Agenda item

To receive an update from the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime on progress made against the priorities of the Police and Crime Plan 2021-24.

Those in attendance for this item were:

·  Alison Lowe (Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime)

·  Julie Reid (Head of Policing and Crime)

·  Wendy Stevens (Research and Policy Manager)

·  Katherine Bates (Research and Performance Officer)

·  Chief Superintendent Stephen Dodds (Leeds District Commander, West Yorkshire Police)

·  Paul Money (Chief Officer, Safer, Stronger Communities)

Deputy Mayor Alison Lowe provide introductory comments in relation to t progress made against the Police and Crime Plan 2021 – 24. She advised the Scrutiny Board that under the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 the Mayor must produce a Police and Crime Plan, which sets out the strategic policing and crime priorities for West Yorkshire and how she plans to meet them.

She outlined the consultation process that had informed the Police and Crime Plan and reminded the Board of the four priorities that were the focus of the three-year strategy.

Alison Lowe reiterated her commitment to transparency in terms of how she holds the police to account on behalf of the West Yorkshire Mayor. She noted that Scrutiny has a role to play in reflecting the views of local people and therefore informing the way in which she seeks to hold West Yorkshire Police to account.

In response to member queries, she clarified the governance arrangements relating to herself, the Mayor, the Police and Crime Panel and West Yorkshire Police.

Members sought more information about the way in which West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) and West Yorkshire Police work with partners to address cross border crimes. They were reassured by Alison Lowe and CSI Stephen Dodds that Leeds District Police and the Mayor work closely with counterparts in other localities across all tiers of their organisations.

The Scrutiny Board explored the balance between encouraging the public to report a crime and ensuring that the public do not put themselves at risk in the process of doing so.

Members raised concern about dangerous driving and obstructive parking near schools in the context of the local and regional Vision Zero ambitions. Alison Lowe outlined the regional activity in relation to Vision Zero but acknowledged the long term challenge of delivering societal change in relation to driving behaviours.

The Scrutiny Board was advised that colleagues on the Infrastructure, Investment and Inclusive Growth Scrutiny Board would be examining Vision Zero in detail in September as part of their remit relating to highways.

Members welcomed the establishment of a Safer Travel Team and queried how the 15 PCSOs within that team are deployed across the region. The Scrutiny Board was informed that their work is informed by data provided through the Bus Safety Feedback Tool, which is available to passengers through the MCard app and website. Further information was provided about the communication strategy that supports and promotes this initiative.

Members requested a more detailed breakdown from the Deputy Mayor about where the Safer Travel team have been deployed to date and the reasons that have informed decisions about their deployment. Alison Lowe agreed to share information about the first six months of the project once that data is available. 

Paul Money proposed that awareness raising of projects such as the Safer Travel Team could be considered as part of the refresh of the role of community safety champions, as part of the Community Committee review.

Members examined the approach to engagement with young people as part of the development of the new Police and Crime Plan. The Deputy mayor informed the Scrutiny Board that the current Police and Crime Plan had been created with young people in mind and young people remain an important consideration.

Alison Lowe outlined the role of the Violence Reduction Partnership in leading on interventions that have young people as a target audience. She also outlined the way in which WYCA engage with young people throughout the region via schools, youth groups and community organisations. She highlighted the role of the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Group.

The Deputy Mayor advised the scrutiny members about the upcoming launch of the combined authority’s Child First framework, which will advocate a new approach across all workstreams.

Members raised ongoing concerns about the safety of women and girls, noting the way in which Safer Parks guidance - produced by the University of Leeds and funded by WYCA - had informed the Scrutiny Board’s approach to the design of greenspaces.

It was noted that £10k has been allocated to each West Yorkshire district to lever in further funding to support best practice in public realm design. Members expressed concern about the level of impact this funding could deliver.

The Deputy Mayor acknowledged the limited funding available for projects linked to parks. However, she provided examples of improvements across two community parks in the region which have been developed in accordance with the Safer Parks Guidance and in consultation with local women and girls.

Members welcomed the increase in the proportion of frontline officers and staff recruited from ethnic minorities, while recognising that this still needs to increase further.

Members examined information relating to contacts with West Yorkshire Police. Improvements in call waiting times for 101 were highlighted, although the Mayor and CSI Dodds acknowledged waits could be longer than average during peak periods.

It was suggested that a reduction in 101 calls may reflect the fact that there are now more ways in which to report crimes. Members acknowledged the positive performance in relation to answering 999 calls with the service achieving the second fastest average answer time in the country during the last quarter.

In response to member queries, it was confirmed that the Mayor has surpassed her target for increasing the number of officers and staff in comparison to April 2021.

Concerns were outlined about organised crime, trap houses and drug dealing in some areas of the city. Partners considered the importance of a multi-agency response to such issues and recognised the impact on residents.

Similarly, a targeted response to reports of anti-social behaviour by groups of men in Roundhay Park was also discussed. 

The Chair sought more information about the process of evaluation of performance and learning from the last three years that will inform the development of the next Police and Crime Plan.

The Chair thanked partners for their attendance and for the comprehensive report provided to members ahead of the meeting.

RESOLVED:

Members agreed that:

a)  The report be noted.

b)  Paul Money will reflect on opportunities for the refreshed remit of the Community Safety Champions to include engagement relating to schemes such as the Safer Travel Team.

c)  Deputy Mayor’s office will provide further information about the deployment of the Safer Travel Team once data is available. Safer Travel Team once data is available.