BBC Panorama & Community Conversation: Tue 7th Oct
Hello,
You will no doubt have seen, or read reports from, last nights BBC One's Panorama. The programme exposed serious allegations of criminality and misconduct involving MPS officers and staff based at Charing Cross Police Station. This included excessive use of force, discriminatory, racist and misogynistic behaviour, and failures to report inappropriate conduct. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is leading the investigation into those featured.
Watching the programme was deeply challenging for all of us who care about the integrity of the Metropolitan Police Service. Whilst it was personally devastating viewing for me, and for my colleagues trying to best serve our communities, I know that for you - and the individuals and groups on the end of these appalling comments and behaviour, the impact and devastation is tenfold. You can read MPS Commissioner Mark Rowley's official response here.
Let me just add from a Tower Hamlets perspective, and on behalf of the local officers who work tirelessly every day in a positive, unprejudiced way: to see communities we represent discussed and treated in this way was shocking and incredibly upsetting, and I cannot imagine the hurt those of you who watched and saw your own beliefs, ethnicity or sex being attacked must feel. There is absolutely no place for this in society, yet alone policing, and I am determined locally to ensure we operate a zero tolerance policy. This displayed once again that the MPS has a long way to go, and whilst there are no positives from this situation, we can only try and build this into an opportunity to ensure we eliminate these thoughts and behaviours moving forward.
With this in mind, it feels perfect timing to use our Community Conversation event on 7th October to all come together as one and discuss how we move forward as a community over the next few years, and what role you want the MPS to play in that. A reminder that myself, BCU Commander Brittany Clarke and MPS Deputy Commissioner Matt Jukes QPM will be present for a Q&A session. We will be joined by a wide range of MPS officers and staff from local and central teams, and there will be plenty of locally sourced hot and cold food and drinks.
Location: Tower Hamlets Town Hall, 160 Whitechapel Road, London, E1 1BJ (a 2 minute walk from Whitechapel station)
Date: Tuesday 7th October 2025
Time: Guests are asked to arrive from 17:30 for a 18:30 start.
If you are able to attend, please accept the invitation using this Eventbrite link. Please ensure you sign up as your name will need to be registered to gain entry, and advise us when signing up if you have any dietary, mobility or access requirements. The last batch of tickets have just been added to the site.
Everyone will have the chance to ask questions during the event, and whilst we will strive to focus on local issues, of course the Deputy Commissioner will be happy to answer any challenging questions about wider MPS culture.
Please pass on this invitation to as many members of the community as you are able. I am really keen that everyone is represented and has the chance to interact with us in this important moment.
