Agenda item

For the Panel to raise any issues or queries concerning crime and policing in Surrey with the Commissioner.

Witnesses:

David Munro, Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner

Key points raised in the discussion:

1. A Member remarked that earlier this year there was a report by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Knife Crime which linked the reduction in the amount of activities available for young people- through cuts in grant provisions - with knife crime. In response the PCC noted that knife crime in Surrey was low, however the fear of being stabbed by young people in Surrey was second on their anxiety rating behind mental health. He reported that there was not a major correlation between knife crime and closing youth services, but education in schools was important.
2. The PCC also pointed out that preventative work was essential as although knife crime was more prevalent in London, it travelled out of the capital to counties such as Surrey. He also informed the Panel that he had pushed for a portion of the Governments’ £100 million of ‘Surge’ funding - of which the majority went to urban areas, London and the West Midlands for example- to tackle knife crime to be allocated to Surrey.
3. Members were also informed that Surrey Police was running a knife amnesty campaign that week where anyone carrying a knife could surrender it anonymously to police stations. This included: Woking, Guildford and Reigate, to which Members were concerned as it was a long way to travel for those on the outskirts of Surrey. The campaign recognised that there was a higher correlation between knife carrying and being stabbed, the PCC commented that he had made a video the day before the Panel to widely publicise it.
4. A Member raised the issue of the decreasing positive outcome rate of ‘high harm’ crimes and asked what the category consisted of. The PCC stated that it included a number of categories. In response, a Member stated that those categories should be included in an updated Appendix B: Crime Measures Requested by the Panel, on both the Levels of Crime and Positives Outcomes. The PCC recalled that he had six-weekly performance meetings with the Chief Constable where ‘high harm’ crime was taken seriously and he would look into expanding Appendix B in a future report to the Panel.
5. Concerning the average time to answer 101 calls, a Member noted that many in his borough of Runnymede felt it worthless without any follow up. In response, PCC confirmed that there were statistics available on the nature of the calls; these would be reported by borough if available at the next Informal meeting. The PCC extended an invitation to the whole Panel to visit the Surrey Police Contact Centre, he also informed the Member that all 101 calls were recorded and he would follow-up specific calls and cases he may have.
6. The PCC commented that half of all calls to 101 were not police matters. There had been an improvement of 101 use and handling over the last three years- made a priority by the Chief Constable and PC- with a shorter waiting time and there was information given to callers on their number in the queue for greater clarity. Other forces often visited Surrey Police to find out its strategy on 101 handling.

Councillor Andrew Povey returned at 12.05pm

7. In response to a Member question, the PCC explained that every individual post was vetted to a varying degree which included employees within partnership agreements and due to a high volume vetting took a long time.
8. A Member raised the issue of parking controls in Reigate that in his councillor surgeries he had been approached by two wheelchair users who had to go onto main roads to get round parked cars. In response the PCC recommended the recent parliamentary Transport Select Committee report on pavement parking which called for a revision of parking laws. The PCC urged the Member to refer to him on specific issues concerning parking. The PCC would shortly be having a meeting next week at Reigate and Banstead Borough Council with parking officers as a pilot concerning the revision of parking laws. 

Actions/Further information to be provided:

1. R46/19 - The PCC would include the other categories concerning ‘high harm’ crimes in an updated Appendix B: Crime Measures Requested by the Panel, on both the Levels of Crime and Positives Outcomes in a later report.

2. R47/19 - Statistics on 101 calls would be reported at the next Informal meeting and by borough if possible.

3. R48/19 - Democratic Services will liaise with the OPCC for the whole Panel to visit the Surrey Police Contact Centre.