Agenda item

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 that intelligence is important.

·  Can you give a commitment to address the concerns of the community in Keynsham and other areas as well as in the city regarding anti-social behaviour and police presence? The Chief Superintendent explained that the force must consider priorities based on things such as demand and footfall. He explained that Keynsham does not always have an officer and no guarantees could be given but the pledge is visibility and availability.

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

·  Can you give reassurance to the communities on the outskirts of the city centre? The Chief Superintendent explained that officers respond to demand much of which is outside the city centre and that his concern was that the availability is still maintained within the city.

·  Regarding the Domestic Homicide Reviews – are the PCC asked to contribute? The officer explained that the PCC have no more funding and other authorities split the cost of reviews with other agencies but the responsibility is with the Local Authority.

·  Do we have any information regarding migrants losing housing provision that was linked to employment? The Officer stated that she would find out and report back.

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

·  There are a surprising number of traffic problems in Midford and one issue is speeding and a lack of police enforcement. Is it possible that Midford could be covered by a motorbike speed patrol? The Chief Superintendent explained that there is speeding enforcement in this area but he will look into this.

·  Have you factored in extra resources for the new legislation regarding psychological abuse? The Chief Superintendent explained that the legislation created an offence that officers can now prosecute, there is no uplift in resources, it is reported in the same way

·  Radio communications do not seem to be linked in different areas. The Chief Inspector explained that there can only be so many people on a radio communications channel, officers can swap channels if needed.

Councillor Carr asked about the potential BID funding for night time management in the city; what area it would cover and who would oversee this arrangement. The officer explained that the authority is in discussion with the BID but no contract has yet been agreed and that she could report back at a later stage.

In response to a query from Councillor Bull, the officer stated that the authority had recently gained purple flag status for safer streets and that night time economy crimes are going down, she stated that she would circulate data to the Panel.

Councillor Bull asked about the effects of the service to the public of the move from Manvers Street and asked about the future for the buildings of other stations eg. Radstock. The Chief Superintendent explained that the police are available in the One Stop Shop from 8am-8pm 7days a week which is the same as before, he acknowledged that more awareness of the police presence in the One Stop Shop is needed.  He explained that there are no plans to sell the building in Radstock in the near future but that the building is costly and too big so he could not give any guarantee.

Councillor Hale asked what resilience there is when Bath Rugby play in the city which can draw 16,000 people. The Chief Superintendent explained that he is a season ticket holder and also that he can bid for resources on busy days. The officer added that there is an emergency planning scheme with a crowded place strategy.

The Chair thanked the officer and the police representatives for coming to the Panel meeting and answering questions.