Agenda item

Report of the Director of Transformation and Partnerships.

The Chairman asked the Corporate Scrutiny and Performance Manager, Tom Gorman to speak to Members in relation to the Quarter 2 2017/18 Performance Management Report for the Altogether Safer priority theme (for copy see file of minutes).

The Corporate Scrutiny and Performance Manager highlighted that there had been a significant increase in reported crime, however it was noted as a national trend, with now all Forces reporting an increase, following compliance across forces in terms of national crime statistics and campaigns in terms of promoting the report of crimes, such as domestic violence.  It was added that Durham was inspected and found to be outstanding, including in respect of its recording practises. Members noted and increased confidence in reporting of crimes, and an increase in theft offences had contributed to the increase.

Members were asked to note the sharp increase of 93% in cases of arson for the period April to September 2017 in comparison to 2016 and with a significant number in the east of the County.  It was noted there had been a special meeting in relation to this and a report would be considered by the SDP at its next meeting.

The Corporate Scrutiny and Performance Manager noted road safety statistics had been covered by previous report and added that a new national electronic system for recording road traffic collisions had changed the way casualty severity was recorded increasing the average reporting by around 20%.

The Chairman thanked the Corporate Scrutiny and Performance Manager and asked Members for their comments and questions.

Councillor K Thompson asked if there was a record of “solved crimes”, the Corporate Scrutiny and Performance Manager noted there was and this could be reported back to the Committee.

The Chairman noted that issues raised within the report were those that Overview and Scrutiny had become involved in: road safety; arson and secondary deliberate fires; drug and alcohol services.

Resolved:

That the contents of the report be noted.