Agenda item

This report provides information on the operation of the Community Safety Partnership from December 2015, which summarises the findings of the strategic assessment. The current Community Safety Plan runs from 2013 – 2016. This report provides information on the proposed plan to cover the period from 2016 – 2020.

Discussion:

The Chairman welcomed all the partners of the Community Safety Partnership (CSP) to the meeting.

The Committee was reminded that the scrutiny of the CSP was last carried out in December 2015.

The Chairman of the CSP, Councillor Gulvin introduced the report and the Committee discussed the following topics:

·         Emerging Trends – Homelessness

In response to a question as to how the CSP is making a difference to homeless individuals in Medway, it was confirmed that the various partner agencies of the CSP worked together to provide help and support to homeless people. In recognition that being homeless was often not the only factor affecting an individual, the CSP also worked in close partnership with Alcohol Concern’s Blue Light Project.

Inspector Dyball also advised that a number of homeless individuals received support from members of the community in setting up tents and creating camps and the provision of food. Unfortunately, whilst this support was provided with good intentions, it did not assist the CSP partner agencies in trying to engage homeless individuals and finding them the support that they required so they could be helped to get off the streets.

·         Emerging Trends – County Lines and Cuckooing

Inspector Dyball advised the Committee of the emerging trend for drug dealers from London travelling through the Home Counties to widen their supply network. Incidents of ‘Cuckooing’ had arisen whereby drug dealers identified a vulnerable person and moved into their property with a view to taking it over to supply drugs. The CSP was actively involved in identifying and safeguarding individuals considered to be at a high risk of falling prey to this type of scheme. As a result of work undertaken by local Police and PCSO’s, in the past 12 months, 322 arrests had been made resulting in 235 charges being brought against offenders, a number of whom had been processed through the courts and sentenced.

Inspector Dyball referred to Operation Jupiter which was having a positive affect in reducing drug related crime.

·         Continuity of PCSO’s

In response to a concern that PCSOs were continually moving around and therefore lacked continuity for residents and Ward Councillors, Inspector Dyball advised that it was often the case that after a period of time as a PCSO, individuals decided to join the Police and this therefore resulted in some movement of PCSOs. However, he advised that a recruitment programme was in place and it was likely that numbers of both Police Officers and PCSOs would increase in Medway in the near future.

·         CSP Activities

A Member requested that a list of activities in which the CSP were engaged be circulated to Members.

·         Recording of crime statistics

Inspector Dyball confirmed that although there had been some issues in the past with the recording of crime statistics, Kent Police had put in place measures to correct this and he was now able to confirm that an internal inspection showed that Kent Police had achieved 96.5% accuracy in recording of crime.

He advised that the improved method of recording crime had resulted in increases to the crime statistics mainly in the areas of violence, albeit these were lower level assaults and an increase in domestic abuse. He explained that under the new method of recording crimes, if previous historic crimes came to light as a result of questioning, these were also recorded and therefore this also added to the increased level of reported crime. He also explained that one incident of sexting can result in four crimes e.g. creating the image, sending the image, receiving the image and viewing or downloading the image.

He advised upon a number of criminal activities where the statistics indicated a decrease in criminal activity including burglary and theft from motor vehicles.

The Chairman requested that Inspector Dyball provide a copy of the up to date crime statistics to the Democratic Services Officer for circulation to Members of the Committee.

·         Emerging trends – child sexual exploitation

Inspector Dyball outlined the work of the Medway Safety Children’s Board which involved a wide range of agencies and delivered programmes in schools.

Roy Smith – Operations Manager Youth Service also reported upon the work undertaken by the Medway Safeguarding Board in particular around the issues of cyber bullying and sexting.

·         Funding for the CSP

The Committee was informed that the allocation of £93,000 for the CSP was determined by a strategy group of the CSP attended by all of the strategic partners.

Decision:

The Committee agreed:

a)            To note the findings of the strategic assessment.

b)            To confirm that in the light of the strategic assessment findings, the Community Safety Plan priorities remain unchanged.

c)            To note that Inspector Dyball has agreed to supply up to date crime statistics to the Democratic Services Officer for circulation to Members of the Committee.

d)            To note that a list of events at which the CSP will be present in 2017 will be supplied and circulated to Members of the Committee.

e)            To note that there will be improved communication with Ward Councillors in the provision of information on policing and PCSO’s in Wards.