Caroline Pidgeon has written to the Met Police's Deputy Commissioner to ask for an update on issues around speeding in London during the COVID-19 lockdown and some long-standing concerns on speeding, as well as praising the Met for the quick action they have taken to try and tackle increased speeding since lockdown began.
Caroline Pidgeon has written to the Metropolitan Police Commissioner to understand the force's plans to keep police officers, staff, detainees and the public safe during the COVID-19 crisis.
Caroline wrote:
There will be many across London who have concerns over the custody environment and the safety of officers, staff and detainees when it comes to the possible transmission of COVID-19 in these environments.
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On the BBC's London Politics, Caroline discussed her concerns about the police's use of stop and search, and the government's plans to increase it.
Caroline Pidgeon described the frustration of London Assembly members that they cannot start investigating the relationship between Jennifer Arcuri and Boris Johnson while he was Mayor, because the Independent Office for Police Conduct has been deliberating since September on whether to launch its own investigation.
Caroline told the Guardian:
In the London Assembly Police and Crime Committee, Caroline questioned the Met Police Commissioner and the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime about the use of live facial recognition technology on London's streets.
We need some clarity on what is happening to many of London's police stations, which have had their front counters closed and are at risk of having their land sold off. Unfortunately this week we have heard one thing from the Mayor and another from the Met, and this clip from today's Police and Crime Committee clearly demonstrates this.
Caroline Pidgeon expressed her serious concern at the news of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) refusing to announce before the General Election whether it will investigate allegations about a conflict of interest in Boris Johnson’s dealings with US businesswoman Jennifer Arcuri while he was Mayor.
Caroline said:
At October's London Assembly plenary session, Caroline questioned the Mayor and the Met Police Commissioner regarding the increase in stop and search complaints. Their response was disappointing.
Caroline said:
Caroline Pidgeon and her colleagues on the London Assembly's Police and Crime Committee held a very important session on 30 October to review how to address domestic abuse.
The committee heard from organisations who work on domestic abuse about the challenges faced by victims and work that we can do, here in London, to support those who suffer domestic abuse. Domestic abuse is a real and growing issue and it is important that we look at new and innovative ways of tackling it.
The Met police are regularly not responding to 999 calls that are categorised as ‘significant’ in more than two thirds of London boroughs, new figures reveal.
The most recent figures that the Mayor was forced to publish, following questioning by the Liberal Democrat Londonwide Assembly Member Caroline Pidgeon, reveal that in 21 of the 32 London boroughs the police failed to respond to 999 calls categorised as ‘significant’ within the one hour time limit.
