Agenda item

The report of the Head of Locality Partnerships provided an update of the work which the Communities Team is engaged in, based on priorities identified by the Community Committee. It also provides opportunities for further questioning, or to request a more detailed report on a particular issue.

The report also provides updates on some of the key activities between Community Committee meetings and functions delegated to Community Committees, Community Champions roles, community engagement, partnership and locality working.

The report of the Head of Locality Partnerships provided an update of the work which the Communities Team is engaged in, based on priorities identified by the Community Committee. It also provided an opportunity for further questioning, or to request a more detailed report on a particular issue.

The report also provided regular updates on some of the key activities between the Community Committee meetings and functions delegated to Community Committees, Community Champion roles, community engagement, partnership and locality working.

Representative from West Yorkshire Police attended the meeting and provided the Committee with an overview of serious and acquisitive crime data, as per the submitted report. The committee were also informed that:

• The increase in crime trends as per the data, is seen across the Leeds district and not just Inner East areas.
• Due to the increase in crime, the police will be implementing some strategies used in ‘dark nights’ to try and reduce the number of incidents.
• There are 3 organised crime groups that are coming into Leeds, regarding theft of tools etc. From that, tasking groups have been set up in Inner and Outer East Leeds as well as Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPTs) working overtime, to gather intelligence.
• There is a focus on making communities safer by cutting back bushes.
• There is some intelligence of cars being stolen and there are operations underway in hotspot areas.
• There is a “walk with us campaign” which is targeted at women and girls to go out with Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and highlight any areas they do not feel safe. There has been limited take-up of that offer at present.

Further to the update from the police, the Committee discussed the following matters:

• Increase in taxis being broken into, particularly in the Burmantofts and Richmond Hill area and Gipton and Harehills. People are encouraged to remain vigilant and not leave any possessions and/or loose change in sight. The police responded by explaining they met up with taxi and private hire drivers in responding to the issue and information has been provided to taxi companies for them to relay. Members asked that any information be shared with them so that they can also share it.
• The importance of reporting any incidents was highlighted. It was explained that any overtime is demand driven, and if a bigger demand can be demonstrated, there will be more resources available to tackle issues.
• It is believed that a lot of the crime committed is by a small minority of people. Identifying whether 1 individual is linked to a few cases is on-going.
• It is not considered unusual for youth related crime to increase around this time of year. Particularly regarding firework related incidents.
• There are 4 darker nights roadshows coming up. Details of such events can be shared with members.
• Concerns were echoed regarding personal safety and women’s safety. It was suggested that PCSOs visit youth clubs and events where they can reach vulnerable women who may want to take part the “walk with us campaign”, and the campaign should be made more visible to people. It was noted that the campaign is running indefinitely, and the police can also dress down, if people do not want to be seen with an officer wearing uniform. There is also an email address for people to inform the police of places they do not feel safe, if they do not want to go on the walk.

The Chair summarised by highlighting the funding available from West Yorkshire Combined Authority on making environmental changes to make communities feel safer. There is also a focus on using funding to reduce violence.

RESOLVED – To note the contents of the report and updates provided during the meeting.