It is two and a half years since the excoriating Baroness Casey review into the Metropolitan Police, which labelled the force institutionally racist, misogynistic and homophobic. Yet, despite the passage of time and institutional imperative to change, the Met is currently failing in nearly all its responsibilities, according to the police watchdog.
HM Inspector of Constabulary graded Scotland Yard over eight areas and found its performance required improvement in five and was inadequate in two: investigating crimes as well as managing offenders and suspects. For Londoners, that looks an awful lot like the meat and drink of police work. Yet there are more damning revelations. Alarmingly, the Met is not managing the risks posed by sex offenders “effectively”.
Few can doubt the enormous and unique demands placed on the Met. In addition to policing a global city, it must manage everything from vast political protests and sporting events to counter-terrorism. It also faces funding and recruitment issues.
Yet it remains clear, following yet another damning report, that the rate of improvement is not fast enough. London’s victims commissioner, Claire Waxman, called it “unacceptably slow”. The capital needs to see that improvement — and fast. Londoners are entitled to a police force worthy of a great city.
Tremendous results
For parents, teachers and most of all students, A-level results day is perhaps the defining moment of the year. Hundreds of thousands of young people received the news today.
More than a quarter of UK entries were awarded an A or A* grade, up by 0.6 percentage points. At the same time, the overall pass rate dropped slightly. In testament to the capital’s education system, London displaced the South-East as the highest performing region — a remarkable achievement.
Today’s students may not have had their A-level studies as affected by Covid and lockdowns compared with those in previous years, yet their learning was still terribly impacted by the pandemic. Moreover, others had to deal with the Raac concrete crisis. All credit must go to the schools, teachers and young people for their tremendous results.
A league of its own
The Euros — a distraction. The Olympics — a minor sporting get-together. Mid-August means the Premier League is back.
The big question for many fans (at least those in the red and white of Arsenal) is whether the wheels will finally fall off the Manchester City juggernaut. Or if any of the 115 charges against City might result in a major points penalty. Meanwhile, Chelsea and Spurs will be chasing that top-four finish and beyond.
You can follow the drama at standard.co.uk/sport.
