Agenda item

That the report be received subject to the following:

(a)       That information be sought on the level of internet crime/electronic fraud statistics involving North Wales,

(b)       That information be sought on the deployment of the 51 extra police

            officers/PCSOs;

(c)        That data reporting be improved to record absolute numbers and percentage changes per crime category;

(d)       That an interim report on the work of the Community Safety Partnership, to include more detail on the work of the Neighbourhood Wardens, be made to the meeting of the Committee to be  held on 28 October 2013;  and

(e)       That the Police be asked to improve their communication of changes in  the police assigned to specific areas to assist local Members.

The Chief Executive introduced Dave Owens, Chief Inspector North Wales Police, Andy Jones, Assistant Chief Executive Wales Probation, Ian Vaughan-Evans, Interim Public Protection Manager, Jackie Goundrey Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Coordinator, Catherine Kelly, Substance Misuse Coordinator, and Gerwyn Davies, Anti Social Behaviour Coordinator, and invited them to give a brief outline of their role and responsibilities.

The Chairman invited the Chief Executive to give a presentation on the Flintshire Community Safety Partnership.  The Chief Executive provided background information and referred to the establishment of the North Wales Safer Communities Board.   The main points of the presentation were:

·        2012/13 Performance - Good News and Bad News

·        Local Developments

·        LSB Workstreams

·        Flintshire County Council’s Improvement Plan 2012-2017

·        Delivery Team: Community Safety Team

·        Regional Developments – Making a difference through collaboration 

Chief Inspector Owens, commented on the steady reduction in recorded crime in Flintshire over the past four years.  He reported that there had been a decrease in the number of violence against the person offences, burglary dwellings, burglary other than dwelling, criminal damage, vehicle crime, and anti social behaviour incidents.   However, there was an increase in the number of sexual offences committed and crimes relating to robbery, drugs, and unauthorised taking of a vehicle.

During discussion Members raised questions and concerns around internet crime and electronic fraud, deployment of extra police officers and PCSOs, arrangements for the policing of local communities, and response times to 101 calls.  Chief Inspector Owens acknowledged the points made and responded to the matters raised.  He explained that incidents relating to online fraud were in general addressed by a central unit and agreed to source information on the level of internet crime and fraud statistics involving North Wales.  He also agreed to provide further detail on the deployment of 51 extra police officers/PCSOs and seek improved communication with local Members and Town and Community Councils to inform of changes in the policing of local areas.  

Further concerns were raised by Members around the recording of crime data and the use of percentages only which it was felt could create a misleading perspective on crime levels.  In his response Chief Inspector Owens agreed that for clarity future data would include absolute numbers and percentage changes per crime category.  He reiterated his comments that there had been a reduction in recorded crime in Flintshire during the last few years and said Flintshire remained a safe area to live, work and visit.

Officers gave an overview of the local and regional activities and progress made to reduce violent crime including domestic and sexual violence, anti social behaviour, acquisitive crime, re-offending, substance misuse, and hate related crime and disorder, and referred to the key priorities for the year ahead. 

The Chief Executive commented on the pressures, key developments, and decisions taken by the newly established North Wales Safer Communities Board during the first year.

It was agreed that an interim report on the work of the Community Safety Partnership, to include more detail on the work of the Neighbourhood Wardens, be provided to the meeting of the Committee to be held on 28 October 2013.

   The Chairman thanked the Chief Executive for his presentation and Chief Inspector Owens, Andy Jones, Ian Vaughan-Evans, Jackie Goundrey,  Catherine Kelly, and Gerwyn Davies, for their detailed and informative responses to Members’ questions.

RESOLVED:

That the report be received subject to the following:

(a)       That information be sought on the level of internet crime/electronic fraud statistics involving North Wales,

(b)       That information be sought on the deployment of the 51 extra police

            officers/PCSOs;

(c)        That data reporting be improved to record absolute numbers and percentage changes per crime category;

(d)       That an interim report on the work of the Community Safety Partnership, to include more detail on the work of the Neighbourhood Wardens, be made to the meeting of the Committee to be  held on 28 October 2013;  and

(e)       That the Police be asked to improve their communication of changes in  the police assigned to specific areas to assist local Members.