Agenda item

To receive an update on the current efforts, successes and challenges associated with Leeds District’s Neighbourhood and Partnerships work to support community safety in the city.

Those in attendance for this item were:

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

·  Chief Inspector Natasha Tierney (West Yorkshire Police)

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

At the invitation of the Chair, CSI Stephen Dodds provided an introductory overview of the current activities, successes and challenges associated with Leeds District’s Neighbourhood and Partnerships work to support community safety in the city.

He advised the Scrutiny Board that there has been a 9% reduction in crimes as compared to the previous 12-month period, which represented a fall of more than 28,000 offences. He went on to outline the structure of the teams in Leeds, highlighting the additional resources deployed to support the Off-Road Bike Team.

Key headlines identified in his comments included:

-  Reductions in arson, residential burglary, criminal damage and theft of motor vehicles.

-  A rise in rape and sexual offences attributable to more confident reporting and better police recording.

-  An increase in shoplifting, albeit that the increase is at a lower rate than reported last year.

-  The introduction of Solving Problems in Neighbourhoods (SPIN) meetings has been rolled out across the district and is seen as an example of best practice across the wider force.

-  Targeted work in East Leeds has sought to tackle drugs related crime and has resulted in 35 arrests.

-  Partnership working with Leeds Anti-Social Behaviour Team continues to be a significant part of the response to anti-social behaviour in the city.

-  Domestic violence incidents have reduced but those being reported are increasingly complex. There has also been an increase in Claire’s Law referrals.

-  An update was provided on a partnership intensification month focused on knife crime which included bringing the Knife Angel to Leeds.

-  Protests linked to current global events continue to require a neighbourhood policing presence, which involves diverting police officers from their core neighbourhood duties.

The Scrutiny Board thanked police partners for the thorough and encouraging report and welcomed an anticipated uplift in PCSOs and constables in Leeds.

At the request of members CSI Dodds provided an overview of the way in which officer resource is allocated across the district. He informed members that a formula is used centrally to deploy officers to district commanders – this considers issues including recorded crime, population, demand and environmental factors. Resource is then allocated locally according to need – CSI Dodds noted the need to have a minimum level of staff to meet on call demand for 101 and 999 calls, and to maintain staffing of safeguarding teams.

Members noted the reported decrease in antisocial behaviour linked to nuisance motorcycles and suggested this was contrary to the perception of residents in many communities in Leeds.

In response, members were advised that the efforts of the off-road team have delivered results and additional officers will be allocated to support their work to tackle the misuse of motorcycles and quads. The Scrutiny Board was advised that much of the work of the team relies upon gathering local evidence about perpetrators, particularly in areas identified as ‘hot spots.’ It is anticipated that there may be an increase in reports linked to more serious crimes such as vehicle thefts.

Other issues linked to the use of motorcycles and electric bikes included links to drug related crimes, the use of drones to follow perpetrators, and the most appropriate routes for reporting intimidatory but not necessarily criminal behaviours.

Members sought and received clarity around the financial challenges facing the force and expressed concern that pressure on the Council’s community budgets would further reduce the availability of funding for local officers.

Arrangements for training related to domestic violence, financial exploitation and coercive control were confirmed.

The Scrutiny Board explored the work of the multi-agency partnership group in response to anti-social behaviour linked to the Otley Run. During May action days were held to address behaviours that are known to increase in the summer. This approach was supported, included financially, by local members and will be replicated in August.

Members of the Board sought further information about whether a similar multi-agency response could be provided where regular incidents of anti-social behaviour are identified in town and district centres.

The Scrutiny Board acknowledged the detailed information about hate crime in the report and noted that a further session specifically examining hate crime was scheduled for December.

The Chair thanked partners for their attendance and for the substantial detail in the report presented to members, including the RAG rated data.

RESOLVED:

Members agreed to:

a)  Note the report.

b)  Request further information from West Yorkshire Police about the number of domestic violence incidents and convictions in Leeds.