Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Thursday, 15th September, 2022 7.00 pm - Agenda and minutes

As a mark of respect for Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the meeting started with a minute’s silence.

To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting held on 21st July, 2022 (copy attached).

The minutes of the meeting held on 21st July, 2022 were agreed as a correct record.

To receive an update from District Inspector Emma Hart, Hampshire Police, and James Knight, Service Manager – Place Protection, on the current position and to highlight the following issues raised by the Committee:

·         Police

o   General introduction - experience and initial thoughts on priorities for Rushmoor

o   Update on latest key local policing matters – numbers and trends etc.

o   Current significant issues

o   Resources and finances

o   Impacts seen from reductions in County Council youth services 

o   Understanding priority / deployment from your perspective

o   Response times around the 101 service

·         Community Safety

o   Key Issues in Rushmoor

o   Update on PSPO’s

o   Place Protection projections

o   Community Safety Partnership – timelines/planning

The Portfolio Holder for Operations has been invited to the meeting for this item.

The Committee welcomed Chief Inspector (CI) Emma Hart (Hampshire Police) and James Knight (Service Manager – Place Protection), who were in attendance to provide an update on policing and community safety matters in the Borough.

(1)  Policing –

Chief Inspector Hart, who joined the meeting online, gave an introduction to her career and her initial thoughts after moving to Rushmoor. Despite a motivated and proactive team being in place, CI Hart had identified a lack of experience within the team, due to staff retention issues. It was noted that the team currently consisted of one Inspector, two Sergeants, 24 Police Constables (PC) and 12 Police Community Support Officers (PCSO’s). It was advised that a recruitment campaign, being held in November across the Borough, would aim to encourage local people to join the force or become Special Constables/volunteers. It was noted that Hampshire was one of the highest performing forces but one of the lowest funded. National, match and external funding were being sought to address funding issues.

The Committee noted the key policing matters in the area, which included burglary, anti-social behaviour (ASB) and high harm, drug related harm and youth on youth violence. It was noted that a High Harm Team would be launched on 3rd October, 2022 in Rushmoor and Hart, to focus on ASB and high harm issues across the area.

CI Hart reported on crime data and it was noted that crime rates in Rushmoor were in line with the rest of the country. District priorities were identified, these included drug related harm, Asian Gold breaks and violence against women and girls. It was advised that patrol plans were key to addressing these issues.

On the issue of priority deployment, it was noted that the police had to focus resource where it was considered most needed, would achieve positive outcomes and where swift justice could be achieved. Measures taken to offset the demand on deployment included:

·         Operation Mothra – this operation involved having a police presence in an area for 15 minutes or more for a period of time - outcomes had shown a reduction in crime in the following weeks in those areas

·         Early intervention and partnership working – key to providing support and help to those that needed it, including the issue of Community Protection Notices (CPN’s)

CI Hart reported on 999 versus 101 calls. It was noted that there had been unprecedented demand on 101 and it was often a long wait to report a non-emergency crime. Alternative contact streams were available for non-emergency reporting, these included contact through the internet and via a QR code, but it was recognised that not everyone had access to these contact streams. It was also noted that the police monitored call data relating to the 101 number and continued to work towards improving the service. Consideration was being given to alternative digital access routes to allow people to pick and choose how they contacted the police. Data on the 101 non-emergency number would be provided at  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

To consider the Work Plan for the 2022/23 Municipal Year (copy attached).

The current Work Plan was noted.

It was noted that potential items for the meeting on 20th October, 2022 were Property Services and Park and Playgrounds.

A discussion would be held at the next meeting of the Progress Group in relation to inviting the Head of Children’s/Young People’s Services at Hampshire County Council to a future meeting.

It was noted that discussions were underway to determine a way forward and suitable date for Farnborough Airport to attend a future meeting.