a recent said that the invitation to share April the details of which were meeting with the IPCC, the good practice was the result of included in the police report (see Community Reference Group the recognition for the collective attached). Mr Bridger said the had urged that, in the event of good work done by the borough Fridge would need to address the CPS not bringing charges, in the aftermath of the killing of certain issues with the local the IPCC should publish as much Jean Charles de Menezes and authority and satisfy the courts. of their report as they could, in the bombing incidents in July However, he said that it would order to build community 2005. hopefully be up and running confidence in the process. He again but that it would have to be also drew the meeting’s attention 17. Mr Bridger reminded the run responsibly. He added that to the ACPO review of police meeting that the people of Madrid another club in Kennington had response to suicide terrorism, had suffered the loss of over 200 previously been closed and that which did not mention the Kratos people in a terrorist attack, and he would not tolerate drug tactics specifically but rather said that he was proud to deliver dealing and drug abuse in such placed the response firmly in the the good practice carried out in establishments. context of the long-standing Lambeth during a time in which ACPO guidelines on the use of cohesion in the community was 22. Canon Bowman firearms by the police. maintained by not allowing the congratulated the police for the Muslim community to become raid on the Fridge nightclub. 13. Mr Bridger also gave an isolated. However, he said that he was update from the IPCC amazed that the Fridge had been investigation which stated that 18. Further to community closed for 28 days while the the main investigation report’s engagement issues and Lambeth Mass, scene of shootings and supplementary report, setting out leading as a community, Mr stabbings and an endless list of its recommendations, was still Bridger said that he would be trouble, was still open. being considered by the Crown going to Pakistan the next day. Prosecution Service (CPS). The The reason, he said, was due to 23. Supt. Low said that with IPCC had previously stated that it the fact that three of the four regard to the Mass, police had had hoped to receive a decision suicide bombers of 7 July were been aware of things going on from the CPS around Easter. young British born Muslims to and police had hence been very However, this would not now whom something had happened, robust in dealing with the club. occur, although the CPS was whereby they became terrorist Having linked up with the local hopeful; for a decision fairly soon. bombers. Furthermore, one of authority, he said that the Mass those arrested and accused of had been served a final letter in 14. Mr Bridger said that the the 21 July bombings came from relation to the club’s CPS had also confirmed that the Lambeth community and management, security staff and a all interested parties would be attended a Stockwell mosque. host of other issues. He added provided with the actual date that the club was now subject to of the decision release one 19. While the terrorist threat a robust regime in respect of week in advance. He added remained, Mr Bridger compliance. that he would inform the Group commended the sharing of good of the actual decision once he practice. He said that in Pakistan 24. In response to Paul Andell, had received the notification. there were people who could who sought an explanation for contribute and help Lambeth in the difference in approach to addressing the issues concerning dealing with the two nightclub,

2 Supt. Low said that in relation to 29. In relation to No Deal, Mr and strategies, such as the Gun the Mass there had been a build Bridger said that the stop to Crime Initiative, had been up of issues and it too had been arrest rate was still falling designed to deal with the subject to the same tactics as the although it remained above the problems. Fridge in terms of gathering MPS average. evidence of drug dealing but 34. Lloyd Leon said that in view none was found. He added that 30. Mr Bridger gave a of bad publicity being at the the problems at the Mass were PowerPoint presentation (see forefront of media reports of associated with violence and attached) on the Lambeth police Group meetings, in this instance violent crime. performance during the last the media should be informed financial year (1 April 2005 to 31 about how much the police 25. Mr Andell said that he could March 2006). Mr Bridger said working together with the people not understand why the Fridge, that the performance was one to of Lambeth the police have which was not associated with be celebrated with the efforts and achieved. violence, was at the end of a achievements of the Partnership, more robust approach while the the community and the police 35. Greta Brooks said that she Mass, with a history of violence, acknowledged. was impressed with the police was dealt with through a performance and the way the partnership licensing means. 31. Mr Bridger said the police had looked at the whole of 26. Supt. Low said there had performance showed that there the community and asked: “How been an escalation of violence had been 3,816 less victims of can we work with you, so that we occurring at the Mass, while the crime compared to the previous are all together on the same Fridge was subject to an year. However, Mr Bridger road?” intelligence led operation linked acknowledged the work of his to drugs on the premises. The predecessors, Borough 36. Mr Toohill said that it was issue of closure, he said, came Commanders Brian Moore and clear from the picture that it got after the operation when police Richard Quinn who had overseen harder every year for certain evidence of mismanagement of a year on year reduction in crime crime reduction, as seen with the the club in relation to public in Lambeth. small decrease in street crime safety was highlighted. Another and robbery. However, he said matter concerned the Fridge 32. In response to Shane Collins’ that the use of technology could operating without a proper question on police policy perhaps help in the future. For licence to sell alcohol. concerning free community example, the ability to use mobile events of over 2,000 people phones on the underground 27. Supt. Low said that it was not having to be surrounded by a could lessen the number of his decision to close the Fridge fence, causing events to be robberies above ground. but he had appeared before a cancelled, Mr Bridger said that magistrate alongside the Fridge’s there were issues of health and 37. In respect of mobile phone owner and his solicitors. He said safety, and once the number of thefts, Mr Bridger agreed that that the magistrate felt that the people anticipated exceeded there was the potential for an case was sufficiently serious to 2,000 another set of criteria was increase in crime on the close the premises for 28 days applied. While this was not of his underground and that there could for the licensing authority to doing, he said he would be still be issues when people came review the matter. Supt. Low that prepared to meet Mr Collins and out of the tube in terms of the the police were not looking to see talk about the matter further. targeting of victims, which the the club closed down but rather police needed to think about. expected effective and proper 33. In response to Mr Jasper, Mr management, and a safe Collins said he could provide the 38. In response to Jim Toohill’s environment for people to enjoy number of applications made for query about violent crime he said themselves, which they also events in the past year in order that there been no change to the sought of the Mass. that they could be compared to mix and it had been reduced the number that had not been overall. However, he conceded 28. On 24 April, Mr Bridger said pursued due to the restrictions that ABH and GBH had that two police officers had been brought about by numbers increased, which was street shot at after stopping suspects in exceeding 2,000 persons related e.g. occurring on Friday a vehicle that had been carjacked attending. and Saturdays in town centres, at gunpoint. He said that one about which progress could be officer had received a gunshot 33. Mr Jasper congratulated the made. wound to the leg, though police for the ongoing level of fortunately not serious, and crime reduction in a number of 39. With regard to a Mr Toohill’s people had been arrested and key areas and driving down crime conjecture of a possible reduction charged in connection with those in many other areas. Although of resources via the RAF, Mr offences. some challenges remained, he Bridger gave reassurance that said these had been identified there was no need to worry for

3 the present. He said that over inaugurated in August that would 49. Canon Ivelaw Bowman the past four years Lambeth had make contacting the police congratulated everyone who had received significant resources easier. On the hand, he said that contributed to the success of the from elsewhere to support the there was a degree of false Lambeth police performance and borough achieve its crime reporting by people making reiterated Mr Toohill’s view about reductions. During the last year bogus insurance claims. the fear of crime that kept the the support had been less than elderly locked indoors. He added previous years, yet the police in 45. Supt. Paul Wilson added that that something needed to be Lambeth were still delivering Lambeth Council had made a done to instill confidence in such despite the greater challenges. huge investment in wardens with people. In view of this, Mr Bridger said 90 additional personnel being 50. Canon Bowman said that that he did not believe the rolled out over the next year. He extortion and organised crime present number of officers in added that it had been proven were big issues in Lambeth. He Lambeth would be affected for that wardens worked well with said that he saw the criminal some time. However, he said vulnerable groups and assisted fraternity every day standing that if he became aware of any with reporting of crime. around the doorways of shops in changes afoot he would report Brixton market without back to the Group. 46. In relation to Transport for purchasing anything. He said it London (TfL), Mr Bridger said the was a matter for the police and 40. In response to Mr Horwood, police worked very closely with the Lambeth Chamber of Supt. Stewart Low said that it them and if analysis identified Commerce to look into. Mr was his responsibility to ensure crime taking place on the buses Bridger said that the police did that the police presence in and bus routes police note what was going on and that Brixton Town Centre was not Superintendents would link the police would put in place lost. In terms of deciding upon directly in with TfL, who very some tactics to deal with the the number of officers used, supportive of the work the police matter. Supt. Low said that in the initial did. He added that crimes that stages it has been a difficult call were committed on buses in 51. Simon Harding, LBL Asst. since the police have to serve the Lambeth were counted within Dir. for Community Safety, gave whole of Lambeth not just Brixton Lambeth police statistics. a PowerPoint presentation (see Town Centre. attached) on the successes of 47. In response to Mr Horwood, the Lambeth Safer Partnership 41. In response to Rod Brown, Mr Bridger said the repeat during the past year. Mr Harding Mr Bridger said that some of the offenders operating in Lambeth said that he headed a 45 strong crimes that were deemed were the borough’s prolific, team that dealt with community cleared-up, i.e. detected, were priority offenders. He added that safety issues ranging from crime subsequently found not guilty in they represented a challenge and to drugs and drug treatment court. required being identified which issues. was an ongoing Partnership 42. In response to Lena James, effort. 52. During the five months of his Mr Bridger said that providing a current role, Mr Harding said that future for young people needing 48. Mr Jasper asked if, at some he had found there was very drug treatment and being point in the future, the extent strong partnership working in released from prison was a big to which the borough was Lambeth, not just between the challenge for the community. He affected by foreign nationals Council and the police, but also added that much was going on who ought to have been with other services such as around a range of activities, deported but returned to Probation, Fire Service and although the Partnership still had Lambeth could be revealed. Primary Care Trust. a lot more to do such as He said that it was of particular providing life skills. interest to the Afro-Caribbean 53. Mr Harding said that his team community since it was not and the Council as a whole 43. In response to Richard unknown for those convicted worked very hard to support Moore, Mr Bridger said that the of Trident gun crimes to have Lambeth police reach its targets. police were always working on been subsequently released Some of this he said was quiet, building people’s confidence to back into the community only behind the scenes activity report crime. He added that to wreak havoc against those although some of the work was while recognising that all members of the community more up front, such as the boroughs suffered from the that they thought had been closure of crack houses, which problem, Lambeth police were involved with their involved staff from Housing rated the second highest in terms imprisonment. Mr Bridger said Services and those working on of victim satisfaction. that he would look into doing substance misuse and drug some work on the issue. treatment. 44. Mr Bridger also said that a new telephone system would be

4 54. In partnership, Mr Harding increase the number of people, Harding that he would involve the said that there had been success particularly the young, receiving community as partners. She in moving street drinkers in drug treatment, while there were added that it was not acceptable Brockwell Park, which involved also plans to increase drug for people on high to say who local people and street drinkers treatment capacity. community representatives themselves. Meanwhile, at the should be and what they should South Bank an innovative  Targeted counselling be saying. ‘Turning Heads’ scheme, towards LGBT young persons in whereby upon entering public respect of alcohol and drugs, and 61. Gill Kenealy asked Mr conveniences people were the launch of a series of Harding to look into whether the reminded by a spoken message initiatives aimed at young Fire Service LIFE Project would of leaving items such as Portuguese persons involved in continue, as she had heard that handbags at their seats, had substance misuse, which had led because of a budget deficit it successfully reduced the number to a report that would aid future would not do so. She also asked of thefts. initiatives whether there were any drugs services being made available to 55. In Streatham, Mr Harding  The reduction in the under 18 year olds and support said that wardens were working number of abandoned vehicles for young women victims of with the Somali community in by the Environment and Culture domestic violence. relation to perceived anti-social department behaviour (ASB), while in 62. Due to the time limits, it partnership with the Fire Service,  Town centre events for was agreed for Mr Harding to a LIFE Project for young people women in each of Lambeth’s return and respond to between 8-12 years who went Town Centres questions at the Group through a series of training meeting in July. Mr Jasper events of life skills. 57. In the forthcoming year, Mr proposed that people could Harding highlighted a number of submit their questions to the 56. Mr Harding said that other issues that would be addressed, Group office thereby giving Mr schemes and campaigns including: Wider Community Harding an opportunity to give deemed successes included: Engagement; Community the fullest response. Consultation; CCTV Audit &  The ‘Best Bar None’ Strategy; Street Lighting (Public 63. Mr Jasper said that there was Scheme in Clapham to Finance Initiative; Coordinated a great deal of press attention encourage responsible licensed ASB activity strategy; Business concerning three alleged racist premises and discourage binge crime (Lambeth Business Against attacks on Asian shopkeepers by drinking. Crime); Section 17 of the Crime an Afro-Caribbean male suspect. and Disorder Act strategy and The latest incident on Clapham  Dedicated hate crime training for key Lambeth Council Road resulted in one death with staff dealing race and faith hate staff. three injured, one of which was crime, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual life-threatening. and Transgender (LGBT) crime 58. Finally, Mr Harding said that and domestic violence. in partnership with the police he 64. Whatever, the motivation for would be putting together all the the attacks, Mr Jasper said that  Dedicated community information he had reported to he was neither aware nor safety staff in each town centre the Group in an Annual Report, believed it to be part of a broader responsible for driving forward which would be available online crisis or tension between the ASB initiatives. and in hard copy by the middle of Afro-Caribbean and Asian June. communities in Lambeth.  Improvements to the However, he added that there Youth Offending Team through 59. Mr Jasper said he thought appeared to be a media attempt working in concert with the Youth that the Group would very much to catagorise the crimes as being Justice Board like to see a measurement of the in part a reflection of events that Crime and Disorder Strategy’s occurred in Birmingham, which  Roll out of Wardens performance presented in a he believed to be specific and throughout Lambeth, the number similar way as the police’s annual peculiar to that area and that the of staff of which was increasing. review, for example targets and same such problems did not exist figures in relation to the number in Lambeth.  Gang Intervention of people placed on drug Programme and Gun Crime treatment programmes. 65. Commander Alan Gibson, of Programme which were unique to the Specialist Crime Directorate Lambeth 60. In respect of community (SCD), said that SCD became involvement and representation, involved in the case following the  Drug Intervention Nora-Anne Sheehy said that she fire bomb attack at the Programme which aimed to wanted an assurance from Mr Pricecutter Food & Wine shop on

5 Clapham Road on 27 April. The instruction the police were committing the crime and the shop was run by a Pakistani, treating the attacks as racist victims of the crime and not the Suni Muslim businessman, who incidents, although it was not community. died in the attack, while another known if they were racially person was in hospital with life motivated. For reassurance, Mr 76. Canon Bowman threatening injuries. Two others Gibson said that leaflets had congratulated the police for their escaped by running through been delivered to small alacrity in dealing with the flames. businesses in Lambeth as well as incident, particularly the part of Croyden. Also, with leafleting. He said he also 66. Mr Gibson said that he soon London Fire Brigade, police had agreed that it should be treated became aware of another, similar visited 148 Asian businesses in as racist incident but decried incident that had taken place on the borough. those who sought to make 14 April at the News at Nine in mischief. He added that there Tulse Hill, run by a Sri Lankan 71. Mr Jasper proposed that the had never been any race riots in Hindu. There, a customer Group write to the victims of the Lambeth. received burns to his legs. On incidents and express its the basis of the two incidents, Mr condolences where appropriate. 77. Anna Tapsell agreed that in Gibson said that police became He also said that there was not the absence of any evidence of a concerned that there could be a the level of divisiveness in motivation for these crimes, sinister dimension to the attacks. Lambeth as was seen in some which may well be the actions of press reporting and Group should an isolated individual, it was 67. Mr Gibson said that in view of show its common grief and irresponsible to infer community the exceptional nature of the solidarity. tensions of any sort. At the same incidents he called a Gold time, just as she (as a Jew) meeting, one that examines 72. Mr Bridger agreed with Mr acknowledged that Jewish critical incidents, in order to Jasper’s idea of using Lambeth people are capable of Facism, gauge an appropriate response United and the communication we should recognize that to the community and the media. network it had to express the individuals in all parts of the After this meeting, Mr Gibson community’s togetherness. community are capable of said police linked in yet another However, he said that the dead racism. incident that took place at an off man’s family and that of the licence in West Norwood run by seriously injured man lived in 78. Mr Gibson explained that an another Sri Lankan Hindu. Pakistan, but they had been incident could be called racist by contacted. anyone who believed it was so. 68. Mr Gibson said that the However, the term ‘racially suspect of the first incident was 73. Abdul Sultan Virani said that motivated’ was a legal test and described as a black male in his that he could not understand why was an aggravating factor to a early thirties, 5’ 6” to 5’ 8” tall, the incident had been treated as charge that could lead to a who used a petrol bomb. In the racist incident and that it did not greater sentence. As for the second incident a petrol bomb help towards integration and trust mentioning of religion, he said was thrown through the open building. that it was part of the door of the shop. The investigation to find out if a shopkeeper, who had to run 74. Mr Jasper said that in particular faith was being through flames to escape, previous times when racist targeted. received burns to his arms. The attacks had taken place the racist description of the suspect on this element of such incidents was 79. In response to Wesley occasion was not dissimilar to discounted far too early during Stephenson, Mr Gibson said that that of the first incident. the course of investigations. He the idea of a Shop Watch was a added that it had taken a long matter for the borough, although 69. Mr Gibson said that police time to convince the MPS that they were known to work now had two suspects in custody racism could not be ruled out as successfully in parts of London but that it would be premature to a motive where the victims were using early warning systems to say that the risk to the community consistently from one community. pass on messages effectively had disappeared. And while all Therefore, he said that the police and quickly. the attacks using similar methods were taking the proper course took place in a small action by keeping their minds 80. Mr Bridger said that he geographical area in a relatively open. Unfortunately, while the wished to thank Cheryl Sealey for short space of time against Asian police had not ruled it out as a all her assistance she had given businesses, Mr Gibson said that motive, the media had taken it to around the incidents. there was no indication of a mean that it was one. possible motive. DATE OF NEXT MEETING 75. Mr Gibson said that the 70. In the absence of a motive, designation of being a racist 6:30 pm Tuesday, 6 June 2006 Mr Gibson said that under his incident was about the individual Lambeth Accord, 336 Brixton Rd

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