Fabian Policy Report

FABIAN POLICY REPORT

LETTING IN THE LIGHT

Lessons from Labour’s police and crime commissioners, edited by Vera Baird CONTENTS

2 How the light gets in Vera Baird 5 Doing more with less Alun Michael 6 Commission possible Shaun Wright 7 Closer together Tony Lloyd 8 To prevent and serve Clive Grunshaw 9 Decriminalising addicts Ron Hogg 10 The path to permanent recovery Paddy Tipping 11 Domestic survivors Jane Kennedy 12 Community payback Mark Burns-Williamson 13 Ending violence against women Vera Baird 14 The nature of policing Alan Charles 15 The journey towards safer transport Bob Jones 16 The magic number Olly Martins 17 Planning for success Barry Coppinger

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General Secretary, Like all publications of the Fabian Andrew Harrop Society, this report represents not Deputy General Secretary, the collective views of the Society, Marcus Roberts but only the views of the individual Head of Editorial, Ed Wallis writers. The responsibility of the Editorial Assistant, Society is limited to approving its fabian society Anya Pearson publications as worthy of consider- 61 Petty France Report Editors, Ed Wallis, ation within the labour movement. London SW1H 9EU Anya Pearson 020 7227 4900 (main) Printed by DG3, London E14 9TE First published in July 2014 020 7976 7153 (fax) This collection is dedicated to Bob Jones, who sadly passed away in July this year. Bob was born and bred in Wolverhampton, serving as a Labour councillor for Blakenhall from 1980 to 2013, and chair of both the West Midlands Police Authority and nationally the Association of Police Authorities culminating with the award of a CBE in recognition of such outstanding public service. Bob was Bob Jones elected the first West Midlands police and crime commissioner in 2012. He will be remembered (1955 – 2014) as a hugely influential and passionate figure in policing who devoted his life to keeping the local communities of West Midlands safe. He was a great friend and colleague who was an exceptional representative for the people of Wolverhampton and the West Midlands. He will be sorely missed and remembered fondly by many.

EDITORIAL sector to tackle offenders with complex outreach of all has been that of the late needs. He champions restorative justice Bob Jones who last November launched a This report highlights policies currently for its therapeutic potential for victims as three year plan to combat crime on West being implemented by the 13 Labour much as for its impact on crime figures. Midlands public transport system with police and crime commissioners, who In Northumbria, as elsewhere, we Centro, National Express, London Mid- are responsible for all the Metropolitan are improving access to support by land and the British Transport Police. Im- Police forces in England and Wales (bar co-location of services in strategic hubs, mensely experienced as the former Chair London). It is opportune, 18 months called MASHs. One specialist variant of of the Association of Police Authorities, after the elections of November 2012, to such a hub is a ‘navigation centre’, which his ambitions as police commissioner, describe what progress Labour commis- Tony Lloyd shows keep people with prior to his tragic death in July, notori- sioners have made. mental health issues out of the criminal ously included the imminent abolition This is not a paean of praise for the justice system to which they all too often of his role. Derbyshire police and crime role but an account of the hands-on default. Paddy Tipping argues that vast commissioner Alan Charles has been experience of policing governance which public funds spent by police and health lobbied more about the wildlife crime in the commissioners intend to contribute organisations on mending the effects of his lovely county than about anything as the party formulates its manifesto for alcohol misuse are targeted at the wrong else. He is tackling ‘netting’ of wild birds, the 2015 general election. end of the cycle and describes how he is the evil pastime of badger baiting and has Each Labour commissioner has redirecting partners in Nottinghamshire championed the 2004 Hunting Act to de- worked hard to get the most benefit for towards prevention. While other com- ter unlawful pursuit of foxes with hounds. the public from the role, even as funding missioners have written on policies they We come back to core policing with for police and community safety has are currently implementing, Ron Hogg’s the contribution from Bedfordshire’s Olly been cut further and further. first year has made him acutely aware Martins. He is working, cross-party and In two main ways Labour PCCs are of the impact that the illegality of some cross-county with Cambridgeshire and attempting to cope with the very tight drugs is having on the crime they gener- Hertfordshire on a tri-force collaboration, public finances. The first is to find new ate and he writes to open up debate. of a kind already a tenet of Labour polic- sources of money. For instance, Mark Alun Michael, writing in South Wales, ing policy. He writes that joint units make Burns-Williamson describes his cam- is working with local A&E departments a higher level of capacity and capability paign to give the communities who have to share information that can give intel- available to all three small forces as well suffered the effects of crime a fairer share ligent focus to police work on violence as saving money. of the proceeds recovered from criminals in public places. He intends to pilot the A little more than a year into their and to modernise the 2002 legislation to transfer of highly successful methods term of office and a little less than two bring in a wider range of ill-gotten gains. used by youth offending teams into cut- years before the next PCC elections, The second is to get more out of lim- ting reoffending amongst the 18–25 age these articles offer some pointers towards ited resources. The broad range of early group. how Labour’s future stance on these and intervention schemes being driven in Barry Coppinger has reached far into other issues can be fed by the experience Lancashire by Clive Grunshaw is already his native Cleveland through a Criminal of the commissioners who have been producing, in particular, a 13.9 per cent Justice Volunteers Fair, more than dou- leading policy on the ground. reduction in young people’s reoffending. bling the number of special constables South Yorkshire’s Shaun Wright is com- and restructuring Neighbourhood Watch Vera Baird QC is police and crime missioning the voluntary and community to a single standard. Perhaps the widest commissioner for Northumbria

1 / Into the light NCM3 ©

How the light gets in Lack of trust in the police force can be repaired by shaking off institutional defensiveness and embracing democratic oversight of policing, argues Vera Baird

Vera Baird QC is police and crime commissioner for Northumbria

2 / Fabian Policy Report t has been 18 months since the election munities. Similarly we must work with the the cuts wholesale and we have developed I of the first police and crime commission- courts, probation, the youth offender teams, some ways of providing alternative funding. ers. It’s a role that was initially barely under- prisons and Crown Prosecution Service to For instance, speed awareness courses for stood and little supported, and all political help to provide an efficient and effective people convicted of exceeding by a small parties are still engaged in a debate about criminal justice system. We are asked to amount local speed limits can spread its future. Theresa May, the home secretary, collaborate with other police forces and positive learning, limit penalty points to delivered a first anniversary ‘warts and encouraged to do so with the other blue higher speeds and, importantly, are paid all’ assessment last November, admitting light agencies. We are shortly to have the for directly to local police, whereas fines disappointment at the low turnout in the additional power and resource to commis- go to the exchequer. Similarly, an alcohol elections and acknowledging the uneven sion some victims’ support services and we behaviour course, just begun in Northum- inevitability of localism, whilst remaining lead on the local development of restorative bria as an alternative to a penalty notice for broadly positive about their overall impact. justice. being drunk and disorderly, returns some of Labour, for its part, has vowed to reform the the cost of policing to the local community system following Lord Stevens independent whilst teaching people how to better man- review of policing. Each Labour age alcohol in future. Forces who have to In the midst of this lie the commissioners commissioner determined clear up after high profile football matches themselves; in governance, with budgets and profitable night-time concerts will soon and power, delivering policy and services to use the power we were be looking for better recompense from the which deeply affect the wellbeing of com- private sector. And there are also attempts munities. As we engage in the process of entrusted with to develop to increase police funding by returning reform and policy reviews turn into mani- a fairer share of the proceeds of crime to festos, there is a chance to consider how better partnership models the communities who suffered from the the Labour commissioners have used the of crime prevention offences. role in practice and how we can bring their However, there is still a need to do learning to bear on lessons for the future of and control, to enhance more for less, pointing towards expanding our policing policy. partnership sources of crime reduction and Each Labour commissioner determined community safety and in particular further boosting neighbour- to use the power we were entrusted with to to improve the criminal hood policing. These small teams of police develop better partnership models of crime officers dedicated to policing a certain com- prevention and control, to enhance com- justice system munity are the bedrock of modern policing munity safety and to improve the criminal delivery – well defined as the ‘social role justice system. Commissioners are the of policing’ in Lord Stevens’ Independent elected voice of the people. We are required This breadth enables us to offer strong Police Commission last year. Officers and to consult our communities to ascertain leadership and coordination, but means that police community support officers on the what they want from the police and then to the role lacks definition. We have, to some ground are working with the public and use this to formulate police and crime plans. extent, defined it individually as we drive with partners to solve problems together, Those plans are intended to give strategic change in our own ways. But all of us have often before they occur. They find longer direction to our chief constables and we used it to showcase ethical Labour policies, term resolutions that help safeguard stabil- are then to step back and join with the such as becoming living wage employers, ity and community safety. public to scrutinise and evaluate how the recruiting modern apprentices and procur- The effect of neighbourhood policing has plan is being delivered. Our control of the ing goods and services essentially from the not only been overwhelmingly positive for local policing budget ensures that what the public sector. communities, but it has helped to model people want does happen and represents Funding cuts have got worse. While the a new kind of police officer. Often remote a significant shift of power towards the coalition has retreated on the wholesale pri- from hierarchical management, they are public. At the same time, the police are, for vatisation of the police and the introduction accountable to the local communities they the first time, being overseen intrusively at of G4S facsimile cops, police numbers have serve and work on the frontline exercising command level by an elected figure who sunk critically low. 80 per cent of the cost of initiative and discretion. Because they are can challenge any tendency, in such a pow- every force is its people. Last December saw loyal to the public as well as to the police erful organisation, to prefer institutional extra reductions to police budgets and the force, the trust they evoke contrasts with the self-interest over popular need. removal of cash to the Independent Police distrust with which the national policing The range of responsibilities and the Complaints Commission without, so far, hierarchy is regarded for having too often reach of the role are wide. The ‘and crime’ any transfer of work. So often it is the most defended its own sectional self-interest. part of our job title takes us beyond policing vulnerable victims of crime who suffer most The Hillsborough conspiracy and the clash and requires us to work with the fire and from cuts to police and from the equally between miners and police at Orgreave rescue service, local authorities, directors of swingeing cuts to supportive services. occurred within the career spans of many public health and clinical commissioning No one is under any illusions that a current leaders of the Association of Chief groups to improve the safety of our com- Labour government will be able to reverse Police Officers (ACPO). Contemporary

3 / Into the light of ways but all with the aim of getting police to admit minor bad behaviour where it has occurred and to trust the public to understand. In Northumbria, three civilians based in my office telephone complainants within 24 hours and, using a customer satisfaction approach, speedily settle 35 per cent of what could otherwise have been festering low-level complaints that take months to resolve, causing further aggravation. Wider loss of trust can similarly be repaired by involving the public as closely as possible in operational police work like the neighbourhood teams and through a strong elected public presence in governance to force openness and accountability. Whether this is through police and crime commissioners or any variation, we agree with Lord Stevens that the next Labour government should not row back on democracy in policing. There are many challenges still ahead. Although collaboration is now widespread and can be very effective, full-blown police mergers may return to the agenda as funding continues to fall. Partnership working with health service agencies is not so well- developed and officers can spend scarce duty hours substituting for ambulances at significant risk or safeguarding people with mental illness who have defaulted into the justice world. Splitting the probation service to sell part of it off could undermine the police role in cutting crime by unsettling Integrated Offender Management. As restorative resolutions develop, the role of the courts may recede and the problem-solving skills of officers come further into play. And harsh reductions in legal aid will mean fewer defence lawyers, perhaps heralding West Midlands Police

© a matching return to police officer prosecu- tions. This could move the judiciary towards examples are also well-known: they include Office funding for the Association of Chief an inquisitorial model, where courts actively the inaccuracies around the deaths of Jean Police Officer and the Police Federation investigate facts, and away from a focus on Charles de Menezes, Ian Tomlinson and were enabled, if not necessitated, by these the impartial referee model adversarial jus- Mark Duggan. Police officers have also in- scandals. tice, with the potential for profound changes filtrated climate change protesters to gather In the same vein, police complaints have in how cases are investigated and prepared. intelligence and, when it showed them long been on a hit list of what members These are all emerging features of the innocent of crime, hidden this fact. There is of the public consider untrustworthy, in changing police and justice landscape also the shameful sexual abuse, sanctioned particular since an often typical Profes- we occupy. In a time of upheaval as well to improve police cover, of women protest- sional Standards Department response is as innovation, Labour police and crime ers who would never knowingly have that the police can do no wrong. They can commissioners will continue to navigate involved themselves with police. be bastions of institutional defensiveness, pathways to change policing in their local Recent reforms, seen by many as attacks who exacerbate rather than mitigate small communities for the better. F on the service, such as civilian direct entry at grievances and lose the police friends as management rank; appointing the rail regu- surely as national scandals can. Labour Vera Baird QC is police and crime lator to lead HMIC and the end to Home commissioners are tackling this in a range commissioner for Northumbria

4 / Fabian Policy Report of different sentences on reducing offend- the 18 to 25 age group, where offending is ing is minimal. When asked about this, now prolific. Lord Leveson said there might be merit Crime and Disorder Reduction Partner- in comparing the effectiveness of com- ships (Community Safety Partnerships) munity sentences, but not in asking the are also paving the way for an evidence- same questions about custodial sentences based approach to tackling crime. The best and other court disposals. In contrast, the example is the current focus on violence in Doing more with less Justice Select Committee’s report Cutting Cardiff, which is measured by the number Crime: The case for justice reinvestment who have treatment in A&E rather than Despite the fragility caused by bluntly says: “Prison is a relatively ineffec- reports to the police. The partnership deep financial cuts, South Wales tive way of reducing crime for other than involves the NHS in South Wales and is police are in better contact with the serious offenders who need to be physically being led by a research-focused surgeon, communities they serve than ever contained for the protection of the public. Professor Jonathan Shepherd. Many of his For others, prison is a very expensive way findings – which range from using glasses before, writes Alun Michael of dispensing justice and seeking reform.” made of injury-reducing toughened glass, So we need to start taking an intelligent to encouraging partnership work in the approach to sentencing that is tough but night-time economy – have been imitated evidence-based. elsewhere, but his method of analysing he political imperative to create I’m impressed by the enthusiasm for what type of crime happens where and T safe, confident communities is usually interventions that will reduce reoffending why must also become the starting point discussed using entirely different rhetoric when a prisoner is released – ranging from for all the agencies who share responsibil- to the debate about ‘law and order’, but managers within the prisons of South ity for public spaces and public safety. And they are intrinsically connected. In his Wales and the prison chaplaincy, to civil the good news is that the NHS Trusts in principles for establishing the police ser- society organisations such as the St Giles South Wales and Welsh government min- vice in London, Sir Robert Peel recognised Trust and the Muslim Council of Wales. isters are co-operating with us to make the that the first responsibility of the police is Prison can act as a way of making bad city safer. to prevent crime by cutting offending and people worse. Ending that cycle of despair Many policymakers pay lip service to reoffending; and that success in policing is requires well-motivated staff in well- localism and the truism that ‘prevention the absence of crime, not the presence of resourced organisations, but severe cuts is better than cure’, while ignoring both activity. now threaten the effectiveness of many in practice. But to be ‘tough on crime and But there’s a conundrum. Society public services and the probation services tough on the causes of crime’, we need requires of police officers immediate reac- are undergoing complex and confusing practical, evidence-based strategies that tion and delivery. Equally, media portrayal reorganisation. draw on the strengths of local partnerships. of policing is about responsive activity; That’s why the fashionable but crazy idea prevention doesn’t make good pictures. Society requires of of creating large regional police forces is Frankly, the police do not prevent crime completely redundant. The Chief Inspector because it’s not what they are designed to police officers immediate of Constabulary, Tom Winsor, has rightly do. So when the Justice Select Committee, reaction and delivery pointed out that “there is nothing that can under the leadership of Alan Beith, un- be achieved through mergers than cannot dertook a major investigation in 2010 into be achieved by collaboration”. the concept of ‘justice reinvestment’, we That brings me to another key recom- My assessment in South Wales is that found that the levers that affect crime lie mendation of the Justice Select Commit- despite deep financial cuts and wholesale outside the criminal justice system, never tee’s report, which says that a genuinely reorganisation of policing, the police are mind outside policing. Crime levels are victim-based approach to crime should “go not only doing more with less but are in influenced minimally by the courts, but are wider and deeper than providing support- better contact with the communities they greatly influenced by mental health, alco- ive and responsive services for the victims serve than at any time in my 40 years in hol and substance misuse, unemployment, of crime, and be focused on crime reduc- public life. That’s been helped immeasur- housing, violence within relationships and tion and prevention as well as justice.” ably by delivery of the Labour commitment how we bring up our children. In terms of crime prevention, youth at the last Assembly elections in the shape The report was embraced by incoming offending teams are one of the biggest suc- of 206 additional community support of- ministers, while police leaders fully accept cess stories. Taking a partnership approach ficers paid for by the Welsh government. that Sir Robert Peel’s ideal of reducing and working together to tackle the needs With due care, we can maintain those local reoffending can only be delivered through and behaviour of young offenders, they relationships and continue the downward partnership working. However, that’s not have dramatically brought reoffending trajectory of crime – as long as we don’t understood throughout the system, par- down amongst those under 18 years old. take them for granted. F ticular in sentencing. So a key element in my police and crime For example, the Sentencing Council’s plan for South Wales is to apply the same Alun Michael is police and crime responsibility to compare the effectiveness principles of joint evidence-based action to Commissioner for South Wales

5 / Into the light help young people and their families pre- that reduce reoffending. It allows police pare for the criminal justice process before, officers to do more work on enforcement during and after any court proceedings. and intelligence, rather than chasing after The scheme helps young witnesses, in all the same group of individuals who consist- categories of crime, at youth, magistrates ently reoffend. and crown courts, with priority being given One of the more innovative commis- to young victims of child sexual exploita- sioned activities I have funded has been Commission possible tion (CSE) or abuse. another partnership with the South York- shire Probation Trust to fund additional Commissioning innovative Often, perpetrators of probation officers. Now we offer support to strategies to reduce reoffending all offenders released from prison, not just should be the cornerstone of a crime are unaware of the those classed as serious acquisitive crime distress they have caused offenders – those who commit domestic police and crime commissioner’s burglary, car crime and robbery – who role, writes Shaun Wright and victims can feel that, receive it under statutory entitlement. whilst the criminal has been This has enabled the trust to work with offenders they would not usually be able punished, they have not to, such as shoplifters, who have been on olice and crime commissioners are been able to properly come the increase in recent months. Non-statu- Pelected to be the voice of the people. To to terms with what they tory offenders have no mandatory offender do this, we need to understand what citi- management when they are released from zens would like to happen in the unlucky have experienced prison and this leaves them at a higher risk event of being a victim of crime. of reoffending. For instance, Victim Support provides As a result of the funding, Victim Sup- As well as reducing reoffending, this fantastic services to anyone who has the port have also been able to recruit and train work also allows greater scope for proba- misfortune to be affected by criminal activ- a dedicated team of victim case workers tion officers to deliver outreach work, ity. In South Yorkshire, they are able to do and volunteers. The aim is to provide a direct offenders with complex issues to even more thanks to additional grant fund- partnership service that will help young rehabilitation programmes for addiction ing I provided for the specific provision of victims and witnesses to deal with the and support services for healthy living, a Young Witness Service. This service will process of bringing perpetrators to justice literacy and education, as well as housing and to help them rebuild their lives after and employment. they have experienced traumatic events. The trust has also seen an increase in Often, perpetrators of crime are una- engagement of offenders with the pro- ware of the distress they have caused and gramme, as they have seen the benefits victims can feel that, whilst the criminal it has given to others. During a time of has been punished, they have not been increases in some types of crime, this work able to properly come to terms with what has seen a reduction in reoffending. they have experienced. In some cases, re- It is a sad fact that, occasionally, some storative justice – which brings victims and people find themselves in a situation they offenders into communication, can enable cannot control, or they may make a bad everyone affected by a particular incident choice that has terrible, long-term conse- to play a part in finding a positive way quences for them. But if these individuals forward. Through funding a joint operation are helped to recognise that there is an between the South Yorkshire Probation alternative path they can follow, they can Trust, Victim Support and Remedi (a make a great difference to their own lives, specialist organisation working to promote the lives of those around them, and to their the use of restorative justice), we have been communities. able to make restorative justice a viable op- That is the whole point of what I do: to tion for more victims of crime. make a difference to the communities of There is strong evidence to support South Yorkshire. By starting with the vic- the use of restorative justice in reducing tim, and ensuring that the commissioning reoffending. This partnership has enabled and grants element of my work are focused easier access to restorative justice, for on their needs, we can continue to have those victims who wish to participate in a positive effect on the communities we pursuing it as part of the outcome for their serve. F crime. If we are to make a greater impact on Shaun Wright is police and crime Katherine Kenny

6 / Fabian Policy Report work across the many different agencies that are part of making our communities safer. It is about strengthening partnerships where they exist and building them where they do not. Austerity should bring us closer together, not drive us apart. The challenge Closer together is to redesign how we work. As police and crime commissioner, I have been embed- Vulnerable people with mental ding partnership working in our strategy health issues are often let down by and ensuring that there is a practical out- public services. Reform is necessary put which will benefit the people we serve. to ensure they get the support they need, writes Tony Lloyd Austerity should bring

us closer together, not Thomas Hawk drive us apart. The ©

olice officers are not social workers. challenge is to redesign A similar project is now being set up PThey do not have the training to act as how we work. in Wigan following the success of the mental health professionals. But they deal Oldham pilot. But our ultimate ambition with tens of thousands of incidents each For example, I have brought mental is to extend the triage service to the entire year where mental health is a factor. It is health practitioners, police and other region so that any officer who attends an absolutely right that police are the agency agencies together to develop a strategic incident where mental health is a factor of first response, but all too often they are framework within which we can operate. will be able to use it. also the agency of last resort. I have been After an evidence-gathering session bring- We also want to further build on the shocked at some of the stories I have been ing professionals together to discuss the success of this pilot and are currently told about police officers having to take scale of the problem, we founded a mental working with the NHS to design a bespoke mentally ill people from hospital to hospital health oversight group, whose member- ‘navigation centre’ where people with men- who, due to a lack of either capacity or will, ship comprises representatives from police, tal health issues will be taken to receive frequently refuse to take the patient. Often, local authorities, health and staff from my support, care and advice. It will also operate police are left with no choice but to take the office, which will work together to develop as a ‘place of safety’ to detain people under individual to custody. They have broken no solutions. section 136 of the Mental Health Act instead laws, they have done nothing wrong and It is important that strategic principles of a police cell. Funding will be provided by they are unlikely to be a danger to anyone have relevance on the ground, however. both police and the NHS, demonstrating a but themselves – they are merely unwell. Last year I set aside funding to facilitate im- financial as well as strategic commitment to That is not the intention of section 136 of aginative thinking on the subject of mental problem-solving in partnership. the Mental Health Act, but it is the result. health services. As a result, in December Other initiatives and projects which have This ties up hours and hours of police I launched an innovative pilot scheme in been established in partnership with the time but, more importantly, it means that Oldham in partnership with the NHS, NHS include the training of police commu- someone who is in crisis is not getting the which is simple but is proving to be very nity support officers by mental health trust help and support they need. The police are effective. It means that when officers at- staff in Salford, which is being reciprocated used as a sticking plaster and the underly- tend an incident in which mental health is by Greater Manchester Police providing ing problems are left unaddressed or made a factor, they can ring a dedicated number training to NHS staff to build skills, experi- worse. where a mental health professional is able ence and mutual understanding. In the age of austerity this problem is to triage the situation and provide advice Of course, these innovations do not intensifying. In particular, mental health support and assistance. The specialist has represent the whole solution. Mental ill- services provided or funded by local access to NHS medical records and is usu- ness is too broad and too complex an issue authorities, are facing severe financial ally able to provide specific advice on the for there to be a universal panacea. But, by pressure as a result of the government’s individual concerned. moving these pilot schemes into the main- reckless programme of cuts. The help avail- It has already had remarkable results, stream under a robust strategic framework, able to people is lessening, and often the saving hundreds of hours of police time we are ensuring that the public service police are left to pick up the pieces. and reducing the number of people be- reform agenda is being used effectively to This is, of course, a deeply unsatisfactory ing sectioned by police by two thirds. But drive better outcomes for those who suffer state of affairs, but agencies have no choice most importantly of all, vulnerable people from mental health issues. F but to work within the confines of the cuts. are getting more targeted support which And I believe that the great strength of po- treats them as a person rather than an Tony Lloyd is police and crime commissioner lice and crime commissioners is that they inconvenience. for Greater Manchester

7 / Into the light reduces demand for specialist services in the long term. I was one of only two police and crime commissioners to secure support from the Early Intervention Foundation for their area, leading to Lancashire’s new status as an Early Intervention Pioneering Place. To prevent and serve To make early intervention a reality for our services, securing strategic partnerships We can transform public services with key delivery bodies is imperative. I through a wholesale commitment am meeting that challenge by creating to early intervention, writes ‘Public Services Lancashire’. Bringing together a range of delivery organisations to Clive Grunshaw invest collectively in a programme benefits multiple organisations. We can develop dynamic, affordable and sustainable solutions to the problems facing the most vulnerable

he appalling living conditions of the in our community by agreeing to shared Pink Sherbet Photography Tworking poor in the 1830s were behind priorities, joint planning and smarter data © a social revolution in which the actions sharing. Combining workforce teams of public bodies played a huge part. The brings in expertise from the voluntary and pared to the same period in the previous introduction of clean water, sanitation and third sector and the opportunity to pool year. It has also contributed to a 21 per cent standards for housing changed the life budgets. reduction in the number of cases brought chances for millions of people. In modern There are some great examples of how to the youth court in the same period. Britain – an era of ideologically-driven at- designing and delivering services differ- There is also a big role for the third sec- tacks on the public sector, rising demand ently saves money and provides better re- tor in early intervention. I am working with for services and shrinking resources – I sults. For instance, joint working between Lancashire Sport Partnership and Ground- believe that we now have an opportunity Lancashire county council and Lancashire work to deliver a range of early interven- to drive through a change to public services constabulary has brought £6 million tion programmes, and have supported the which could equally revolutionise the life into the county through the linking of Prince’s Trust to work with a group of teen- chances of the most vulnerable. resources. This will see three teams of early agers and young adults in Blackpool who We can transform public services action response officers work together in are disengaged from education, training through a fundamental reappraisal of three high-demand areas of the county. and employment and lack the confidence, how we deliver services, particularly by We will create 27 full time equivalent posts, motivation or skills to move forward. These investing in prevention – which means a including qualified social workers and young people are either already engaged wholesale commitment to early interven- specialists in youth work, youth offending or vulnerable to antisocial behaviour and tion. We know that what happens at the and approved mental health workers. criminal activity. early stages of a child’s life or a young per- Partnership working has also been a key I want to cut through hierarchies son’s first entry into the criminal justice strategy to reduce the number of entrants of funding from central government, system strongly determines their ability into the criminal justice system. AVERT is where departments jealously guard their to make the right choices and flourish. a women offender triage scheme set up resources, and challenge artificial man- It impacts on their emotional wellbeing, in conjunction with my office, Lancashire agement distinctions that stop people self-confidence, response to difficult women’s centres and Lancashire con- developing sensible solutions. By allowing situations; educational attainment; job stabulary. Offering women offenders a multi-agency working, pooling budgets opportunities and ultimately, where they dynamic assessment by a trained worker and sharing priorities, we can listen to end up in life. whilst in custody, it identifies issues or vul- what people really need and want, and Early intervention requires focusing on nerabilities which contribute to offending re-design services to allow that to happen. individuals and the unique problems that behaviour as well as the needs presented If we can address unmet needs with spe- they have, working across the organisa- by women offenders as carers. Early in- cialist resources at an early stage, we can tional boundaries that have defined public tervention such as this can divert women avoid using the criminal justice system to sector services until this point. It changes offenders from the criminal justice system. tackle problems down the line. Early inter- the way that ‘task driven’ emergency With regards to reducing youth reoff- vention is an ambitious and bold idea that services are designed to operate, focusing ending, in my first year I commissioned the improves levels of community confidence on the causes rather than the symptoms youth triage scheme. This contributed to a and safety, working with people to deliver of the problems. Services will become 32 per cent reduction in final warnings and real improvements to their lives. F problem-oriented, making effective and a 26 per cent reduction in reprimands for timely interventions that are backed up young people across the pan-Lancashire Clive Grunshaw is police and crime with clear evidence of what works. This area in the first half of 2012–13 when com- commissioner for Lancashire

8 / Fabian Policy Report in the planning – do no more than disrupt that I recently spoke with recounted his the supply market for the very shortest 194 convictions. It is for this reason that I of periods. Remember the key NATO have advocated providing safe heroin in objective upon entry into Afghanistan to controlled ‘drug consumption’ facilities to eliminate opium production? Its output in those who find conventional treatment Afghanistan today has never been higher. difficult. This is why I also support the Thus, while we ought not to diminish use of drug testing at the point of arrest Decriminalising our efforts to control supply lines, over- of criminals as well as the diversion of the emphasis upon this as a determinant of criminal into a suitable programme that addicts success is misplaced. will reduce the risk of reoffending. These strategies are proven to reduce Current drugs legislation is not We need to move away the number of victims and protect our working, but treating drug addiction communities. Between 2006–2011, drug as an illness could signpost the way from custodial solutions consumption facilities were trialled in to socially responsible policing, for addicts, except in the Brighton, Darlington and London. The trial writes Ron Hogg was critically evaluated by King’s College, most extreme cases, and London, who concluded that they provided deliver community-based “robust evidence to support the expansion solutions that are proven of this treatment so that more patients can s the Stevens’ Commission – the benefit.” Aindependent inquiry on the future to deliver better outcomes Rather than treat addiction as purely of policing, commissioned by the Labour in the long term a matter for the criminal justice system, party – has made quite clear, there would it ought to be viewed as a health and be no additional money for policing under community safety issue. Addicts would a Labour government. So police and crime Indeed, the present government’s be supplied the drugs through the NHS, commissioners must plan for a future evaluation framework for its drugs strategy obviating the need for them to commit based upon the assumption that efficiency estimates that as a nation we spend £1bn crime to feed their habit and preventing must be improved, costs and demands on on drug treatment and £1.5bn on enforce- more money ending up in the pockets of the police service must be driven down, ment annually – not to mention the cost organised crime groups. and service delivery must be redefined. of criminal justice services and the loss The individuals participating in the And although the home secretary, Theresa of taxes from addicts who are unable to drug consumption room trials also derived May, recognises that we need to create “a contribute to the state. We must question clear benefits: recovery rates from addic- policing landscape in which everyone has if this is achieving the optimal benefit from tion were increased, which is better than a clear and complementary role in fighting the public spend. using costly methadone maintenance crime,” this is probably the closest she has The former president of Brazil, and chair programmes which don’t always work. come to articulating the social role of polic- of the Global Commission on Drug Policy, Individuals’ health outcomes were also ing. It is within this operating environment Fernando Henrique Cardosa, has said: enhanced, with a measurable reduction that my chief constable and I are seeking to “Policy makers often say drugs are harmful in blood borne diseases such as hepatitis reignite the debate on what constitutes an and must be kept illegal. What they fail C and HIV. It was also noticeable that our effective drugs strategy. to consider is, as … research suggest[s], communities became safer as dirty needles Current drugs legislation, based upon that drugs are more harmful – to society, were removed from the streets. the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, has led to individuals and the taxpayer – precisely This proposal will not resolve all of a police strategy that focuses upon drug because they are illegal. Some European our problems on its own, but it speaks to prevention through education, limiting countries have taken steps to decriminalise a wider set of values which ought to be supply, and enforcement. But despite all various drugs, and these policies should at the heart of effective and affordable efforts to educate against the misuse of be explored.” It is clear that consumption policymaking. To help pay for it, processes drugs, misuse has continued to increase – continues, predicated upon the ongoing under the Proceeds of Crime Act need to and we must ask why. illegality of proscribed drugs. Whilst not be streamlined and more money made Enforcement agencies have been advocating legalisation, we must consider available for these services. singularly unsuccessful at limiting supply. decriminalisation of addicts. In redefining our service delivery Indeed, there is an ever growing market We need to take a different approach we need to move away from custodial thriving on the internet as criminals exploit that reduces reoffending and lessens the solutions for addicts, except in the most technological developments to further pressure on policing services. Integrated extreme cases, and deliver community- their illicit enterprises. As a PCC, I have offender management units have been based solutions that are proven to deliver lost count of the number of large scale a most effective partnership tool here. better outcomes in the long term. F early morning raids that I have participated Research clearly shows that the drug of in. Yet the simple truth is that these activi- choice of prolific offenders is heroin; one Ron Hogg is police and crime commissioner ties – which take months, sometimes years reforming offender and heroin addict for Durham

9 / Into the light demand, release funds and make our Together with our partners, we have streets safer. embraced all sides of the issue to deliver We continue to see the devastation and a multifaceted programme of action that destruction wreaked by alcohol crime on will expand treatment and support ser- individuals, families and children despite vices, step up enforcement, provide early the huge volumes of taxpayers’ money intervention and make it harder for young being spent on policing and justice. More people to purchase alcohol. In the future, The path to than 10 million adults in England now we will all jointly support each other to drink more than the recommended daily lessen the impact of problem drinking on permanent recovery limit, with 2.6 million of them drinking the health service, public safety, individu- more than twice that. The number of hos- als, families and local taxpayers while also A fresh approach to tackling pital admissions due to alcohol misuse was protecting the prosperity of the night-time alcohol crime in Nottinghamshire 1.1 million in 2009/10 – a rise of 100 per economy. For this to be successful, we requires targeting the root causes of cent since 2002/03. With policing address- recognise a need to improve information- offending, writes Paddy Tipping ing alcohol-related crime, it has become sharing and I’m pleased to say that this is quite clear that we are targeting our efforts already underway. at the wrong end of the cycle and would We have agreed a range of new proce- be better off investing funds in prevention dures to ensure all frontline services have ach year, police forces, health programmes to address the reasons why training in alcohol-related harm and its Eorganisations and emergency service people have sought solace in alcohol. links to domestic abuse to better identify providers spend vast sums of public funds risks within families. This includes plans repairing the harm caused by alcohol mis- We found that 80 per for implementing routine screening by use. The extent to which excessive alcohol treatment providers and early years profes- consumption impacts on police budgets cent of residents agreed sionals, cross-sector training of domestic is immeasurable – even when it’s not the that education was key and sexual and alcohol counsellors, and direct cause, it can play a contributing fac- the launch of a diversionary programme tor in a number of crimes, from antisocial to helping to steer young in secondary schools (which attempt to behaviour to domestic abuse. But because people towards a healthy, guide young offenders out of the criminal the role of alcohol in a crime is not always justice system). We’re also pursuing plans immediately obvious, it is very difficult to law-abiding lifestyle to test new enforcement approaches such capture within statistics. as increasing the number of licensing of- To some extent, alcohol abuse has lived In Nottinghamshire, we have shaken ficers employed to carry out spot checks in the shadow of drug abuse. The relation- off the idea that alcohol crime is only a of premises. ship between drug use and acquisitive police issue. Our partners are all facing Public sector, voluntary and community crime is well-documented and strategies the same pressures on their funds and service providers have been independently for tackling it are very sophisticated. Police resources as a result of alcohol misuse and seeking solutions to reduce alcohol harm have prioritised the latter issue, largely share a common interest to reduce it. How for many years. As commissioners, how- in response to public fears, which has we might progress from good intentions to ever, we are in the unique position of being perhaps been at the expense of tackling resolute action is through passion, discus- able to pull together all these strands and crimes related to alcohol addiction. But the sion and partnership working, and this is facilitate improved communication so that tide is turning, and in the face of tighter something that has very much coloured all our efforts are targeted towards a wider funding and fewer resources, police forces our efforts to reduce alcohol crime in Not- purpose. Our community safety partners across the country are recognising there tinghamshire. have a valuable role to play in the new is a more pressing need to target the root Understanding how local residents criminal justice landscape and are receiv- causes of offending to reduce policing wanted us to manage alcohol abuse in the ing the funding and support they need to future was important, so we asked them deliver results. for feedback on a broad range of issues. PCCs have the ability to assist opera- We found that 80 per cent of residents tional policing by drawing on the expertise agreed that education was key to helping of a host of external experts and service to steer young people towards a healthy, providers. None of us are sitting back and law-abiding lifestyle. However, they also waiting for someone else to take remedial recognised that tough enforcement which action; we’re initiating it. The unified goals targeted underage drinking and drinking we are prioritising in our police and crime in public needed to accompany any holistic plans will be crucial to future prosperity in strategies. our local areas. F The result of all of this work has been the birth of a new alcohol strategy, which Paddy Tipping is police and crime Dellboyy Art

10 / Fabian Policy Report Domestic survivors Following cuts to essential services for domestic violence victims, the local police force and their partners

are working to avert a human LiLauraLu disaster, writes Jane Kennedy © domestic violence cases like hers with the ent Domestic Violence Advocates (IDVAs). same degree of urgency that was shown to These advocates are organised through her sick partner. the voluntary sector and funded through ince April 2010, Merseyside Police As a Labour police and crime commis- another cobbling together of grants which Shas lost over 1,200 police officers, police sioner, I am not going to use the coalition’s rely on council support. They represent community support officers and police staff cuts to excuse a situation in which a better the interests of the victims of domestic from a total of 7,101. The local police force decision could have been made by the call abuse and help them to become survivors. continue to work even harder with their centre and a better service provided for But they are not a statutory service. Who partners in the criminal justice and com- Tina. Both my chief constable and I are would speak for the victims of this crime munity safety fields to prevent crime and committed to constantly quality check- if there were no independent advocates? to protect the public. However, I’m often ing the service provided by his force and These public services are worth investing reminded of the human consequences of maintaining its excellence. So a detailed in, especially because they repay dividends these drastic cuts. review of the call centres is under way as by preventing crime and protecting the After a packed public meeting at one they prepare to move to a new centralised vulnerable from harm. of our local colleges, Tina (not her real location and I am anticipating more sup- I like to imagine occasionally that every name), a 20 year-old student with two port and guidance will be given to the staff decision I make is not coloured by a back- young children, explained to me why she that provide this important first point of drop of cuts. For example, I would like to doesn’t think we have enough police of- contact to the public. expand the help available to families where ficers. After her partner beat her badly one However, I am also not going to stand domestic violence is a cause of trouble, night she left home the following morning, by silently whilst an ideologically inspired including providing comfort and support to taking their children with her, and walked attack upon precious public services is children who are outside the safety net. If through the rain to the nearest telephone dressed up as an economic necessity. De- we are going to break the cycle of abuse, box to call 999. As she was considered to spite our best efforts, fewer police officers children need counselling too. But as it be no longer in immediate danger, she will no doubt affect the call centre’s ability stands, a large part of my time and effort is was not categorised as needing a serious to direct a response team to a family in committed to working with my colleagues response. Although the call centre kept serious trouble. in local government (who are all Labour, in touch with her for several hours they Worse, from next year our local authori- thankfully) to avert the human disaster eventually asked her to go to her mum’s ties will no longer be able to provide any which will happen if these savage cuts to our home to save her waiting any longer for a service that is not a statutory requirement public services continue. For this next year, patrol car to be directed to her. upon them. Consider a case like Tina’s. at least, I am pleased to be able to report Later that afternoon, her partner called What if the police had decided to help her that the local authorities with whom I work her to threaten that he had decided to kill and her children move to a place of refuge are actually committing more resources himself and had taken an overdose. With out of danger? Domestic violence refuges to helping the police tackle the scourge of great courage, she returned to her flat to are not a statutory service and no one is domestic abuse in our community. More find he had indeed harmed himself. She required to provide them. Local authorities IDVAs will be employed and some will be called 999 and in less than five minutes a fund them, often jointly with housing as- dedicated to working with young people police car and ambulance were in attend- sociations, charities and the health service amongst whom this crime is a growing ance, but no one even asked to speak to because they are a life-saving service. What problem. But how long we will be able to her or take her statement. would my police force do in a future where keep this up depends upon either a change Even with the most careful policy and such services were not available? of policy or a change of government. F procedures in place, things can go wrong. In addition, our Multi Agency Risk Tina told me that she simply wants there Assessment Conferences could no longer Jane Kennedy is police and crime to be enough police officers to respond to rely upon the support of local Independ- commissioner for Merseyside

11 / Into the light Yorkshire with the Treasury keeping the other half to invest in a way that is not always entirely clear. The ill-gotten gains recovered from criminals who profit from causing serious harm to our communities should not, in my view, be seen to belong to the state but as the rightful property of Community payback all those victims and witnesses whose lives have been blighted by crime. It should be More of the confiscated proceeds spent in an open, transparent and account- of crime should be spent on the able way. Brian Schoonover

communities who suffered from I have long been campaigning for all © of the money seized and confiscated here criminality in the first place, writes to be spent here and 85 per cent of local Mark Burns-Williamson people agree. Thousands have signed my enforcement agencies the power to seize petitions calling on the government to give or confiscate these funds with a confisca- us all our money back. In these times of tion order. In West Yorkshire it is estimated unprecedented cuts to our public services that more than one million is currently n Bradford, deprived young people are – in West Yorkshire, the police budget is sitting inaccessible in the bank accounts of Inow being provided with the equipment being cut by almost a third – it would be criminals. they need to participate in sport and divert a welcome boost to those working hard in Information sharing between govern- them away from antisocial behaviour; in our communities keeping people safe. ment agencies (Her Majesty’s Revenue Leeds, women and their families, espe- and Customs and the Department of Work cially girls from a South Asian background, I have long been and Pensions) is too bureaucratic for ef- have improved access to support networks fective partnership working. Pressure put and other services; and in Wakefield, young campaigning for all of on the HMRC has recently considerably people are now able to access education the money seized and improved practices with a new gateway workshops to help them make positive process enabling the police to receive choices in their lives. confiscated here to be spent information within weeks rather than These projects and many like them will here and 85 per cent of local months. However, obtaining information soon be up and running across West York- from government agencies quickly is key shire after the first round of the new Safer people agree. Thousands to any financial investigation and current Communities Fund saw grants awarded to have signed my petitions practices need to be further improved to 45 successful bidders. These grants invest calling on the government to achieve effective and efficient tackling of the recovered proceeds of crime back into serious and organized crime. I welcome the the communities that suffered in the first give us all our money back. announcement in the Queen’s speech that place. 50 per cent of the total amount of the government will introduce a Serious the proceeds of crime that get returned to Here in West Yorkshire, the police, the Crime Bill to improve the powers to seize the police from the Treasury have gone into crown prosecution service and the courts more proceeds of crime and will continue the fund. Thanks to the hard work of the have worked together to make existing to lobby for more joined-up practices and police and partners, it is hoped over half a practices more effective and efficient but all the legislative changes we need to make million pounds will be available this year, also to innovate and test the boundaries of a real difference. with the same amount made available for the legislation so the police and partners There were 236 individuals and West Yorkshire police to invest in police can do more to capitalise on their suc- organisations that bid into the Safer Com- operations and crime prevention in our cesses and hit criminals even harder where munities Fund in the first quarter. It would communities. it hurts. But updating the legislation would have been fantastic to be able to fund all Widely considered to be an innovative mean we could go further. By granting the projects so that we could do more to piece of legislation, the Proceeds of Crime royal assent to Part 5 of the Policing and divert our young people away from crime Act (POCA) was introduced by a Labour Crime Act 2009, financial investigators and and antisocial behavior and improve their government in 2002. It gives police the constables would be given increased pow- life chances. That’s why I will continue to powers to seize and confiscate cash and ers to search premises, people and vehicles campaign to get all of our money back, property, takes the financial incentive and the power to seize and retain property working with the government to update out of criminal behaviour and enables in relation to a confiscation investigation. the legislation so that we can invest all the the criminal justice system to work more The amount of time that offenders have to money seized here in preventing crime, effectively – in particular to tackle serious pay confiscation orders should be reduced; instead of picking up the pieces. F and organised crime. and the legislation needs changing to al- Currently, however, only half of the low money that is held in bank accounts Mark Burns-Williamson is police and crime money recovered here comes back to West to be classed as cash under POCA, to give commissioner for West Yorkshire

12 / Fabian Policy Report where outreach workers from the refuge, any disclosure from a colleague, to provide Wearside Women in Need (WWIN), attend a sympathetic point of help and to guide every domestic violence callout with police. them safely into more professional sup- They connect with the victim and make port. Recently over 150 of our champions clear that help is available in any way they from the public, private and voluntary wish. Compared with officers giving the employment attended an event run by the refuge number to victims, which led to one charity Karma Nirvana to increase their Ending violence per cent of them calling in, 55 per cent of awareness of honour-based abuse and people who have met an outreach worker forced marriage. against women in this way, get in touch with WWIN again. In Northumbria, we have established We have a bid in to the Home Office for safeguarding work in our city night time A variety of strategies are being funding so we can spread this practice into economies, following a serious rape in used in the north east to improve other areas. Newcastle. In some true multi-agency support for vulnerable women and At this time of strict financial restraint, working, the police, the council, the se- bring about a culture change, we had to look at how the public could curity industry and the voluntary sector writes Vera Baird help with our aims. We think that we together drew up a course to encourage should focus heavily on ensuring access to door staff to see themselves as having a support when it is needed and ultimately duty of care for anyone in the night time on awareness and culture change. This economy, not confined to protecting their reflects what was raised in the consultation own pub or club. They now recognise that key priority in all three of the police that shaped the strategy. alcohol makes people vulnerable, not just a Aand crime plans in the north east – We are encouraging private and public nuisance, and that resources such as Street Northumbria, Durham and Cleveland – is sector employers to adopt a ‘domestic and Pastors, a safe haven run by the ambulance domestic and sexual abuse. As the three sexual abuse in the workplace’ strategy. service, and the ability to call a safe taxi police and crime commissioners have Bearing in mind that for some victims work company to get the person home can made a point of working together and will be their only safe haven from domestic prevent tragedy. Police were also trained sharing expertise, we determined to launch abuse, employers can provide a supportive to work in a complementary way; co- a joint regional strategy to tackle violence environment, make help available and, if operation between police and door-staff against women and girls. The strategy has necessary, can take steps such as allowing has not always been easy. 20 priorities and three separate delivery time off to go to a solicitor or even transfer- I had the chance to ask the home sec- plans that reflect the different geographical ring the victim to another branch. retary whether she was aware that there areas. We are working co-operatively and An integral part of this will be ‘domestic was no safeguarding training for door-staff sharing learning at our regular meetings and sexual violence champions’. These are and I told her the story of how we had together. In November 2014, one year on people in the workplace, perhaps trade un- responded to the Newcastle rape. This from the launch, we have told the public ionists or other staff with a popular profile led to the inclusion of our safeguarding that we will evaluate the progress we have who agree to be trained as champions, to training in the National Security Industry made. be badged in that way, to raise awareness Authority compulsory curriculum so it Some of our new ideas are around around domestic and sexual violence and must now be completed by 100,000 door core policing, such as a pilot scheme abuse and, particularly, to be available for staff nationwide and is being passed on to taxi drivers, bar staff and public transport staff on our metros and buses. The police training is being driven nationally by the College of Policing. We need renewed funding if we are to maintain good police services but hardship has meant that we have asked local people to help the police in more ways than ever before. Two of these examples of innovation, in connection with violence against women, show that the public is ready to help. However, the police rarely acknowl- edge that they need the public’s help and this two-way process has been assisted by having an elected accountable figure with a public profile to make these links.F

Vera Baird is police and crime commissioner Gary Sauer-Thompson

13 / Into the light persecution by unscrupulous criminals In Derbyshire, we are very fortunate to like the Derbyshire gamekeeper who was have several police officers who are pas- convicted of a variety of offences under the sionate about dealing with wildlife crime. Wildlife and Countryside act 1981 and Ani- Previously, there was no formal structure mal Welfare Act 2010, following the taking for wildlife crime investigation but this of a sparrow hawk and the operation of a has evolved since my election, as the trap with a live pigeon as bait. chief constable and I have worked closely The nature of Despite the 2004 Hunting Act some together to create a dedicated wildlife team people still believe it is acceptable to break comprising wildlife crime officers and policing the law and hunt foxes with hounds. A special constables in each of the county’s successful prosecution in August 2012 saw three policing divisions. Another essential During the police and crime the Master of the Meynell and South Staf- part of the structure will be the recruitment commissioner elections in fordshire Hunt, alongside a member of his of volunteers who will act as the ‘eyes and Derbyshire, Alan Charles was staff, convicted and fined. ears’ across the hundreds of square miles lobbied more about wildlife crime of land. The more reports we We will also be ‘recruiting’ the millions than any other issue of visitors we welcome annually, with receive, the richer the awareness campaigns throughout Der- intelligence we can develop. byshire. Additionally, we want our rural communities to have the confidence to s one of the UK’s most beautiful It is becoming clear that report any concerns they have about of- Anatural landscapes, Derbyshire is there are links between fences in their local area including theft of home to an abundance of wildlife – from agricultural machinery and diesel as well wild orchids and butterflies through to those wildlife criminals and as wildlife crime. The more reports we kingfishers, buzzards and endangered serious organised crime, receive, the richer the intelligence we can birds of prey. The diversity of landscape so we need to develop develop. It is becoming clear that there which encompasses the rolling Derbyshire are links between those wildlife criminals Dales and the idyllic Peak District has the information necessary and serious organised crime, so we need given life to a wealth of wildlife. However, to tackle them. to develop the information necessary to their welfare is under increasing threat tackle them. from a criminal minority who are intent on In the future, I will be working with lo- inflicting irreversible damage to our natural Derbyshire’s natural beauty and cal and national wildlife organisations and heritage. picturesque villages draw more than 10 MPs, including Derby MP Chris William- During the elections for the first genera- million visitors every year – ten times the son, to bring about changes to legislation tion of police and crime commissioners, I number of people who actually live here. to further protect our endangered species. was lobbied more about wildlife crime than Visitors travel from all over the globe for One specific piece of legislation is that of any other single issue. In response, I made the privilege and contribute significantly to vicarious liability, introduced in Scotland in a firm manifesto pledge to prioritise this our local economy. Whether they come to 2012, which places the same legal liability area of crime alongside six other key areas. walk, fell run, cycle, eat or relax, the tourist on landowners and employers for illegal Fortunately, Derbyshire’s badgers have experience is heavily reliant on the fantas- actions such as the persecution of birds of remained undisturbed throughout the tic wildlife within reach. It’s important this prey as the primary perpetrator. government’s disastrous cull following remains so both now and in the long-term. Raising the profile of wildlife crime in loudly voiced opposition, although they Other priorities for my region include Derbyshire has sent a very clear message remain susceptible to badger baiting and expanding support to victims of domestic to those criminals intent on destroying gassing of setts. As far as wild birds are abuse, child sex exploitation and human our wildlife that Derbyshire police and its concerned, it’s a grim picture with the trafficking. I have been asked if wildlife partners are taking this extremely seriously. practice of illegal ‘netting’ very much active crime is a higher priority than these very This is an issue that matters deeply to the in the county. Once captured, these birds serious crimes: the clear and obvious an- people of Derbyshire, and my role is to are being kept in appalling conditions swer is no. There are varying levels of prior- represent their concerns regarding policing before being sold on by criminals, one of ity in policing but just because an offence and community safety. My focus on the whom was jailed for 18 weeks and banned isn’t the highest on the list this doesn’t eradication of wildlife crime – in Derby- from keeping any animals for 12 years. mean we will ignore it. A serious sexual shire and beyond – is a perfect example Areas which were once alive with assault, for instance, will always receive a of listening followed by delivery. Locally wildlife are now deserted. Breeding pairs priority response but that doesn’t mean and nationally, my aspirations have been of goshawks and peregrine falcons are we won’t bother to deal with an offence of warmly met. F virtually extinct over the Peak District shoplifting. Wildlife crime has far-reaching grouse moors but thrive in similar habitats implications for our county and the police Alan Charles is police and crime in nearby areas. The most likely cause is are committed to investigating it. commissioner for Derbyshire

14 / Fabian Policy Report Actions in the plan will be channelled through the existing Safer Travel Partner- ship – a taskforce dedicated to combating and deterring crime and antisocial behaviour on the transport network. The partnership includes West Midlands Police (WMP), British Transport Police (BTP), Centro, bus The journey towards company National Express West Midlands and train operator London Midland, with safer transport Centro funding approximately half of the £1.5 million staffing costs. The scheme has The safer people feel, the more already helped cut crime on the network by we can encourage use of public more than 67 per cent over the last six years. transport. West Midlands shows a The benefits of cross-organisational co- russellstreet

partnership approach is the most operation are wide-ranging. For instance, © effective way to tackle transport the partnership has two dedicated intelligence analysts who provide crime and their part by anonymously sending details crime, writes Bob Jones antisocial behaviour data on a monthly ba- of any incidents through the existing ‘See sis and prepare problem profiles which are Something Say Something’ service. The used to direct resources to particular routes information sent helps police pinpoint where crime and antisocial behaviour nuisance behaviour hotspots and take ap- he introduction of police and crime are an issue. Overt and covert patrols are propriate action including undercover op- Tcommissioners was accompanied by conducted in risk areas and proactive use is erations. Supporting this is a programme suggestions that they could ‘bang the table’ made of CCTV to allow real time response of ‘designing out crime’ reviews that are to get partners working together, with the to crimes in action. West Midlands Police being carried out at every bus station, rail legitimacy of being the ‘voice of the peo- and British Transport Police work together, station, Metro stop and park and ride site ple’. I reject both suggestions. It would not with patrols criss-crossing the rail, tram in the West Midlands. Wolverhampton Bus be possible to be the voice of the people and bus networks, ignoring the old ‘modal’ Station has been identified as the first in of the West Midlands, not only because it boundaries. the country to be assessed against new has a population of nearly three million, The policing plan also has a variety of ‘safer bus station award’ criteria. but because no one actually considers tactics at its disposal to address crime and Latest figures show that the partnership themselves a ‘West Midlander’. I see my nuisance behaviour. These include increas- approach is working. There has been an 11 role as facilitating the public’s voices – not ing the use of CCTV and other technol- per cent increase in passenger satisfaction presuming to speak on their behalf. ogy, monitored 24/7 within the safer travel with safety on the West Midlands transport There are seven distinct unitary local command centre; increasing the presence network, and the percentage of passengers authorities in the West Midlands. Each has of uniformed officers on the network to who felt the behaviour of others caused to be dealt with on its own terms; I do not enhance the feeling of safety amongst them to worry or feel uncomfortable has see partnership working as one person passengers; expanding the use of special reduced from 17 per cent to 10 per cent. coercing others into line, but comprising of constables within the safer travel police However, our work is not finished yet. agencies and the public coming together to team; providing greater support for crime This year has seen the partnership move recognise their respective roles and act on victims; and educating young people about significantly toward more effective cross- their shared responsibilities and objectives. appropriate behaviour on public transport. modal policing with the creation of three One area where partnership working Another key element includes asking the mixed force teams each led by a sergeant. is essential relates to transport. Not only government to give Centro the same pow- Moving forward, and subject to BTP ap- does this cross boundaries, but it involves ers to tackle antisocial behaviour enjoyed proval, BTP staff will become associate agencies and organisations across the by Transport for London. These include WMP staff to allow for more effective public and private sectors. Safer public being able to impose antisocial behaviour cross-force management. transport is also a key priority for the public orders directly, allowing a swift response to Ensuring the safety of public transport is who rely on it and a driver for economic be taken on behalf of passengers. There is a win-win. The safer people feel, the more development, which in turn brings jobs also a restorative justice project underway we can encourage greater use of public and reduced crime. in Birmingham which sees perpetrators of transport, which both itself deters crime Our three year plan to combat crime crime on public transport ‘making good’, and ensures that our public transport ser- and antisocial behaviour on the West by cleaning buses. vices remain sustainable. This in turn sup- Midlands’ public transport system is a joint Finally, the wider community have been ports economic growth and employment. F initiative between the police and crime able to determine the priorities that will commissioner, local passenger transport help deliver improvements in the coming Bob Jones was police and crime commissioner body Centro and the British Transport period. Our policing plan will continue to for the West Midlands. He sadly passed away Police Authority. give passengers the opportunity to play in July this year.

15 / Into the light However, saving money is not the only Equally when Luton was hit by a spike benefit. The joint units bring a far higher in serious violence in spring 2013 we could level of additional capacity and capability, deploy the resources of the three collabo- as well as the protection of local policing rated forces using high visibility patrols resources in each of the three forces. This and other counter-measures. In addition, also assists the three forces in meeting collaborated units could provide extra their national commitments in areas of armed response vehicles (ARVs). Luton The magic number significant threat, harm and risk. usually has 2 ARVs, one of which is per- manently deployed at the airport, but now A tri-force collaboration between Modern policing needs this can rise to up to six for a period of time different police forces enables if needed. them to share resources and to strike the right balance With the signing of a further memo- between effectiveness, randum of understanding between the protects frontline services, writes police and crime commissioners and Olly Martins efficiency, accountability chief constables for Bedfordshire, Cam- and responsiveness to the bridgeshire and Hertfordshire, the next chapter in the tri-force collaboration has communities it serves begun. This will involve operational and hat do our public want from our organisational support functions, such as Wpolice service and commissioners? When Bedfordshire first created a major control rooms, custody, finance, estates Most importantly they want their local crime unit with Hertfordshire in 2008, Bed- and facilities, human resources, training, police visibility and responsiveness main- fordshire was abstracting approximately ICT, firearms licencing, and recording tained and protected. They want threats 65 officers on a daily basis investigating crime. Anticipated savings are conserva- to be dealt with by the most appropriate major crime issues, such as homicide and tively estimated at £25 million across the resources, informed by local knowledge. rape. The creation of a joint unit allowed three forces. Although there is widespread public Bedfordshire to release the equivalent of 30 Although tri-force collaboration was in opposition to wholesale outsourcing in officers back to frontline policing. Bedford- operation before the election of police and policing, people are less concerned with shire has not had to remove any officers crime commissioners, the three PCCs have how the supporting back office services from local policing to assist in major crime been able to drive forward the agenda in a are delivered as long as they offer value for investigations since then. The addition far more dynamic way than the old police money and protect the frontline in times of of Cambridgeshire to make the current authorities. For example, despite having austerity. tri-force alliance has further benefited inherited a plan to outsource operational The ‘tri-force’ collaboration between capacity and capability. and organisational support to G4S, we Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hert- An important operational example of concluded this did not offer the best op- fordshire provides a model of police joint this is the murder of 15 year old Megan- tion for our respective police forces and working that achieves the majority of the Leigh Peat. Stoke City academy footballer, the general public. In the past, recovering advantages of full blown merger, in terms Andrew Hall, 18, pleaded guilty to the from such a change of direction would of cost-efficiency and resilience, whilst murder of Megan-Leigh Peat at Luton probably have taken years. But instead of minimising organisational turmoil and Crown Court in September 2012. Megan- the long drawn-out process necessitated protecting the level of local accountability. Leigh died after being stabbed more than by the collective decision making structure In effect, the police and crime com- 60 times with two different knives at her of several police authorities, with reports missioners of each county are able to friend’s house in Bedfordshire during the being presented to committees and de- maximise the resources available for early hours of 9 June 2012. bates taking place through long cycles of neighbourhood policing by minimising Whereas previously an investigation meetings before a conclusion is reached, the cost of all the other activities that of this nature would have pulled a great full-time commissioners have been able support the visible frontline. The existing number of officers away from their normal to negotiate a way forward in a matter of tri-force Joint Protective Services (JPS) duties, in effect having a collaborated months. directorate includes armed police, dogs, major crime unit meant the combined Modern policing needs to strike the roads policing, major crime, counter resources of three forces could be directed right balance between effectiveness, ef- terrorism and scientific services. The col- at the inquiry without a knock-on effect. ficiency, accountability and responsiveness laborated units working across Bedford- Fortunately, local knowledge of staff could to the communities it serves. Directly ac- shire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire still be deployed; a Bedfordshire officer countable to the public, PCCs are proving consist of 550 officers and 650 police staff was able to take the initial lead, and when to be ideally placed to mediate this balance, with budgets totaling some £68 million. Andrew Hall spent several days in Lister facilitating collaboration in an organic way In bringing these services together over Hospital in Stevenage, Hertfordshire of- that puts communities first.F £12 million of cash savings have been ficers who were familiar with the hospital delivered, with further savings of £2.5 were able to facilitate smooth relations Olly Martins is police and crime million anticipated this year. with its staff. commissioner for Bedfordshire

16 / Fabian Policy Report violence. In addition, over 50 community entering custody and diverts them from projects are being supported by the Prop- reoffending. erty Act fund which I introduced, which I am also prioritising better coordina- makes use of proceeds of assets recovered tion, communication and partnership from criminals which can’t be returned to between agencies to make the best use of their owners. resources. Last year, I made the process for We are working towards a better deal for assessing people in police custody more Planning for success victims and witnesses which builds their collaborative, drawing on the expertise of confidence in the police force and makes different agencies to support people with Reducing young people’s offending, sure their voices are heard. Our new multi- issues which can often lead to offending, responding to the needs of victims agency victims strategic planning group such as addictive behaviour. We support and witnesses, and improving consults victims of crime to inform com- the Safer Future Communities Network neighbourhood policing are just missioning of services and implementation for the voluntary and community sector in of new antisocial behaviour legislation. A order to encourage future collaboration. To some of the priorities for Cleveland, strategy to tackle violence against women help partnership working, I’m now an ex- writes Barry Coppinger and girls has been developed by the three ecutive member and chair of the Cleveland north east police and crime commissioners & Durham Local Criminal Justice Board. and our Cleveland delivery plan is also I’ve supported the Board by improving helping drive implementation of a new the use of victim personal statements. As victims’ code of practice. a result, Crown Prosecution Service now t’s a real achievement that the Cleve- In particular, we have used media presents victim personal statements at Iland police force, our partners and our campaigns and training to raise awareness court hearings for domestic and sexual local communities have reduced crime in about disability hate crime. Multi-agency violence cases to inform sentencing. the face of severe budget cuts and the loss work has produced Cleveland-wide Finally, a key goal is to improve in- of staff. In financially difficult times, it has standards for crime reporting centres, dustrial and community relations. I have been crucial to identify five priorities for supported by media campaigns to raise commissioned an independent piece of the Cleveland police and crime plan – and awareness of this type of crime. On top of work on the culture of leadership within they have remained unchanged since my this, a Cleveland-wide ‘safe places’ scheme Cleveland police, to ensure it is public- election campaign. Rather than focusing supports vulnerable people and enables facing and accountable. In addition, our on one or two issues facing policing, this them to live more independent lives by newly appointed chief constable leads is an overview of the tremendously wide establishing venues such as libraries or nationally on ethics and professional scope of the police and crime planning local businesses as places where they can standards. An external audit report of the process in Cleveland. go if they need help. 2012/13 accounts confirmed I have re- First, we are focusing on maintaining duced the budget of the office of the PCC and developing neighbourhood policing. We are working towards by 23 per cent (£270,000) when compared Over 18 months I’ve attended over 180 to the former Cleveland police author- community meetings across Cleveland. a better deal for victims and ity, which has allowed more money to Responding to residents’ concerns, we witnesses which builds their be focused on frontline services. Over 99 are transferring detectives to neighbour- per cent of our overall budget is currently hood teams; mapping resources to match confidence in the police spent on supporting policing and com- demand; and making sure the police force force and makes sure their munity safety. I also regularly meet with takes more immediate action on intel- trade unions and staff associations. One ligence received and improves its targeting voices are heard of our main priorities has been to support of crime hotspots. the living wage; the PCC and Cleveland To promote our work in neighbour- I am committed to diverting people police became a living wage accredited hoods, we encourage police teams to from offending and prevent reoffending. employer last year. use social media. We aim to increase the We are especially focused on young peo- The PCC role is somewhat misunder- number of special constables in Cleveland ple’s offending, with more than 700 young stood both in terms of range of activities from just over 80 to 200 and are also offenders diverted from the criminal justice we’re involved in, and the good practice restructuring Neighbourhood Watch to a process. Last year we secured Ministry of and ground-breaking work undertaken single standard, involving partners in mes- Justice funding for a ‘restorative justice beyond previous limitations of police au- saging and encouraging more residents to champion’ post. We’ve promoted com- thorities. Hopefully one day a meaningful become involved. We recently organised munity payback schemes encouraging and objective evaluation will be carried out Cleveland’s first criminal justice volunteers the public to submit ideas for projects to show the range of activity involved in fair, which resulted in over 900 expressions undertaken by offenders. Reducing reof- this multifaceted role. F of interest in voluntary positions such fending requires targeted action, so we’ve as custody visiting, mediation services, rolled out a screening model throughout Barry Coppinger is police and crime and helping tackle domestic and sexual Cleveland that engages with young people commissioner for Cleveland

17 / Into the light 18 / Fabian Policy Report