Southwark Comes Together to Call for Police Reforms, but Labour Refuses to Call for No Confidence Vote in the Met

In light of Baroness Casey’s damning report into the Metropolitan Police, Southwark Councillors came together to pass a motion calling for reform.

At last night’s council assembly, a motion was passed with cross-party support that called on the Met to immediately begin implementing the recommendation of the report.

The motion also included commitments for Southwark to do everything in its power to ensure these reforms are made, including regular scrutiny of senior officers in the service.

Councillors from both parties made speeches expressing their dismay at the findings of the report and stressed the urgent need for radical change in London’s police force.

Lib Dem councillors proposed an amendment which would have called for the Mayor of London to make an official statement of no confidence in the Metropolitan Police.

Labour councillors voted down the amendment, turning down the chance to make a stronger statement regarding the failings revealed in the Casey report.

Commenting, Cllr Irina von Wiese, who proposed the amendment, said:

“People on doorsteps tell us that they don’t think the police, this police force, our world famous Metropolitan Police, can be trusted. So where do they go when they live in fear of antisocial behaviour in their street? Who do they turn to report domestic violence? Why would they cooperate with police investigations if they feel they’re not heard anyway?

We want to have confidence in our police services, and we believe that a vote of no confidence stresses the need to act now, before any more people come to harm.”

Commenting on the Met’s failures to protect women and girls, Cllr Maria Linforth-Hall said,

“Gender-based abuse or violence, sexual harassment and domestic violence against women and girls in all of its forms is unacceptable. We must drive out violence against women and girls and make every part of the criminal justice system work to better protect and defend them. It is important that women come together and fight for our safety. We won't be able to trust that we are safe until misogyny and racism are tackled at an institutional level within police force.”