Agenda item

To consider a report by the North West Divisional Community Safety Partnership which provides an overview of the performance of the partnership and the ward based Neighbourhood Policing Team.  The report also includes details of initiatives that have been delivered in local communities to reduce crime and disorder for the period 1^st July 2007 to 30^th September 2008.

(Executive Function)

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the report and the appendices on the Performance Framework Strategic Plan 2008/2011 be received and noted.

(b)  That the Chair write to the Leader of the Council and John Paxton – Head of Youth Service regarding the inadequate Youth Service presently being provided in the Armley Ward.

(c)  That the Head of Youth Service be invited to the next meeting of this Area Committee to give a briefing on youth service provisions in the Armley Ward.

Acting NPT Inspector Jon Glennon of the North West Divisional Community Safety Partnership introduced NPT Inspector Mark Bowes the replacement Neighbourhood Policing Team Inspector for Inspector Mohammed Anwar.  The Chair welcomed the new NPT Inspector on behalf of the West Inner Area Committee. 

The North West Divisional Community Safety Partnership submitted a detailed report and Inspector Glennon, together with Gill Hunter, Community Safety Co-ordinator gave an extensive update on the following:

(a)  Multi-agency ward based sub groups and activities; 

(b)  Performance of the North West Police Division and Ward crime   statistics;

(c )  An update on Neighbourhood Wardens and Police Community Support   Officers (PCSOs) activity and;

(d)  the Police Operations from 1^st July 2007 to 30^th September 2008.

Appended to the report was an extensive document on the Performance Framework Strategic Plan for 2008/2011 for Members information and comment.

It was reported that the ward crime figures for the West Inner area were very positive from the Police point of view as the figures in all areas were down significantly in some areas.  It was recognised that there was still a need to address the problem with burglaries in the area.  The Inspector informed the meeting that there were two current operations running at the moment to try to tackle the burglary issues especially in the Little Scotland area. 

The Inspector gave a brief update on the numerous Operations planned in the near future across the Inner West area during the dark nights especially with Christmas approaching and Bonfire Night.  One operation in particular in partnership with the Standards Office tackling the issue of adults purchasing alcohol from Off-Licences and Public Houses for people under age.

In summary, the main issues raised were:

·  Concern that the Ward crime figures for Armley (3861) – 2007/2008 had not even reduced to those figures stated for the Bramley area (3739) in 2004/2005 (as detailed in the graph at paragraph 2 of the submitted report).  In response, the Inspector informed the meeting that this could be due to the fact that Armley houses more private rented properties with short term tenancies, leaving many residents unregistered.  It was felt that there is a need to establish  a database for local private landlords in the area who usually house short term tenancies.

·  Concern was also expressed that the figures for criminal damage in the Bramley area had dropped significantly, yet the figures for Armley had not been so successful.  Members suggested that similar operations to those carried out in the Bramley area to tackle criminal damage be carried out in the Armley Ward.

·  Members sought clarification of the future of the Neighbourhood Warden service for the Inner West area as it was felt that this partnership needs to remain effective in the area.  In response, the West North West Area Manager informed the meeting that future Neighbourhood Renewal funding for the Neighbourhood Warden service would not be as much and that within West Leeds area a number of these Wardens were funded through the central pot.  The Area Manager informed the meeting that various options were being considered on the future of the Neighbourhood Warden service and that he would keep them informed. 

·  Members felt that it was obvious that the youth service provision provided in the Bramley area was far more superior and clearly this had an impact on the criminal damage statistics.  Members requested that  the Chair write to the Leader of the Council and John Paxton, Head of Youth Service regarding the inadequate Youth Service presently being provided in the Armley Ward and that he be invited to the next West Inner Area Committee meeting to give a briefing on youth service provisions in the Armley Ward.

Gill Hunter, Community Safety Co-ordinator informed the meeting that she is currently looking into youth work partnership for the area and making suggestions to concentrate on provisions for the hot spot areas, especially within the Armley Ward.  Inspector Glennon informed the meeting that the NPT work closely with the Youth Officers but there are certain areas where it is  very difficult to engage with. 

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the report and the appendices on the   Performance Framework Strategic Plan 2008/2011 be received   and   noted.

(b)  That the Chair write to the Leader of the Council and John Paxton,   Head of Youth Service regarding the inadequate Youth Service   presently being provided in the Armley Ward.

(c )  That the Head of Youth Service be invited to the next meeting of this   Area Committee to give a briefing on youth service provisions in the   Armley Ward.