Agenda item

(i)        Report of the Director of Transformation and Partnerships.

(ii)       Presentation by DCI Dave Ashton, Durham Constabulary.

The Chairman introduced DCI Dave Aston from Durham Constabulary to give a presentation to update Members on progress following the Overview and Scrutiny Review of Organised Crime (for copy see file of minutes).

DCI Dave Aston reminded Members of the development of Local Profiles with partners to get the best picture in terms of Organised Crime Groups (OCGs).  Members noted that the Home Office definition was: “Serious crime that is: planned; coordinated; conducted by people working together on a continuing basis”.  It was added that while in the majority of cases the motivation is financial, it was not always, for example cybercrime or sexual exploitation.

The Committee noted that the reason to tackle OCGs was to reduce the harm, and with diminishing resources it was important to tackle those offenders causing the most harm, with OCGs “industrialising” crime.  It was explained that it was important to be able to tackle the misery caused: drug dealing and the burden on the Health Service; fraud and the psychological harm caused to victims; child sexual exploitation (CSE).  DCI Dave Aston added that it was also important to intervene early, working with partners, to lessen the financial impact.

DCI Dave Aston referred Members to a diagram setting out the Local Profile Map, adding that there were now 34 rather than 30 OCGs, with the majority linked to drugs and violence, and with around half involved in money laundering.  It was added that there had been some concern around a year ago that there was no map in terms of modern slavery or CSE, it was noted that was now mapped and referred to regional colleagues.  DCI Dave Aston noted that Officers were not complacent and worked hard to uncover the hidden aspects of OCGs.

Members noted that there had been 12 drug related deaths last year.  DCI Dave Aston noted an emerging trend of mixing the usual drugs with the opioid painkiller fentanyl, adding that while no deaths had been attributed to this in our area, this was an issue Officers were alert to.  The Committee noted that the supply of cocaine and heroin continued to be the main sources of revenue for those OCGs dealing in illegal drugs, with the cultivation and sale of cannabis also being undertaken.  It was added that there was a strong correlation between illegal drug sales and violence, in terms of intimidation within the market.  It was noted while there were some pockets of crack cocaine use within the force area, these were isolated and the issue was not a large one at the moment, though it was an area Officers were keeping an eye on.

Councillor J Charlton entered the meeting at 9.44am

In terms of modern slavery and human trafficking, DCI Dave Aston explained that the main area was in terms of labour exploitation with sexual exploitation being also an issue, the latter being very much internet based with locations moving week on week.  It was acknowledged that there were gaps in knowledge and that work was needed to understand the scale of the issue.  DCI Dave Aston noted that often people were at risk due to the working and living conditions, and there were barriers in terms of reporting.

The Committee noted that in terms of CSE and abuse, 63% of sexual offences were against children and victims could become perpetrators/facilitators.  DCI Dave Aston added that with the advancement of digital technology 83% was online, and that in order to tackle these issues, cooperation with schools, families and communities was important.

Members were reminded of the types of environmental crimes that OCGs carried out, including a new trend for illegally dumped baled waste, made to look like hay bales and then illegally dumped in rural areas.  This can result in significant clear up costs for the Local Authority, Environment Agency and landowners.  DCI Dave Aston noted there had been 8 incidents last year, and that working with partners from the Fire Service, Local Authority, Environment Agency and colleagues from Cleveland Police the issues had been tackled, and since March 2017 there had been no further incidents.

It was explained in terms of violence, the area had a high proportion when compared to others, with 21 violent groups.  It was noted that some were linked to Traveller communities and also to the use of weapons.  DCI Dave Aston noted that the reluctance to report violence was an issue and in terms of weapons there were very few firearms discharges per year in our area.  It was noted that however there was still a need to respond effectively and a number of levers, including citing safeguarding issues, were used to ensure there was a fear to possess or use firearms.

DCI Dave Aston referred Members to “County Lines”, urban based OCGs that would look to supply smaller towns or rural areas with illegal drugs.  It was explained that it often involved the use of children or vulnerable people to supply local dealers. 

Members learned that a “hot-line” would be set up to allow the controllers to set up transactions without having to have any “hands on” involvement.  Councillors noted that it could also involve debt bondage and issues of CSE.  It was noted this had not yet been seen within the County, however it was important to raise awareness.

DCI Dave Aston explained to the Committee the very effective Partnership Disruption and Intervention Panel, working with various partners who were all keen to disrupt OCGs as much as possible.  Members noted coordinate strikes on sites, with several agencies working together.  He added that a lot of other Police Forces visited the County to see how we operated, however, there was no complacency and all partners worked hard together to tackle OCGs.

The Chairman thanked DCI Dave Aston and asked Members for their comments and questions.

Mr AJ Cooke noted that the increases in the cost of living may lead to some people being drawn in and having their lives ruined.  DCI Dave Aston noted that the Police were aware of the hierarchies that existed, with some at the bottom being victimised.  He reminded Members of the Checkpoint programme, and how this could look at the critical path that led an individual to offend.  The Committee noted that if a root cause can be identified then offenders could work with Checkpoint Navigators and if they were able to complete their programme, then they would not be prosecuted.  It was explained that should the programme was not adhered to then the offender would proceed to court and prosecution.  DCI Dave Aston noted that there were also a number of other programmes, some looking at preventing breeding grounds for OCGs, for example with the “Mini Police”, and in communities in terms of developing skills.

Councillor J Maitland asked if in terms of the baled waste, could there not be a trace in terms of the packaging used.  DCI Dave Aston noted that at waste management processing tracking and forensic evidence can be gathered.  He added that some HGVs were found to be used and some arrests had been made, and also that another element was to undertake preventative work.

The Chairman asked how Councillors could help directly.  DCI Dave Aston noted by utilising their local Neighbourhood Inspector and Community Support Teams, together with channels such as the Police and Communities Together (PACT) meetings.  He added it was possible to leave details via the 101 number and/or with partner agencies such as the Council’s Trading Standards or Environment Agency.  DCI Dave Aston stressed that if an issues was sensitive they could contact Police Headquarters, however, if an issue was sufficiently serious, the usual emergency 999 telephone number would be the appropriate method as to pass on the details.

Mr J Welch asked, given that the time of year and the darker nights, was there a link to the season and illegal works such as the waste bales as previously described.  DCI Dave Aston noted this was not an area he had looked at personally, and the Senior Partnership Officer, Graham McArdle noted that there was not a clear indication with such crimes all year round.

The Chairman asked, in terms newer areas of crime for our area, for example cybercrime and human trafficking, was there the capacity to be able to deal with issues within the Constabulary.  DCI Dave Aston noted that there was capacity, though with a need to flex and look at what areas represented the biggest threats or presented the most harm. 

It was noted that the most serious cybercrime “threats” would likely be from abroad and that this would then be an issue for the National Crime Agency (NCA) to look at.  In terms of the more domestic cybercrime activities, they usually were based around a scam that would look for human error to allow criminals access.  It was noted that education was important and that especially for the more vulnerable in our communities.

Councillor D Stoker noted that there had been many scams in the recent past in terms of callers claiming to be your internet service provider asking you to “just log on”.  He added in the past it was possible to see the number was suspect, however recently criminals have been able to buy “local codes” such that call that originated in a foreign country could appear to be from Nottingham for example.  DCI Dave Aston noted that these types of criminal were very polished and often very plausible, always looking to exploit any loophole and urged people to be super-cautious if the call was unsolicited.

The Overview and Scrutiny Officer referred to the review group’s recommendations as set out in Appendix 2 to the report.  He reminded Members of the work of the relevant partners having help deliver the Local Profiles Document and the importance of community confidence in reporting.

Members noted Recommendation 4, and the Memorandum of Understanding between the Council and the Environment Agency had been completed, with intelligence being key.  Members noted training and awareness raising sessions that had been held with Area Action Partnerships (AAPs) and Overview and Scrutiny, with the Council’s Chief Internal Auditor and Corporate Fraud Manager and Corporate Procurement looking at the risk to the Authority by OCGs, and on how to spot the signs.

The Overview and Scrutiny Officer noted that Members were asked to agree the work as complete, with no requirement for further updates upon the review recommendations.

Resolved:

    (i)        That the report and presentation be noted.

  (ii)        That the Safer and Stronger Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee note no further require for updates upon the review recommendations.