Issue - meetings

An update report on Community Safety is attached. There will be a presentation at the meeting and slides are attached. There will also be Police representatives at the meeting.

The Chair welcomed Chief Superintendent Ian Smith and Chief Inspector Kevin Thatcher from Avon and Somerset Police to the meeting and thanked them for attending for this item.

Samantha Jones – Inclusive Communities Manager gave a presentation which covered the following points:

Background

PCC Priorities

B&NES area focus

Crime and disorder

Example programmes

New and emerging issues

Cross cutting issues

Chief Superintendent Ian Smith spoke to the Panel on the following:

Finances – Savings have been made, the forecast is to stand still by 2020 which is good news. There are some changes to funding for example an increase in firearms officers due to the ongoing terrorist threat. Savings should be found through partnership working.

Operating Model – There has been a huge change to how the force is operated. There are five superintendents and three core areas – Somerset; Bath and North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire and Bristol (each with an area commander). Also there are two distinct units; Specialist Operations (pro-active units) and Protect, Prevent and Prosecute. Services from these units must be bid for based on threat, harm and risk. This is a much leaner model than previously operated.

Local perspective – The station has moved from Manvers Street to Redbridge House on Lower Bristol Road. The exact numbers of officers and vehicles in the city remains the same. City Centre officers now work out of the One Stop Shop in Lewis House – this will be reviewed so that the city has visible officers and reassurance.

Panel members made the following points and asked the following questions:

Councillor Shelford asked about the threat profile for Bath especially considering the number of international visitors. The Chief Superintendent agreed that areas of large footfall can be a target but explained that through the use of intelligence he could report that numbers are reassuring. The officer stated that Panel members could receive ‘Prevent’ information outside the meeting.

Councillor Hale asked about the issue of road safety and suggested that, with the road safety officer, this could be added to the Council’s areas of focus. He also asked about ‘Lighthouse’ and asked if it is sufficiently staffed. The officer explained that the organisation works with victims and particularly victims of domestic violence and there are some budget considerations so that mainly people at high risk rather than medium risk are worked with. The Chief Superintendent explained that Lighthouse is a success, it identifies cohorts of victims and provides a wraparound service.

 Councillor Hale asked the Chief Superintendent to respond to the following comments:

·  Why is road safety a priority for the police? The Chief Superintendent explained that police offers are now very much ‘response’ rather than ‘prevent’. He explained that there are many initiatives but resources are limited.

·  Are the firearms units adequate? The Chief Superintendent explained that the force is not an armed service and that any area would struggle to deal with a Paris style attack. He explained that any country is vulnerable to terrorism and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 51