The meeting will commence with a presentation by the Chief Constable and the Police and Crime Commissioner. Any questions by Members that have been submitted in advance of the meeting will then be considered and answered.

The Chairman welcomed Police and Crime Commissioner Anthony Stansfeld and the Chief Constable Francis Habgood QPM.

 

The meeting commenced with a presentation to the Panel from Anthony Stansfeld. The Police and Crime Commissioner went through the 2016-17 Crime Performance Headlines. The points covered included:

•       Thames Valley saw recorded crime increase by 7.2% (129,449 ® 138,710) which compares to a national increase of 11%

•       The overall increase in crime remains low in Thames Valley:  66,976 fewer crimes compared to 5 years ago (205,686) and 8,357 fewer offences compared to 10 years ago (147,067)

•       The increase is reflected nationally (ONS Crime Survey of England and Wales), and is largely attributed to improvements in compliance with National Crime Recording Standards, following recommendations made by HMIC in 2014.

•       The HMIC’s latest PEEL assessment rated Thames Valley Police as Good across all areas of policing (effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy),

•       Victim satisfaction remains high at 88%, compared with the national average of 84%.

•       Recorded offences of violence against the person have risen by 7.9% (compared to around a 19% increase nationally).

•       Homicide has increased by 5.6% (18 reports in 2015/16 and 19 reports in 2016/17). Three of the recorded homicides are in

      relation   to the deaths of three men at Didcot Power Station in February16.  

•       Sexual offences have increased by 4.2% over the past year (4,412 crimes in total).

•       Recorded offences of rape have increased by 9.3% and non-rape sexual offences have increased by 1.6%.

•       Burglary has increased by 9.1% and vehicle crime has increased by 10.6%, with certain increases in specific areas.

•       Arson has increased by 19.9%, which is largely thought to be due to improvements in recording practices.

•       Trafficking of drugs offences have increased by 28.1%, which can be largely attributed to an increase in proactive police activity i.e. warrants and pre-planned operations to combat illegal drug activity across county lines.

•       Possession of weapons offences have increased by 19.8%.

•       Hate crime has increased overall by 8.1%. We believe this due to an increased victim confidence in coming forward.

•       Domestic abuse has risen by 3.3%. Domestic abuse remains a priority for the force.

 

The Police and Crime Commissioner informed the Panel of two surveys carried out, an adult survey and a youth survey. In the adult survey, 3562 adults were surveyed and 87% were satisfied with the police in their area, 57% said they had been a victim or witness to a crime, 77.59% felt very safe/safe where they lived and almost 2000 people said burglary caused them the most concern followed by violent crime. 

 

In the youth survey, 1215 youths aged 11-17 years were surveyed and 56% trusted the police, 46% said the police make them feel safe, 28% wouldn’t or didn’t know if they would report a crime to the police and 14% felt intimidated by the police. One in two youth had seen violence between young people in the last year, 35% have seen youngsters doing drugs, one in four had a friend who had been a victim of hate crime and 35% had a friend who was a victim of theft. Males felt that their bike being stolen, being in a fight or beaten up caused them the most concern and females felt being bullied (verbal or cyber), sexting and indecent images and receiving unwanted sexual comments or jokes in person and online caused them the most concern.

 

The Police and Crime Commissioner shared their 2017-21 priorities with the Panel, discussing vulnerability, prevention and early intervention, reducing re-offending, serious organised crime and disorder and police ethics and reform.

 

The Panel then received a presentation from Chief Constable Francis Habgood QPM. The Chief Constable emphasized the Thames Valley commitment of working together to make communities safer. Thames Valley Police already have a Innovative Problem solving and partnership group, have Disrupted crime in Dedworth, have achieved the Pubwatch Parliamentary Award and have Operation Stronghold. Thames Valley Police will still be targeting OCG’s preying on the vulnerable; Op London, Op Luna and reducing burglary.

 

Thames Valley Police have a refreshed website, a Thames Valley alert app, cyber crime investigation team and protect your world and are also working towards a citizens portal, digital transformation, demand management and contact management. Thames Valley Police also have a community engagement and problem solving, stop and search app and apprenticeships.  They would also be targeting engagement/recruitment, improve the response to hate crime and vulnerability and will have a children and young persons strategy.

 

 

The operational priorities for 2017/18 are:

 

•          Cut crimes of most concern

§  Burglaries, Violence, Rural Crime, Serious and Organised Crime

•          Protect Vulnerable People

§  Repeat victimisation of domestic abuse, response to hate crime, CSE, FGM, HBA, FM

•          Bring offenders to justice

§  Quality of files

•          Reduce repeat demand

 

(Full copies of the Chief Constable’s presentation are available on request – please contact Shilpa Manek in Democratic Services).

 

The Police and Crime Commissioner and Chief Constable responded to a number of questions which had been submitted in advance of the meeting from Members:

 

The Chairman asked the following questions on behalf of Councillor Colin Rayner:

Ø  Please can you give the full qualified Police officers numbers with ranks working in Royal Borough in 2017 compared to numbers in 2007 and 1997?

Response – this would not be a true comparison since the policy model has changed. However, there had not been a significant change in the last seven years.

Ø  Please give number of police stations open 24 hours a day in 2017 in the Royal borough compared to 2007 and 1997 plus number of police stations open part time?

Response – there have never been any stations open 24 hours a day. They are open only at call time. The is a phone outside to use if required. Maidenhead police station has been consistent and Windsor and Ascot police stations both have no front counter.

 

Ø  How many police arrests were made in 2016 and 2007 and 1997?

CC Habgood explained that TVP can only provide the total arrests made in TVP and not only for Windsor and Maidenhead.

 

ACTION: TVP to provide number of total arrests for 2016, 2007 and 1997.

 

Ø  What are your plans for policing Windsor and Ascot and local villages when you close the Police Station in Windsor and sell it for housing? What will you use the money for?

CC Habgood confirmed that Windsor police station is not closing. The discussions with RBWM for a joint arrangements had not been  fruitful so other options are being considered.

 

Councillor Bowden asked the following question:

Ø  How much is it costing, both in time and expenditure, for officers to return to Maidenhead from Windsor, when either dealing with persons detained or to take their meal breaks, now there is no Police property in Windsor? This should include those employed for security duty at the guard change.

CC Habgood confirmed that this is not costing much, the travelling cost is not much either. It is not a particular issue in this area. The costs are very low.

 

The Chairman asked the following question on behalf of Councillor Hashim Bhatti:

 

Ø  In the last 6 months to a year there has been an increase in crime and disorder around the Dedworth area which has culminated in several robberies on elderly people, a stabbing outside the Shell petrol station, a daylight robbery at the Best One store on Longmead, and a variety of drug raids. What are the police doing to reassure local people especially in Clewer North, what is this increase attributable to and what further measures are the police looking at?

DAC Kew confirmed there had been no violent robberies on the elderly in the Dedworth area. The stabbing outside the petrol station was a result of disrespect in a community, the robbery at the Best One store on Longmead was still an ongoing investigation. There is good multiagency collaboration working on new ways of working in the Dedworth area. The joint working was being published in local media.

 

The Chairman asked the following question on behalf of Councillor Ed Wilson:

 

Ø  How can RBWM support TVP in reducing crime and the fear of crime in Dedworth?

DAC Kew confirmed the community feed in all information through Councillor Ed Wilson which is fed back to the Thames Valley Police. The working together really helps the community and the police. Thames Valley Police thanked Councillor Ed Wilson.

 

Ø  Will the Chief Constable advise how volunteers will support the work of Thames Valley Police in the future?

CC Habgood confirmed that Volunteers can help in many different ways. Volunteers can be police community support officers, in uniform, residents and neighbourhood watch groups. There are many ways to volunteer and to offer your services, go into your local police station.

 

Councillor Hari Sharma asked the following question:

Ø  Police recorded crime has risen by 10% across England and Wales-the largest annual rise for a decade-according to the ONS. The latest crime figures for the last 12 months to March 2017 also shows an 18% rise in violent crime, including a 20% surge in gun crime. More alarmingly rise in crime is accelerating, if online is included, the numbers of the crime estimated by the Survey rises from 5.9m to 11m. How severe is the problem of the crime in RBWM and what extra measures are being taken to ensure our residents are safe and secure in the street and at home? Councillor Sharma also highlighted acid crime and moped crime.

To address the acid/moped crime, luckily these are London/city centre crimes. Thankfully the Thames Valley area has, to date, only had one incident. For all other types of crimes, TVP are working to bring all partners together to deal together to solve. Looking at risks and trying to break the cycle by supporting the victims. Using a partnership approach.

 

The Chairman asked the following question on behalf of Councillor Nicola Pryer:

 

Ø  What is your assessment of crime and disorder in Dedworth?

Ø  How can councillors help you combat the issue of drug dealing in Dedworth?

CC Habgood confirmed that many partners are invited to our meeting in Dedworth where ideas are shared. Together Dedworth can be made safer. A range of Councils are working together to combat issues such as taxi licensing.

Additional questions asked the Panel were as below:

Councillor Da Costa

Ø  Councillor Da Costa thanked Thames Valley Police on behalf of residents of Windsor and especially Dedworth for the great work in the last few months. He asked, given the increased level of anxiety amongst Windsorians about the recent spate of serious crimes in Windsor including two dreadful rapes and murders, what steps are being taken by TVP to reduce the chance of such crime occurring again? Cllr Da Costa also asked whether TVP had any suggestions for RBWM to help reduce crime and, to help solve crime more quickly, and whether there were any plans to update TVP’s “Thames Valley Alert App” or supplement it to allow citizens to report crime?

 

CC Habgood confirmed that there are many ways Thames Valley Police are using to reduce anxiety amongst residents. The is a pub watch scheme where pubs and clubs have door staff in place, there are street angels, they help people in a vulnerable position at then end of a night out and the police model changes and adapts as required. A new system is being developed for residents to use to report incidents and this will be out in 2018. There are also many neighbourhood watch schemes in place. There is also a system where if you ask for “Angela” at a pub counter, the bar staff would know the person needed help.

 

Councillor Story

 

Ø  There seems to be more homeless people in Windsor, refusing accommodation and sleeping on the pavements and doorways of businesses. When is it a criminal offense?

DAC Kew confirmed Thames Valley Police are seeing more homeless people on the streets of Windsor. A multiagency response is in process, using charities that offer support, encouraging individuals to get support and divert them before they are homeless. Enforcement can be used if required. The business community is very good at reporting incidents.

 

Councillor Grey

 

Ø  Councillor Grey suggested to the Chief Constable that as Chair of the Licensing Panel, he had noticed that the police would have a stronger case if they used legal services when they knew appellants had legal support. He was finding that the police had a weak case and then the Panels were having difficulty in the decision making.

The Chief Constable said they would take it away and would consider providing body warmth and CCTV evidence to make their evidence in cases stronger. There current Officer was very thorough and good at her job.

 

Councillor Werner

 

Ø  Councillor Werner commended the Thames Valley Police for successful prosecution after the raid in Datchet and highlighted that many Windsor residents would be please that the police station in Windsor was staying. Could the Panel have more information on the Neighbour Action Groups?

The Panel were informed that Neighbourhood Watch was being re-invigorated and where Neighbourhood Action Groups existed, they would remain and be used more along with more use of social media. A toolkit was being prepared for all groups.

 

Councillor Sharma commented that the police were doing so much and asked them to advertise more so that residents knew they were doing so much hard work to combat crime and make residents more aware of things going on around them.

 

The Chairman thanked the Police and Crime Commissioner and Chief Constable and Dep. Area Commander for attending and responding to all questions submitted and raised.