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Trust in Met damaged by Lawrence claims, poll suggests Trust in Met damaged by Lawrence claims, poll suggests
(about 5 hours later)
Two in five Londoners are less likely to trust the Metropolitan Police following claims that undercover officers spied on Stephen Lawrence's family, a BBC London survey indicates.Two in five Londoners are less likely to trust the Metropolitan Police following claims that undercover officers spied on Stephen Lawrence's family, a BBC London survey indicates.
A ComRes poll of 1,000 Londoners suggested a quarter believe the Met is institutionally racist, including 38% of black and minority ethnic people.A ComRes poll of 1,000 Londoners suggested a quarter believe the Met is institutionally racist, including 38% of black and minority ethnic people.
A quarter also believed there was widespread corruption.A quarter also believed there was widespread corruption.
But 85% of those polled said they trusted the Met overall.But 85% of those polled said they trusted the Met overall.
Met Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe told Vanessa Feltz on BBC London 94.9: "It is a challenging set of statistics. It's not pleasant hearing.
"I was shocked by the claims so I have no doubt the rest of London was shocked, so I understand why people very shortly after those revelations reacted in that way."
Trust dentedTrust dented
The Met said the poll showed "particular challenges amongst black and minority ethnic respondents" but that it was pleasing that Londoners are generally confident the Met will protect them. In a Guardian and Channel 4 Dispatches report on 24 June, Peter Francis, a former undercover police officer, claimed he was ordered to infiltrate the Stephen Lawrence campaign in 1993.
In a Guardian and Channel 4 Dispatches programme on 24 June, Peter Francis, a former undercover police officer, claimed he was ordered to infiltrate the Stephen Lawrence campaign in 1993.
He said it was a hunt for "disinformation" to use against those criticising the police.He said it was a hunt for "disinformation" to use against those criticising the police.
Met commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe has said the claims are being investigated, supervised by the Independent Police Complaints Commission. Sir Bernard said the force needed to get to the bottom of these allegations, which are being investigated, and added: "I hope it doesn't destroy the great work the Met's doing everyday of the year."
Asked to what extent the revelation had affected people's opinion of the Met, 37% told ComRes they were less likely to trust the force.Asked to what extent the revelation had affected people's opinion of the Met, 37% told ComRes they were less likely to trust the force.
Twenty-seven percent said they believed the Met was "institutionally racist" - an assessment made in the 1999 Macpherson report into the investigation of the murder of black teenager Stephen Lawrence. Twenty-seven percent said they believed the Met was "institutionally racist" - an assessment made in the 1999 Macpherson report into the investigation of the murder of Stephen Lawrence.
Twenty-four percent of respondents said they believed there was widespread corruption in the Met, including more than a third, 36%, of black and minority ethnic (BME) Londoners.Twenty-four percent of respondents said they believed there was widespread corruption in the Met, including more than a third, 36%, of black and minority ethnic (BME) Londoners.
Although overall people said they had trust in the force, the percentage distrusting the Met rose significantly among ethnic minorities with a quarter of black Londoners, 24%, and 15% of all BME people saying they thought the Met was untrustworthy.Although overall people said they had trust in the force, the percentage distrusting the Met rose significantly among ethnic minorities with a quarter of black Londoners, 24%, and 15% of all BME people saying they thought the Met was untrustworthy.
This compared to only 9% of white Londoners.This compared to only 9% of white Londoners.
Sir Bernard said: "I think in this particular survey after that shocking allegations it's probably not shocking that people have still got their concerns.
"I have said all along that I hope we are not institutionally racist and there's good evidence we are not but there's some evidence we may be."
The Met's police and civilian staff are representative of London, he said, adding one in three PCSOs are from minority background, and the figure stands at one in four for police staff as well as special constables.
He said 3,000 police officers - about 10%, are from the BME background, compared to 300 in 1993.
Stop and search operations have also come down from about 500,000 to 350,000 over the last two years, with complaints falling to 900 - a 50% drop, the commissioner said.
Over the past year the Met faced 11 allegations of racist behaviour by officers and the force has taken "severe actions" by sacking six officers.
"We aren't yet perfect, no organisation I don't think in this country is perfect in terms of things like institutional racism, but we have moved a long way," Sir Bernard added.
'Profoundly damaging''Profoundly damaging'
Stephen Lawrence was 18 when he was stabbed to death by a gang of white youths as he waited at a bus stop in south-east London.Stephen Lawrence was 18 when he was stabbed to death by a gang of white youths as he waited at a bus stop in south-east London.
It took 18 years for Gary Dobson and David Norris to be convicted of his racist murder.It took 18 years for Gary Dobson and David Norris to be convicted of his racist murder.
Appearing before the London Assembly's Police and Crime Committee last Thursday Met commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said he was "shocked" by Mr Francis's claims. Appearing before the London Assembly's Police and Crime Committee last Thursday Sir Bernard said he was "shocked" by Mr Francis's claims and acknowledged it was "profoundly damaging" to public confidence.
Len Duvall, Labour, Co-operative Member of the London Assembly for Greenwich and Lewisham, said the incidents raised issues in confidence in the management and supervision of the Met.Len Duvall, Labour, Co-operative Member of the London Assembly for Greenwich and Lewisham, said the incidents raised issues in confidence in the management and supervision of the Met.
Mr Hogan-Howe said the overall impact of the allegations were "profoundly damaging" to public confidence.
He said: "Whether it happened 16 or 20 years ago, the echo comes down the years and people want to be sure it's not happening now."
Doreen Lawrence said the claims were like "taking steps back" and that it would take time to get trust in the Met back.Doreen Lawrence said the claims were like "taking steps back" and that it would take time to get trust in the Met back.
A Met spokesman said its most recent figures showed 80% of victims were satisfied with the service they received- the highest in four years.
ComRes interviewed 1,000 London adults by telephone between Friday and Tuesday for the poll.ComRes interviewed 1,000 London adults by telephone between Friday and Tuesday for the poll.
Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe will join Vanessa Feltz on BBC London 94.9 from 09:00 BST.