Agenda item

The Panel considered the report of the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) giving performance and delivery updates for Quarter One and Quarter Two 2022 (for copy see file of Minutes). 

The PCC asked Members to note discussions with the Chair in respect of how performance reporting could be presented to the Panel and that the report attached was the first iteration of the new format, incorporating both Quarter One and Quarter Two for 2022.

Members noted that the report contained updates against the Police and Crime Plan, performance, collaboration work, services for victims, and grant funding.  The PCC noted that Durham was now recognised as one of the highest in the country in terms of resolve rates in respect of neighbourhood crime, with a reduction of 23.5 percent, with the His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) praising Durham Constabulary for their approach and response to inquisitive crime.

In respect of force staffing levels, the PCC noted that there had been a reduction of 408 officers and staff from 2010 to 2019, a reduction of 27 percent.  She added that the recent Police Uplift would help, however, it would still represent 100 fewer Officers that 2010, while some Forces in other areas of the country were seeing an increase in their number of Officers to above 2010 levels.  The PCC noted that Durham Constabulary had a greater number of Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) than the national average and reminded Members of the 140 Officers recruited in July 2022.  She also reminded the Panel of the new shift patterns which helped in meeting demand and noted the improved response in that regard.

The PCC explained that the public had asked for call handling to be a priority and she had therefore invested in recruitment, with 17 additional call-handlers in the period April to September 2022.  She asked the Panel to note an increase in the number of 999 calls answered within 10 seconds and a reduction in the number of 101 calls that were abandoned. 

In terms of Neighbourhood Crime, the PCC reiterated there had been a 23.5 percent reduction, which included crimes such as robbery, residential burglary, theft from the person and vehicle crime.  She added that, while the resolve rates were the highest in England and Wales, there was still more to do.

The PCC noted the four percent reduction in anti-social behaviour (ASB) and reminded the Panel that she was the only PCC in the country to have created and recruited the role of Anti-social Behaviour Champion to give a voice to victims of ASB and those seeking redress through the Community Trigger scheme.  In relation to violent crime the PCC explained that protecting women and girls was a key area of focus for her and the Force, adding that violence against the person was down overall when compared to the baseline. 

The Panel were referred to non-crime demand and noted that the number of missing from home incidents had increased by 35 percent in comparison to the baseline figure, though the number of mental health incidents had decreased by 8.7 percent compared to the baseline, though it was noted that mental health incidents accounted for 10.2 percent of all incidents across quarter one and quarter two.  The PCC noted that road safety continued to be a top priority for people and that there had been a 33 percent reduction in all casualties across the period.  She explained that in relation to partnership working and victims services, the Community Peer Mentors project had successfully expanded the support for victims of crime and anti-social behaviour, especially for vulnerable people.  It was noted that there had been a 21 percent increase in the number of referrals to the scheme, with a 371 percent increase in referrals when compared to pre-pandemic levels.  The PCC explained that there had been a 71.9 percent increase in ASB where alcohol had been identified as having a significant and negative impact on clients.  The PCC noted that victims were at the core of activity and would be offered help at the first opportunity, with the importance of helping in the recovery journey of all victims being highlighted.  She added that it was important to recognise the work of the previous PCC, Ron Hogg for his work in commissioning the Community Peer Mentors project.  The PCC noted she was delighted to receive the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services from the Lord Lieutenant on behalf of the Community Peer Mentors on 8 September 2022.

In relation to confidence, the PCC noted 92 percent of victims reported feeling safer through support from the Victims Care and Advice Service (VCAS), with 90 percent reporting an improvement in their health and wellbeing, and 91 percent reporting an improvement in their lifestyle.  It was explained that, of cases that had concluded, nine out of ten reported they were highly satisfied.  The PCC noted that the service had staff that were committed, passionate and professional and that performance would be monitored in terms of variety and quality.

In respect of services for victims and grant funding, the PCC explained that the Community Safety Fund and Care Foundation had set aside £150,000 for community and voluntary organisations to apply for a grant of between £2,000 and £7,500 to support grassroots projects to tackle issues such as ASB, fly-tipping and vandalism.  She explained as regards the new support service for victims of sexual violence and the investment of £250,000 in the CCTV Control room at Darlington, which the Panel had the opportunity to tour prior to their last meeting.  The Panel were asked to note the investment in Darlington Borough, with more than £1 million, when looking at successful bids to the Home Office’s Safer Streets Fund and PCC investment.

The PCC explained as regards a total of £1.5 million secured by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) and Partners from the Safer Streets Fund for County Durham and Darlington to tackle ASB, neighbourhood crime and women’s safety.  The Panel noted the projects benefiting from the funding were: Durham City and Darlington – tackling violence against women and girls in the night-time economy; Peterlee – tackling youth related ASB and neighbourhood crime; Darlington – tackling youth related ASB; and Ferryhill and Stanley – tackling youth related ASB and neighbourhood crime.

In relation to the new inspection regime, and HMICFRS reports, the PCC noted that Durham was still judged as one of the best Forces in the country, with eight good and two outstanding judgements.  She added that through the Accountability Meetings she was confident in the Force and also in it looking to improve.

The Chair thanked the PCC and asked Members of the Panel for their questions.

Councillor L Hovvels noted the report contained a lot of positives and good national recognition for the work being undertaken, especially in terms of the Peer Mentors.  She added she welcomed the work with local people in partnership with the Police and the investment in CCTV in Darlington.  She noted the work and funding in relation to Safer Streets and asked as regards future partnership working with the community and voluntary sector and access additional funding.  The PCC noted work on social value and the Blue Light E-Procurement with the community and voluntary sector and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) being encouraged to bid for public procurement.  Councillor L Hovvels asked if the PCC would give her congratulations to the Peer Mentors on their award, the Chair added that the Panel’s congratulations be passed on to the Peer Mentors.

Mr R Rodiss asked as regards the distinction between detection and resolution.  The Chief Finance Officer explained that detection was a subset of resolution, the latter containing other solutions such as out of court settlements.  Mr R Rodiss noted that Durham claimed to have the highest rates, however, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) had rates of 40 percent and therefore asked whether Durham should be liaising with GMP to learn from their success.  The Chief Finance Officer noted that would be for the Force itself, though it was a valid point.  The PCC noted that the GMP Chief Constable, Stephen Watson had been Deputy under Mike Barton at Durham and had been the lead on prevention.  She added she would pick the issue up with the Force.

Councillor D Nicholls thanked the PCC and noted it was a thorough report and was impressed with the report relating to the performance of the Peer Mentors.  He noted that the report relating to Q12 of the Inspection (strategic planning, organisational management and value for money) had been scored as outstanding and added that would be beneficial for Durham as it was likely there would be further cuts to the public sector in future.  He noted there was only one adequate rating, relating to Providing a Service to Victims of Crime, though he welcomed the performance information relating to 90 percent of victims reporting an improvement to their health and wellbeing having accessed VCAS.  He added that he had seen such improvement in his local area, with PCSOs helping to fit alarms and give crime advice which were all good actions in helping to reduce the fear of crime.  Councillor D Nicholls noted that the 23.5 percent reduction in neighbourhood crime was very praiseworthy and added he had noted the huge improvement over the last six months a testament to the good relationship between the Neighbourhood Inspector and local Members.  He explained that in relation to domestic abuse, the training of additional call handlers was welcomed as a first point of contact, and timely in terms of the upcoming football World Cup.

The PCC noted she would feedback the comments from Members and reiterated that she wanted the type of engagement within neighbourhoods as described by Councillor D Nicholls.  She added that PCSOs becoming qualified as Officers was good as they would bring their experience to the Officer role, however, that would leave a gap in terms of PCSOs.  She added she had focussed on those areas that had been identified previously by Inspectors and would now look at funding.  She reiterated that she had asked the Chief Constable to move on some specific areas, such as target hardening as soon as possible.  She noted she visited Neighbourhood Teams and they looked to identify any hotspots or repeat victims and then looked to focus and respond to those issues quickly.

Councillor A Savory noted she welcomed the additional support for victims, especially women and girls, as victims of domestic abuse can often need support in terms of giving evidence in cases, as it can take a lot of courage to come forward.  The PCC noted that feedback via the Victims’ Champion was helping in terms where there were issues and why, and then in looking at how those victims could be supported.  She noted issues could include the time travelling to hearings, postponed hearings, issues with caring responsibilities and the impact on working arrangements.  She added it was important to look at these issues on behalf of victims and work with Partners on solutions.  She noted that some were as simple as having alternative vending machines available so that victims did not have to use the same one as the perpetrator or having rooms available for victims to use, separating them from the perpetrators.  The PCC reiterated that the community and voluntary sector had been a great help and that it was very important that the victims’ voice was being heard.  Councillor A Savory noted the arrangements at Court were now better and reiterated as regards the impact of the upcoming World Cup.  The PCC noted that partnership work was ongoing and the potential spike in activity during the World Cup had been noted.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.

The Chair explained that when the agenda was published, the next item, on the Investigative Hub, had been treated as exempt on the basis of financial information contained within the report, however, he understood that the position had been reviewed and that the item could be considered in public session.  The Chief Finance Officer confirmed that was now the case.  The Chair asked that the item be published following the conclusion on the meeting.