Lambeth Council leader condemns the Met for 'appalling breaches of trust' unearthed in the Casey Report

The leader of Lambeth Council has expressed her anger at the "deeply shameful" findings unearthed about the Metropolitan Police in the Casey Report.

Baroness Casey of Blackstock published a 363-page report into the culture and standards of the Met Police commissioned after the abduction, rape and murder of Sarah Everard by serving police officer Wayne Couzens.

Councillor Claire Holland in response to its publication yesterday (March 21) said: "This report is shameful, detailing appalling breaches of trust and the failure of the Met to properly protect Londoners.

"It reveals what many of us know all too well – that there is widespread failure in the Met to deal with misconduct by officers which leaves racism, misogyny and homophobia going unpunished.

"These findings may not surprise residents in Lambeth, particularly women, our LGBTQ+ communities and those from Black, Asian and Multi Ethnic backgrounds, who directly experience this racism, misogyny and homophobia. But they continue to cause distress and trauma amongst them, preventing trust in the police from being built and leaving our communities vulnerable to mistreatment.

"This report cannot be ignored as many have been before. This has to be a moment of genuine change, with an end to this cycle of mistrust and institutional racism, misogyny and homophobia."

Cllr Mahamed Hashi, Lambeth's Cabinet Member for Safer Communities remarked: "The report is a damning indictment of the Metropolitan Police and the deep-rooted discrimination that exists within the organisation. The findings are particularly shocking in relation to the safety of women and girls, who have been placed at greater risk than necessary.

"The report highlights what we know to be true in Lambeth regarding the impact of policing cuts, and the withdrawal from the frontline that many of us have experienced in our communities.

"I know that many Lambeth residents will already know the report's finding that the Met under-protects and over-polices Black Londoners. That our daily experience is recognised is important but also deeply frustrating for so many that too little action has been taken to address this until now.

"We will continue to hold the Met to account and work our local police services to root out discrimination and keep Lambeth residents safe."