Agenda item

This report provides information on the operation of the Community Safety Partnership and summarises the findings of the strategic assessment. This report provides information on the Community Safety Plan covering the period from 2024 to 2027.

Discussion:

The Committee received a report on the operation of the Community Safety Partnership, the findings of the strategic assessment and the Community Safety Plan covering the period from 2024 to 2027. The Chair welcomed: Stephen Perez – Community Insights and Partnership Lead, Kent Fire and Rescue Service; Detective Chief Inspector Garry Cook, District Commander for Medway; Councillor Paterson, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, Highways and Enforcement and Chair of the Community Safety Partnership; Steve Chevis – Head of Public Health Programmes; and Chloe Rooke, Deputy Head of Service HM Prison and Probation Service.

The Committee took the opportunity to ask questions, and the discussion included the following:

Anti-social behaviour – In response to questions the Committee were advised that overall figures were down, however, there were still improvements to be made in various areas/wards. Dangerous dog incident figures were up but that was not unexpected given the focus on it and some of the national issues.  The neighbourhood policing model was going to continue, with a focus on policing being visible and contactable within wards and town centres, looking where they could make a difference and find solutions. The focus moving forward would be town centres as there was still significant work to do there especially in engaging local businesses and building trust and communication. It was noted that licensing remained the strongest deterrent and enforcement tool for licensed premises.

Members took the opportunity to request that their thanks be passed to their local police ward officers.

Violenceagainst women and girls – The Committee were advised that there had been significant improvements made, with strong police investigation teams and results, working in schools and with all partners to make a difference and ensuring the right services were available to safeguard victims as well as making arrests. Events had been held in towns centres publicising what was on offer. It was queried whether female genital mutilation, hymenoplasty and virginity testing, was specifically addressed in education settings, the Committee were advised that education and awareness would continue and there was a dedicated child protection scheme assess and if there are crime enforcement will happen. It was requested that it be ensured that this was specifically addressed at education events. The Committee were advised that the education packs would be checked to see if it needed to be added.

It was noted that simple things such as effective lighting helped with making streets feels safer for women. It was noted that proactive measures were being explored to make public spaces feel safer, and in the new year there was some planned work with licensed taxi drivers on their role in creating that feeling of safety around the nighttime economy.

Drugs and alcohol – Continued to be a national and local issue, the police continued to be as robust as possible with significant focus on disrupting County Lines and addressing local drug misuse, whilst acknowledging a holistic approach with partners in education and health were fundamental in tackling this complex issue. From a health point of view there was a collaborative approach to ensuring continuity of care and one continuous treatment journey, with a focus of empowering people to remain off substances. There was also educational work including projects looking at drivers/influencers and how this information might be used to inform safer choices

Probation Service – In response to questions the Committee were advised that there were challenges with early prisoner releases due to capacity issues, and that the recruitment of probation officers remained a concern nationally not just locally. However, there was multi-agency support being provided for early-release individuals.

Funding - In response to a query as to whether the delay in the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan submission affected action being taken, it was acknowledged that the lack of current clarity was not ideal, but it was not anticipated that funding would change, the ambitions were clear and it should not hinder the work.

Survey - Regarding the low overall response rate to the online survey, it was suggested that other forms of engaging the public in responding to the survey, maybe across more diverse social media platforms.

The Committee suggested it would be helpful to receive the ‘Breakdown of Crime Types’ by ward.

Decision:

a)             The Committee noted the findings of the strategic assessment.

b)             The Committee supported the proposed Community Safety Partnership priorities considering the strategic assessment findings and requested that Female genital mutilation (FGM), hymenoplasty and virginity testing be expressly included within the priorities and education and awareness training if not already.

c)              The Committee requested a ‘Breakdown of Crime Types’ by ward.

d)             The Committee noted the activity of the Community Safety Partnership, over the past year, in connection with the discharge by the responsible authorities of their crime and disorder functions.