The Committee will receive a presentation from the Executive Mayor John Biggs’s on his priorities.

The Chair introduced the main substantive item this evening that will focus on the Mayor’s Spotlight.

He (i) thanked the Executive Mayor John Biggs and the Chief Executive Will Tuckley for, attending this evenings meeting; and (ii) indicated that that the Committee wished to understand:

v  Council’s Response to Covid-19.

v  Pandemic Recovery Priorities; and

v  Achievements of this past year and any Non Covid challenges and situations for Tower Hamlets.

The key themes arising from the questioning on the presentation may be summarised as follows:

The Committee:

v  Enquired what the Council and its partners would be doing to address residents’ concerns (i) following the murder investigations that are underway following fatal stabbings in Poplar and Canning Town; and (ii) in regard to addressing the high incidence anti-social behaviour in Tower Hamlets.

v  Noted that as a consequence of these fatal stabbings a section 60 notice had been issued.

v  Noted that whilst police-recorded crime had seen its biggest annual decrease since 2010 with robbery and theft having dropped dramatically during 2020 as  people have not been in as many situations where they felt they had to pull a knife or a gun because people have not been gathering at places like they used to before lockdown, but with restrictions being lifted there are concerns of a spike in knife and gun crime as venues re-open and groups begin to mix again in public places - increasing the potential for conflict.

v  Noted that there are two types of people who tend to carry weapons – criminals for threats and their protection because of their lifestyle choices and young people who believe that every other young person is carrying a knife.  The police can tackle the first group by concentrating on organised gang crime, but a lot needs to be done to help the young people change their mindset so that they realise that not everyone carries a knife despite what they are led to believe.

v  Was advised that the recent stabbings in Poplar and Canning Town have led to a renewed focus on knife crime and how to reduce it.  One power available to the Police Service being a Section 60 notice and understood that a significant percentage of older people in the Borough feel if its use means that lives can be saved, then these residents feel it is a very good thing.

v  Noted the increased activity of local policing teams in the Bethnal Green; Spitalfields and Whitechapel wards these officers are made up of officers based in the area, supported by additional officers from the wider area who are working closely with LBTH, organisations, partners to address local problems.

v  Was pleased to be informed about the crackdown on antisocial behaviour including the use of nitrous oxide, with police officers undertaking foot patrols and the Council’s Trading Standards Officers  working with the police and residents to tackle retail outlets that sell gas to people who misuse it.  In addition, it was noted that residents  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7