Agenda item

RECOMMENDATION:

That the Committee acknowledge the Community Safety Partnership (CSP) progress report and agree any matters of significance.

Councillor Kathleen Becker, Cabinet Member for Community and Engagement introduced the report, ref SC095 which set out the Annual Community Safety Performance Update, (available here). 

Councillor Becker explained that Winchester City Council was the responsible authority supporting the delivery of crime and disorder statutory duties by dedicating officer posts to the role and ensuring the Council's corporate priorities were delivered. She highlighted the report's significant successes, particularly in the night-time economy, anti-social behaviour, and grant funding applications. She mentioned the continuing focus on anti-social behaviour, working with young people including the Legacy project, and domestic violence, noting that while the data reflected women as victims, the partnership provided support for all victims of domestic violence and abuse.

Chief Inspector Korine Bishop addressed the Committee, outlining several key points which could be summarised as follows:

1.    There had been a reduction in crime by 0.8% between April and Christmas, alongside a 20% increase in charges and summons. Out-of-court resolutions were up 2%, and victim satisfaction reached 68.2%, exceeding the 65% target.

2.    Drug-related harm remained a top priority, with a specific focus on youth involvement in cannabis, vaping, and other drug sales. Operations have led to warrants, arrests, and interventions by the Youth Offending Team.

3.    Rural crime was also prioritized, targeting commercial burglaries, plant and machinery theft, and motor vehicle theft.

4.    The District was performing at the top of the force in formal action taken in the local area, with the force working with stores to report offences.

5.    Formal action for shoplifting in the area had been seen for 48.8% of cases.

6.    The team were working closely with community behaviour with monthly Offender Victim and Location (OVAL) meetings.

7.    Chief Inspector Bishop sat on the board of directors for the Business Improvement District (BID), which allowed access to issues for businesses, and contact with universities and the council.

8.    There had been an embedded officer within the prison in a bid to tackle organised crime.

Chief Inspector Bishop provided the committee with details relating to the following:

1.    The "Let's Talk" scheme, highlights top public concerns: speeding, fly-tipping, anti-social behaviour, road safety, and parking issues.

2.    The Hants Snap and Hants Alert Schemes.

3.    The new police response hub at Bishop's Waltham that provided 24/7 support to teams across the Winchester District.

4.    An uplift in extra officers in Winchester with 12 students in the front line response team and 5 detectives.

5.    She gave a summary of some local, high-profile cases.

Councillor Danny Lee addressed the committee and highlighted the following points. Councillor Lee expressed his gratitude to the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary, along with the Neighbourhood and Community Safety team, for their continued commitment to public safety. He hoped that the scrutiny process would offer greater clarity on his concerns relating to public safety and performance. These concerns were centred on the reported rise of crime data and statistical processes within the Winchester District and asked if such a breakdown could include rural statistics.

Councillor Lee then summarised his points regarding the future switch off of landlines and what provisions would be implemented to secure backup plans and communication, including considerations about power outages. A query was also raised regarding the extent to which major broadband providers were able to ensure the protection of vulnerable users. Councillor Lee asked whether it was possible to secure fibre rollout plans, and emergency backup plans to ask to determine their inclusion into the 2025 to 2026 annual delivery plan.

The committee was asked to note and comment on the Community Safety Partnership (CSP) progress report and agree on any matters of significance.

The committee proceeded to ask questions and debate the report. In summary, the following matters were raised.

1.    Clarification regarding the most effective method for residents to report criminal activity to the authorities.

2.    A request for further information regarding the breakdown of activities in the rural as well as urban areas of the district.

3.    Further information was sought regarding strategies for improving contact with police services, particularly where telecommunications are limited.

4.    The necessity for the Community Safety Partnership to further engage partners to develop clear advice for communities.

5.    A request was made to share details of communications provider rollouts, where appropriate.

6.    A question was asked regarding the status and planning around broadband services for the area, as part of the upcoming rollout and for emergency backup plans for telecommunications during prolonged outages and/or battery failure.

7.    Information was sought regarding any financial incentives or support available for the community.

8.    A request for support to provide assistance with and report domestic violence, from a community perspective.

9.    Further information was requested regarding the Yellow Door initiative and whether any funding incentives would help expand the project.

10.Consideration of resources allocated to Whiteley police units and support from the police force.

11.Further information was sought regarding clarity on how rural areas can benefit from police funding and programs.

12.How could incidents not classed as hate crimes that consume significant police resources be better handled?

13.It was asked if the number of reports had increased, was there more financial incentives to increase awareness and campaigns?

14.The relationship between drug use and rural locations.

These points were responded to by Chief Inspector Korine Bishop, Dawn Adey, Strategic Director, and Sandra Tuddenham, Neighbourhood Services and Community Safety Manager accordingly.

RESOLVED:

The committee noted the report and agreed that:

1.             Officers would contact the Local Resilience Forum (LRF) concerning the issues raised regarding residents' ability to contact the emergency services.

2.             That a further breakdown of urban and rural crime statistics for the Winchester District be provided.

3.             Officers to contact Stop Domestic Abuse to understand if further data was available regarding non-refuge numbers.

4.             The Cabinet Member consider the committee’s comments raised during the discussion of the item.