Agenda item

The Panel considered the report of the Police and Crime Commissioner which included her draft PCC Annual Report 2022/23 (for copy see file of Minutes).  The PCC referred to the draft document and key events and highlights from 2022/23 and progress against the Police and Crime Plan 2021-24.

Councillor K Robson asked as regards real time reporting, noting the 101 number could often have responses of three to four days.  He noted that policing was by consent and Police should be seen on the street.  He added that a big issue, and source of 101 calls, was the issue of anti-social behaviour (ASB) and noted people suffered when it was not tackled.  The PCC noted there would be an update as regards those issues within the Quarterly Performance Report.

Councillor L Hovvels noted a lot of positive work and thanked the PCC.  She noted the increase in retail crime, with an influx of criminals from outside of the County travelling into the area to commit theft and asked what work was ongoing with the Police and partners to tackle this, noting the links to the cost-of-living crisis and poverty levels within the North-East.  She also noted the issue of off-road motorbikes and quad bikes was a big problem within the east of the County and asked how we would solve the issue.

The PCC noted in respect of retail crime that she had recently visited the shop within Councillor L Hovvels’ Electoral Division that had been subject to a number of thefts, noting the impact upon staff and the continuing viability of the shop.  She noted within her Police and Crime Plan she referred to ‘Safer Business’ and had acknowledged the impact upon businesses from shoplifting, noting that drug and alcohols issues also contributed to such crimes.  She added she was the lead on addiction and substance misuse on a Ministry Forum and noted the Government’s position in terms of a zero tolerance in terms of shoplifting, referring to speeches from the Minister and Home Secretary in this regard.  The PCC noted that there was a roll out of the ability for retailers to be able to upload CCTV footage to the Police, with some progress currently at Coundon.  In relation to ASB from off-road vehicles, she explained she was Deputy Lead nationally for roads policing and therefore would be well-sighted on any upcoming legislation and information.  The PCC noted that it was hoped that additional funding via the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) and Department for Transport (DfT) would help as regards pilot work to tackle the issue.  She noted she had spoken to local MP, Richard Holden, who was Lead on such issues.  In terms of the ‘Safer Streets’ initiative, she noted some of the £1million of funding had been for physical barriers to stop off-road vehicles gaining access and added that a targeted Crimestoppers campaign had been carried out in the areas with the most reported incidents.  She noted the inability to give chase in a lot of cases and noted other avenues to try to tackle the issue, such as in Darlington where tenancy agreements had clauses in terms of petrol storage to help tackle the issue.  She noted that an important element was community intelligence to be able to tackle those causing ASB with off-road bikes.

Councillor A Savory noted she represented one of the more rural areas within the County, Weardale, and noted the reduction in the number of Officers was an issue.  She noted however, the success of the Rural Warden, with a lot of positive engagement and which appeared to be working very well.  The PCC noted that details of the £1million ‘Safer Streets Fund’ was expected by the end of the month.  She noted the Rural Warden bid, one of three bids into the Fund, was for a full-time coordinator, to build on the success of work in the Dales, to bring to other rural areas. 

She noted the work with the National Farmer Union (NFU), Inspector Ed Turner and volunteers, the use of drones, and the work with the Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Services (UTASS).

Councillor R Potts noted the report referred to reductions in crime, noting at the last meeting of the PCP a lot of crimes were also reported as having decreased.  However, he noted that when looking at figures year-on-year, there was an 8.8 percent increase in crime, with all theft having a 15 percent increase.  He added that of all sectors, only three areas had figures that had reduced.  He noted the numbers of Police Officers was referred to within the report, and was compared to 2010 numbers, however, looking back to 2000 there were 80 fewer Officers.  He added that, in that same time, the number of civilian workers within the Police had increased from 590 to 1,200 and the number of OPCC staff had also increased.  The PCC noted she would compare to OPCC figures and information would be circulated.  In terms of the number of Officers, she noted that was a Police operational issue, and that £2million of funding was being used in that regard.  In respect of the number of OPCC staff, the PCC noted that Durham had the lowest number of staff, with an external review noting around £300,000 less when compared to other OPCCs.  Councillor R Potts noted the increase in OPCC staff comparing the current number to the number prior to the current PCC taking office.

Councillor C Varty noted the situation previously referred to with the shop at Wheatley Hill and the ASB caused by off-road bikes.  She added another issue in the east of the county was that of arson and the more widespread issue of illegal drug use.  The PCC noted that one of the successes had been the use of CCTV in Newton Aycliffe, with a 40 percent reduction in ASB, and it was hoped that access to ‘Safer Streets’ funding would help with this in other areas.  She noted the issue had been raised with the Chief Executive at Durham County Council (DCC), and Corporate Directors of Neighbourhoods and Climate Change and Regeneration, Economy and Growth, noting Members would recall the visit at Darlington to see their CCTV in operation, with the relationship with the Neighbourhood Officer and Darlington Borough Council (DBC) being excellent.  She noted that installation of CCTV in the east of the County was taking over two years, adding she was having discussions with DCC as regards the timescales.

Councillor S Quinn noted that retail crimes were sometimes ‘shoplifting to order’ with some being quite large items.  She added that she understood that some shops had a policy of not reporting such crime and therefore a cycle was created.  She noted another issue was that of unauthorised encampments, noting in her area a few in the last month had resulted in problems within the town, impacting on local businesses that were already struggling. 

The PCC agreed it was important for retailers to report shoplifting and reiterated that the SentrySIS system to be able to upload CCTV footage was very important.  She noted in some areas, Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) had established ‘Shop Watch’, including Durham City, and noted the work of the City of Durham Parish Council in terms of supporting work at the Arnison Centre.  She added that the Tesco store at Newton Aycliffe had issues in terms of shoplifting and noted programmes such as Business Watch helping to bring together businesses, reiterating that reporting incidents was key.  Councillor S Quinn noted the policy of some shops in terms of not tackling shoplifters and not reporting incidents, which she disagreed with.

R Rodiss noted the ideas and initiatives suggested in respect of tackling shoplifting, however, he felt that an increase in Police Officer numbers would help in those areas that were being targeted and noted that he felt some part of the £1million funding referred to could be utilised for more Officers or to pay for overtime.  The PCC noted £2.4million allocated for hotspots, noting Durham as one of four pilot areas for overtime for Officers, PCSOs, Fire Officers, Wardens and reiterated as regards the work of the City of Durham Parish Council.  She added that impact of ‘safer streets’ was positive in terms of business.  R Rodiss noted the situation as regards the Tesco at Newton Aycliffe, noting that there had previously been a Police Station opposite the Tesco site and the move to centralised detention.  The PCC noted that Officers regularly attended the Tesco site, with the shop having set aside a space for meetings with the local Inspector, Sarah Honeyman.  The Chief of Staff, OPCC, Andrea Petty noted that a session with the Panel would be held to look at Newton Aycliffe Policing and added as regards hotspot areas where there were tri-responder locations.

The Chair noted the impact of drug, alcohol and gambling harm on local people and the impact this then had in terms of the wellbeing of those people.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.

Councillor S Quinn left the meeting at 3.05pm