Agenda item

[Insp Nolan Heather/Sue Barham/Paula Hartwell/Sue Robertson]

(Approximate starting time – 7.00pm)

To provide an update on the activity and impact of the Safer Woking Partnership and receive a brief update on Policing in your Neighbourhood

The Woking Joint Committee:

(i)    Noted the contents of the report and the progress made in 2015/16.

(ii)   Noted the budget spend during 2015/16 (Annex 2)

(iii)  Noted the 2016/19 Safer Woking Partnership Plan (Annex 3)

(iv)Agreed to delegate responsibility for signing off the 2017/20 Safer Woking Partnership Plan to the Woking Borough Council Strategic Director (Sue Barham) in consultation with the Community Safety Task Group.

REASONS:

The updated Safer Woking Partnership Plan should be in place and publically available on the website from the beginning of the financial year.  In order to ensure the timely publication it is recommended to delegate authority to sign the document of on behalf of the Joint Committee to the Strategic Director (Sue Barham, WBC) in consultation with the Community Safety Task Group.

Inspector Heather, Sue Robertson, Paula Hartwell and Sue Barham were welcomed to the meeting and introduced the report which provided an update on the activity and impact of the Safer Woking Partnership. Insp Heather also updated the Committee on Policing in Your Neighbourhood which started in April following a Force restructure and is working really well in Woking.

Sue Robertson explained that health partners are involved in the areas of domestic abuse, Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE), alcohol and drug problems and mental health issues. It was noted that the Safe Haven Cafe opened in Woking earlier in the year and provides an alternative place for people in crisis to go to for support.

It was noted that the crime statistics attached to the report were incorrect and a revised version would be circulated to members.

Key points raised in the discussion included:

·        Although some crime has increased, it is important to look at the type of crime and also take into account that people are becoming more confident at reporting crimes, some of which may be historical.

·        During Euro 2016 an increase was not seen in reports of domestic abuse, but there are more officers on duty to deal with any issues during this time.

·        To date there has not been an increase in incidents of hate crime since the Referendum in Woking, but officers are aware of reports in other parts of Surrey. Hate Crime is a new priority for the 2016/19 Safer Woking Partnership Plan.

·        Members are aware of issues of ASB still happening in Knaphill. Members were encourage to ask their residents to report incidents so that they can be recorded by the Police and an appropriate response can be provided. Regarding fires in Brookwood Country Park, it was noted that it is difficult to tell whether the fires are accidental or deliberate. The Fire Service are monitoring the situation and if there is a recurring trend it will be referred to JAG.

·        There are a lot of initiatives carried out across Surrey for taxi drivers on CSE, and officers are looking to do some further work in Woking. There is work at a county level to ensure there is a consistent approach across the county for safeguarding. Members asked how the MAECC links into the Surrey Safeguarding Board at the County level.  It was agreed that a response would be provided outside the meeting.

·        The first Police Cadets are being established in October at The Bishop David Brown School.  Further information on this initiative will be available in due course and members would be keen to see how this could be linked into the work under the Integrated Youth Strategy.

·        Members queried the increase in referral to the Women’s Support Centre. This was partly related to confidence of referring and extended networks, but a more comprehensive response would be provided outside the meeting.

·        ‘In the Net’ is a new live production for Years 5/6 that will be rolled out to primary schools in Surrey. A report on this initiative will be taken to the Surrey Safeguarding Board.

RESOLVED

The Woking Joint Committee:

(i)     Noted the contents of the report and the progress made in 2015/16.

(ii)    Noted the budget spend during 2015/16 (Annex 2)

(iii)  Noted the 2016/19 Safer Woking Partnership Plan (Annex 3)

(iv)  Agreed to delegate responsibility for signing off the 2017/20 Safer Woking Partnership Plan to the Woking Borough Council Strategic Director (Sue Barham) in consultation with the Community Safety Task Group.