OPINION - Baroness Casey: four things the Met can do to give London what it needs

My report today, which Mayor Sadiq Khan rightly asked the Met to commission, has found that the Met is failing Londoners.

It cannot police itself, as shown by its failures to keep out or boot out wrongdoers. It is unable to protect women and children, as we have seen with far too many recent scandals. It has withdrawn from neighbourhood policing, as you have seen in your communities.

And it is riven with racism, sexism and homophobia, in the way it treats its staff and the way it polices Londoners.

All of this means the Met is rapidly losing the permission of Londoners to police them. The crucial principle is of policing by consent.

But I still believe in policing. I know Londoners want a better police force.

So here’s four things that the Met can do now to start to restore that trust. It’s the basis of a new policing deal that is right for London:

Firstly, humility. The Met needs its new strong leadership team. But rebuilding trust also means listening, learning and apologising properly for past mistakes. To women and minority groups especially.

Secondly, accountability. The Met has shut itself away from scrutiny. My review has helped open it up, and the Mayor leading a new policing board for London can now keep it open on behalf of Londoners.

Third, community. Restoring frontline policing on your streets, with local response rates, neighbourhood policing and women’s and children’s services being given the same high status as central specialist units.

Fourth, diversity. London is brilliantly different and becoming ever more so. The Met workforce is way behind and must do much more to catch up. That isn’t about being ‘woke’, but about getting the best talent and giving communities confidence in it.

London deserves a better Met. The many great Met officers deserve a better Met. The Met cannot be in denial. My report makes clear what its problems are and what must change. With a new policing deal for London — led by the new Commissioner and his team, supported by the Mayor, and informed by the public — that change is possible.

Baroness Casey is the author of the report into standards and culture in the Metropolitan Police