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 the discussion:

1.    The PCC reported that the new Joint Enforcement Team (JET) in Guildford was making progress and was keen to pursue discussions with other districts and boroughs in developing JET teams in the county.

2.    It was noted that there had been an increase in traveller incursions across the county putting strain on district and boroughs. The PCC expressed the view that a better intelligence network was needed for tracking these incursions and making sure the Police used their powers within the law when responding in these circumstances.

3.    The PCC further added that it was difficult to remove travellers from unauthorised encampments as there was a lack of transit camps in Surrey and was looking into the matter to reach long term solutions. Members supported the view that the provision of transit camps should be made available in the County and were advised the obligation fell on district and boroughs to coordinate this.

4.    Members expressed the view that Surrey Police should show more visible presence with traveller unauthorised encampments however the PCC explained it was the council’s responsibility to attend to these incursions and Surrey Police would respond if a serious incident occurred.

5.    It was noted that Runnymede Borough Council had obtained an injunction that protects public spaces in the Borough, allowing them to bypass the process in having to obtain a court order to remove travellers from unauthorised encampments on council owned land which had been successful.

6.    The PCC informed the Panel as the Chairman of the Emergency Services Collaboration Programme he would like to ensure that progress continues in promoting blue light collaborations despite there being a lack of commitment from the police in Surrey and Sussex towards the future funding of the Programme Team that has supported this area of work.

7.     Members raised concerns that the report showed a decline in performance in some areas.  The PCC noted that there were areas for improvement, but overall he felt that Surrey Police was performing well.  Certain increases could be deemed positive as it showed a confidence to report issues, and the Surrey picture needed to be set against the national context. 

8.     It was further noted that Surrey Police were diverting resources from other areas to deal with crimes in particular the increase in burglaries that was being managed under operation ‘Spearhead’.

9.    There was a discussion around victim satisfaction levels and members were informed that Assistant Chief Constable Nev Kemp would be leading in this area.

10.  The PCC gave assurances that publicity would be provided in preparation for the new service to support victims of Anti-Social Behaviour launching on 26 October 2017 to help people tackle difficult situations.

11.  Members raised concerns with recent performance on 101 calls and expressed the view crimes were not being reported due to people not being able to get through. The PCC noted this concern and assured the Panel that the 101 service would be monitored carefully to ensure better outcomes however commended the service for improving greatly from the previous year.

12.  The PCC informed the Panel that there was a high turnover of operators however training was providing continuity to ensure services was maintained to an efficient standard.

13.  Members sought more information around average response times and targets set for non-emergency 101 calls and the PCC agreed to circulate the details to the Panel in due course.

14.  The PCC acknowledged concerns regarding residents not feeling safe after dark due to switching off street lights however explained that this was a County issue and not a matter for Surrey Police. He said that there was no evidence to suggest a correlation between the switch off of lights and any increase in crime or fear of crime.

15.  The PCC further added that Surrey Police gave the professional view that switching off street lights did not contribute to an increase in crimes. Members stated that they would like to see supporting evidence in this matter despite the PCC indicating no data or statistics existed.

16.  The PCC advised members that the budget for the Community Safety Fund had increased this year to £750k and key partners were being identified to work with over a long term basis.

17.  There was a discussion around Restorative Justice in Surrey and the PCC indicated that there were aspirations to create a Surrey wide strategy around Adult Restorative Justice between the Police and other agencies including the Community Rehabilitation Company.

18.  The PCC explained that modern slavery was a national problem and the Chief Constable was working towards an action plan to combat this in Surrey however the issue was hugely under reported and obtaining evidence was difficult as victims in these circumstances would not come forward.

19.  The PCC indicated that in an event of a terrorist act in the UK, plans were in place for assistance to be provided from other Police forces when necessary. The PCC reported that Surrey detectives had been dispatched to Manchester to assist with the terrorist incident that had occurred and three Police Constables had also joined a team to provide emergency assistance in the British Virgin Islands.

RESOLVED:

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

ACTIONS/FUTHER INFORMATION TO BE PROVIDED:

R8/17 – For the PCC to provide the Panel with performance targets set for the 101 number (including targets for the response times).