Anne Clarke on Baroness Casey’s report into the Met Police.

Baroness Louise Casey’s report found the Met to be institutionally racist, homophobic, sexist and corrupt. It found that the force is failing women and children and it warned there could be more officers like Couzens and serial rapist David Carrick.

The scale of the findings, and the depth of the problems, are truly shocking. There is a lot of work ahead for the Met and the Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley to address the deep-rooted cultural and procedural issues within the force.

A major issue has been that of self-denial. Now there is no room for excuses. They must accept the true nature of the issue to enact the necessary change.

Anne Clarke says that the findings of the investigation into the Met are truly shocking (Image: City Hall)

There are thousands of good, hardworking officers, but this casts a dark shadow over their work. There is no hiding from the fact that this report shows that it is not just a case of a few rogue officers. As Assembly members we can hold the Met to account every step of the way. A reformed Met Police means better policing for London.

Cuts to police budgets since 2010 and 13 years of austerity, have severely affected the quantity, and quality of officers, and damaged neighbourhood policing and community relations. What is abundantly clear is that vetting, complaint, and disciplinary procedures need a thorough overhaul. There are fundamental issues around recruitment, retention, and training of staff.

There must be better monitoring of operational practices where officers interact with London’s diverse communities. Certain groups of Londoners are over-policed and under-represented, and community engagement is sadly lacking. Londoners need to feel safe, and secure in the fact that the Met can police itself.

Immense structural and institutional problems have to be addressed now. The Casey Review’s findings must be accepted in the totality.

There is a long way to go to rebuild trust and confidence, particularly underrepresented communities. Londoners deserve better, and serving offices deserve better.

I am determined to hold the Commissioner to account as he works to make the Met the police service London deserves.

Anne Clarke is the London Assembly member for Barnet and Camden.