Agenda item

Presentation: Police and Crime Commissioner

Meeting of Safer Policy and Performance Board, Tuesday, 12th November, 2013 6.30 p.m. (Item 23.)

Minutes:

The Board received a verbal presentation from the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Mr John Dwyer. Mr Dwyer thanked the Board for inviting him to the meeting and indicated that his focus was on neighbourhoods, and that he regularly attended Parish Council meetings on a regular basis throughout the county in order to meet as many people as possible and discuss issues in the various communities.

Mr Dwyer reported that he was a retired Police Officer of 30 years and his home county had been Nottinghamshire, then he had moved to the West Midlands and finally Cheshire. He explained that the Police Service had first been established in 1829 and detailed the changes up to his current post as PCC via a direct election in May 2012.

The Board was advised that the PCC from taking up the post on 22 November 2012, had become responsible for the Policing Plan and the budget. It was reported that the Policing Plan was available on line and in local libraries. A leaflet on the main aims of the Plan had also been sent to all households in the Cheshire area. In addition, it was reported that an APP was also available for mobile phones and devices. The APP contained lots of information on the Police Service, including contact numbers for local police officers.

The Board was further advised that his main aim was to reduce crime throughout the Cheshire area, even though it was the lowest it had been since 1990. There was a need to divert recurring offenders, who only represented a small percentage of the community, but were having a significant impact in the communities. Anti-social behaviour was also a key priority in the Borough. Anti-social behaviour had remained stable but could be improved and the Police Constable had been requested to look at ways of dealing with this matter. Burglary in a dwelling had increased and the detection rate was as low as 7% in some areas. Police Officers were now attending every burglary, including burglary from sheds and the situation was subsequently improving. In addition, it was reported that the number of people who had been killed in road traffic accidents had also been reduced.

It was reported that Heritage Crime, Business Crime and Rural Crime had been introduced and were recorded separately so that they could be targeted and dealt with more efficiently. It was also reported that there was a considerable amount of theft of garden equipment and animals.

It was highlighted, that 104 Special Police Constables had been recruited since November 2012 and by March 2014, there would be a further 100 recruited which would significantly benefit communities. The special constables, it was reported, did not receive a salary, but would receive training and were expected to work 17 hours a month. However, it was highlighted that the special constables would not replace the regular Police Officers.

The Youth Ambassador had been appointed earlier this year, Dominic Rogers, and he was key to ensuring the policing needs of youth in Cheshire were addressed. The new Policing Plan next year would also include young people.

In conclusion, it was reported that £100,000 was available via the Police and Crime Prevention Fund. The criteria for the funding was that it met targets within the Police Plan and would be subject to match funding. The funding was available to benefit local communities. and to date £60,000 had been allocated to projects.

The following comments arose from the presentation:-

· A Member of the Board reported that a resident had been unable to get into contact with the Police to report a burglary, and when she eventually reported the incident the Police response had been poor. The PCC indicated that such feedback was invaluable and he requested that details of the incident be sent directly to him so that he could deal with the matter;

· A Member of the Board raised concern in respect of the witness support scheme. He reported that witnesses had to wait in the same room as offenders and their families during the trial and as a result they were very often subjected to verbal abuse and aggression. He added that this was preventing witnesses coming forward as they felt vulnerable and unprotected. In response, the PCC acknowledged the issue and reported that Baroness Helen Newlove had discussed this issue in her book and was working closely with the Government on how victims/witnesses were supported during this time;

· The excellent work Police Community Support Officers (PCSO’s) undertook in the various communities was noted. However, concern was raised that recently, they had been rotated around the various wards on a regular basis. It was reported that rotating PCSO’s did not allow them to gain public confidence; gain valuable ward knowledge or get involved in community action. In addition, it was reported that they no longer attended residents meetings, which was a valuable way of engaging with people in their communities. It was suggested that in order to be effective they should be allocated specific wards and should resume their attendance at the residents meetings. In response, it was reported that there had been some issues last year and it had resulted in PCSO’s rotating around the various wards. However, it was reported that PCSO’s were a valuable resource and would remain at the same level (222) this year. Discussions on this issue had taken place and it had been acknowledged that continuity and stability was important in order for them to be effective in their role;

· Clarity was sought on how anti-social behaviour was being addressed in the area. The PCC replied that nothing new had been developed. Anti-social behaviour was being dealt with by positive action and discussions had taken place on how to improve these actions. Restorative justice was recognised as an excellent method of dealing with this issue. It was reported that the magistrates were also involved in scrutinising this service. However, it was also reported that anti-social behaviour was only committed by a small percentage of people;

· It was noted that four Local Authorities across Cheshire were in discussions to develop a Government initiative to develop and Alcohol Action Plan;

· The significant impact alcohol abuse had in communities, domestic violence and on numerous agencies and the significant funding that had been invested to address this issue was noted. It was also noted that the extended licensing hours had not been successful in reducing alcohol abuse in this country; and

· It was noted that Cheshire and Merseyside Police Forces were not going to be amalgamated, but were looking at possibilities of collaboration in some areas in order to make a financial saving.