Agenda item
Scrutiny spotlight - Borough Commander (Presentation)
Minutes:
Chief Superintendent Dave Stringer attended the meeting and gave a detailed presentation to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the performance in the key areas of concern in the Borough (Violence with Injury; Domestic Violence; and Anti-social Behaviour) and the challenges for the future.
The Borough Commander reported a high level of anti-social behaviour in the Borough which he was keen to work on. Work was also needed on reducing the times victims wait before reporting domestic violence. The increases shown were increases in reporting offences rather than an increase in offences committed.
Key areas of concern were also around gang violence, gun crime, knife robbery and robbery of young people and Chief Supt. Stringer spoke of the work of the family intervention team in these areas. The Police also worked closely with local schools to establish good links. There had been significant successes in the field of gang crime with a low level of gun crime, however there was much more work to be done.
Levels of burglary against older people had decreased and the Borough generally had low levels of this type of crime compared with other Boroughs. There had been an increase in violent crime between last year and this year. The Borough had high levels of violence with injury with an overall increase, but showing reductions in specific areas.
Chief Supt. Stringer advised that the Borough Police’s initial response to Domestic Violence was different to every other Borough in London. He explained the arrest process and the provision of the best possible service to the victim, providing them with a named support from the start of the process. The Borough had achieved the best arrest and solving rates in the Met in a three month period. Victim satisfaction with the specialist court was high and the objective of taking the burden off the victim was being met. Despite there being much more to do, the initial signs were encouraging.
Members asked a number of questions, seeking clarification on non-molestation orders and the discrepancy in the data provided at the meeting compared to the data on the website as one showed an increase and one showed a decrease in the figures on burglary. Chief Supt. Stringer advised there had been an increase of 25% last year. In response to Members questions, he also advised that extra resources would be concentrated on tackling the high levels of anti-social behaviour in the Spitalfields and Banglatown area. Members of the Committee expressed concern that anti-social behaviour also occurred within estates and asked for assurances that this problem would be also be tackled.
Chief Supt. Stringer advised that residents were particularly concerned about anti-social behaviour and drugs in the Borough. Tower Hamlets had the second highest level of drug activity in London, the first being Westminster. Much good work had taken place to tackle the problems around Devons Road and the Aberfeldy Estate, however there was much to be done. There were issues in the Brick Lane/Whitechapel area with alcohol abuse and there was a need to focus resources. The Metropolitan Police wanted more officers in neighbourhood policing. Anti-social behaviour injunctions had been effective. More could be done to publicise the work in local neighbourhoods.
Mr Andy Bamber, Service Head Safer Communities, highlighted the work being done from the Local Authority perspective around anti-social behaviour, in particular around enforcement of noise. The Tower Hamlets Enforcement Officers (THEOs) service had been reconfigured, with a redirected telephone number and altered working hours to enable officers to respond throughout the night. The THEOs would be linking up with Registered Social Landlords and money had been invested by the Council into additional Police officers for the Borough. There had been investment in the Dealer a Day initiative, and close work with the Probation Service and local Health services. There had also been investment in CCTV, with links being built into the CCTV systems of RSLs.
Mr Bamber advised that a drinking control zone had been introduced and the Council was working with teams around the Brick Lane/Whitechapel market area. Walkabouts had taken place and action plans produced for each Ward. A forthcoming report to Cabinet proposed a Saturation Policy for Brick Lane which would prevent any additional premises opening in the area, but would not affect existing businesses. The aim was to bring the Licensing teams of the Council and the Police together. Chief Supt. Stringer advised that he was committed to co-locating to improve service to residents.
Members welcomed the joined up approach but sought assurances that measures were in place to ensure that problems did not return when the police presence left an area. Concern was expressed about lack of communication, particularly the publicising of SNT meetings. It was felt that more could be done to make the meetings accessible. Chief Supt. Stringer informed the Committee that the aim was to work with RSLs and the community to achieve a more sustainable outcome. He highlighted the importance of the walkabouts and the involvement of the Councillors.
Chief Supt. Stringer spoke about the work around tackling vice in the Borough. More officers and effective enforcement action was needed. A working party had been established to formulate a strategy and vision statement. He hoped that a dedicated unit would be announced in due course. The Committee felt that a multi-agency approach was needed for prevention. It was noted that there was a twin track approach for enforcement and diversion.
The Chair thanked Chief Superintendent Stringer for attending the meeting and his detailed presentation.