Issue - meetings

To note the report on the borough’s performance for 2010-11 against the key community safety targets.

Not for discussion.

RECEIVED the End of Year Crime Figures report (pages 1-36 of the agenda pack) on the borough’s performance for 2010-11 against the key community safety targets, introduced by the Cabinet Member for Communities, (Councillor Bernice Vanier), Haringey’s Borough Commander (Sandra Looby) and Haringey’s Community Safety Strategic Manager (Claire Kowalska).

In response to questions from the Committee the following was noted:

• It was suggested that Area Committees should receive and consider crime figures to tie in with the localism agenda.  The Borough Commander stated that local Safer Neighbourhood Teams who attended the Area Committees could provide local figures on crime but would not provide specific details such as properties where crime had taken place.  It was noted that Area Plans involving professionals would be developed for each Area Committee and would include ward statistics and community crime figures.
• In response to concerns about SNT officers being deployed outside the borough it was noted that this had only happened on two occasions including the Royal Wedding.  SNT officers were ring fenced to work locally.
• The Borough Commander recognised members’ concerns that Area Panel meetings were not always well attended and emphasised their role in holding the relevant people to account.
• The Council had submitted a bid for funding towards a joint programme with Enfield Council on gangs and knife crime.  Haringey and Enfield were already working in partnership in these areas.
• A member highlighted that victims of crime were more likely to attend the Whittington Hospital rather than North Middlesex and it was noted that further to initial difficulties the Councils Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT) had started working well with the Whittington hospital to obtain data and it was hoped the same practice could be followed with North Middlesex and other hospitals.
• Whilst theft from vehicles was still an issue house burglaries were more of a concern and it was common for vehicles to be stolen as a result of vehicle keys being left in house hallways.  It was not possible to know whether such crimes were organised.
• The Committee was informed that there were no plans to merge Ward Panels. However, Area Panels would be brought together to enable more effective street policing.
• The London-wide Operation Target was in place to identify traditional crime hotspots, where extra resources and manpower would be dedicated for the next six months.
• Anti Social Behaviour (ASB) cases remained high in Haringey (paragraph 10.2, page 35 of the agenda pack) and members suggested more preventative work with primary schools.  It was explained that the complexity of cases was increasing but primary schools were now being targeted in addition to work being done in collaboration with secondary school headteachers and other partnership working.  
• Officers agreed to take back suggestions that lone parents be assisted to improve security as part of work with vulnerable households.

ACTION

The Committee asked for a briefing note on gang crime prevention including the plans in place and information on the Gang Crime Action Group and the Council’s dedicated lead  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20