Agenda item

The Panel are asked to consider progress made against the agreed Police and Crime Plan. The PCC has published a Police and Crime Plan for 2016 to 2020 based on the 6 manifesto pledges he made during his campaign to become PCC.This report provides an update on how the plan is being met.

Key points raised during discussion:

1. The PCC introduced the item and informed Members that although the report was written two weeks ago, there had been various updates. The Panel was pleased to note that the PCC has agreed to fund the Police Cadets uniform. The Panel was further advised that Waverley Borough Council has informally agreed to develop a JET team and to support this plan the PCC was providing £50k in funding.

2. The PCC advised the Panel that he recently met with the Director for Public Prosecutions, Alison Saunders to improve victims’ cases going through the criminal justice system. The PCC recognised the delays in cases and assured the Panel Alison Saunders was looking to expand the number of prosecutors to remedy the concern and ensure progress was made. The Panel also noted that a Police Officer was being embedded into the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to administer support and to improve delays in the CPS reaching a charging decision.

3. The PCC was queried whether he was aware that certain files held by the CPS, relevant to Guildford Crown Court were being processed in Canterbury. The PCC acknowledged this and assured that work was underway in pressing the matter in recruiting more lawyers to be based in Guildford. However as the CPS was a regional service there was good reason why lawyers were based in Canterbury.

4. The Vice-Chairman sought clarification on the funding behind the initiative to support victim’s cases in the criminal justice system, with regards to the costs involved with embedding a Surrey police officer into the offices of the CPS. The PCC advised that there was funding to support this role.

5. A Member mentioned that the Policing in your neighbourhood (PiYN) review had been completed, however findings had not been circulated. The PCC explained that the report was a public document and would be available shortly after final checks were carried out. A press release regarding the review had been released on 30 November 2016.

6. The PCC was also questioned as to whether information about the victims’ fund and community safety fund had been circulated to the Boroughs. The PCC informed the Members that the information in fact had been circulated as widely as possible, including a press release. The Panel were advised the best way to access all the information was to visit the Surrey Police Funding Hub online.

7. There was a discussion around tackling rural crime and a Member wanted more information with regards to the time scales in delivering the new Rural Crime Strategy, in particular the new rural crime community engagement volunteers’ scheme. The PCC notified Members that the implementation was a working progress and a colleague in the OPCC was actively working on this with police colleagues. The PCC encouraged the Panel to notify his office if anyone would like to come forward as a volunteer.

8. A Member drew the PCC’s attention to Reigate and Banstead’s problem with dangerous parking and obstructions, in particular around schools and appealed for support.  The PCC had assured the Panel that he had recently visited the Borough Inspector and was aware of the problems and the Police service was working to the best of their ability in cutting crime and building safer communities.

9. The PCC touched upon the problem with dangerous parking and proposed joint action with John Furey, the Surrey County Council Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Flooding and requested Members to inform him of any parking hotspots in their local areas. The Chairman stated that it was not a matter of additional resources, but that existing Officers should be visible to Residents.

10. The PCC was pleased to announce the mobile data terminals which have been rolled out have been saving Officers’ time and as technology advances so will procedures.

11. The PCC was asked to update the Panel on the progress of the body worn cameras as it was mentioned in the last meeting that there were delays. Members were advised that the body worn cameras would be rolled out this month from 1 December 2016 in Guildford and that, in due course, all front line officers would be equipped with these.

12. There was a discussion around making town centres safe and the absence of Mental Health Practitioners, Members wanted assurance from the PCC that this was being addressed. The PCC informed the Panel that he was working with the Health and Wellbeing Board to promote better cooperation so that Mental Health Practitioners are based at the appropriate places.

13. A Member of the Panel queried the progress around the work with youth organisations and developing partnerships between police, businesses and community safety agencies to tackle crime. The PCC reported that work around youth organisations were underway and that he recently attended the Surrey Youth Focus seminar last week, establising what issues face young people. It was stated that cyber-bullying was identified as a key concern. The Panel was also asked to note that the PCC’s office was providing substantial amounts of funding to support youth organisations in preventing crime.

14. In relation to businesses the PCC reported that it was difficult to engage with businesses and commended his predecessor for setting up a comprehensive cybercrime network, which addresses key concerns within this sector.  The Panel also noted the PCC was in contact with the federation for small businesses which he addresses with the Sussex PCC and engages regularly with the Chamber of commerce.

RESOLVED:

The Police and Crime Panel noted the early progress made against the Police and Crime Plan 2016-2020.