Key
points raised during discussion:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.