Agenda item

Report of the Director of Transformation and Partnerships.

The Chair introduced the Corporate Scrutiny and Strategy Manager, who was in attendance to speak to Members in relation to the Quarter one 2019/20 Performance Management Report for the Altogether Safe theme (for copy see file of minutes).

The Corporate Scrutiny and Strategy Manager referred Members to the report, with the key performance indicators (KPIs) being set out against the key performance questions (KPQs).  As with previous reports the structure had remained the same looking at: how effective are we at tackling crime and disorder; how effective are we at tackling anti-social behaviour; how well do we reduce misuse of drugs and alcohol; how well do we tackle abuse of vulnerable people, including domestic abuse, child sexual exploitation and radicalisation; and how do we keep our environment safe, including roads and waterways.

It was noted that in terms of crime and disorder levels had stabilised for the first time.  The Corporate Scrutiny and Performance Manager referred to a workshop on recorded crime led by Chief Superintendent Adrian Green where it was noted that the way in which crime was recorded within the police had changed and had led to an increase in the number of reported crimes. The Committee were advised that Durham Constabulary had been rated as ‘good’ for crime reporting following an inspection by HMICFRS. 

The Corporate Scrutiny and Strategy Manager advised that within the frequency of crime categories, violence against a person was the most frequently recorded.  Theft was the second most frequently reported with shop lifting numbers increasing and was included in the committee’s future work programme.  The Committee was informed of information in relation to the recordings of crime types – possession of weapons accounts for less than one percent, although it is increasing and anti-social behaviour (ASB) had been broken down in to those reported to Durham Constabulary and those reported to Durham County Council, with levels being reported to the two being similar.

The Committee were informed that both alcohol related violent crime and alcohol related domestic violence had increased and the successful completion of treatment targets via Human Kind were being met for alcohol but had not been met for Opiate users. In addition, there had been an increase in the number of reports of drug paraphernalia finds including needles. 

The Corporate Scrutiny and Strategy Manager noted that within vulnerable people section of the report, domestic violence was the largest category to which from analysis of data reported that numbers had decreased making them the lowest for two years. In addition, Members were advised that here had also been a reduction in the number of child sexual exploitation referrals.  

The Committee were advised that the statistics for road safety collisions was a long-term trend but was coming down and that six additional 20mph sites have been identified within the County.  In addition there had been a decrease in deliberate fires in the East of the County through targeted Partnership working.

The Chair thanked the Corporate Scrutiny and Strategy Manager and asked Members for their comments and questions.

Councillor R Crute requested clarity as violent crime had reduced but in the narrative on page 47 of the report violent crime was on the rise. He asked if this was due to the increase in alcohol consumption.  The Corporate Scrutiny and Strategy Manager informed the Committee that both violence against the person and alcohol related violent crime had decreased.

Councillor D Boyes sought clarification if other police forces were at the same level for as Durham Constabulary for recording crime and also about youth crime.  The Corporate Scrutiny and Strategy Manager informed the group that all 43 police forces have now undergone a crime integrity inspection by HMICFRS enabling greater comparisons and this showed Durham Constabulary in a positive position with a good rating. 

The Corporate Scrutiny and Strategy Manager informed the group that youth offending within Youth Justice Plan would be looked at within the Committee’s work programme.

Councillor C Hampson commented on some motorists who did not adhere to the 20mph zones and double yellow lines outside a school in her area and provided an example where the school crossing patrol had felt intimidated following speaking to a motorist who had parked on double yellow lines.  Councillor C Hampson added that the number of PCSO’s in her area had been cut making it harder to monitor.  The Overview and Scrutiny Officer agreed to follow up the query in relation to 20mph zones and parking with the appropriate officer within Durham County Council.

Councillor D Stoker commented to Members that 20mph zones outside schools were advisory, not mandatory and down to motorist’s good will to adhere to them. 

Councillor C Hampson reported to the Committee that a flashing speed visor within her area was obstructed by over grown trees and had been reported to the Council on numerous occasions with no action taken place. Councillor C Hampson added that she felt that consideration to prevent any potential obstructions should be given to the location of future such speed visors.  The Overview and Scrutiny Officer agreed to report the obstruction due to the overgrown trees to the appropriate Officer within Durham County Council.

Councillor D Stoker informed the group that motorists may be under the misconception that they would not get fined if they drove over 20mph and queried if County Councils could use their powers to fine motorists.

Councillor D Boyes reiterated the fact that 20mph flashing zones outside schools were advisory and not mandatory but motorists could be stopped by the police if they considered the driver to be driving dangerously.  However, red circled 20mph road signs indicating a fixed 20mph speed zone were enforceable.  Councillor D Boyes added that the Council could investigate the possibility of making these areas fixed 20mph zones outside schools and that these concerns were considered within the Committee’s work on 20mph zones.  

Councillor B Kellett said that he believed that 20mph zones would generally be inappropriate for schools as they would require drivers to adhere to this speed limit all the time which he thought was unnecessary apart from mornings and afternoons on school days when school children were crossing roads.

Resolved

That the report be noted.