A new idea for Operation Trident

The Met currently runs a very successful CID operation called OPERATION TRIDENT targetting black-on-black gun crime and murders in some boroughs. It has been so successful at bringing in the results and building bridges with the community that the conviction rate for these offences is now at 70%, when before it was in the 30% area.

This is a great success but I think we need to move beyond this into improving the safety out on the streets not just in SOME areas, but everywhere; and not just black-on-black gun crime, but ALL gun crime and violent crimes.

With this in mind, a new plan could be unveiled. A new enforcement arm of Operation Trident, called Trident Enforcer Units. These units would be rapid reaction and paramilitary patrol units, with authorised firearms officers, using high performance vehicles and the latest technology to provide a paramilitary response and tough enforcement to put the fear into potential serious criminals. The aim of these units is to bring control of every street back to the police and away from the gangsters to bring about REAL community safety. In many areas things are so bad only armed officers can feasibly do this. These units would re-dress the balance towards the police and the law abiding members of society.

The TEU units would be pan-London response units with bases all over the city concentrated in the problem areas such as Lambeth, Hackney, Brent, etc. The officers would be the cream of the force, with permission granted for them to wear special uniforms consisting of SWAT-style garb with "METROPOLITAN POLICE - TRIDENT ENFORCEMENT UNIT". They would be armed to the normal requirements of an armed response vehicle. The vehicles would be the same as the current model (BMW 530td) only in black with the trident symbol and special markings applied for high visibility so that would be trouble makers are well aware that the police are around.

The TEU units would be scrambled by HQ to attend all serious incidents involving gangs, and other serious incidents depending on priority and circumstances. Their remit would be to provide a paramilitary ARV response to firearms and gang activities, and to reduce firearms and knife incidents (inc robberies, serious assaults and murders) in their areas.

To introduce a performance encouragement element into this, each TEU sector would compete for the highest clear-up rate and reduction in crime. The winning sector for each month would receive a performance-related bonus, such as a cash pay-out or a prize.

With these units on the streets, the successes of Operation Trident could well be transferred onto all other serious crimes outside their original remit.