Councillors and committees

Agenda item

POLICE AND CRIME PLAN QUARTERLY UPDATE

The Police and Crime Panel for Surrey scrutinises the work of the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Surrey, Kevin Hurley, overseeing progress against the published Police and Crime Plan.

 

In March 2015 the PCC reviewed and updated the Police and Crime Plan to put additional focus on:

 

·         Improving funding for Surrey Police

·         Joint Enforcement and Joint Working

·         Embedding victim services and developing support for children

·         Roads Policing

·         Counter Terrorism

 

Minutes:

Key points raised during the discussions:

 

·         The PCC highlighted some key points from the Police and Crime Plan Quarterly report to the Panel. In particular, the PCC emphasised a joint initiative being piloted in Reigate and Banstead between the police and the Joint Enforcement Team (JET) to tackle organised crime in the Borough. Members were also informed that progress is being made to roll out the JET programme in Elmbridge.

 

·         Information was requested by Members on the delivery of support services to victims of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) with particular reference to the length of time that victims have to wait before they receive counselling. The PCC indicated that victims of CSE should receive support from Police Officers or counsellors within a day of reporting the offence. It was also highlighted that Surrey now recognised as the best County in the country for delivering specialised support for victims of sexual offences.

 

·         The theatre production ‘Chelsea’s Choice’ was also highlighted to the PCC as a powerful means of raising awareness of issues surrounding CSE and the Panel asked whether steps are being taken to allow more people in Surrey to see this play. The PCC advised that plans are in place to show the production more widely and in particular the OPCC are working to develop a consistent approach to showing ‘Chelsea’s Choice’ to children next year.

 

·         Members drew attention to problems with the community speed watch programme which doesn’t enable volunteers to take action against anti-social driving. The DPCC confirmed that this problem is recognised but that, at present, the facilities are not in place to allow volunteers to act against offenders. The Panel was advised, however, that steps are being taken to improve road safety in Surrey including the allocation of an additional £35,000 for Safe Drive, Stay Alive to ensure that it is seen by more people in the county.

 

·         The PCC was asked to provide clarity on measures being taken by the police to combat the proliferation of illegal drugs in schools. The Panel was given a brief overview of Surrey Police’s strategy for tackling this issue with specific mention of plans being developed that would enable officers to grant immunity against prosecution for pupils caught dealing drugs in exchange for information about those supplying the drugs further up the chain. Panel members were also informed that discussions are taking place with other forces in the South East around creating a facility which allows pupils to anonymously name friends or peers that they suspect of selling drugs. The PCC did, however, stress that the loss of Community Safety Officers as a result of budgetary restrictions has placed limitations on the capacity of the police to get into schools and work with and educate children about drugs.

 

·         Concern was expressed by members of the Panel regarding the organisation of the PCC’s Crime Summits with particular reference to the Summit in Woking. It was communicated to the PCC that it was felt there was a perceived lack of information to Borough Council Officers about the set up and arrangements for the Crime Summits. The Chief Executive (CE) confirmed that these concerns will be relayed to the person responsible for arranging the Crime Summits.

 

·         Attention was drawn to the Force Level Scorecard on page 37 of the agenda. Concern was expressed with the staff feedback included on the Scorecard and the PCC was asked to comment on steps being taken to improve perceptions of Surrey Police among officers and police staff in the county. The PCC indicated that he shared the Panel’s concern with these statistics especially given the significance of goodwill in many of the duties that the police undertake. Discussions have taken place with the Chief Constable about these figures and actions which can be taken to improve staff morale. Low pay and poor representations of the police in the media have contributed to police morale dropping throughout the UK with the former being particularly acute in Surrey where wages have stagnated despite continued increases in the cost of living.

 

·         Parish Council meetings were highlighted by Panel members as a great forum for to police to engage with residents and it was suggested by the Panel that, across the county, there should be more consistent attendance by police at these meetings.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

 

1.    The Panel noted the report.

ACTIONS/ FURTHER INFORMATION TO BE PROVIDED:

 

            None

 

PANEL NEXT STEPS:

 

            None

 

Supporting documents: