The Police and Crime Committee met on Wednesday 28 January 2026 to discuss the Government's White Paper on police reform, homicides in London, the Metropolitan Police Service's (MPS) transition to electric vehicles, its estate strategy, and the policing of protests. Key decisions included welcoming the Government's White Paper on police reform, noting the continued reduction in homicides in London, and discussing the ongoing transition of the MPS fleet to electric vehicles.

Government White Paper on Police Reform

The Committee discussed the Government's recently announced White Paper, From Local to National: A New Model for Policing. Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Kaya Comer-Schwartz, welcomed the paper, highlighting its focus on strengthening neighbourhood policing, modernising legislation, and enhancing the use of technology. However, concerns were raised by Assembly Member Susan Hall AM regarding the potential impact on operational independence, with the Home Secretary gaining powers to intervene in policing decisions. The Deputy Mayor assured the Committee that accountability and operational independence were both important and that MOPAC would work with the Government to understand the new accountability structures. Assembly Member Gareth Roberts AM questioned the premature welcoming of reforms given that the implications, particularly regarding funding reductions due to the removal of counter-terrorism aspects from the MPS's remit, were still being assessed. Assembly Member Alex Wilson AM also inquired about the extent of political engagement prior to the White Paper's release. The Deputy Mayor stated that while the MPS and MOPAC engage regularly with the Home Office, the White Paper's proposals would progress through Parliament, and they would continue to advocate for London's specific needs. Assembly Member Lord Duvall AM and Assembly Member Zoë Garbett AM raised concerns about the details within the White Paper, particularly regarding public order and the complaints process, respectively.

Homicides in London

The Committee received an update on the reduction in homicides in London, with 97 homicides recorded in 2025, the lowest number since 2014. The Deputy Mayor acknowledged this achievement but stressed that complacency was not an option. She highlighted the MPS's work in tackling serious violence, including disrupting gang networks and safeguarding vulnerable people, supported by technology and intelligence-led policing. The use of live facial recognition (LFR) technology was discussed, with the Deputy Mayor confirming its role in identifying wanted offenders and contributing to the reduction in homicides and violence. Assembly Member Garbett questioned the crimes that inform LFR hotspot deployments and the types of offences LFR primarily detects, noting concerns about its use while a Home Office consultation on LFR legislation and a court case regarding misidentification were ongoing. The Deputy Mayor assured the Committee that MOPAC conducts its own evaluations and feeds back into the MPS, and that the LPEP has been instrumental in shaping MOPAC's oversight. The use of data from programmes like V100 to support homicide reduction was also discussed, with the MPS using data to identify high-harm offenders and disrupt their behaviour.

MPS Transition to Electric Vehicles (EVs)

The Committee discussed the MPS's transition to electric vehicles, with Amana Humayun, MOPAC's Chief Financial Officer, providing an update. Currently, only three per cent of the MPS fleet is fully electric, with a further 16 per cent being hybrid. The transition is driven by the legal mandate to cease the production of ICE vehicles by 2035, with manufacturers expected to stop producing them as early as 2028. The MPS is taking a cautious, pilot-based approach, with a project at Stoke Newington police station fully utilising an electric emergency response fleet. MOPAC is measuring progress through its Investment Advisory and Monitoring (IAM) meetings and has implemented telematics in all vehicles to track journey length and response times. Concerns were raised by Assembly Member Susan Hall AM about the impact on policing priorities, the cost of borrowing for the capital investment, and the potential for deprioritising other areas of policing. The Deputy Mayor clarified that this was a capital budget issue and not a revenue one, and that the Estate Strategy prioritises legally compliant buildings and preventing police station closures. The potential for using e-bikes was also raised as a complementary solution. The budget allocated for EV charging infrastructure in 2026/27 is £2.5 million. Contingency plans for blackouts and electrical issues include stockpiles of fuel for blue light services and commitments from petrol stations to retain battery capacity.

MPS Estate Strategy and Disposals

The Committee discussed the MPS's Estate Strategy, focusing on the disposal of unused police stations and residential properties. The strategy identifies four former police stations for disposal: Notting Hill, Enfield, Teddington, and King's Cross. MOPAC reviews these proposals through the IAM process, considering factors such as underused buildings, decant sites, and low-use sites. The disposal of residential properties is being considered in the context of the Mayor's drive to enable thousands of affordable homes for key workers. Assurances were given that MOPAC and the MPS will liaise with local boroughs regarding community use options for disposed buildings, and that EqIAs will be carried out where required, with the Committee to be informed of these assessments. However, concerns were raised about the lack of equal access to police front counters across London, with Assembly Member Emma Best AM highlighting the postcode lottery of service provision. The Deputy Mayor acknowledged that not all Londoners have equal access but stated that efforts are being made to prioritise neighbourhood policing and increase visible policing through community hubs. The strategy also includes plans for redevelopment work at Forest Gate and Kentish Town, with potential future disposals of Stratford and Holloway Police Stations.

Policing of Protests Outside Miznon Restaurant

The Committee discussed the MPS's response to a protest outside the Miznon restaurant on 9 January 2026. The Deputy Mayor acknowledged the difficult balance between the right to protest and the impact on communities, noting that one arrest was made for incitement. Assembly Member Alex Wilson AM expressed strong concerns about the targeting of a Jewish restaurant and synagogue, describing it as deliberate intimidation and harassment, and criticised the perceived lack of police action. He highlighted the rise in antisemitic hate crime and the fear within the Jewish community. The Deputy Mayor acknowledged the deeply concerning rise in hate crime and antisemitism, expressing sympathy for victims and highlighting MOPAC's work with the Jewish community through the Shared Endeavour Fund and in partnership with the CST to support places of worship and ensure security. She stressed the importance of peaceful and lawful protest, while also condemning hateful incitement. The Committee also discussed the broader issue of police relations with various communities, including the LGBTQ+ and Black communities, and the role of Independent Advisory Groups (IAGs) in improving understanding and policy.

Key Issues in Custody

The Committee received an update on MOPAC's work with the MPS to improve data collection in custody suites, including use of force data. The MPS has a custody dashboard, but technical issues with the new CONNECT system have impacted the recording of self-defined ethnicity and gender of detainees. MOPAC is pushing for these issues to be resolved. The use of Independent Custody Visitors (ICVs) was highlighted as a key monitoring mechanism, with 79% of detainees visited in the last quarter. A pilot scheme is being developed to allow ICVs to review use of force incidents in custody suites, addressing concerns raised by the Panorama documentary and HMICFRS reports. Concerns were also raised about the availability of appropriate adults for neurodivergent detainees and the accessibility of custody suite facilities for disabled detainees. The MPS is undertaking a review of its custody estate to improve accessibility, and all frontline officers have undergone Child First training. The Committee requested further written information on various aspects of custody data collection, use of force, and recruitment and vetting processes.

Actions Arising from Previous Meetings

The Committee noted the ongoing and closed actions arising from its previous meetings, including requests for information on LFR data, the Understanding Homicide framework, MPS vetting standards, EV transition costs, and the policing of protests.