Agenda item

The Panel considered the report of the Police and Crime Commissioner which included her draft PCC Annual Report 2021-22 (for copy see file of Minutes).  The PCC referred to the draft document and key events and highlights from 2021/22 and progress against the Police and Crime Plan 2021-24.

The Chair congratulated the PCC on the Peer Mentors and the custody and investigations hub at Durham Gate.

Councillor M Renton asked as regards the decrease in anti-social behaviour, which he noted seemed to be counter to what residents were saying to him.  He asked whether it was a reduction in incidents or a reduction in reporting.  The PCC noted that if an incident was not reported, resources could not be allocated accordingly, and emphasised that it was vitally important to report incidents.  She noted that there had been improvements in signposting, especially with Durham County Council, Darlington Borough Council and the OPCC.  She noted that if 37 percent of incidents were not reported then she would want the number to increase as she would want to know.  She added that when looking against figures from during the pandemic they were not a true comparison, and that was reflected within the report.  She added that it was important that people felt confident in reporting and noted the work relating to the 101 number and online chat facility.  The Chief Finance Officer asked Members to recall at the February meeting, when looking at the precept, there had been reference to 10 new call handlers and new IT equipment referred to, with some new call handlers having started today.  He added that there was training in the new IT system and noted that performance would be monitored at the Force level. 

The Chair noted the visit to the Durham Headquarters and Control Room and the time it took to train staff as well as the high turnover.  The Chief Finance Officer noted the 12 week training process and added that the Force could not restrict the careers of those that had wished to become Police Officers.

Councillor D Nicholls thanked the PCC and noted the level of ambition within the Annual Report, as well the proactive work and outside of the box thinking.  He noted within the report that the Force had been found to be very good in use of resources and noted the use of technology, an example being the ability for shops to send information and CCTV footage to the Police.  He noted the importance of the work to tackle violence against women and girls and welcomed the additional PCSOs.  He asked if there had been any change in the number of Detectives within the Force.  The Chief Finance Officer that nationally there was shortage of Detectives and noted that the Force had around 15 Detectives retire each year.  He reminded the Panel that the path to becoming a Detective was quite difficult, with a national exam to pass, a five week CID course, and a 12 month portfolio of work to be completed, approximately an 18 month period from initial training to becoming a Detective.  He noted there were 12 new Detectives at Durham and there would be further appointments in future.  Councillor D Nicholls noted the workload in terms of additional information that was required by the CPS and asked as regards civilian staff to decrease workload for Officers.  The Chief Finance Officer noted that there were national guidelines in terms of staff redacting statements.  The PCC noted the OPCC worked and met with individual businesses, offering support, including through the Victims’ Champion.  She added that the use of SentrySIS to receive CCTV footage was beneficial and noted it was important to listen to local and small businesses, especially in the context of the cost of living crisis and the possibility of shoplifting and theft crimes increasing.

Councillor J Miller noted that all Members would agree that the number of anti-social behaviour incidents was greater than the number of complaints received, and he agreed that reporting was key in allowing partners to address the issues.  He congratulated the successful use of Section 59 Notices to seize vehicles and the use of drones.  He noted the setup time required in terms of the large drone and explained that Believe Housing had given consent to launch the drone from their property.  He noted the SentrySIS CCTV system and asked if Members could be trained in terms of how it works in order to assist businesses in their communities.  The Chief Finance Officer noted that it was a bespoke system and not all shops signed up, and not all had CCTV of sufficient quality.  Councillor J Miller noted that he felt Members would benefit from further information, the Chief Finance Officer noted a presentation could be provided for the Panel.  The PCC noted the issue of the quality of CCTV and use of body cams by some staff in Coop stores.  She noted the recent investment in CCTV at Darlington and the impressive work with their Neighbourhood Team. 

She noted that issues with Durham CCTV had been raised with the Chief Executive and that she would look forward to any work in that regard, including any opportunities with the UK Shared Prosperity Fund in terms of improving CCTV.  The PCC noted the success of Operation Snap, noting that not only did motorists capture incidents of dangerous driving, but also of other types of crime and incidents, including missing persons.  The Chair noted the success of the Darlington CCTV, with direct radio contact to Police.

Councillor J Miller noted the impact in terms of theft at his local Coop, with the company having a policy of not reporting and added that therefore issues where CCTV could help were not limited to city centres, such as Durham and Darlington, but could also help in rural areas.  The PCC noted there was a public accountability meeting scheduled for later in the month looking at Safer Business Crime.  She added she would ask Members to encourage shops in their area to sign up to SentrySIS and noted she had met with the Deputy Manager of the Coop in question as regards a specific incident and reiterated that the Police needed to know as regards incidents in order to address issues.  She added that while there had been a lot of success in promoting campaigns and programmes via social media, it was important to get messages out into communities for those that were not on social media platforms.

Resolved:

That the Draft Annual Report be noted.