Agenda item

The Board received a report that provided an overview of performance against community safety targets during 2010/11.

Overall Recorded Crime

It was noted that Haringey Police recorded 5% fewer total notifiable offences during the 1^st April 2010-9^th January 2011 compared with the same period last year.  This compared favourably with the MET average.

Serious Violent Crime

A clearly improving trend was noted by the Board with a 31.9% year on year drop in this crime rate which was well above the MPS reduction of 21%. Improvements in this trend were connected to the work of the Gang Action Group and the Tackling Knives Action Plan. Police recorded a drop in the recording of repeat victims of domestic violence. This was not concerning the actual number of unreported incidents which may have occurred prior to police contact.  The Board noted that there were key issues to address with the dis-continuation of funding for domestic violence work and the Tackling Knives Action Plan. The funding for both these projects would cease on the 31 March 2011.

Acquisitive Crime  

It was noted that  this crime figure had reduced by 4.8%  but this was a deterioration in performance compared to the half year performance,  of 13%, and was attributed to  the recent spate of burglaries(usual for the  seasonal period) together with the increase in motor vehicle related offences.   The Board noted that this crime figure was anticipated to increase, given the recent trends and indications being seen for this area. There had been an anticipated that Haringey might be a special borough in need of additional resources but the Board was advised that we had not been singled out.  This means we will not receive any funds but it can be seen in a positive light as Haringey is now deemed not to require special attention.

Drug Using Offenders into Effective Treatment

The number of clients had decreased to 2009-2010 levels. This was despite the continuous engagement and outreach work of partners. This was important to note as this trend was responsible for Haringey missing the target for drug users in effective treatment last year.  The borough had an overall good track record for clients completing treatment and being drug free. The success rate was 43% against a target of 32%.   The service was currently examining the reasons for the drop in performance in order to rectify this with efforts geared towards full recovery of clients rather than stabilisation and maintenance.

Youth Crime Prevention

The Board noted that the borough had already achieved the challenging target for the prevention of first time entrants to the Youth Justice System aged 10-17(NI 111).  This success was attributed to partnership working on the triage service which worked well with the support of the Police.  Some success on reducing the number of young people classed as NEET (not in education, training, or employment) was communicated to the Board but this target remains a challenge and is likely to become more difficult.  It was further signalled to the Board, that as part of the Council restructure, the YOS (Youth Offending Service) would transfer to the Children and Young People’s service. The funding pots for the prevention of youth crime had transferred to the Early Intervention Grant, which was now placed with the Children’s service.  They had yet to confirm the future resource allocation for the YOS and therefore it would be important to clarify any issues concerning the continuation of this funding, with them to limit the impact on youth prevention services.

Victim Support to Young People

The Board noted the key engagement and support role of the Young Victim’s Champion. The Board was advised that this role had provided support to 137 young victims (aged 7 to 20) since August 2010.  There were now 11 volunteers undertaking training and a funding bid to continue this work is being prepared with the support of the Community Safety Team. 

Perception of Crime and ASB

An additional question in the resident’s survey on how the Police and local services were dealing with anti social behaviour currently indicated improved perceptions. This conclusion had been reached by considering the place survey results of the previous year.

ASB  -

The ASB Action team enforcement rates remained well above the national average due to the use of Acceptable Behaviour Contracts and the early intervention measures being used.  ASBOs continued to be used only when needed. This approach has resulted in a 100% success record for all ASBO applications and led to 3 prosecutions following the breaches of orders. The Board were advised that the ASB team would transfer to the new Single Frontline service which was expected to be launched in the autumn. The Board further noted that the Council’s Emergency Planning team would transfer to Public Health.

The Board was advised that the prevention work with families in the parenting programme was continuing to be successful with no further enforcement action required for the 160 families engaged.  The external funding for this prevention work was due to expire on the 31^st of March along with funding of the ASBAT victim support worker.  The Board were asked to note the evitable disruption to the service which would follow.

Preventing Violent Extremism –

The preventing violent extremism work had reached its target of level 3. Projects were running at reduced capacity as funding had been reduced in year. The borough was now awaiting guidance from central government on the new national strategy which was expected in quarter 4 of this year.

The Board discussed the significance and reliance on crime data.  The Board learned that crime data targets were as yet undecided by central government. These were likely to be broader main targets and it was anticipated that they could be available in the next 3 weeks. The general expectation from the Home Office was that borough’s would compile their own targets.

It was further noted that a national crime narrative, by the government, was to be released in a month’s time and a London crime strategy would be available in the autumn. It was recommended to the Board that a transitional community safety plan be compiled for the borough to cover this coming financial year with a full revision ahead of April 2012. A draft is due end April/early May.  Consultation with the London Crime Board would be undertaken to ensure their 3 key areas of priority were a significant feature. Support from partners would also be sought to compile this plan.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.