The Violence Suppression Unit (VSU)[1] is a type of unit of the Frontline Policing Directorate, formerly known as Territorial Policing, which is part of London's Metropolitan Police Service (MPS). Its role is to combat street crime, violence, and knife offences, as well as track down high-harm fugitives.[2]
The VSUs were created in 2020 to amalgamate the previous Borough Crime Squads under one umbrella.[3] The introduction of the units has led to more than 6,000 arrests, over 1,000 weapons confiscated, and more than £1 million seized since inception.[2]
Officers attached to a VSU tend to be experienced officers who are trained in police driving, public order and both the covert and overt carriage of tasers.[3]
History
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In the years prior to the creation of the VSUs, homicide rates in London had been on the rise; leading to a ten year high in 2019.[4] In response to a continued increase in street violence, the Metropolitan Police Service implemented the VSUs by consolidating and expanding already existing teams throughout the force.[3]
Objectives
The VSUs have been tasked with increasing the overall safety of the areas to which they are stationed. Their primary focus is on making high-risk and high-harm arrests, patrolling in high crime activity areas, mobilising in high violence areas, projecting a large command presence in hot spot areas. The latter is accomplished using large numbers of uniformed constables and marked vehicles.[3]
Unit assignments as a whole include supporting of commanders in coordinating pan-London activities, making high-risk and high-harm arrests, executing manhunts for high-risk suspects, executing search warrants, responding to crimes in progress, and targeted enforcement against high-risk offenders.
The VSUs are split into teams, with each team comprising two elements: a proactive element (crime squad), and a visible element. Having the teams split into these elements provide the unit with a high level of flexibility, as well as provide the constables involved with opportunities to develop more diverse skillsets.[3]
Proactive element
The proactive element of the VSU is tasked with handling the majority of high-risk suspects, being tasked with targeting repeat offenders that are particularly dangerous (e.g. involved in or suspected of knife possession, robbery, drug trafficking). According to an MSP disclosure, the unit is "able to look at and break down the wider circle of associates linked to individuals and undertake proactive targeting to reduce violence and as needed, refer individuals into supporting diversion schemes."[3]
Visible element
The visible element of the VSU is responsible for the visibility of the team in high crime areas, and is used to support the proactive element during arrest phases.[3]
Equipment and vehicles
Each VSU should be equipped with at least two high visibility marked police minibuses, and at least 3 "Q" unmarked covert cars, all with response capabilities. They will also have shared access to protected police vans and personnel carriers.[3]
Like all front-line MSP officers, VSU officers are equipped with speedcuffs, collapsible batons, and tear gas containing CS or PAVA. They also have the capability to carry the X2 Taser. All unit officers are expected to be trained in Level 2 Public Order (riot training) and rapid entry.[3]
Individual BCUs may choose to equip their VSU officers with other equipment such as a kit for specialist entry and tyre deflation devices such as spike strips. Some VSU teams have trialled fitting a dog cage within the unit's unmarked vehicles. This can be utilised with a dedicated Police Dog Handler to assist the unit when required.[5]
Recruitment
Officers wanting to join a VSU are selected from BCU officers by a submission of interest supported by a line manager. There may be an interview process and desirable attributes include experience in proactive policing, an understanding of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act, understanding manhunts and fugitive hunting, being trained in Level 2 Public Order and rapid entry, being trained in the use of tasers, covert or standard, and being an advanced or response police driver.[3] During the initial phase of recruitment, officers from anywhere in the MPS could apply to address a shortage of volunteers from some BCUs. As of November 2020, the initial phase has ended and applicants can only transfer from within the same BCU.[6]
Criticism
Similar to the Territorial Support Groups and their predecessors, the Special Patrol Groups, the VSUs have been criticised for racial profiling and the use of stop and search.[7] After the conception of the VSUs, stop and search actions have increased by 8%.[2] The VSU was predicted to be racially disproportionate prior to its conception and the MSP considered whether it would go ahead.[8]
The VSUs have also been likened to the units of the same name founded in California. The Merced Police Department (PD) established a gang VSU in 1994, the Salinas PD founded its VSU in 1995, and Concord PD's VSU dates back to 2015. These have been criticised for their aggressive patrol strategies.[7]
Leadership
The VSU is part of the Frontline Policing Directorate and as such is led by the senior leadership team of the BCU. The VSU teams will be run by a police sergeant and a detective or police inspector under the CID.[3]
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