Agenda item

The Board considered items 7 and 8 together to look at quarter 1 performance against strategic outcomes and the Community Safety Delivery Plan 2014-15.

Outcome 1 – public confidence in policing

·         The declining numbers of Police Cadets and the formalising of the Youth Independent Advisory Group remained challenges going forward.

·         Performance in relation to stop and search was good.

·         In terms of the MOPAC 7 targets, the 20% reduction in crime over 4 years target was on track, although at the half year mark a more detailed analysis of the underpinning figures would be undertaken to look at key priorities such as domestic violence etc.

·         In response to a question, it was advised that the Stone Roses Finsbury Park concert was still impacting on theft from person performance figures but would soon fall from inclusion within the time period assessed.

·         The process for dealing with buskers within town centres was queried, with concerns that some could be deemed as causing anti-social behaviour. It was advised this would require a joint approach between the Council and Police. Stephen McDonnell agreed to take this forward in conjunction with local Safer Neighbourhood Teams.

Outcome 2 – Prevent and gangs

·         Good progress had been achieved by the Integrated Gangs Unit, particularly in relation to reducing reoffending. The likelihood of performance dipping later in the year was cautioned linked to judicial disposals.

·         Access to appropriate housing provision and the resourcing of the Police Gangs Disruption Unit were key concerns going forward. Superintendant Dellar agreed to review the resourcing of the Unit inline with the new policing model in response to concerns that PCs were routinely taken off to fulfil other duties.

Outcome 3 – domestic violence

·         Progress generally good or classified as underway.

·         The Board discussed the issues establishing the IRIS project including with funding, IT and achieving GP buy in. It was agreed that in the interests of progressing this, consideration needed to be given to an alternative work around utilising existing GP IT software to resolve the current gap in GP referrals. It was requested that an update be provided at the next meeting on plans to achieve the outcome required outside of the current system issues, although it was acknowledged that achieving GP buy in constituted a longer term issue to be addressed.

Outcome 4 – reoffending

·         Good performance had been achieved overall including a reduction in reoffending. It was however caveated that performance would potentially decline later in the year owing to individuals subject to outstanding judicial disposal. The number of cases dealt with was also rising and was predicted to exceed the end of year target.

·         Key challenges going forward included housing provision and the small number of females in the cohort. With reference to the major issue of housing, concerns were expressed that a potential consequence would be vulnerable people accommodated in high risk housing, particularly in terms of fire safety. The Borough Fire Commander stressed the important role Home Fire Safety visits offered by the Service could play in mitigating some of these risks. Private rented housing was most often used although some accommodation was being secured through Fair Chance and a Homes for Haringey commissioned service providing spot rent accommodation. It was agreed that a piece of work needed to be undertaken to look at a creative solution including learning from the approaches of other boroughs. Specialist short term fostering was also another avenue that could be explored.  

Outcome 5 – prevent and reduce acquisitive crime and anti-social behaviour

·         Generally on track although repeat high impact offenders remained a concern going forward.

·         The Borough Fire Commander identified an increase in arson events over the last year and that a joint partnership working approach had been put in place to help address this.

Outcome 6 – preventing violent extremism

·         Good performance including efforts to raise awareness.

·         The focus going forward would be engaging with schools as part of the safeguarding continuum, with some training already undertaken with governors. Superintendant Dellar agreed to find out which schools within the borough had a dedicated Police presence.

·         The national focus remained on the Syria crisis and locally on ensuring referral pathways were in place.