Agenda item
SCRUTINY SPOTLIGHT - COMMUNITY SAFETY
- Meeting of Overview & Scrutiny Committee, Tuesday, 10th September, 2013 7.00 p.m. (Item 5.)
- View the background to item 5.
To receive an oral presentation from Mr Stringer , Borough Commander of the Metropolitan Police and Councillor Ohid Ahmed, Deputy Mayor.
Minutes:
8.1 Community Safety Partnership Plan 2013-16
Variation of Order of Business
At this juncture the Chair informed OSC members that he considered it appropriate that the Order of Business be varied so that agenda item 8.1 “Community Safety Partnership Plan 2013-16” be considered in conjunction with agenda item 5 “Scrutiny Spotlight - Community Safety” because the content of the items was thematically linked. Accordingly the Chair Moved and it was:-
Resolved
1. That the order of business be varied to allow for Agenda Items 5 and 8.1 below be considered in conjunction:
· Agenda item 5. Scrutiny Spotlight - Community Safety
· Agenda item 8.1 Community Safety Partnership Plan 2013-16
2. Subsequently return to the order of business detailed in the agenda.
Special Circumstances and Reasons for Urgency
The Chair informed members of the Committee that the special circumstances and reasons for urgency associated with the proposals were detailed on the front page of the report and that the Constitution required that he agree these before OSC consideration of the report could take place. The Chair subsequently agreed the special circumstances and reasons for urgency as set out on the front page of the report and also set out below:
The Community Safety Plan is a statutory document that the Council is obliged to deliver at the earliest available opportunity. A request was made by the Chair of Overview and Scrutiny to clarify the public consultation section of the plan; this was done by amending the appendices requiring additional legal input. Deferment would adversely impact on the Council’s ability to engage with the Partnership to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour.
Declaration of Interest
Councillor Gardiner declared a personal and professional interest in agenda item 8.1 Community Safety Partnership Plan 2013-16 as the content/ recommendations in the report were pertinent to the future of the Probation Service in Tower Hamlets and Councillor Gardiner was a serving Probation Officer.
Mr Dave Stringer, Borough Commander Metropolitan Police, gave a detailed presentation on performance relating to crime/ community safety and associated challenges/opportunities in Tower Hamlets as follows:
· Providing a comparative analysis (with neighbouring boroughs) of levels of reported crime summarised in a Tabled colour version of the chart set out at Appendix 5 to the report (pg 114 agenda pack). Also highlighting the detection level for reported crime (26% of overall crime solved over the past 12 months, one of the highest rates in London).
· Highlighting challenges and opportunities relating to Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB):-
- ASB levels were second-highest of London boroughs and it formed a very large proportion of matters that concerned the community.
- High levels around nuisance, alcohol / drugs and prostitution (latter numbers small and limited to certain areas but never the less a problem). A vice unit has recently been established and vice crime was now starting to fall.
- Acknowledged linkage of domestic abuse and prostitution/ other criminality & social issues were being addressed through a strategy to tackle violence against women & girls. The good practice of the Partnership in addressing domestic abuse was now being replicated to tackle prostitution, and other councils were now learning from LBTH.
- There were excellent drug and alcohol treatment facilities in LBTH, but an ancillary consequence was that substance misusers came to the borough for treatment and tended to stay along with some of the associated ASB; and this contributed greatly to the increased levels of alcohol related crime in LBTH and Hackney unlike other LBs. The Partnership was now undertaking consultation on a cap on the number of premises licenced to sell alcohol, which should help mitigate alcohol related ASB.
- There had also been a huge increase in social life and establishments in the Shoreditch area, particularly amongst young people, with associated alcohol and drug related ASB. This was being tackled strategically with Hackney and Islington councils. Partnership investment in a rapid response team had been extremely beneficial, allowing intensive levels of focused intervention/ enforcement. Youth outreach work was also helpful.
- Opportunities included: innovative youth outreach work eg Schools Watch initiative. Encouraging the Council to consider a more robust licensing regime with a saturation policy dimension (which would also assist with ASB issues in the Shoreditch area). Also supporting the work being undertaken on domestic abuse and prostitution. There had been a 10% decrease in the latter in the previous year, but more could be done given the level had also fallen in other LBs which indicated a general downward trend.
· Highlighting challenges and opportunities relating to property related crime:-
- A challenging area in the Borough. Historically comparatively low, but over past 4 years had risen, particularly robbery. This impacted greatly on individuals, especially if knives were used, and also contributed to inter-group tensions and retaliatory violence. Much of this crime was driven by residents with a drug misuse habit.
- If examined over the last 12 months levels of property crime were still rising, however they had dropped over the last 6 months particularly in Mile End. This was due greatly to targeted intervention through operation Carbon, the largest single day drug operation undertaken by the Metropolitan Police (MP), with approximately 80 arrests. The Integrated Offender Management (IOM) Programme (team recently co-located in Bethnal Green), a Partnership initiative working with drug misusers in prison and in the community aiming to reduce reoffending, had also contributed.
- The supply of drugs via motor vehicles made the police work more complex, but more extensive use of powers under S.59 of the Act would help mitigate this.
· Outlining improved performance/ direction of travel on victim satisfaction and overall public confidence in the police, as shown in a recent survey which had been academically benchmarked and which the Metropolitan Police (MP) considered to be technically robust. These improvements welcomed by the OSC.
Councillor Ohid Ahmed, Deputy Mayor, introduced, and highlighted key points, in the Community Safety Partnership Plan 2013-16, which set out:-
· The statutory duty to produce a Community Safety Partnership Plan (CSPP) and required content thereof.
· The Strategic Framework within Tower Hamlets and congruence of the proposed CSPP with this.
· Highlights of partnership performance during 2012/13, methodology and the findings of the Partnership’s Strategic Assessment 2012, which included performance trends over 2009-12.
· Outcome of public consultation identifying public’s crime priorities for the CSPP.
Andy Bamber, Service Head Safer Communities, and Emily Fieran-Reed Head of Community Safety Partnership, Domestic Violence and Hate Crime, were also in attendance for this item.
Councillor Ahmed and Mr Bamber emphasised that the MP were primarily responsible for tackling crime, such as burglary and robbery, with performance targets for crime set by Scotland Yard; and the role of the Council was to prioritise ways to support them in their work. The Council's investment in community safety programmes was subsequently highlighted as follows:-
· £1 million invested in programme to treat substance misuse in addition to the IOM programme aimed at breaking the drug/ crime reoffending cycle. The DIP and DAAT also supported the mitigation of issues here and together had £8 million funding.
· Resourcing the ‘Dealer a Day’, programme, which had exceeded targets the previous year and was on target to achieve objectives this year.
· Previous investment/ support of Partnership Task Force 1 and had now investment/ support of PTF2 (currently being recruited to).
· The Council had one of the most comprehensive CCTV operations in the country:- 24/7 with operators who were proactive. This had been successful in supporting the MP in tackling crime, with the Control Room resulting in 60-70 arrests due to the unit directing police to crime scene.
· LBTH provided funding for an additional 34 police officers whose activities were primarily focused on ASB and drugs.
· Tackling Domestic Violence was being supported through the Sanctuary Programme and also a new strategic approach to violence against women and girls particularly through the Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy. The measure of good practice and success was the number of victims coming forward for help.
· Partnership working was successful eg via Community Safety Partnership Board, and this was reflected in the successful response to the recent EDL demonstration in Tower Hamlets. Day to day success targeting the lower end of ASB problems was greatly due to new THEOs, with over 1,000 fines issued by them. However success to date needed building upon.
A comprehensive discussion followed, which focused on the following points:
· Clarification/ assurance sought and given as to action that could be taken/ improved to ensure English Defence League demonstrations did not become a regular occurrence in LBTH. Contributory elements to the successful MP operation were outlined and these would be key going forward: -
o CCTV/ number plate recognition technology
o Existing relationship/ mechanisms which had built community capacity to deal with such issues eg No Place for Hate Forum
o Rapid Response Team a wonderful resource
o Good communications
o Demonstration of MP commitment with numbers present, balanced with trust in the judgement of the Police Commissioner to adhere to legal requirements of the Law on allowing democratic protest provided this did not infringe right to protect the community from hate crime.
· Discussion on increasing victim confidence to report crime without fear and appropriate methods to seek the views of residents (consideration media walkabouts not helpful to this).The Administration considered the recent walkabout had been helpful to ascertain resident views on community safety. Previous administrations had media initiatives for crime and the current Administration was doing the same, and the Borough Commander was working with the executive Mayor elected by local residents as would be expected. The Borough Commander indicated that cameras had not prevented residents relating their experience of ASB to him. OSC noted the commitment of the Borough Commander to door to door enquiries to ascertain resident views eg the ‘Adopt a Block’ initiative in Bow, and his emphasis on the importance of good communication on police activities with the Community. Also noted the increase in Neighbourhood Watch schemes and the examination of a ‘Crime-stoppers’ scheme.
· The Chair emphasised the importance of politicians of all parties ensuring in the lead up to local elections in 2014 that external partners such as the Borough Commander and Faith Leaders were not exposed to political crossfire.
· Clarification/ assurance sought and given as to the proactive methods of engagement planned in the CSPP to prevent crime and ASB. These were outlined in Section 4.9 of the CSPP and had been outlined by Councillor Ahmed in his presentation, and included Youth Crime prevention initiatives a fresh strategy to deal with domestic abuse of women and girls and initiatives to deal with alcohol and drugs related ASB.
· Clarification/ assurance sought and given on the recent restructure of the Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs), its impact on officer numbers and delivery on assurances of greater police visibility. OSC noted the MP commitment to increasing the visibility of the newly formed teams and also assurance that there were more officers working in them.
· Clarification/ assurance sought and on the continuity of funding for police/ community safety activity and measurable outcomes of this. One 3 year funding stream was at year 1 another funding stream ended in 2013/14. OSC requested appraisal on developments. Information on funding/ numbers of police officers in the borough (both by the MP and the Council) to be provided.
· Clarification/ assurance sought as to the nature/ function of ‘Airspace’, referred to in the CSPP. This was a management tool to deal with ASB. It provided a mechanism to facilitate SNT access to ASB calls and for others to access SNTs. A written answer could be provided to Councillor Eaton.
· Clarification sought as to the rationale for linkage of arson and ASB in the CSPP.
· Clarification/ assurance sought and given as to the role/ stance of the MP in relation to Registered Social Landlord (RSL) use of social media to monitor/ report on the activities of young people and their dispersal and the dispersal action itself. The police had stronger powers for designated Dispersal Zones, however it was inappropriate and unlawful for young people to be moved on if they had not committed crime or ASB. The Borough Commander considered that RSLs, local Ward panels and the MP needed to liaise and coordinate in such circumstances. It was appropriate for the MP to engage with young people and if without result to approach their parents with resort to ASB contracts or tenancy action a last resort.
· Clarification sought and given as to whether the reported reduction in Motor Vehicle crime and rise in theft against people was linked and whether there was displacement? Vehicles were generally more secure although obvious display of easily resaleable Sat Nav units (accounting for most remaining motor vehicle crime). Large concerts in the borough had led to significant increases in theft of mobile phones (accounting for most of the increase in theft against people) however a new approach had reduced this.
· Clarification sought and given as to whether there were career opportunities for Tower Hamlets Enforcement Officers (THEOs) in the Metropolitan Police (MP). THEOs were trained to an accredited standard and this would place them in a good position if applying for an MP position. However there was no automatic progression scheme from one organisation to the other, the individual would have to apply for a position and undergo the MP recruitment process.
· Clarification/ assurance sought and given on recent public perception that CCTV was being used to generate parking enforcement income rather than being used solely for community safety. There were 2 Council run CCTV units located separately and they did not share information/ film footage. The community safety CCTV did not engage in any parking enforcement activity.
· Clarification/ assurance sought on the performance of the Dealer a Day initiative: what action being taken to strengthen initiative and what analysis had been undertaken of its impact on removal of dealers from streets? Mayor Rahman was proud of an initiative he had introduced when Leader of the Council, and which was on track to meet targets. A performance breakdown (table of arrests convictions and offences) was requested.
· Clarification/ assurance sought and given as to the inclusion of a ‘Restorative Justice’ (RJ) element in the CSPP, which was acknowledged to be an effective way of reducing adult re-offending. RJ was used heavily in youth offending cases, and Officers considered that the Council and Partnership organisations, such as RSLs and the MP, were effectively equipped to use RJ where it was appropriate to do so, and this would continue.
· Clarification/ assurance sought and given as to the risk and contingency planning undertaken to mitigate the impact of the Government proposal to privatise/ fragment the Probation Service, including maintaining the current approach to community cohesion. The Partnership had successfully worked to reduce offending eg through the Integrated Offender Management (IOM) Programme. Officers were also now represented on the Ministry of Justice Advisory Group on the local implications of break up of the Probation Service, which would relay the preferred outcomes of local councils. The Partnership was endeavouring to use this influence to ensure contracters met local needs.
· Clarification sought as to outcome of planning application appeal relating to a Skyline facility on the Isle of Dogs. Also whether the future of this service was secure. There was no intention to reduce the DIP or DAT service, as Public Health funding had been secured for it. Additionally re-engineering of contracts should result in more control over service delivery in this area. As the Skyline application was not part of the CSSP a written answer would be provided.
· Consideration that the CSPP could be strengthened with additional clarity as to mechanisms by which local residents in any Ward could access SNTs, influence their priorities to reflect local aspirations and ensure these were delivered, as they had previously; as currently there appeared to be a new disconnect. The Borough Commander responded that local voice in SNTs was important and the Adopt a Block initiative would help reinforce this at the grass roots level. Local Ward panels lacked an element of engagement with young people and a new initiative of a student panel setting the priority for a local police officer was being piloted. The Chair considered that the Adopt a Block initiative welcomed but emphasised the importance of transparency and monitoring, also that councillors were able to provide the MP eyes and ears.
· Clarification/ assurance sought on RSL/ SNT linkage/ engagement and the importance of this given the number of events/ initiatives run by them. There was a current perception of disconnect and the Borough Commander was asked to make enquiries of MP sergeants as to invitations/ attendance.
· Clarification/ assurance sought on inclusion in CSPP of mechanisms/ activity / outreach to ensure non-threatening access to advice and services against domestic violence. A significant level of dedicated staffing was commissioned through officers in Victim Support and a one stop shop approach to obtaining advice and services was facilitated. Uniformed officers took abusers away and the victim was then dealt with by specialist MP officers/ victim support staff. The OSC welcomed the work in this area and the positive progress made at reducing the time it took victims to report abuse.
· Some discussion took place on appropriate strategies for youth education and engagement against crime. A programme of education in primary schools was being undertaken and it was hoped to extend this to secondary schools.
· Clarification/ assurance sought as to ASB relating to late night music – was this increasing? was it felt appropriate to engage with perpetrators? This was a significant issue accounting for 60 to 70 per cent of ASB calls. A positive response was normally elicited by uniformed officers and the additional THEOs were undertaking this and issuing noise abatement notices where necessary.
The Chair thanked Dave Stringer, Borough Commander, and Councillor Ohid Ahmed for changing their arrangements at short notice to attend the spotlight session and for assisting the OSC with its consideration of the CSPP. He then Moved and it was:-
Resolved
1. That the information given in the scrutiny spotlight presentations of the Borough Commander and the Deputy Mayor, be noted;
2. That the contents of the report, and proposed Community Safety Partnership Plan 2013-16 and priorities therein, be noted; and
3. That the advice/comments of the OSC in respect of the proposed Community Safety Partnership Plan 2013-16, which forms part of the Council’s Policy Framework, be presented to the Mayor in Cabinet on 11th September 2013 to inform his decision making on this item of business.
Action by:
Andy Bamber (Service Head Safer Communities - CLC)
Emily Fieran-Reed(Head of Community Safety Partnership Domestic Violence & Hate Crime CLC)
Colin Hewitt (Community Safety Partnership Officer)
Dave Stringer (Borough Commander Metropolitan Police)