Agenda item

The Panel received a presentation of the Police and Crime Commissioner on Problem Orientated Policing, presented by Chief Inspector Emma Kay Inspector Laura Backhouse (for copy see file of Minutes).

Chief Inspector E Kay explained as regards tacking anti-social behaviour (ASB) together, with elements including: an agile process; innovation, prevention; community issues; problem solving plans; and the OSARA Model (objective; scanning; analysis; response; and assessment).  Examples of work and campaigns undertaken included: ‘Kick-Off @3’; ASB ‘Stamp It Out’; nitrous oxide; and ‘Shocking Behaviour Part II’ in respect of community defibrillators.

The Chair thanked the Officers and asked the Panel for their comments and questions.

Councillor D Nicholls thanked the Officers for their presentation and noted the positive impact of the Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) in his area.  He noted his experience with young people, with many drinking energy drink and vaping on the service bus travelling to the local secondary school.  He noted it was difficult to engage with young people and added he felt underlying issues were poverty and lack of positivity.  He noted many youth clubs no longer operated and young people had little to do in many areas and asked if funding was sufficient or if there were any national funding that could be accessed. 

Chief Inspector E Kay noted that there were many issues faced in terms of young people, however, Durham Constabulary did not face them alone, working in partnership with many organisations including Durham County Council and Darlington Borough Council, as well as with schools and youth groups.  She noted the funding available in terms of education, and while having this in all locations would be difficult, she noted community cohesion was very important.  She noted that while youth provision had been cut in many places, as alluded to in terms of youth centres and clubs, it was explained that partners all worked together innovatively to do the best with the resources available.

Councillor D Boyes noted the interventions that partners could take, adding he felt they were not the whole fix.  He explained that he felt there needed to be one responsible ‘authority’, as there was under previous Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) arrangements and a forum to discuss issues in locally.  He noted that in his Electoral Division, Easington, there was high levels of ASB and under the MARAC arrangement he had been able to speak to a number of agencies do discuss issues.  He noted that he had not received invites to any similar meetings for around 10 years.

Councillor D Boyes noted he agreed with early intervention and that progress shown was very good, however, there would always be a ‘hardcore’ element that would not engage with authorities and therefore it was important to look at how the Police and other agencies would reach those groups.  He added he felt the football example was a good one.  He noted, however, that there was some degree of lawlessness in some areas, in terms of ASB, theft and arson.

Chief Inspector E Kay noted an ASB Strategic Overview Group, chaired by the Local Authority, and a Crime or ASB Assessment Conferences (CASBRAC) process has been introduced as an escalation approach to enact a quick time partnership approach.  She added there was engagement via Neighbourhood Inspectors and at Police and Communities Together (PACT) meetings.  She noted the Neighbourhood Inspector for Councillor D Boyes’ area had secured funding for a number of activities, including on allotments, however, she appreciated there were challenges.  Chief Inspector E Kay noted the Safer Streets Funding, via an Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) programme and added that Durham Constabulary listened to communities and appreciated the work of Local Members. 

Councillor G Lee asked as regards evidence of the innovative scheme actually working, and how and who would Local Members engage with.  Inspector L Backhouse explained there was a lot of research and information available from the College of Policing in relation to activities, including ideas such as nudge theory.  She added that examples of proven activity would be looked at and work undertaken to understand how to implement in our area.  Chief Inspector E Kay reminded the Panel that Durham Constabulary was an outstanding Police Force in terms of tackling organised crime groups and value for money.  She added that one aspect was not to bombard in terms of messaging, rather to have a bespoke media strategy that included Neighbourhood Teams working locally in each community. 

Councillor G Lee asked as regards contact details to send information and as regards any evidence base, numbers before interventions, numbers after to be able to assess effectiveness.  Chief Inspector E Kay explained the process in terms of cost benefit analysis, with ASB numbers measure six months before a scheme, and six months following a scheme.  She added that the costs would be worked out across all areas and then shared with partners.

Councillor L Hovvels noted the previous MARAC arrangements and added she felt Councillors had felt involved at a ‘grassroots level’ through that process.  She noted the importance of engaging with Local Members and noted examples of good work in her area, such as tackling graffiti in Wheatley Hill. 

She added she felt policing was not just for the Police, it was for everyone within a community to come together to tackle issues to prevent the cycle of ASB and crime.  She noted examples of where small amounts of funding on community schemes had proven to work effectively and noted the most impact was in cases where communities had been helped to care for their neighbourhoods.  Councillor L Hovvels added she felt it was for the Panel and Council to champion working together in partnership.  She asked how positive schemes, such as those referred to in Wheatley Hill, were showcased.  Chief Inspector E Kay noted that all Councillors would be in contact with their Neighbourhood Inspectors and Teams and noted that meetings could be called around specific issues that may arise in areas.

The PCC thanked Chief Inspector E Kay, Inspector L Backhouse and the team for their work in this area and noted that when she was elected as PCC, she had wanted to push funding down to the local level.  She reminded the Panel that each Neighbourhood Team had a £10,000 budget to look at local issues and while there were demand issues in some areas, there were many examples of good work.  In relation to problem solving, the PCC noted the approach taken by the Force in order to turnaround issues swiftly.  She added that the OSARA Model helps in this regard and noted that the upcoming POP Awards would highlight the ‘best of the best’ and what worked in practise.  She noted details could be provided within a future update.  She noted that updates on work in local communities would come from the OPCC, as well within updates from Area Action Partnerships (AAPs) in terms of local partnerships.

Councillor J Charlton noted the information provided was very useful, however, echoed the points raised by other Members in terms of how Councillors can bring forward information in their areas, and receive feedback on any ongoing work in their area.  Chief Inspector E Kay noted the point raised by Members in terms of more engagement, links with Neighbourhood Teams and for feedback.

R Rodiss noted the difference between ‘Proactive Teams’ and Neighbourhood Teams and referred to Councillor D Boyes’ point on a ‘hardcore’ element where the only answer could be arrest.  He asked if the ‘proactive teams’ were tasked to deal with those in particular, would that not be a quicker approach.  Chief Inspector E Kay noted that we would not be able to simply arrest our way out of the problem, however, she explained that Response and Neighbourhood Teams worked together.  She added that the ASB Action Plan, from the Home Office, looked to tackle wider issues.  She added that if there was information brought forward to the Police, then resources could be targeted accordingly.

R Rodiss noted that information was key and that he felt that being able to react quickly to criminals acting quickly was vital in terms of tackling issues.

Chief Inspector E Kay noted there was proactive work ongoing, not just within the Force, but also with partners with a holistic approach looking at enforcement, education and engagement.

Councillor D Nicholls noted that Councillor G Lee could take comfort from an example of work undertaken in his area with clear improvement relating to a defibrillator now being secured and no longer vandalised, the local Scout Group being able to meet with out issues.  He added there was the issue of off-road bikes and noted that quick reporting through to his local Neighbourhood Team meant that, in his experience, that issues were addressed timely, and feedback was regularly provided from his Neighbourhood Inspector.  He added he would always feed through information where appropriate, but also understood that there was a balance in terms of allowing Officers and other professionals within partner organisations to get on with their work and in providing feedback to Local Members.

Resolved:

That the presentation be noted.