Agenda item

To provide a six monthly update to the Scrutiny Commission.

Members were provided with a six monthly update on the work of the Community Safety Partnership. Inspector Emma Maxwell of Leicestershire Police and Chris Parsons of Leicestershire Fire & Rescue were also present to present their perspective. During the presentation, the following points were noted:

·         The increase in hate crime and domestic violence was influenced by encouraging victims to report these crimes so did not necessarily reflect an increase in the incidents

·         Theft from vehicles had decreased

·         Some crimes could be pre-empted and plans put in place, for example addressing the increase in rural crime in September

·         The decrease in antisocial behaviour was partly due to a change in the way it was recorded. The borough council had seen an increase in the number of anti social behaviour cases it was managing

·         Knife crime, which is of increasing concern particularly in the city centre, was being addressed via talks in schools to raise awareness of the penalties and consequences associated with this type of crime

·         There had been a 33% improvement on call handling since the previous year and online reporting was to be trialled

·         In addition to the continuing high performance of the fire service highlighted in the report, there were other aspects of the role not reported including supporting the ambulance service and working with vulnerable people which involved increasing volumes of work.

Members felt that the output of the partnership for the funding available provided great value for money.

A member made reference to the Pride alarm scheme which had ceased previously and said they were not aware of a current scheme. Officers explained that the scheme was for vulnerable people and that members of the public could access the scheme if they fit the criteria. They agreed to send details to members.

It was suggested that community policing needed to strengthen links with the community, and concern was expressed that monthly newsletters created by the local policing teams didn’t always seem to be received by the local councillors. Concern was also expressed that, on a few occasions, vehicle crime in progress had been reported using the 101 number but the call handler had claimed there was nothing they could do. Inspector Maxwell explained that the newsletters were sent to parish councils monthly and advised members to contact her if they were not being received. She also asked that parishes invite their local policing team to parish council meetings and that, whilst they would not be able to attend every meeting, if they didn’t attend for long periods, she could follow up. She also asked members to contact her directly if they experienced negativity from call handlers when using the 101 number. She explained that, whilst struggling to recruit staff in the call centre, they were looking at best practice from companies with high performing call centres to learn from and improve their service.

Inspector Maxwell reported on the safer roads team that was being set up and asked members to let her know of any particular problem areas to be able to inform the team. Discussion ensued on the difficulty of co-ordinating with Leicestershire County Council to be able to install speed warning signs, even where the parish council purchased the signs there were issues with arranging for lampposts to be assessed to be able to erect the signs. Officers confirmed that these issues had been raised with the county council but would be taken back for discussion. In relation to concern about overweight lorries using particular roads, members were asked to make a note of the operating company so action could be taken against them if appropriate.

A member suggested they had reported drug crime a few times but no action appeared to have been taken. In response, Inspector Maxwell explained that the information would have been logged in order to build a picture of the activity to ensure there was sufficient evidence and she emphasised the importance of continuing to report even when it seemed that no action was being taken.

RESOLVED –

(i)            The work of the Community Safety Partnership be welcomed;

(ii)           The concerns expressed about detachment between the police and the community/parish councils be noted;

(iii)          The development of a web portal for reporting crime be supported and be proactively promoted when available.