Agenda item

Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs) are under a duty to produce a Community Safety Plan to formulate and implement a strategy to reduce crime and disorder, combat substance misuse, and reduce re-offending.

This report provides information on the operation of the CSP 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:

Cllr Paterson introduced the report, thanked all partner organisations for their contribution and attendance as part of the Community Safety Partnership (CSP) and highlighted progress in key areas, including action against violence against women and girls (VAWG), CCTV improvements aiding policing and the Chatham High Street Ambassador Scheme.

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

Child Grooming Concerns – Members raised concerns about grooming of underage children. Kent Police confirmed it was a high priority, with daily case reviews and proactive investigations.

Defibrillator Maintenance – Members queried upkeep of community-funded defibrillators. Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) assured the Committee that regular reviews took place at fire station locations.

Electric Scooters & Off-Road Bikes – It was reported that enforcement was ongoing and recent operations had resulted in seizures.

Underage Vape Sales – The Committee were informed that Trading Standards lead on enforcement and significant confiscations had been reported. The child centred policing team at Kent Police worked with trading standards on this issue.

Chatham High Street Ambassadors – The CSP were pleased to report that the pilot project had been successful, and funding had been secured for a few more months via a crime reduction grant. The scheme had a positive impact on business confidence and public perception.

Public Perception of Safety – Members were concerned that despite an increased police presence, perception remained low. The importance of tools such as ‘My Community Voice’, beat officers and the use of social media in publicising the work of the CSP was highlighted. The challenge of the public perception and external factors was acknowledged.

Flags – Members expressed disappointment with the initial view taken by Kent Police regarding flags that had been put up in Medway, however every flag had now been removed by the Council. Kent Police supported the clear view the Chief Constable had expressed regarding the flags but provided support to Medway Council and their contractors when the flags were removed.

Online radicalisation – Kent Police reported an increase in referrals to Prevent from schools, and this was regularly reviewed with Counter Terrorism teams and centrally managed. A focus on early intervention and the monitoring of online messaging was reported.

Violence Against Women & Girls  – The CSP clarified that the strategy focused on perpetrators, not victims and Members called for the explicit inclusion of misogyny and the incel movement in the refreshed CSP plan. Schools programmes address relationships, consent, sexual health and the Probation Service had initiatives tackling toxic masculinity and supporting women.

Road Safety & Speeding – A number of steps had been taken to improve road safety and school streets was one of the tools working towards this alongside enforcement. The Kent & Medway Road Safety Partnership was active in education and prosecution for careless and dangerous driving.

Funding Concerns – It was recognised that the crime reduction grant from the Police and Crime Commissioner was not guaranteed for future years and contingency planning would be needed.

Decision:

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

b)    The Committee supported the proposed CSP priorities in light of the strategic assessment findings.

c)    The Committee scrutinised the activity of the CSP over the past year, in connection with the discharge by the responsible authorities of their crime and disorder functions.