Agenda item

The Panel considered a report of the Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner which provided a Quarter 2 Public Performance Report (for copy see file of Minutes).

The PCVC presented the report, which contained key performance data for the headline measures of Victim Based Crime, Public Confidence, and Victim Satisfaction and performance information on each of the key areas of focus as set out on the refreshed Police and Crime Plan 2015-17.

Mr Dodwell referred to Community Speedwatch which helped to reassure residents that they didn’t necessarily have the speeding problem they thought they had.  However, he expressed concern at a reference made by the PCVC during his presentation of an ongoing review of the Durham and Cleveland Road Policing Unit and particular an increased issue of speeding tickets, which could be perceived by the public as an income stream.  He asked whether speeding tickets would be issued where previously a warning had been given.

The PCVC replied that the issue of speeding must be administered with care and consideration.  While a serving Deputy Chief Constable he was opposed to the use of fixed speed cameras because they operated without any discretion.  While the force issued no more than 21 speeding tickets per day, perceptions of speeding remained in two-thirds of communities.  There was no proposal to make up any funding shortage through the increased issuing of speeding fines, and any money raised would be out into education and prevention programmes.

Councillor Hopgood referred to the table of figures on page 63 of the agenda pack which showed that although the number of Sexual Offences had increased over the 12 months to September 2016, this was represented in the PCVC Verdict column as a smiley face.  When read with the footnote below the table the reason for this was explained, Councillor Hopgood suggested that the Verdict face had an asterisk next to it to draw the reader’s attention to the note below.  The PCVC agreed that this would be amended.

Councillor Hopgood referred to the 11.9% increase in burglaries in the 12 months to the end of September 2016 and asked whether any of this could be attributed to the County Council’s new street lighting policy.  The PCVC replied that this had been considered a while ago and there was no correlation between the two.  There had been an increase in acquisitive crimes, which was perhaps as a result of changes in the benefits system.  There was no indication that lighting was an issue, with burglaries taking place during the day when owners had failed to secure their property.  Councillor Hopgood thanked the PCVC for his reply and added that it may be useful to the County Council if this was monitored.  The PCVC informed the Panel that he would be able to provide feedback on the times of day burglaries took place.

Councillor Brookes informed the Panel that he considered the interactive nature of the PCVC website to be excellent.  He referred to the increase in road traffic accident fatalities and asked whether this could be attributed to an increased use of mobile phones while driving.

The PCVC replied that the biggest feature of the fatal road traffic accidents was driver error and that there was no correlation in these cases of the use of a mobile phone while driving.  The PCVC added that the force was soon to carry out a week of action on the use of mobile phones while driving.

Councillor Boyes informed the PCVC that he observed drivers using their mobile phones on a daily basis which was frightening and mentioned that some forces were to use strategic drivers to provide feedback of such incidents to the police.  The PCVC replied that he was unaware of this initiative and would look in to it.  Councillor Jones informed the PCVC that he believed North Yorkshire Police were already doing this.

Councillor Boyes referred to high quality policing and victim satisfaction in his area which showed a negative PCC Verdict.  Incidents of arson, shoplifting, burglary and low-level crime had led to a disillusioned public.  However, Councillor Boyes added that this disillusionment was not surprising given the level of public spending cuts since 2010.  The PCVC replied that it was essential to continue to work in partnership to address such issues, for example partnership work took place with the fire service to address the issue of arson and with the County Council to ensure streets were cleared of rubbish.  Services needed to feed in to each other.

Councillor Jones referred to the issuing of 21 speeding tickets across the force and asked how the police decided when to issue a ticket.  The PCVC replied that 21 speeding tickets was the maximum which could be processed.  The police operated within parameters relating to excess speed and it was then at an officer’s discretion whether to issue a speeding ticket.  A review of the efficiency of the Durham and Cleveland Road Policing Unit partnership was being undertaken and the PCVC would bring any proposals to the Panel.

Councillor Allen informed the PCVC that she was pleased with the success of the Checkpoint programme and that the Panel had appreciated the presentation which was made to them on Checkpoint.  Councillor Allen referred to the Erase team which had been established to raise awareness of Child Sexual Exploitation and also to Operation Encompass which helped schools support children who had been involved in domestic abuse and suggested it would be useful for the Panel to receive presentations on both of these at future meetings.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.