Agenda item

Priorities for 2022/23 were serious violence and exploitation, domestic abuse prevention, motor vehicle crime, burglary and fraud, hate crime and counter terrorism. These are set annually, by reviewing local crime data, considering local concern, emerging issues and consultation with the local community.

The Annual Community Safety report includes different projects that have taken place under each priority; South West Herts Youth Action Panel, ‘No More’ service, providing 121 support to people who are at risk of serious violence, Herts Mind Network, Community Support Service, supporting people with mental health and complex needs. Other projects include; Violence Against Women, and Safe & Well visits, as well as training and raising awareness. A Violence Against Women and Girls Task Group has also been set up.

The new priorities for 2023/24 are:

·        Violence

·        Vulnerable people

·        Burglary and motor crime

·        Fraud and scam

·        Hate crime and Counter terrorism

The Community Safety report will be brought back to committee annually.

Members raise the following questions and points:

Q. Would the Community Safety Board include the request for CCTV camera installation in the new priorities for 2023/24?

A. Community Safety Partnerships have 6 CCTV cameras available that had been funded. These cameras can be moved around the district. If a CCTV camera is needed to be moved to a different location, there is a process to follow; a request form should be filled in first, and a sponsor from the CSP is also required. This request then goes to the board for review and the board decides if the camera can be moved. Officers can provide written information on what the process is.

Cameras are moved around, and this is down to intelligence from the police, local community and the ASB group. There is a high cost to installation of CCTV cameras, and as there is no funding to extend or increase the number of CCTV cameras, this is not included in the new priorities.

Q. Are we as a district raising awareness of drug smuggling and is it included in the new priorities?

A. Drug awareness is a high priority, and it is part of the Serious Violence Duty which has been introduced by the government recently, and officer currently working on a bid to support vulnerable people.

Community Safety Partnerships work with Youth Action Panel and Youth Justice System and Probation. They refer vulnerable people and children who are involved in drugs to us. The No More service is heavily funded in regards to working with children in the district for early intervention.

Follow up on the request for joint up report showing who is responsible for the different areas within Community Safety, and where the gaps might be in our safety.

Q. Are the different priorities on the same priority level or are there different levels to each priority?

A. The priorities are on the same level, there is no difference.

Q. Were there any success within the Burglary and Vehicle crime priority from 202/23?

A. Mainly awareness raising events have been delivered by the constabulary; OPALS is for Older People Activity Learning and Safety – working with residents to provide advice and guidance how to stay safe in their home.

Safe and Well visits are also carried out by the Fire Service. Recent intelligence from the police revealed a significant breakthrough in combating a vehicle crime gang across Hertfordshire.

Q. Who represents the Council on the Community Safety Board? How often does the board meet? Are there any reports that come out of the meetings to inform the committee how well we are doing?

A. Councillor Steve Drury is the Lead Member for CSB, the board meets three times a year. It is a closed meeting due to sensitive data being discussed.

Q. Are any of the 6 CCTV cameras deployed in South Oxhey, and if yes can the location be disclosed?

A. There are CCTV cameras in South Oxhey.

Q. Where does the funding come from for the CCTV cameras?

A. The funding is provided from the Community Safety budget.

Q. Should apprehending not be included in the key priorities to deter criminal activities?

A. Apprehending as a key priority sits with the police. CSP’s priorities focus on crime prevention.

Q. Is data on Hate crime available to the public, and how is hate crime awareness raised within the community?

A. Hate crime data is not included in the Community Safety Partnership annual review, however, the new census data is available. The council also has an Equalities Sub-Committee that receives reports on what the Community Safety Partnership team have done with regards to tackling hate crime. Officers can look into what other data is available to the public. Recent awareness events include a Community Fayre in Leavesden Country Park to encourage the community to access different services. Local cinema events have been run during Black History Month, and Holocaust Memorial Day. Funding provided for Cassiobury Pride event in August. Officers attend events and work with the Hate crime officer from the police.

Health Hubs have become third party hate crime reporting centres for the public to use who may not feel comfortable coming forward to report hate crime directly to the police. Officer training on identifying and reporting hate crime is also provided internally to council employees as well as partner organisations. To provide public data on hate crime in a number of incidents could lead to identification of individuals, and that is why this data is not published. Specific questions can be raised with officers confidentially.