To notify the Chairman of any items that appear later in the agenda in which you may have an interest.

Members had no interests to declare.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 11^th January 2005

The Minutes of the meeting held on 11^th January, 2005 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

A report will be given by Ferryhill Police

Inspector S. Winship was present at the meeting to give details of the crime figures and local initiatives for the Chilton, Ferryhill, West Cornforth and Bishop Middleham areas.

It was reported that the crime statistics were as follows :-

The Forum was given details of a number of operations, which were ongoing throughout the area.

It was reported that racial problems at Chilton continued to be high profile. It was explained that good intelligence was required to reduce the problem and it was requested that members of the public report any incidents.   

Specific reference was made to the Community Reassurance Vehicle, which had been deployed in Dean Bank, Ferryhill.  Whilst there were still problems with regard to anti-social behaviour in this area the number of reported incidents had reduced.

Inspector Winship also pointed out that the telephone number to contact the Police had now changed.  The new telephone number was 0845 6060365.

Update on local health matters

Dr. A. Learmonth was present at the meeting to provide an update on local health matters.

Specific reference was made to the report ‘Achieving Patient Access Targets and Baseline Performance Requirements’, which had been circulated at the meeting.  (For copy see file of Minutes). 

It was reported that no patient had waited more than 17 weeks for an outpatient appointment. It was pointed out however, that one patient had waited more than nine months to become an in-patient.

With regard to the number of patients through Accident and Emergency Departments, it was noted that targets had not been met on a number of occasions. IT was explained that this was as a result of the performance of some hospitals outside of the Borough.

Specific reference was made to the North East Ambulance Service. It was reported that the target of response to 75% of calls to life threatening emergencies within 8 minutes had not been achieved.  It was reported that officers from the PCT were working closely with the Ambulance Services to try and improve performance.

Discussion took place in relation to the PCT Health and Wellbeing event, which had been held at Ferryhill Leisure Centre.  It was reported that representatives from various agencies had attended the event and had given presentations. It was explained that the event had been a success.

Chief Inspector Hall will give a presentation on the above.

It was explained that Chief Inspector Hall had been invited to attend the meeting to give a meeting on the Street Safe Initiative which included the background to the initiative, its aims and themes, etc., and some of the successes which had been achieved so far.

Inspector Hall explained that there had been a significant reduction in crime in the area over the past year.  Between 1993 and 2003 crime in County Durham and Darlington fell by around 25% in real terms.  In 2003/04 the area had one of the lowest rate of crimes per head of population in England and Wales.  Durham Constabulary had one of the best detection rates and highest number of police officers in the recent history of the force.  However, despite those factors, the result of the latest crime survey showed that residents of County Durham and Darlington had one of the highest levels of fear of anti-social behaviour and disorder in the country.  The Street Safe Initiative aimed to tackle that conundrum.

It was explained that the aim of the Initiative was to harness the energies of the communities, partners and the whole of Durham Constabulary to address crime, the fear of crime, anti-social behaviour and those quality of life issues that contributed to making people feel vulnerable.

The Forum was informed that the Initiative aimed to increase re-assurance through visibility, accessibility and familiarity creating an environment where the public felt safe.  The Initiative recognised the significant contribution that prevention, investigation and detection of crime coupled with successful apprehension and prosecution of offenders made towards public re-assurance.  It was also hoped that the Initiative would aid in the gathering of community intelligence, the use of problem-solving initiatives to tackle anti-social behaviour and signal crimes and enhance community engagement.

The Initiative had a number of themes which were :-

·             Police presence in the community

·             Environment and physical factors

·             Effective response

·             Communication and public engagement

It was pointed out that for the Initiative to be successful there needed to be partnership working with other agencies such as local authorities and community groups.  A video was then shown detailing some of the areas where the Initiative had been put in place.

With regard to the theme - Police Presence in the Community - specific reference was made to the National Alcohol Campaign that had recently been run in the area, the multi-agency visits to licensed premises, the appointment of PCSOs and Special Constables. 

The Forum was also given details of protocols that had been drawn up for the removal of graffiti and untaxed vehicles; reference was also made to the Arson Reduction Strategy that had recently been launched.

In respect of the theme - Effective Response - the Forum was informed of the test purchasing scheme and drugs intervention programme that had been produced. 

In conclusion the Initiative was about being responsive, being professional, being positive and doing the job properly.

Chief Inspector Hall explained that the Area Forums would be an excellent facility to advertise the initiative and questioned whether the Members of the Forum would agree to continue to receive updates on it. It was agreed that the Street Safe Initiative would continue to be reported at Area Forums.

Concern was expressed in relation to the level of perceived anti social behaviour, which was caused as a result of absentee social landlords. It was reported that Durham Constabulary had appointed an enforcement officer to work specifically with social landlords.

Discussion took place in relation to the personal contact between the police and members of the public. It was felt that once a police officer had established a positive relationship with the local community they moved on.

It was explained that although this was a recognised problem it was difficult to keep officers in post as a result of career progression and promotion etc.

The results of the Crime and Disorder Audit, held at the Forum on 2^nd November 2005 are attached for information

Consideration was given to the results of the Crime and Disorder Audit held at the Forum on the 2^nd November, 2004.  (For copy see file or Minutes).

Tuesday 19^th April 2005  

Tuesday 19^th April, 2005.