Basingstoke & Dean Borough Council Crime and Disorder Joint Scrutiny Committee Meeting

Councillor Dibble was elected as Chair for the 2022/23 municipal year.

Apologies were received from:

Councillor Edwards (Basingstoke and Dean BC)

Councillor Butler (Hart DC)

Councillor Smith replaced by Councillor Jeffers (Rushmoor BC)

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no urgent matters.

The minutes of the meeting held on 29 June 2021 hosted by Hart District Council were confirmed as a correct record.

The committee considered the report which provided an overview of the performance of the Safer North Hampshire Strategic Community Safety Partnership (CSP).

The Community Support Manager from Basingstoke and Deane BC presented the report on behalf of the Chair of the Safer North Hampshire Strategic Community Safety Partnership and provided a summary of the partnership work and the priorities of the partnership during 2021/22:

• Anti-Social behaviour, including youth related anti-social behaviour and neighbour related anti-social behaviour
• Knife and blade related incidents with a specific focus on robbery
• Crimes with historically low levels of reporting which included domestic crime, hate crime and violence against women and girls

It was important to recognise the work of the partnership had been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic with periods of restrictions on working and socialising which had impacted on crime and disorder trends and shifting priorities of partners.

Overall recorded crime across the Safer North Hampshire area increased by 21% compared to 2020/21 but a 3% reduction compared to 2019/20.

The Chair invited the ward councillor for Brighton Hill, Councillor Bowes, to address the committee.  Concern was raised regarding residents not feeling safe at night largely due to the fear of anti-social behaviour such as incidents involving public drug misuse, intimidating behaviour, graffiti and stealing parcels from doorsteps.  Car meets and the effect on residents was also raised as an issue.  It was considered that no workable solution had been found to the problem and it was suggested there should be a properly resourced plan incorporating enforcement action and publication of enforcement to highlight the risks of becoming involved.

The District Commander for Basingstoke acknowledged the concerns, highlighted the actions in place to respond to the issues and would continue dialogue with the ward councillors. 

The Community Support Manager from Basingstoke and Deane BC thanked Councillor Bowes for raising the issues and agreed to engage further with ward councillors to develop an action plan to work together to help to resolve the issues.

The committee were reminded of the Community Safety Partnership Plan for 2020-2023 and asked to relate their discussions to the achievements of the plan.  Partner agencies were invited to present details of their achievements and activities in relation to the priorities of the Partnership Plan.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council

The Community Support Manager reflected on the work of the Community Safety Team and Community Safety Patrol Officers (CSPO) who provide high visibility patrols and raise community awareness in relation to anti-social behaviour.  They had dealt with 1422 incidents during the year and issued 73 warning notices.  The anti-social behaviour panel had been well attended by partner agencies and referrals received were discussed to formulate a strategy to resolve issues.  A shared data analyst across the Safer North Hampshire area assisted with mapping to identify problem areas.  A Public Space Protection Order had been implemented to tackle alcohol related nuisance in the town centre and surrounding open space areas and two Community Triggers had been activated and resolved through partnership working.  Feedback from residents where anti-social behaviour interventions had been made were positive.

Regarding serious violence, it was reported that the Community Safety Team and CSPO’s provided evidence to the police and partner agencies in relation to a gang injunction, were working with other agencies to tackle youth violence and contributed to the development of a strategy for violence against women and girls.  Basingstoke BC attend the Prevent Partnership Board and participated in the Channel Panel and OP Met and contributed to other police and children’s services led operations.

In relation to the priority regarding crimes with low levels of reporting the Community Support Manager reported that Basingstoke BC enabled the Domestic Abuse Forum meetings which had been well attended by agencies and successful in sharing best practice and campaigns.  To tackle hate crime, a working group attended by partners had been set up to raise awareness and share best practice.  A Domestic Homicide Review was also ongoing.

In response to comment made regarding youth offending and more focus on protecting vulnerable youths it was confirmed that development work was taking place with a range of partners to the approach and recognition of risks particularly related to youth violence and exploitation.

Concern was raised regarding residents feeling safe in the town centre at night and streetlights being switched off after a certain time at night.  It was confirmed that the feeling of safety would formulate some of the partnership priorities during the next year.

Hart District Council

The Community Safety Manager from Hart discussed work to raise awareness of anti-social behaviour and encourage reporting through community engagement events.  668 incidents were reported during the year, a majority dealt with at source and some through partnership working.  It was reported there were two successful closure orders, two successful anti-social behaviour injunctions and two Community Triggers.  Communication and regular engagement with the police, partners and across local authority services had been positive.  The Vulnerabilities Operational Group involved case discussion, action plan implementation and improvement to partnership working for the best outcome for individuals.  A significant amount of ASB early intervention work had been carried out with schools, Neighbourhood Policing Team, and housing associations, with positive results. 

A lot of awareness work had been carried out with schools and youth clubs in relation to violence, knife crime and robbery.  An interactive experience offering to secondary schools to introduce the topic of exploitation had been positive although there had been some reservation from some schools involving younger year groups.  Engagement with local youth groups had been positive.

The Domestic Abuse Forum was held quarterly with good attendance of organisations and agencies represented and interesting speakers which had promoted information sharing, best practice and networking.  A project run by Fleet Phoenix had been set up to offer junior school age children who had been involved or witnessed domestic abuse, therapeutic support. Positive feedback had been received from the families supported.

Communications and messaging about hate crime had been promoted during Hate Crime Awareness Week.

It was suggested there should be an increased focus on Fleet Central due to increased ASB.  Difficulty in reporting using the 101 service was also a concern.

The officer and District Commander for Hart and Rushmoor responded to the comments advising of the importance to encourage reporting so that problem areas could be targeted and the variety of mechanisms other than 101 to report crime such as online and the QR code.  It was recognised that improvements needed to be made to the 101 service.  Councillors were requested to try online reporting or the QR code and assist in getting the message out to communities to encourage reporting.

It was suggested that a breakdown of the types of anti-social behaviour would be useful to identify how much anti-social behaviour was attributed to youths or adults as there was a perception that most anti-social behaviour was due to groups of youths.

Comment was made about receiving feedback from reporting incidents so there was recognition that the incident had been logged or action was being taken which would encourage more reporting.

Councillors were advised that a police engagement newsletter had recently been set up which would provide a summary of themes in the area and promote connectivity and two-way engagement.

In response to concern regarding engagement of schools it was confirmed that several schools had been engaged in the Think Safe Project.

Rushmoor Borough Council

The Community Safety Manager from Rushmoor provided a summary of the key areas of work undertaken over the year.  A key piece of work had been the Vulnerability Operational Group (VOG) where a couple of referrals were managed each month.  There had been an increase in neighbour nuisance, particularly related to cannabis use, however a warning letter process had proved effective.  There had been an increase in community patrols to target problem areas due to anti-social behaviour.  The Community Trigger process had also been refreshed and promoted to make it clearer for residents.  Car meets had been an issue but with partnership working, targeting areas and increased security of car parks, there had been a reduction in the number of car meets.  A process for public space protection orders had also been introduced in relation to alcohol use in Aldershot town centre.  Fixed penalty notices and confiscation of alcohol would be implemented shortly.  A survey for residents would be developed in relation to community safety issues to get an understanding of issues for residents.  Youth work was an area that was lacking so any assistance or opportunities to move the work forward would be welcome

Officers had contributed to the Hampshire Violence Reduction Unit meetings and a local High Harm Reduction Group had been established to target violence at a local level.  In relation to violence to women and girls, data was analysed to look at where improvements and action could be taken such as HCC street lighting.

Key communications and promotion of key areas had been undertaken throughout the year such as White Ribbon Day, Mental Health Awareness and Anti-social Behaviour week, to raise awareness and encourage reporting.  A comprehensive programme of safeguarding training was in place for staff and councillors.

In response to questions regarding reviewing statistics and partnership working the officer confirmed that the loss of Safety Net had not had an impact on partnership working due to strong partner relationships.  Uniform database would be used to record data in the future. 

The issue of reporting crime through 101 was raised.  The work of the Police Community Support Officers (PCSO) was praised particularly in relation to the support they provide to councillors and knowledge sharing.  The importance of encouraging reporting was reiterated.

Comments were made regarding the strong working relationship between partners and the success that partnership working brings across the local authority areas.  The importance of early intervention was acknowledged.  It was suggested that Hampshire County Council be approached to review their policy regarding youth provision.

Hampshire Constabulary – Basingstoke and Deane

The District Commander for Basingstoke discussed the priorities of the Hampshire Constabulary in the Basingstoke and Deane area.  Crime rates in the area were lower than the general trend which was positive with reductions in serious violence.  All classifications of crime were within controlled limits however there was an increase in anti-social behaviour, vehicle crime and sexual offences although they remained low.  Tackling serious youth violence, county lines, drug related harm, domestic abuse and anti-social behaviour were priorities of the constabulary.  A street gang injunction had positive results in reducing robbery and knife enabled crime.  Contribution to the Hate Crime Working Group was positive to bring partners together to collaborate to discuss issues and seek solutions.

The District Commander responded to concerns raised regarding young vulnerable people being drawn into crime, county lines, the increase in youths carrying knives and increase in electric scooter use.  A partnership approach, resources in action plans and engaging with schools was key to managing knife crime.  A Stop and Search advocacy scheme had been launched and rolled out to colleges in the area to provide a safe space to have conversations around Stop and Search concerns.  It was explained that Stop and Search was a power that should be used appropriately and sparingly.  The approach to e-scooters was to issue a warning on the first occasion, subsequent offending would result in the scooter being seized, however the approach was proportionate and the use of e-scooters in the future was a wider agenda.

Hampshire Constabulary – Hart and Rushmoor

The T/District Commander for Hart and Rushmoor discussed the priorities of the Hampshire Constabulary in the Hart and Rushmoor areas.  The importance of partnership working was reiterated with regular daily meetings with Community Safety leads to discuss and respond to recent issues.  The refresh of the VOG and new Places Panel would make a difference to prioritising and developing action plans with a partnership approach to look at location based issues to tackle anti-social behaviour. The relationship between Community Support Officers and schools was a strength with school charter visits and patrol plans that sit alongside.  Training and investment in the Early Help Hub was key to early intervention.  The work to manage exploitation of young people was positive and worked well for assessment and early intervention.  Domestic abuse perpetrator work had been successful to deliver intervention, catch and convict activity.

Responding to comments regarding victim contact it was acknowledged that responding and providing feedback to victims of crime needed improvement.  A victim contract and needs assessment was in place but additional scrutiny work was required to improve the feedback mechanism. 

It was commented that the rising cost of living could have an adverse impact on domestic violence.  It was also suggested that facilitated organised car meets could be an option to tackle the issue with car meets in inappropriate places.  Assurance was given that the constabulary did have strategic oversight of car meets but it was a suggestion that could be considered.

Bike crime was raised as an issue with many incidents being unreported.  It was acknowledged that promoting reporting was key to collect intelligence and target the right areas.

Aldershot Garrison

It was reported that crime was quite low.  The networking hubs were a great tool and reporting of crime was being encouraged.  Speeding lorries in the northern estates was an issue to residents.  A review of the roads was being looked at to implement a road narrowing scheme to reduce access and speed.  Car meets had been taking place on the Wellington Memorial Car Park however locking the car park at night had been enforced to remedy the issue.

It was clarified that PCSO’s patrol the estates rather than military police.  It was also acknowledged that improvements and better recognition was required regarding domestic violence.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group

The main focus had been the covid-19 pandemic and vaccine rollout but in relation to the CSP, work had been in place to understand high users of emergency health services and mapping where there may be an overlap with other cohorts so that information and resources could be shared to provide wrap around support to an individual.  The Mutual Gain Improvement Programme had been successful, positive community engagement was a good way to promote health.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service

No representatives were present at the meeting.

Hampshire Youth Offending Team

The representative left the meeting at 8pm.

The Community Support Manager from Basingstoke provided a summary of the key themes discussed:

• The importance of promoting and encouraging reporting of crime particularly in relation to anti-social behaviour.
• Recognition of the strength of the partnership work that takes place.
• Fear of crime and feeling safe particularly after dark and how the partnership could address some of the issues with a focus on violence against women and girls.
• Focus on anti-social behaviour and recognition of the importance to residents.
• Early intervention particularly in relation to young people.

Resolved:

That the committee is satisfied with the performance of the Strategic CSP in relation to the discharge of its statutory functions.