Issue - meetings

(Report of the Assistant Chief Executive – Strategy)  To provide members with an overview of trends in crime in Haringey during the last financial year.

The committee received this report to provide Members with an overview of trends of crime in Haringey during the last financial year.

Borough Commander Simon O’Brien was present for this item to answer questions from Members on figures contained within the report.

The committee noted that of the crime indicators stated in the report, approximately half had seen reductions in crime numbers of previous years.  Although concern was raised over statistics for robberies, Members were assured that substantial investment was taking place in this area to attempt to remedy this.  Members also noted that the mechanism for reporting violent crime, wounding and common assaults had changed, causing figures fluctuations. 

The Borough Commander praised the work of the Safer Neighbourhoods Team, praise which was echoed by Members from various wards.  Members in those wards with smaller teams, thanked the police for the excellent work they were doing, but re-iterated their desire for these teams to be expanded  to their full size as soon as possible.  Members were assured that the roll-out was due to take two years.  This timeframe had been reduced and full Teams were expected to be in place in all wards by 31^st December 2006.

It was also noted that the borough had the best overall detection rate in Greater London, for which the committee congratulated the police, although it was noted that the aforementioned changing government definitions was making it difficult for the borough to meet certain targets.

Members enquired over ‘single patrols’, and whether they were considered best practice for the police.  The committee noted that clear instructions had been given for this technique to be used in Haringey, but the Borough Commander would welcome any evidence back as to situations where this was not occurring.

Members raised concerns over violence at the North Middlesex hospital.  As the hospital was situated in the London Borough of Enfield, the Borough Commander agreed to liaise with his counterpart in that borough.

Members raised concerns over homophobic attacks, and that the data was not included in the report.  The committee was assured that it would be included in future reports of this nature.  The committee also noted that the police had re-recruited into the LGBT Officer role, and that a consultant had been commissioned to pick up on the hate crime and harassment strategy.

RESOLVED:

1. That the Chair of Scrutiny raise with the Borough Commander for Enfield concerns over violence at the North Middlesex Hospital.

2. That figures for homophobic hate crime be included in future versions of the Crime Trends report.

3. That we note the report.