Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Thursday, 19th September, 2024 7.00 pm - Agenda and minutes

To receive an update from Chief Inspector Gillian Cox, Hampshire Police, and David Lipscombe, Community Safety Manager, on current issues across the Borough, positive news stories and challenges within the policing and community safety sector.

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

The Committee welcomed Chief Inspector Gillian Cox, Hampshire Police and the Council’s Community Safety Manager, David Lipscombe who were in attendance to report on current issues, challenges and positive news stories within the policing and community safety sector. Also in attendance was the Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services, Cllr Becky Williams.

Mr Lipscombe provided an overview of the Community Safety Team and their key roles and responsibilities. It was noted that the Team were the first point of contact for calls primarily relating to anti-social behaviour (ASB), crime and disorder and neighbourhood youth disruption. Early intervention methods were used to try and tackle these issues in the first instance, these methods included warning letters, home visits, education, and Acceptable Behaviour Contracts.

Management of the CCTV service also fell within the Teams’ remit. Since the relocation of the CCTV unit to Runnymede, the service had benefited from increased hours of service and better camera review options. A request was made for a cost analysis of the CCTV service.

An update was provided on the Community Patrol Team, following a recruitment process, there were now five members of the team with one vacancy. Those in post had recently completed the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme course, which allowed officers to be granted with certain police powers.

The Committee were apprised of what had gone well and current concerns for the Team. Things that had gone well included, a closure order at a property where the residents were causing significant ASB, Think Safe - a Year 6 project highlighting how to act in certain scenarios, and “Yellow Brick Road” a project which helped young people at risk of exploitation. Current concerns included Farnborough Town Centre where the street attached/homeless had recently been causing a number of issues, neighbour disputes and residential cannabis use, and mental health and housing issues.

The Committee were informed about the response to the recent Community Safety Survey. It was noted that the survey could only be completed online at present, however 930 residents had responded, double the number of responses from the previous year. It was also reported that a larger number of young people had engaged with the survey following contact with the two local colleges. However, only 3% of respondents had been from the Nepalese community and consideration on how to increase this for the 2025/26 survey, would be given. The length of the survey was also discussed and it was felt that it could be shortened for future years.

It was advised that on 9 September, a meeting of the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee for Community Safety had taken place. The meeting attended by Elected Members and Officers from Basingstoke and Deane, Hart and Rushmoor reviewed the partnerships priorities for 2023/24 and endorsed the work of the Safer North Hampshire Strategic Community Safety Partnership and its plans for 2024/25 which included:

·       Improving feelings of safety and health outcomes within the Community Safety Partnership area

·       Serious violence

·       Domestic abuse

·       Antisocial behaviour

·       Town centre engagement

The Committee  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

The Committee noted the current Work Plan and the addition of speeding and road safety issues to the Hampshire Highways item, these would be picked up at the next Progress Group meeting. It was also noted that the work was being progressed on the Action Tracker and an update would be provided at the Progress Group.