PRESS RELEASE : Gangs Violence Matrix to be redesigned as focus on tackling violence continues [November 2022]

The press release issued by the Met Police on 15 November 2022.

The Metropolitan Police Service has reached a legal agreement with Liberty after proceedings were brought in relation to the Gangs Violence Matrix (GVM).

Tackling violence is one of the Met’s highest priorities and the use of data and intelligence sits at the heart of that mission.

Tools such as the GVM are essential in protecting the public but we also acknowledge that earning and maintaining the trust of the communities we police is just as important.

In recent years we have worked closely with the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) to improve the working of the GVM.

The focus of that work has been on reducing – or ideally eliminating – disproportionality in the GVM while ensuring that the processes around its use are transparent. These are similar themes to those raised by Liberty in their judicial challenge.

While we have made progress in these areas, the most recent review by MOPAC published on 31 October showed that disproportionality remained.

As a result, we took the decision to remove more than 1,100 people from the lowest (green) category of the GVM. This has already been completed.

Moving forward we have committed to the complete redesign of the matrix, informed by academic research and engagement with partners and communities over the coming months.

As a result of these actions, a settlement was able to be reached between the Met and Liberty.

Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said: “To effectively confront gang-related violence and protect those in our communities at risk of exploitation by criminal groups, we must make the best use of intelligence and data.

“It’s crucial that we hold, use and share that information in a responsible way that meets our legal requirements and maintains the confidence of communities.

“The GVM has been in use since 2012 and it has been an effective tool during that time, playing a part in results that have had a genuine impact on protecting the public.

“But we acknowledge that it does not have the full confidence of the public and that there have been improvements in statistical methods and technologies since its introduction. To keep pace with those changes and to ensure we maintain the trust of Londoners, the GVM needs to be redesigned.

“The redesign will be achieved in collaboration with partners and community groups, informed by the most relevant and leading academic research.

“This work will take time but we are not waiting for it to be completed before taking action.

“Having reflected on MOPAC’s most recent review and on the continuing disproportionality that it highlighted, we have already removed more than 1,100 of the lowest risk individuals, representing 65 per cent of those on the GVM.”