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• Question by: Mike Tuffrey
• Meeting date: 10 December 2003

I will return to the politics of the situation in a moment. Firstly, can I ask Sir John for his professional take on the situation? Previously you were eloquently talking about the national responsibilities of the Met and our specific grant covering those of £200 million or so, is rising by 2.5%, less than the rate of inflation. I would really welcome your insight as to what you think the Government is up to. Given the stress we are under in London because of our national and international responsibilities why does central Government not seem to be recognising that, from...

• Question by: Graham Tope
• Meeting date: 10 December 2003

Graham Tope (AM): I do not think any of us would want to suggest that this was an issue solely for the Met to deal with; I took that as a given. Toby mentioned earlier the issue of bullying. Quite often bullying of young people whether inside or outside school is regarded as something that is part of growing up. Is that the attitude that the Met takes, and if it is not as I hope, how do you work with local authorities and other agencies to address the issue of bullying amongst young people?

• Question by: Graham Tope
• Meeting date: 10 December 2003

• Question by: Diana Johnson
• Meeting date: 10 December 2003

Diana Johnson (AM): It is about the Cadet Corps. As the link member for Havering, Barking and Dagenham I have been very impressed by their Cadet Corps. What do you think is the future for the Cadet Corps?

• Question by: Graham Tope
• Meeting date: 10 December 2003

Graham Tope (AM): Perhaps I may direct this at Sir John as well. The LSE and South Bank University study on Policing for London found that dissatisfaction with the police was greatest amongst the young. They said that their `focus groups brought out the intensity with which many young people see police activity as biased against them and based on negative stereotypes of youth'. What is being done to address that perception? More particularly, where do children and young people fit into models of community-based policing that we are hoping to move towards?

• Question by: Graham Tope
• Meeting date: 10 December 2003

I very much welcome the huge change in the Met's attitude to domestic violence over recent years. It is a complete turnaround and very welcome. I also welcome the answers we have had today. The report from the London Domestic Violence Forum stated amongst many other things that `Training for frontline officers in particular remains an urgent priority'. How is that being addressed?

• Question by: Jenny Jones
• Meeting date: 10 December 2003

• Question by: Jenny Jones
• Meeting date: 10 December 2003

So it would be a disciplinary board and not a conviction?

• Question by: Jennette Arnold OBE
• Meeting date: 10 December 2003

I thank Jenny for putting this question on the agenda. I know of her involvement given that she was at the launch on 20 November of the Mayor's second annual report of the pan-London Domestic Violence Forum. There are a number of us who already know the answers that we have heard today. However, I think this is an opportunity for us to bring this matter into the public arena. So much has been achieved over the past two years. I think this is an area of achievement and great triumph for partnership working. As I did yesterday when I...

• Question by: Jennette Arnold OBE
• Meeting date: 10 December 2003

Clearly, this is not a London-only issue. One of the things the MPS does is lead the rest of the police service, as it has done, to get that ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers) position. Will you be giving your commitment to lead the rest of the service nationally to ensure this matter stays at the top of the policing agenda because they are the first point of call for people in distress?