Agenda item

The Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC), Mr Andy Dunbobbin, has been invited to the meeting to discuss with the Council the role, impact and operation of the PCC and how the PCC and police and crime plan work with/for Flintshire in partnership.

That the PCC be thanked for his attendance and that he be invited to speak to the new Council later in the year. 

The Chair welcomed the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for North Wales, Mr Andy Dunbobbin, to the meeting, who had been invited to discuss with the Council the role, impact and operation of the PCC and how the PCC and police and crime plan worked with/for Flintshire in partnership.

Mr Dunbobbin thanked the Leader and Chief Executive for giving him the opportunity to address Members.  His role was to ensure that the people of North Wales had the best possible police service.  He would be a listening ear and a strong voice on behalf of the people of North Wales and was confident that by working together North Wales would be a safe place to live and work, with the ultimate aim being to improve the lives of everybody in communities.  He expressed his thanks to Councillor David Evans who was his successor in becoming the new Armed Forces Champion. 

He had been heartened by the work carried out since his election into the role of PCC and how communities had supported each other; he wanted that sense of community to be reflected in his plan. 

One of the most frequent complaints was that there was not enough police presence in communities anymore and he vowed to work hard to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of police officers.  He was determined to ensure North Wales Police worked effectively with its partners to deliver an even better service and more people felt safe and had confidence in their police force.  The plan had been written following consultation with partners and with the help of hundreds of people who had completed the survey for which he was grateful.  He would closely monitor how North Wales Police and its partners delivered against the priorities which were:

·         Delivering safer neighbourhoods: tackling and preventing rural and wildlife crime; improving the efficiency and effectiveness of police officers and police staff; and improving road safety

·         Supporting victims and communities: tackling and preventing domestic abuse and sexual violence; safeguarding vulnerable people including children; tackling and preventing cybercrime; establishing a victims panel; and tackling and preventing hate crime

·         Fair and effective criminal justice system: introducing a North Wales Female Offender Strategy; increasing the use of restorative justice; supporting and protecting children and young people and diverting them away from the Criminal Justice System; and addressing the root causes of offending and supporting the rehabilitation of people who had offended

The plan had been fully endorsed by the North Wales Police and Crime Panel.

In order to tackle issues ranging from drug dealing in towns to rural crime on farms, it was imperative that all North Wales communities had positive relationships and experiences with their local police.  In addition to increasing the number of officers in communities, he was also committed to working with the Chief Constable to improve the digital support available to police officers and staff which would increase the amount of time they spent in the community.

The improvement of road safety was important and he was keen to see a reduction in the number of people killed or seriously injured on roads in North Wales with a tough approach being taken on dangerous and careless driving.  He also commented on the road network playing a pivotal part in county lines.

Tackling and preventing domestic abuse and sexual violence would remain a major priority and he pledged that North Wales would be a hostile environment for perpetrators through the delivery of effective investigative techniques, partnership safeguarding and innovative use of technology making it less likely for them to offend and re-offend.

On the North Wales Female Offender Strategy, it would recognise women’s distinct needs and vulnerabilities within the criminal justice system.  There would be an emphasis on the importance of early intervention, including liaison and diversion, out of court disposals and a focus on community-based solutions with the aim of reducing the prison population and also improving the long term objectives for women and their families.

Cybercrime activity was growing fast and as such was a major threat to UK businesses.  A Cyber Crime Team had been established and it was vital that the police approach to cybercrime was well co-ordinated and effective in providing a quality service for the people of North Wales.

Members across the Chamber thanked the PCC for his presentation and raised issues, and asked questions, on the following, to which the PCC responded:

·         Issues experienced with using the 101 service – this was a national problem and the PCC recommended the use of webchat which had been successful and the community alert system

·         Welcomed the cybercrime priority – it had never been a strategic objective before but it was one now

·         20,000 additional police officers by 2023 – North Wales would not be a beneficiary of that programme until January 2023

·         Proceeds of crime – there were a number of different agencies involved in that work and one pot of money was split between all of those involved

·         People feeling safe in approaching police officers – work was being undertaken on a national level to ensure that officers were adequately trained.  Young men and boys were educated about behaviour and there was the SWAN programme to support women

·         Presence of Police Community Support Officers (PCSO) at Town and Community Council meetings – recognised the importance of their presence at those meeting but they may be dealing with important issues – any issues the town or community council had could be reported at any time

·         In England women could walk into a fire station if they felt they were in danger and were not near a police station – this could be explored.  There was also the ‘Ask Angela’ scheme which was in operation in public houses

·         Mental health was a big concern – a meeting had been held with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board on the development of a new mental health initiative

·         North Wales crime rate was higher than South Wales and the English / Welsh average – the recording and reporting of those figures would need to be looked at

·         Lack of response from PCSOs – would be raised with the Chief Constable but Members could also raise it with their Inspector

·         Re-starting ‘cuppa with a copper’ – the PCC would ask the question

·         Was a transcript of the webchat offered - the PCC would ask the question

A number of ward issues and operational matters were raised which the PCC said he would bring to the attention of the Chief Constable.

The Chief Executive thanked the PCC for his attendance at the Council meeting which was appreciated.  He suggested that he attend again in 12 months to provide an update on the delivery of the plan and the commitments discussed.  The PCC suggested that an option could be for him to return again as part of the induction programme for new Members following the election.

Councillor Ian Roberts also thanked the PCC for his attendance at the meeting and the way in which he dealt with, and responded to, questions.

Councillor Dunbar moved that the PCC be thanked for his attendance and that he be invited to speak to the new Council later in the year.  This was seconded by Councillor Bithell. 

RESOLVED:

That the PCC be thanked for his attendance and that he be invited to speak to the new Council later in the year.