Agenda item

Community Engagement and PACT - Report of the Police, Crime and Victims' Commissioner

Minutes:

The Panel considered a report of the Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner which provided an overview of the community engagement activity, and the methods used, by Durham Constabulary (for copy see file of Minutes).

 

The PCVC referred to paragraph 25 of the report and informed the Panel that Durham was now ranked 3rd in the country according to the Confidence Survey for England and Wales, not 6th as quoted.

 

Councillor Brookes informed the PCVC that there was some disquiet that police officers did not attend meetings of Parish Councils.  He considered that if a police officer was not be present at such meetings, then a written police report should be provided for the Parish Council meeting.  The PCVC replied that if there was a specific requirement for a police officer to attend a ParIsih Council meeting then one would attend and he would look at the provision of written police reports.

 

Mr Dodwell expressed disappointment that Rural Watch was not mentioned in the report.  Rural Watch had experienced good co-operation with North Yorkshire police and was a very proactive group.

 

The PCVC replied that he valued Farmwatch and had been out on operations, and conceded that it was a point well made by Mr Dodwell.

 

Councillor Hopgood considered that community engagement and PACT formats should be decided on the basis of what worked best for specific areas rather than a ‘one size fits all’ approach, adding that PACT meetings could be held an hour before other events, such as Parish Council meetings.  Councillor Hopgood referred to the recent hate crime at The Happy Wanderer public house, which was within her electoral division and was unaware that the PCVC had visited the victim.  This emphasised the need for closer working between the PCVC and locally elected Members.  The PCVC replied that he would try to ensure local Members were kept fully informed.

 

Councillor Robinson informed the Panel that PACT meetings in his area worked well and praised the knowledge of PC Darren Rogers.  He agreed with Councillor Hopgood that PACT formats should be decided on the basis of what worked best for specific areas rather than a ‘one size fits all’ approach.

 

Mr Dodwell informed the Panel that a PACT meeting was held at the beginning of meetings of Hurworth Parish Council, and this seemed to work well.

 

Councillor Knowles informed the Panel that Respect Your Street in Darlington was good while PACT in general had declined.  The success of PACT meetings depended on how they were presented and where they were held, with venue changes tending to make people less likely to attend.  The PCVC replied that he would discuss this with Chief Inspector Robinson in Darlington.

 

Resolved:

That the report be noted.

Supporting documents: