The police force admitted in 2022 that its database of mainly black people was unlawful and breached human rights

Campaigners have urged Londoners who may have experienced discrimination by the Metropolitan Police over the past decade to seek justice before it’s too late.

The Met’s gangs violence matrix (GVM) operated from 2012 to 2022, after being setup in response to the London riots of August 2011, and was a watchlist of mainly black people who the police force designated based on vague criteria, including who their family or friends were, or what music videos they shared on social media. Children as young as twelve were added to the database.

Personal data of those on the database were shared widely with third parties such as schools, housing associations and government bodies. Campaigners said this put people at further risk of over-policing, as well as possible school exclusion, eviction, and in some cases being stripped of welfare benefits, deportation or even children being taken into care.

Earlier this year, the Met finally axed GVM in response to the criticism and concerns raised. It came after a legal challenge in 2022 from not-for-profit organisation Unjust UK and claimant Awate Suleiman, who believed he was on the matrix but initially had requests to disclose if he was on the database refused by the Met. In agreeing to overhaul the database, the Met acknowledged that the matrix breached the right to a private and family life.

Campaigners from the coalition Erase the Database are now urging Londoners to submit a ‘subject access request’ to the Met before the database is deleted. The group – made up of Unjust, Tottenham Rights and The 4Front Project, based in Edgware – said that finding out if someone was listed on GVM is a final chance for “those harmed by the gangs matrix to seek justice and accountability”.

Reports have previously revealed that up to 4,000 people were stored on the matrix at any given time. The majority (78%) of those on the database were black, and 80% were aged between twelve and 24.

The database, and all data held on it, is set to be permanently deleted by the Met on 13th February. The Met has agreed to inform people who submit a subject access request if they were ever included on it.

Katrina French, founder and managing director of Unjust UK, said: “Sadly, justice has yet to be delivered to the thousands of children and young people that for over a decade had their rights breached and lives negatively impacted by the gangs matrix. The Met must be held accountable by these individuals and submitting a subject access request is a crucial first step. We are here to help people that want to enforce their legal rights.”

Stafford Scott, director of Tottenham Rights, said: “While we welcome the decision compelling the Metropolitan Police to cease using its racially discriminatory database, which we believe has exacerbated youth violence across London, it is essential that the Met takes accountability by informing individuals whose names were unjustly included. Such transparency would demonstrate a genuine commitment to learning from past mistakes.

“However, in the absence of such action, it falls upon us as a community to identify and support those wrongfully accused of gang affiliation, ensuring they receive justice and holding the Met accountable for the harm caused.”

Hope Chilokoa-Mullen, lead community organiser at The 4Front Project based in Edgware, added: “The gangs matrix has done lasting damage, and while its discontinuation is welcomed, we are still waiting to see justice for those who have suffered under its use.

“We’ve seen young people unable to register for colleges or get driving licences, and entire families threatened with eviction as a result of racist police surveillance. Young people in our communities need to be given the opportunity for healing, and to do this, those harmed by the gangs matrix must have the chance to seek justice and accountability.”

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