Senior Scotland Yard officers are to face questions over why the force has the worst record in the country for dealing with victims of crime.
“Victim satisfaction” with the police in London is falling and is the lowest among big city forces.
The London Assembly’s police and crime committee has launched a review of the Met’s policy as a report from Victim Support highlights police failings in dealing with crime victims.
The Met’s own surveys found it was bottom out of all 43 forces in England and Wales for satisfaction with police actions and treatment. It was also third from last on police follow-up action.
There was also a lack of services across London for children and young people who were victims of crime while police often treated victims as possible perpetrators, particularly when they were sex workers or young people.
Committee chairwoman Joanne McCartney said: “Support and care for victims of crime must be central to the service every police force delivers.
“It is vital for public confidence in coming forward to report crimes.”
The Met says it has launched a new approach to victim care saying everyone who reports a crime in London, however small, can now ask for a visit from a police officer.
Victims will also be handed a Victim Care Card giving details such as the incident number, the investigating officer is and a checklist of other information.
A spokesman said : “We have recently introduced a new initiative of Total Victim Care, which places victims at the heart of our services. “
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