Agenda item

The Panel has requested a report on collaborative arrangements for Surrey Police, both with other police forces and with blue-light services. The report also includes information on PCC’s legal responsibilities in respect of collaboration and how the PCC measures the effectiveness of the arrangements in place. 

Witnesses:

Lisa Townsend - Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey

Ellie Vesey-Thompson - Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey

Key points raised in the discussion:

1.      The PCC explained that collaboration was vital for police forces across the country, and that it was important for collaboration to be constantly reviewed; a number of different forms of collaboration were outlined in the report.

2.      The Chairman welcomed the report as it detailed the extent of collaboration in relation to Surrey Police, he noted that the Panel also collaborated with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Sussex Police and Crime Panel.

3.      The Chairman noted that over time the Panel would consider the benefits and disbenefits of collaboration concerning Surrey Police, and he asked the PCC whether collaboration should be further extended regionally.

-       In response the PCC noted that part of her role was to keep collaborative arrangements under review, as such arrangements provided opportunities to increase efficiencies through formal arrangements such as with Sussex Police and informal collaboration with the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC).

-       The PCC noted that the protest activity on the M25 that morning was an example of the importance of collaboration as both Surrey and Hertfordshire were affected; she had spoken to Hertfordshire’s PCC on the issue.

4.      A Panel member welcomed the report and outline of the benefits and disbenefits of collaboration, noting that local authorities were undertaking parallel discussions on collaboration. He queried what the extent of collaboration was with the Metropolitan Police and the British Transport Police:

-     In response, the PCC explained the two-way relationship between Surrey Police and the Metropolitan Police, particularly in the north of the county where crime moves between London and Surrey, also noting the support provided by the Metropolitan Police on Monday regarding protest activity.

-       The DPCC explained that she had attended a shift with Surrey Police officers where British Transport Police officers attended to support a job featuring a railway issue, noting that there was good and natural collaboration when needed.

-       The Chairman noted that the British Transport Police collaborated with all police forces.

-       The Panel member further noted that it would be helpful for Panel members to be informed of how the Metropolitan Police and the British Transport Police operated collaboratively with Surrey Police. 

-       The PCC suggested that the Panel might want to raise the operational issue at the informal Panel meeting with the Chief Constable in October.

5.    The Panel member further sought information on the informal collaboration arrangements with local authorities.

-       The PCC responded that in terms of local authority collaboration, the PCC explained that she worked closely with Surrey’s council leaders through regular council leader meetings and discussions, to ensure the safety and wellbeing of Surrey’s residents.

-       A further Panel member asked whether a summary could be provided to Panel members via an email or within a second report on the wider collaborative arrangements such as with local authorities in Surrey, the NHS and the Criminal Justice System. 

-       The PCC explained that the report focused on policing and blue light services collaboration, she noted that she would look to provide Panel members with headline information on the wider collaborative arrangements requested.

-       The Chairman asked the OPCC to provide a summary of the collaborative arrangements with local authorities in Surrey, the NHS and the Criminal Justice System in the first instance, for Panel members to review and in the future request a second collaboration report if deemed necessary.

RESOLVED:

That the Panel noted the report.

Actions/further information to be provided:

1.    R28/21 - Panel members to consider raising the operational issue of how Surrey Police operated collaboratively with the Metropolitan Police and the British Transport Police at the informal Panel meeting with the Chief Constable in October.

2.    R29/21 - The PCC will look to provide Panel members with the information on the wider collaborative arrangements with local authorities in Surrey, the NHS and the Criminal Justice System via an initial summary of the headline information for Panel members to review.