Since the Trident Command Team was established in 1998, Lambeth has seen significant reductions in gang-related crime.
It was reported yesterday that the Trident Command Team, which was established in 1998 following a series of gang-related shootings in Lambeth, had ceased operations and its duties subsumed into a regular homicide unit.
In a statement released yesterday, MPS confirmed that investigations into shooting homicides would now be carried out by Homicide and Serious Crime Command.
But it said Trident Gang Crime Command will retain responsibility for all other non-fatal shooting incidents.
Steve Rodhouse, Commander for Gangs and Organised Crime said: “I believe that this change of approach will significantly improve our ability to drive down levels of gun and knife crime in London.”
But there have been criticisms of the decision from those who previously worked on Trident.
Claudia Webbe, a former Trident advisor, told LBC radio: “Without the murder investigation team, the police will find it increasingly difficult to infiltrate, interrogate and investigate these types of murders.”
She added: “They claim Trident still exists but it is just a name now.”
Trident’s remit was expanded last year when Trident Gang Crime Command was established to lead MPS’s response to gang crime.
In its first year the unit saw a significant drop in violence with only five deaths attributed to gangs.
Yesterday’s statement is confirmation that the anti-gang squad will be refocusing efforts on being proactive in communities.
The Met will provide an additional 120 officers to Trident Gang Crime Command proactive teams.
Lambeth, one of the main areas for Trident, has seen significant reductions in gang-related crime. Gun violence is now at a historical low and serious youth violence is down 29 percent across all London boroughs.
Since April 2012 over 4,500 gang-related arrests have been made and over 100 firearms seized.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Wild-Smith, with thanks.
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