Agenda item

The Panel are asked to consider the report from Sue Mountstevens (Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner).

The Panel and the public will be invited to an open question and answer session after the introduction of the annual report.

The Chair welcomed Sue Mountstevens (Avon and Somerset Police and crime Commissioner), Daniel Howitt (Planning and Performance Officer for Police and Crime Commissioner) and Simon Ellis (Chief Inspector for bath and North East Somerset) to the meeting.

The Chair invited Sue Mountstevens to take the Panel through her report.

Sue Mountstevens thanked the Chair and the Panel for an invite to this meeting.  Sue Mountstevens explained that Daniel Howitt is here to answer some planning and performance questions and Simon Ellis for operational questions.

Sue Mountstevens took the Panel through the report by highlighting the following points:

INTRODUCTION

Sue Mountstevens provided an overview of her work since being elected as Avon and Somerset’s first Police and Crime Commissioner in November 2012.

While the Chief Constable retains operational independence of policing, the Commissioner’s new role has responsibility for:-

More specific duties set out by the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 include:-

ACTIVITY TO DATE

Issuing the Police and Crime Plan –

• Based on extensive consultation with communities
• This led, alongside a partnership assessments of issues, risks and threats led to four force wide priorities being identified:-
  • Anti-social behaviour
  • Domestic and sexual violence
  • Burglary
  • Putting victims at the heart of the CJ system

• Six local authority level plans were published, which included the first Police and Crime Plan for BaNES.
  • This set out What the police and crime objectives mean for the people of BaNES and how local people can get involved in supporting the plan.  It also included the locally-specific priorities of road safety, and improving police accessibility.

• The Commissioner also set performance aspirations as part of the plan to improve year on year and be a top ten performing force across all of the priority areas by 2017. More specifically, the Commissioner aims to improve:-
  • Victim satisfaction for ASB and the proportion of cases fully resolved
  • Reported domestic and sexual violence
  • Detection rates for serious sexual violence and burglary
  • Burglary reduction
  • Victim satisfaction and criminal justice outcomes

In her first six months in office, the Commissioner has also:-

• Set the police budget
• Appointed Chief Constable Nick Gargan
• Established a Business Crime Forum to give businesses a voice in policing and share best practice
• Issued Community Safety, youth offending and drug intervention grants and made preparations for the commissioning of local victim services from October 2014.
• Launched a Community Action Fund of £200,000 in 2013/14 which grants community projects with up to £5000 to tackle local issues related to the plan.  There have already been 50 applicants in quarter 1.
• Listened extensively to communities through consultations and ‘out and about’ events

·  Recruited a Volunteers Panel to independently scrutinise police complaints.

Sue Mountstevens also added that the first Police and Crime Plan for B&NES will target anti-social behaviour, support PACT meetings, support safe and vibrant night-time economy, support for Connecting Families project (one of the key elements in tackling anti-social behaviour) and target an increase in reporting violence against women and children.  The Plan will be also looking in tackling persistent offenders in burglary as this sort of crime is done by few persistent offenders, Bobby Van Scheme, stronger neighbourhood-watch and street-watch and support for victims.

Sue Mountstevens also said that £60k is allocated to B&NES as Community Safety grant for support of community safety project and help for substance misuse project.  There is also support for Youth Offending Team in B&NES (£15k) and for drug prevention programme (£40k).

The Chair thanked Sue Mountstevens for the introduction.

The Chair informed the meeting that the Panel will ask their questions first.  Public and Councillors will ask their questions after the Panel.

The Chair said that grant allocation figures for B&NES look much lower than for the other areas and asked how those figures were set.

Sue Mountstevens responded that the PCC office looked at the population, the level of crime, areas of deprivation and similar when those grants were allocated.

The Chair asked about the treatment of people with mental health issues.

Sue Mountstevens replied that sometimes mentally ill people fill in Police cells even when they haven’t committed any crime.  There are occasions when the Police may act if they believe that someone is suffering from a mental illness and is in need of immediate treatment or care.  Their powers for such occasions are set out in Section 136 of the Mental Health Act.  This gives them the authority to take a person from a public place to a ‘Place of Safety’, either for their own protection or for the protection of others, so that their immediate needs can be properly assessed.  Sue Mountstevens said that although Police are not paramedics, these people should never be taken to Police cells but to a ‘Place of Safety’ (provided by the NHS).

The Chair commented that Central Government cuts are probably high topic on the PCC’s agenda and asked for reassurance that, despite the cuts, there will be a priority to protect services here. Whilst noting that crime levels were done, given the Government cuts how might that affect B&NES, could the Panel get reassurance that services here will be protected, including the local community presence.

Sue Mountstevens responded that nothing that can be ring-fenced and that she has to find another £15m in savings. Despite the initial saving of £35m, the crime has gone down and detection has gone up.  However, another £15m of saving will have to be made in the next two years.  It will be difficult though Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) independent report, which just came out today, gave excellent response to Avon and Somerset area. The report commended long term approach rather than ‘salami slicing’ approach (series of many small actions).  That does mean prioritisation – some things will not be done and it will upset some people but there has to be prioritisation to make our residents be safe and feel safe and reduce the crime.  Sue Mountstevens also said that she will be transparent with people on what it can, and cannot, be done. There will be some risks to Police Stations as there will be reduction in senior officers, who cost more.  Neighbouring policing teams will be looked after though.

The Chair also asked about the fact that Avon and Somerset area was noted as third worst in the country for emergency response time, even worse than last year.

Sue Mountstevens responded that the area had 10% increase of crimes and as far as that is concern the service is doing fine.  Sue Mountstevens added that she is not satisfied with those figures and since that report was published her office had been looking at it.

Councillor Katie Hall said that Devon, Cornwall and four other authorities are piloting the scheme where mental health workers patrolling with police officers. Given the recent death in custody of somebody with mental health issues did the PCC apply to be a pilot for this scheme? If not, why not?

Sue Mountstevens responded that Avon and Somerset was not invited to participate in this pilot hence why this is not happening in this area.  Sue Mountstevens also informed the Panel there is only one bed to cover one million people in Bristol area for people with mental health issues, although it should be four beds.  Sue Mountstevens will talk with the AWP and other mental health providers to get more beds.  For the moment, people with mental health problems are in Police cells, which is not acceptable.

Councillor Dave Laming asked about the PCC's policy for river and riverbank policing.

Sue Mountstevens responded that there is no specific policy for river.  The nigh time economy is vital for Bath and there were terrible accidents that happened around river and she invited Simon Ellis to comment on operational issues.

Simon Ellis said that Police Officer patrol riverbank on regular basis, particularly around the areas that are used by people to get to and from home.  Simon Ellis added that there were a number of tragic losses due to people going into the river after their night out.  Part of the problem in making the area safer is that Police do not know who the land owner is. Police is also doing a lot of work with Universities in terms of education and advice for young people.

Councillor David Martin said that the Police Plan mentions crime prevention and reduction, and asked what steps the PCC is taking to allocate resources for these tasks, and what actions does the PCC envisage in this work.

Sue Mountstevens responded that crime prevention is the key part because it does not only reduce victims but also reduce the cost of harm.  The service lost crime prevention officers so the PCC office has to look at the ways of joined activity (for example – Community Safety grant investment in joint work with other agencies).  In terms of domestic violence – it is to do a lot with education and awareness and making sure that it is mainstream.  In terms of burglary – there is a lot of work with ‘Secured by Design’ (the official UK Police initiative supporting 'designing out crime' owned by Association of Chief Police Officers).  Sue Mountstevens is looking at the proactive target hardening with Bobby Van Scheme (working with vulnerable residents) and working with the neighbouring policing teams.

Simon Ellis added, from local perspective, that there are two Crime Reduction Officers, yet to be fully trained, who will work quite close with the South Gloucestershire Crime Reduction Officers who are fully trained.

Councillor Martin commented that there is Student Community Partnership in Bath and number of neighbourhood watch areas and it would be really useful if Crime Reduction Officers get in touch with those groups.

Councillor Patrick Anketell-Jones asked if the PCC will continue to provide support for PACT meetings.

Sue Mountstevens responded that she will certainly continue to support PACT meetings and also to rejuvenate those meetings in this area.

Councillor Anketell-Jones commented that it appears that Bath in summer is a lucrative place for beggars who can be given between £50 and £250 per day (amount confirmed by police). It was reported at the meeting that Bristol has eliminated serious begging by educating the public to give beggars food vouchers and not money. Councillor Anketell-Jones asked if that is true and if it is, what can Bath learn from Bristol? 

Sue Mounstevens responded that the real issue for Bath is the number of tourists and it is mostly tourists who give money to beggars.  It is much easier to educate residents in terms of tackling that issue.

Simon Ellis added that city centre team of Police Officer are well aware of begging in Bath.  The takings vary to quite considerable sum per day, as mentioned by Councillor Anketell-Jones.  The Police is trying various schemes at the moment, for instance trying to discourage people at known beginning points to give beggars the money.  There is also dedicated Anti-Social Behaviour Team which use all available powers to stop beggars in the city centre.

Councillor Geoff Ward said that in his Ward there is big fear of crime, in particular of burglary, though his office was robbed few weeks ago.  Councillor Ward welcomed the aspiration for Avon and Somerset to become one of the top ten performers in terms of crime reduction by 2017 and asked what measures have been taken to meet those targets.

Sue Mountstevens responded that these priorities are set by the public.  It is important that those messages are fed to the Police so they know what the public wants.  The Police had done amazing work to tackle these issues and there are some real differences within the first three months.  Sue Mountstevens said that there are no officers who do not know what the priorities are.

Daniel Howitt added that there was substantial change in burglary figures in the first three months.  It is all about looking into ways to improve the process and to gather the right intelligence.  So far in B&NES there were 15% fewer burglaries than at the same quarter last year (92 burglaries so far this year).  The detection rate for burglaries in B&NES is extremely strong, 22% detected.  Still not high enough but when compared with the average of 15% domestic burglaries detected, it is high.  One of the ways to reduce burglaries is to tackle most prolific offenders and work together with neighbourhood watch, crime-stoppers and similar groups.

Simon Ellis added that the approach from the Police is to identify those prolific individuals and work proactively with those individuals to steer them away from crime.  Simon Ellis also said that for 90 burglaries there are probably 12 key offenders who are responsible.

Councillor Neil Butters, as Chairman of the Council, also welcomed Sue Mountstevens, Simon Ellis and Daniel Howitt to the meeting.  Councillor Butters said that he is a Ward Councillor for Bathavon South and villages in his Ward have particular problems with speed limits, in particular with 20mph limits.  Councillor Butters asked if there is a way to enforce 20mph speed limits. 

Councillor Ian Gilchrist asked about the work with the Community Speedwatch.

Sue Mountstevens responded that Community Speedwatch is the subject very close to her heart – it is resident led and the PCC is now looking to set the consistent approach across the area. The Chief Constable is asked to do a review of them.  Some of the Community Speedwatch is really good, like the one in Widcombe though some others were not. The PCC office will be looking how to help residents on this matter.  There are six mobile camera vehicles across the patch which will go to hotspots.  If residents believe that vehicles should go to certain areas they could put the bid where the vehicles should go.  The PCC office is also in the process of purchasing three motorbikes with cameras on as some narrow areas are not safe enough for vans.  Sue Mountstevens also said that she is talking with Local Authorities about putting fixed cameras on.  The residents were quite clear that they want to be and feel safe on the roads.

Ben Simpson asked the PCC and the authority about the opportunity to find more effective and cost efficient approaches to reducing crime through a whole systems perspective of the criminal justice system.

Sue Mountstevens responded that Criminal Justice system is a combination of various agencies that in the past have regarded themselves in silos.  Now, there is a Criminal Justice Board (the PCC and Chief Constable are members of that board).  The measures are now set on how various agencies will work together.  Everyone has some cuts from the Government and everyone has to work together though Sue Mountstevens wants to make the victims’ journey as short as possible from the time they report the crime to the time they go to the court.  The quality of Police files could be better for example.  The Crime Prosecution Services (CPS) charging times could be shorter once all files are digitalised.  The access to advisory services will be also looked at.  Magistrates and Judges will be also looked at by making sure that they have victim impact statements.  Sue Mountstevens also said messages coming from the ground will be fed strategically.

Councillor Sarah Bevan said that her questions are about youth justice.  Councillor Bevan asked about £5,000 reward to local communities to tackle anti-social behaviour and asked if young people, who worked really hard with local Councillors and PCSOs to tackle anti-social behaviour within youngsters, would qualify for that reward.

Sue Mountstevens said that she visited the skate park in Midsomer Norton, which is one of great ways to keep young people interested and keep them away from being bored.  Sue Mountstevens also said that she had an application for some similar project from one of the applicants for the reward and the probable response will be positive, which means that particular group will likely receive £5,000 reward with the condition for them to raise the rest of the money. 

Councillor Bevan asked Sue Mountstevens on her views on rehabilitation programme for young people.

Sue Mountstevens responded that the PCC office is very positive with the prospect of working with businesses to offer employment to young offenders and ex-offenders. 

Patrick Knox asked about the working relationship between the PCC and the Health and Wellbeing Boards.

Sue Mounstevens responded that she was invited to most of the Health and Wellbeing Boards.  Sue Mountstevens said that there is very strong correlation between people who have poor health and then go on to commit the crime.  For those reasons the Sue Mountstevens want to work with the Health and Wellbeing Boards and Clinical Commissioning Groups.  Sue Mounstevens also said that she is overwhelmed with the good will that is coming from the Health and Wellbeing Boards across Avon and Somerset.  In the other parts of country there is no such strong working relationship like here. 

Colette Lyons asked about the National Policing Landscape.

Sue Mountstevens responded that there are number of things happening in this area.  National Crime Agency, which starts later on this year, will engage with the PCC on regional basis. 

The Police ICT Company has been established to provide vital support to the police service and provide the PCCs with the tools to achieve value for money and operational effectiveness.  There is also new College of Policing (evidence based policing).

Councillor Dine Romero (Cabinet Member for Early Years, Children, and Youth) asked about bullying in schools considering that, according to some statistics, 30% of children are bullied.  This was discussed with parents and the overall view is that it should be treated more serious, perhaps with the Police.

Sue Mountstevens responded that this is really difficult subject.  The use of social media nowadays is quite overwhelming in comparison to few years ago.  Sue Mountstevens said that she is engaging with educational heads with the message to educate and train young people though she doesn’t want anything to criminalise young people.  This is one of the areas that Police and education need to work close with each other.

Councillor Vic Pritchard said that he represents one of the rural Wards and that he is grateful that Police Station in Compton Martin remained open.

Sue Mountstevens commented that she has severe cuts to make and that she wants to safeguard as many officers as she can and if that means selling Police Stations then Sue Mountstevens will do that.

Peter Duppa-Miller asked about the future of PACT meetings.

Sue Mountstevens responded that she is working with departments within constabulary and also with local Parishes and in her view PACT meetings are our future – they are eyes and ears for the Police.  However, there are some incredible effective PACTs which are making difference though there are some PACTs where the same people turn out without making any difference.

The Chair noted that Sue Mountstevens visited some hot spots in Bristol last Saturday and invited her to do to the same with Bath and other places with the night time economy in B&NES.

Councillor Laming suggested that the PCC could look to create centres of excellence for youth as one of ways to engage young people.

The Chair, on behalf of the Panel, thanked Sue Mountstevens, Simon Ellis and Daniel Howitt for the report and for the answers provided at the meeting.

It was RESOLVED to:

1)  Note the report from the Police and Crime Commissioner

2)  Acknowledge the grants for the Community Safety for B&NES

3)  Invite Sue Mountstevens to come back to the Panel next year for an open debate and to talk more about the work with young people

4)  Pass the messages from the debate to relevant officers

5)  Receive the report on the Community Speedwatch once it is ready

6)  Invite Sue Mountstevens to visit night-time economy hotspots in Bath and in North East Somerset