Agenda item

The Partnership received a presentation and covering report which set out the Haringey Community Safety priority setting process for 2021/22. This was similar to the 2020/21 process, to be finalised by March 2021. It was noted that data showed that both violence (Robbery; Non-Domestic Violence with Injury) and burglary were trends on the rise and should be considered actively by boroughs when setting local priorities. MOPAC also ensured that anti-social behaviour remained a local borough priority across London. Alongside the local priorities were also London wide policing priorities on mandatory high-harm crimes: sexual violence, domestic abuse, child sexual exploitation, weapon-based crime and hate crime. The presentation was introduced by Joe Benmore, the Interim Head of Community Safety & Enforcement as set out on pages 13-26 of the agenda pack.

The Borough Commander advised that Partnership that levels of crime were down overall which was really positive news. It was suggested that some of this was undoubtedly due to lockdown and lower footfall but that this was also due to some of the great multi-agency work that had been undertaken to target burglary hotspots. The examples of Operation Vertis and Operation Prosecco were noted. The Borough Commander also outlined Operation Alliance, which involved the embedding of outreach support workers within the Wood Green Custody suite to work with young people and create teachable moments.

The following was discussed in response to the presentation:

a.    The Partnership welcomed the focus on young people and adopting a targeted approach. A recent project targeted at a school in Tottenham Hale was highlighted and it was commented that similar targeted schemes could be developed.

b.    The Chair requested that a briefing on Operation Alliance come forward to the next meeting along with a report on what proactive work was being undertaken by the police and partners in talking to young people at risk and getting messages out to them to prevent them from being involved in robbery. The Borough Commander suggested that there were a range of violence reduction schemes that MOPAC had provided funding for and that this could also be incorporated into the discussion. The Borough Commander suggested that DCI Stuart Smiley should be invited to the next meeting. (Action: Clerk).

RESOLVED

That the Partnership noted that:

I.       Haringey’s agreed local priorities for 2020/21 are Violence with Injury (Non-Domestic) and Personal Robbery. Whilst some positive improvements have been

noted in Violence with Injury (Non-Domestic) (-11%) and Personal Robbery (-30%), both of these remain significant challenges for the borough. The seriousness of such incidents continues to also remain high, with levels of injury sustained often being significant.

II.        The volume of recorded crime has reduced significantly since March 2020, in

Haringey and across London. Some crime types have experienced reductions in

excess of 30% during this period.

III.       As each phase lockdown easing was implemented, crime levels have generally

increased once again, however, they remain below previous baseline levels in

most cases.

IV.       Nonetheless, Haringey experiences over 1,600 violent crimes per year and almost 1,700 robberies, equating to one of each of these offences approximately every 5 hours, throughout the year.

V.       Due to these factors, it is recommended that Violence with Injury (Non-Domestic) and Personal Robbery remain key local priorities for Haringey, along with the basket of high harm crimes (sexual violence, domestic abuse, child sexual exploitation, weapon-based crime and hate crime) and anti-social behaviour. These priorities would also support a number of ongoing workstreams in Haringey, including the Community Safety Strategy, the Young People at Risk strategy, the Borough Plan and the North Area Violence Reduction Group (NAVRG).