Agenda item

Report of the Commissioner (copy attached).

The Committee received a report of the Commissioner detailing key statistics in relation to road traffic casualties and collisions and identifying those measures in place to mitigate the risks of these, as well as including updates around the Force’s partnership working and outcomes.

It was noted that the volume of collisions in the City had risen in recent years and, with the number of people cycling in the City expected to continue to increase, addressing the issue was of high importance. Reference was also made to the role played by careless pedestrians, and issues around motorcycles, which were involved in a high proportion of accidents but not the responsible party in the majority of cases, and so were vulnerable to irresponsible behaviour by other road users. Both enforcement and education would be key in improving road safety, with a view to achieving a long-term impact.

Reference was made to Operation Atrium, which had seen 482 fixed penalty notices issued in October alone and resulted in around 50% of those issued notices attending the Force’s educational programmes as a result, demonstrating the good effect such initiatives could achieve. The need to become less insular and better join-up with national structures to pick up on learning and best practice was also stressed, as was the importance of partnership working, particularly with the Corporation, to do more to deliver a holistic approach to the issue.

In respect of joined-up working with the Corporation, it was advised that in mid-January all key officers would be attending half-day workshop and that a number of areas where duplication or gaps existed had already been identified, which could be targeted or officers could be co-located so as to improve delivery and drive fundamental changes. A report similar to the one presented today would also be going to Streets & Walkways Sub-Committee.

The Lead Member commented that she was aware that the City of London Police also had the ability to sit on the London Road Safety Council, and encouraged them to do so as a means of ensuring further progress in pursuing a joined-up approach.

RECEIVED.