Agenda item

The PCC published a refreshed Police and Crime Plan for 2018 to 2020.  This built on the previous plan issued in 2016. The refresh was informed by emerging crime trends, consultation, scrutiny of current force performance and meetings and visits with Surrey Police, public and partners.   This report gives a progress report on the Police and Crime Plan.

Witnesses:

David Munro, Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner
Alison Bolton, Chief Executive, Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner

Key points raised in discussion:

1.    Members queried the burglary prevention kits that were noted in the report and questioned their use and effectiveness. The PCC explained that kits included SelectaDNA marking water, which would be used to aid in recovery of stolen property and serve as a deterrent to burglary. It was also noted that the Surrey Police was offering these kits at a discount for members of the public who applied.  The PCC noted that other brands of DNA kit were also available.

2.    The PCP noted that webcast sessions of public meetings of the PCC were advertised on the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s website, as well as advertised on social media.

3.    The PCP explained the 101 call time responses statistics, and stated that the call time was measured from the beginning of the contact to when the call was picked up by an agent.

4.    Members questioned the PCP’s response to unauthorised Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) encampments in Surrey and whether the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner considered the response of Surrey Police to this issue to be robust. The PCC noted that this was a significant issue and that the police were working to pursue criminality that took place in these encampments. However, it was noted that the police had difficulty with this, often due to lack of evidence of criminality and stressed that the police needed help from the community to aid in the task of reducing crime resultant of this issue.

5.    It was noted by the PCC that he had requested Surrey Police to undertake a review of the thresholds between anti-social behaviour and criminality, as it was explained that they were not clear at present and that this had led to increased ambiguity over anti-social behaviour in unauthorised encampments. This was often a cause of community tension and frustration.

6.    Members questioned Transit Camps, their effectiveness in other authorities, and the impact that these would have if implemented. The PCC noted that the idea for Transit Camps was used in other comparable local authorities as an additional deterrent to authorised encampments and gave the police additional powers to move on unauthorised encampments to these sites. It was also noted that there was some impetus from central government to strengthen laws relating to trespass on land and unauthorised encampments and that this may improve the ability for police to move on unauthorised encampments.

7.    It was stressed that the PCC had attended a meeting of the Surrey Leaders Group where the idea of transit camps was received positively. It was noted, however, that potential sites were not identified during this discussion.

8.    The PCC noted that victims of crime resulting from unauthorised encampments were carefully considered and that police had spent time and resource to reassure and protect residents.

9.    The PCC stressed that the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner would be working closely with Borough and District authorities to reduce the impact of anti-social behaviour and unauthorised encampments.

10.  Members questioned the absence of burglary as a “high harm” crime and asked whether this could be included in the PCC’s plan, due to the impact that this has upon victims of this crime. The PCC noted improved focus on burglary, noting that cases of burglary had reduced.  He was content that burglary was treated with sufficient priority, and that a re-definition was not necessary.

11.  Members praised the PCC’s commitment to counter-terrorism operations, but noted that there were several other operations underway which could be investigated by police as potential future options to improve performance in this area. The PCC noted the strong action that had been taken on this issue and that significant resource had been allocated to ensure that this was successful.

12.  Members questioned the Alliance Support Coaching service and “Make Every Adult Matter” (MEAM) approach plan and asked for evidences of success and the locations of the pilot programmes. The PCC offered to provide this information to Members.

RESOLVED:

That Members noted the report

Actions/Further information to be provided:

That the Police and Crime Commissioner provides the committee details of the Alliance Support Coaching service and “Make Every Adult Matter” (MEAM) approach plan, including evidences of successes and the locations of the pilot programmes.