Metropolitan Police Under Scrutiny for Handling of Sex Offenders
- Inspectors found that the Metropolitan Police is failing in managing risks posed by sex offenders and online child abusers.
- Multiple scandals, including the murder of Sarah Everard, have highlighted the failures in care for victims and management of high-risk offenders.
- The report criticized the Met Police for underperforming in seven out of eight areas reviewed, putting women and girls at continued risk.
A recent report from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services has revealed that the Metropolitan Police, Britain’s largest police force, is failing to effectively manage risks associated with sex offenders, two years after being placed in special measures. The inspection highlighted serious deficiencies in the force's crime investigation processes and offender management, with one high-risk sex offender reportedly not visited by officers since 2017. The report graded the Met as inadequate in two areas and requiring improvement in five, with no areas rated as ‘good’ or ‘outstanding.’ Inspectors noted a significant lack of training among officers in managing suspects and utilizing the Violent and Sex Offender Register. They found that many visits to registered sex offenders were pre-announced, allowing offenders to potentially conceal prohibited items. Additionally, officers outside specialized teams lacked access to digital tools necessary for investigating online child sexual abuse, leading to ineffective crime management. The report criticized the force's crime allocation policy, which resulted in inconsistent decision-making and the assignment of complex cases to inadequately trained officers. Despite acknowledging improvements in response times to emergency calls, the report raised concerns about the overall effectiveness of the Metropolitan Police in safeguarding the community, particularly women and girls. Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, expressed his commitment to enhancing policing in the capital, while the Met stated it is working on a plan to address the inspectorate's findings and improve its operations. The report underscores the urgent need for reform within the force to ensure public safety and restore trust.