Agenda item

This report presents the Annual Community Safety Report 2024-25.

Recommendation

That members of the committee consider and comment on the Community Safety Annual Report.

The Community Safety and Safeguarding Manager presented the Community Safety Annual Report for 2024-25, which summarized the work of the Community Safety Partnership over the year.  The report also set out the community safety strategic priorities for 2025/26 and it was noted that these were the same as last year, with youth crime falling under the umbrella of anti-social behaviour.   In introducing the report the Community Safety and Safeguarding Manager referred to a recent visit by the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire, who had remarked that the Community Safety Partnership was working well.

Officers confirmed, in response to a question, that the priorities were not ranked: all priorities were of equal importance.  They were reviewed annually, based on local crime data and impact on the community.  The Community Safety & Safeguarding Manager reported that partnership meetings with the Police took place on a weekly basis, and the priorities were reviewed throughout the year at the Community Safety Co-ordinating Group and the Community Safety Board.

In relation to the priorities of (1) burglary and (2) theft of and from motor vehicles, the Committee heard that as they were crimes these fell under the statutory obligation of the Police and were police-led priorities.  However, the Council worked alongside the Police on them, for example by promoting seasonal social media campaigns, attending events with the Police and Fire Service, and working with Crime Prevention Officers to provide advice and guidance to residents.  A Committee Member asked if more work could be done by the Council in relation to these priorities, such as the deployment of forensic liquids and Faraday pouches.  Officers responded that they continued to work to identify funding opportunities for additional initiatives.

A Committee Member sought clarification on priority 3 which was titled Robbery (Shoplifting), although these were two separate crimes.  Officers responded that this priority related to shoplifting only; however, the title Robbery (Shoplifting) was used within Hertfordshire Constabulary’s reporting system.

In response to a question as to whether additional CCTV cameras could be provided, particularly in areas which were crime hotspots or where people felt vulnerable, officers responded that requests for CCTV coverage could be considered by the Community Safety Co-ordinating Group using the current process outlined in the policy.

A Committee Member, as Ward Councillor, referred to concerns about a perceived increase in crime and anti-social behavior associated with Shannon House, including that female residents felt unsafe near Shannon House.  Officers requested that details be provided of any incidents of concern so that these could be progressed with the Police.  Another Committee Member who lived close to Shannon House and was a local Parish Councillor, commented that she had visited Shannon House several times and spoken to residents who had not reported any concerns, and that she did not feel unsafe.  It was understood from the Police that the majority of concerns were between residents of Shannon House and contained within Shannon House.

In response to a question about tool theft, officers undertook to raise this at the Community Safety Partnership, with a view to including it in the action plan.

Committee Members sought information about incidents within their own ward areas and these were responded to by officers.

The Chair moved that the report be noted and this was agreed by general assent.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.