Agenda item

To receive an update from the Police Borough Commander on the recent increase in reported violent crime and actions by the Community Safety Partnership to address this, including the outcome of Operation Equinox.

Victor Olisa, the Police Borough Commander for Haringey, reported that across London there had been an increase of 9,000 per year in the number if violent crimes, including 2,500 instances of violence with injury.  In Haringey, there had been an increase of 19%, which equated to 36 more offences per month.  Instances of non domestic violence with injury had increased by 10 per month or 23%.  However, this did not mean that there had been a large increase in violence as this had been due to a change in how crimes were recorded.  The new system of recording was more ethical and consistent. 

Operation Equinox had focussed on the three wards within the borough that were in the top 30 in London for violent crime.  These had also experienced increases in recorded violent crime. The intention of the scheme was to detect and prevent violent crime and reassure local communities.  Just under half of violent crime took place in public places with slightly more taking place within premises.  2% of offences took place in licensed premises.  Current detection levels were slightly down to 28% but this was not considered significant, bearing in mind the changes in recording methods.  The target was to reduce violent crime by 6% in the next three years.  The borough was no more violent than the average for London.

In answer to a question regarding the recording of violent crime, Mr Olisa reported that, for example, slapping had previously been recorded as common assault.  However, if it caused bruising it was now recorded as Actual Bodily Harm.  The re-categorisation of offences had inflated the statistics. 

The Panel commented that initiatives such as the SOS bus and the Summer Night Lights scheme had shown that visible policing and community engagement worked.  However, there was concern that the current cuts to Police budgets meant that there was now less visible policing.

Mr Olisa reported that the Local Policing Model had involved increasing the number of uniformed officers on front line duties.  As part of this, shift patterns were changed so that more officers were available during periods of peak demand.  The changes had also meant that Neighbourhood officers were now responsible for investigating some crimes and that had led to them being off the streets for periods of time.  In addition, there had a range of other responsibilities which could take them away from patrolling and community engagement.  The Local Policing Model was being reviewed to see if it was possible to increase the levels of patrolling.  Outside of London, Police numbers had been cut.  The Mayors Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) had made clear that they did not wish to do this in London but it was possible that they might have to reconsider this in the future. 

Members of the Panel expressed concern that reduced Council services and less engagement by the Police could lead to worsening relations with the local community.  Mr Olisa stated that the changes did not necessarily mean less engagement.  Neighbourhood officers still patrolled on foot.  In addition, there were 20 Police officers linked to secondary schools and another 5 linked to primary schools.  In addition, there was a programme of engagement work, including youth clubs and work with local churches. 

In answer to the a question, Mr Olisa stated that there were times when Neighbourhood officers were away from their beat due to, for example, the need to process offences. However, the number of officers on neighbourhood duties had remained the same. 

The Panel thanked Mr Olisa for his contribution.