Scrutiny of Hertfordshire’s Crime Reduction (February 2008)
The Crime Reduction Topic Group
For further information please contact: Head of Scrutiny Hertfordshire County Council County Hall Hertford SG13 8DE Tel: 01992 555300 1 Contents
1. Topic Group summary 3
2. Background 4
3. Partnerships 6
4. Initiatives to counter the fear of crime 10
5. Conclusion 13
6. Findings and recommendations 14
7. Glossary of terms and abbreviations 16
Appendix 1 – Membership and List of Meeting Dates
Appendix 2 – Hertford/Ware (Operation Sprawl) notes; Watford evening visit notes
Appendix 3 - Figures for Anti-Social Behaviour, Criminal Damage and Violent Crime on Friday Nights and Saturday Mornings in Hertford Castle Ward during December 2007
2 1. Topic Group Summary
1.1 This is a specific report of an all-party five Purpose of the Scrutiny member Topic Group established by Issues and Questions to be Hertfordshire County Council’s Adult Care & addressed: Community Services Scrutiny Committee. The purpose of the Topic Group was to examine 1. Are the resources which HCC the effectivess of the County Council’s role in puts into crime reduction being reducing crime, substance misuse and anti- used effectively? social behaviour within the county. The Group held a number of meetings and took evidence 2. How effective is HCC’s multi- from Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) agency working on crime officers, external expert witnesses and reduction; what is being achieved participated in operations scheduled by and what is planned for the future; members of the East Herts Crime Reduction how do HCC, the District Councils Partnership. The intended audience for this and the Police work together to report is the Adult Care & Community Safety reduce crime? Scrutiny Committee. 3. Is the County Council linked to the 1.2 Minutes and papers from meetings of the right partnerships? What Topic Group can be obtained from initiatives are being undertaken – www.herstdirect.org/yrccouncil/civic_calendar. e.g. drug intervention programmes (DIPs), PCSOs/safer 1.3 The scale of this scrutiny became apparent neighbourhoods, taxi marshalling when scoping the remit (see box). Initially it schemes, initiatives to reduce had been planned as a one-off for the whole purchase of alcohol by under-18s ACCS Committee to undertake. It was etc. decided that in-depth scrutiny would be best facilitated through a topic group. Overview & 4. How do the various departments Scrutiny Committee (OSC) accepted this within HCC work together to recommendation and agreed to establish the reduce crime – for example topic group (26 April 2006). It was decided to prevention work in schools and by focus on East Herts as a largely rural area with the Fire & Rescue Service. close transport links with London and its suburbs; it is an area with relatively low levels 5. What are initiatives doing to of crime but a high fear of crime expressed by counter the fear of crime? residents; however during its work the Group considered the overall position of crime 6. How effective are new reduction across Hertfordshire as a whole. technologies in preventing crime?
7. Moving into the final year (2008/09) of a three-year plan, is the partnership 2/3rds of the way through meeting targets and if not, what can HCC/the partnership do to assist?
3 2. Background
2.1 In order to assist the Group to identify lines of enquiry, Members received an initial presentation from the Head of Crime & Drugs Strategy Unit which described how crime reduction fits within the Local Area Agreement (LAA), how funding streams are arranged, and the management structure of the LAA and the Safer & Stronger Communities Block. The Group was also informed about the structure of the CDRPs (Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships) through the example of East Herts. The following was identified during the Group’s discussion:
The structure of the CDP and its relationship with the LAA involves a significant number of meetings requiring a large amount of officer time. It was suggested that the balance between the delivery of projects and the supporting of meetings should be considered
Much of the funding for the LAA comes to HCC as the holder of the LAA grant. The CDRP has its own internal bidding mechanism, citing how each project will fit with LAA targets. The CDSU (Crime & Drugs Strategy Unit), through individual Lead Officers, makes recommendations on these, but it is the Safer & Stronger Performance Group which takes the decision on funding allocations for the year, and as the grant holder Cabinet has the ultimate responsibility over funding.
Focused work on the night-time economy has contributed to a 5% reduction in violent crimes in East Herts. Initiatives have included a taxi-marshalling scheme, and a designated public order area in Hertford. Bars and clubs are not required to contribute to the cost of schemes such as taxi-marshalling, although many (particularly amongst the larger chains) will do so voluntarily to avoid negative publicity. Removal of a licence, or restrictions on an extended licence, can be used as the ultimate sanction to control disorder in town centres.
The County Council now has statutory responsibility for preventing the sale of alcohol, cigarettes, etc to those who are under age, having taken over responsibility from the police in 2004. The Head of Trading Standards outlined the ways in which this is monitored (e.g. test purchasing) and the protocols in place for awarding licences to sell alcohol. It was recognised that there are insufficient resources for all retailers to be monitored constantly, and there is also a need to support retailers who may be intimidated into selling alcohol
The differences between alcohol-free zones and designated public order zones were defined: the former being often difficult to police and affecting the whole community; designated public order zones involve intervention only when behaviour becomes rowdy. Members also heard about the differences between ASBOs (Anti-Social Behaviour Orders) and ABCs (Anti-Social Behaviour Contracts), and the aim to link ABCs with positive conditions (e.g. football projects) to shift the focus to reward rather than punishment
4 2.2 The Group had received a copy of the East Herts Community Safety Strategy (2005 – 2008) in advance of the first meeting. A number of the issues identified in the scoping document were reflected in the Strategy:
“It is only through working in partnership that significant reductions in crime can be achieved and long term solutions can be found.”
A “small number of Prolific and other Priority Offenders cause a disproportionately large amount of crime”
5 3. Partnerships
3.1 A significant proportion of the Group’s remit related to partnership working: see Purpose of the Scrutiny page 3, points 2 – 4 and point 7).
3.2 The Chairman of the Group attended the East Herts Responsible Authorities Group (RAG). The RAG meeting was well-attended by stakeholder agencies. The target of an 18% reduction in overall crime as part of the Community Safety Partnership was discussed, as well as repeat offenders, CCTV preventative work, home safety and security referrals and the Fear of Crime survey. The East Herts Community Safety Handbook was also distributed at the meeting. On the basis of this visit, and other evidence received, the Group remains to be convinced that the partnerships are operating at optimum efficiency (RAGs and their constituent elements).
3.3 The Group wished to explore the effectiveness of the RAGs in more detail and subsequently heard about EHDC’s role in co-ordinating the East Herts CDRP. This includes pulling together the action plans, arranging RAG meetings and managing resources, although it is the RAG itself which decides how the localised devolved LAA grant is spent. There are limited resources to carry out this important piece of work.
3.4 A particular problem from the East Herts perspective is engagement with other partners especially PCTs, the Youth Offending Team, CSF and Highways. The issue of communications was also identified, and whether CDRPs are aware of the resources available to be accessed at HCC.
3.5 The Group queried whether there was a forum for best practice amongst the CDRPs to be shared, or whether this would introduce an unnecessary further level of bureaucracy. Work is being undertaken to strengthen the horizontal linkages between the CDRPs, but that this is not always recognised. The Chief Officer Group (Crime and Disorder) oversees how the CDRPs operate and whether sharing best practice is being promoted, although its work programme is very full.
3.6 The Group undertook a round table discussion with the police service. In general links with the County Council are regarded as good, but that it is difficult to know who to approach directly to get issues resolved. Liaison often takes place at a strategic level but communication further down the line is weaker. It was suggested that joint training, for example a joint induction session every six months or so for new Police Inspectors at which they could find out more about the County Council, could provide an opportunity to improve this
3.7 The police also felt that joint training could be helpful in areas such as child protection, and that closer links with the Community Information Unit would be beneficial. It was highlighted that it would be helpful from the police perspective to be able to better understand what the county council does and what it can offer
6 as an information resource, in order to be able to use the information which the county council holds to improve effectiveness.
3.8 The need for all partners to be aware of their responsibilities in helping to tackle crime was highlighted: police cited examples where difficulties had been encountered in progressing initiatives (e.g. delays in obtaining signage for alcohol-free or no cold-calling zones). County councillors are invited to attend and input to the evening Community Safety Partnership (CSP) meetings, held in each of the CDRP areas, where both Police and the Partnership are held accountable for their performance. County Councillors’ attendance at these meetings across the county are inconsistent.
3.9 In response to a question as to how the CDRP could be changed to improve its effectiveness, it was felt that a major improvement would be for all partners to ‘buy-in’ to the process and to commit the energy and resources which the partnership needs – whilst some partners do this, there are many that do not. A regular ‘away-day’ for CDRPs was suggested as a way in which participation may be improved. It was also suggested that the minutes of CDRPs could be monitored by the RAG chairs to identify both those partners who do not participate and those who do not receive ‘actions’ to take away from the meeting.
3.10 The Group had been invited to observe ‘Operation Sprawl’ which was instigated by the Police with input from CDRP partner agencies, including HCC’s Fire & Rescue Service. Although the night had been quiet, with few incidents; this may have been due to the fact that it was very cold and that the police presence had been strong. The following points were noted and discussed:
The response of the public to the Operation was good; most people questioned had felt that the police were doing a good job;
Had the police presence not been so strong it is possible that some of the incidents may have escalated;
Smoking ban – this has had the effect of forcing crowds out on to the street, which may seem intimidating or lead to confrontational situations;
The taxi-marshalling in Hertford had worked very well – people queued in an orderly fashion;
Young people spoken to had expressed the need for places to meet out of the cold;
There is a lack of publicity around initiatives such as Operation Sprawl.
3.11 During the visit the police had expressed concern about communication with Herts Highways, for example over highways changes or consultation on new developments.
3.12 A number of the young people encountered during the Operation raised the lack of evening facilities where they could gather safely. It was noted that this is a
7 joint responsibility both HCC (for the Youth Service) and the district councils (for youth leisure services), and that the Children’s Trust Partnership Groups should be co-ordinating the joint working to oversee this. The Group also heard that HCC’s spending on Youth Services per 13 – 19 is under £49 against a suggested national average of £100. The following points were noted and discussed:
There are issues around how the County Council relates to young people. Issues need to be discussed in a way people can understand, i.e. without jargon; There has been a criminalisation of some aspects of youth behaviour; some incidents which would formerly have been dealt with by a caution now incur criminal penalties because the behaviour has been classified as a crime;
Young people need to know what their rights are, as well as their responsibilities.
3.13 HCC’s Trading Standards Unit undertakes regular checks for counterfeit goods. It also provided the Group with evidence on the extent of underage drinking, to enable the Group to establish the extent of youth drinking leading to crime or anti- social behaviour. The results of the most recent round of test purchasing operations showed that the problem of underage drinkers is reducing. Proxy- purchasing by adults rather than under-18s themselves remains a problem. Work is being done on an age-check project using a three-pronged approach:
educating retailers on the law and what they need to know working with young people combating proxy-purchasing – targeting adults
3.14 HCC’s Multi-Agency Information and Data Access System (MIDAS) acts as the county lead for the information-sharing system, it sources information and negotiates with partners; informing partners and others about the information held and how it can be used. The section collaborates with, amongst others, the Police, District Councils, Fire & Rescue and Neighbourhood Watch, to collate information. Much of the work involves using the data to monitor progress against LAA targets; the system involves collecting information from all partners who contribute to the reduction of crime and disorder in the county and converting it into information products which can be accessed via the internet Community Safety Managers, Police Partnership Analysts and other partners. The Partnership Analysts are managed by the Police.
3.15 During discussion with the Police Service the Group raised questions around data sharing, and the effectiveness of MIDAS. It was acknowledged that whilst data sharing has shown some benefits, there is some way to go before the MIDAS system is comprehensive. MIDAS has been relocated within Corporate Services as part of the new Community Information Unit.
3.16 In response to questions about partnership working to deliver successful outcomes, the Group heard that there is scope for improvement in this area, and in particular the importance for improvement in partnership working where
8 outcomes are linked to LAA targets was noted. In discussion the Group identified the following as ways in which partnership working could be improved:
There is a need to change the perception that the police are solely responsible for crime reduction/improving safety. Other agencies have shared responsibility – e.g. the Youth Service;
Need to ensure partnerships work in practice, not just in theory;
Partnerships involve districts, as well as County and other agencies – need to be clear who is ‘hosting’ the forum;
Partnership representatives need to be clear about their role, why they are at the meeting and what the aim of the meeting is, should be fully briefed beforehand and have the ability to make decisions;
Need to ensure the right people are going to the right meetings;
All representatives should be invited to contribute at meetings;
Good communication is key
9 4. Initiatives to counter the fear of crime
4.1The Handy Person Scheme/Home Securities Service has a cross-referral system in place, whereby a technician who is called to carry out minor re-decoration works can also provide advice on fall prevention or home security. There is also joined- up working with Fire & Rescue in respect of fire safety advice and modifications, and with other agencies such as housing associations, victim support, district councils and PCTs. It provides a service to vulnerable people to enable them to live independently in their home. The Handy Person Scheme is promoted and advertised by the providers of the service in a variety of ways. In response to a provider survey over 75% of recipients of the service stated that “My home feels safer and secure.”
4.2The Buntingford Visual Audit had been well-attended, and a large number of households had been surveyed about their fear of crime. Concerns expressed by residents included minor crime/vandalism, groups of teenagers and alcohol-related annoyances rather than more serious crimes. The PCSOs were highly regarded and their presence on the streets valued. It was agreed that the visual audit had been a good public relations exercise, although it was acknowledged that further work would need to be done to determine the long-term value of audits before rolling them out to other areas: members of the public give an opinion on the crime in their area but if they do not receive any feedback it is quite likely that their fear of crime remains.
4.3The Group heard evidence which indicated the value placed by the Police Service and the public on the role of PCSOs. This included assisting with tackling anti- social behaviour and criminal activity and increasing community confidence. Funding of PCSOs remains vulnerable as it is not statutory.
4.4The taxi-marshalling scheme has been running for three years and operates in Stevenage, Watford, St Albans, Hertford and Hitchin. The majority of areas only have marshals on Friday and Saturday nights, since these are the busiest times for the night-time economy; the County Council contributes financially towards 50% of the cost of cover on Friday and Saturday nights. Two marshals work together to keep order at the taxi rank, protect drivers and deter anti-social behaviour and manage crowds. The marshals wear high-visibility jackets, and are SIA (Security Industry Authority, the Home Office endorsed security scheme) accredited. Marshals are provided by Bradstones and receive special training which PCSOs, do not; in addition, PCSOs do not operate after 11pm.
4.5The scheme has helped to reduce alcohol-related crime and disorder: for example in Hitchin between the two three-month periods 15 September to 15 December 2006 and 15 December 2006 to 15 March 2007 there has been a 29.2% drop in anti- social behaviour. The scheme has also helped towards the greener/cleaner LAA target, since areas are noticeably tidier on the days after the marshals have been on duty.
10 4.6There has been a change in outlook by many pubs and clubs, which are now taking more responsibility for what happens outside their premises. This has been helped by district councils imposing conditions on licences and initiatives such as St Albans’ Safer Pubs and Clubs.
4.7The Centre for Public Innovation is due to properly evaluate the effectiveness of the taxi-marshalling scheme so as to ensure that funding continues to be made available. The Centre will be looking for evidence that the scheme is as effective as it is believed to be.
4.8 It is estimated that seven out of ten of those detained by the police at night have been influenced by alcohol. HertsReach in Watford is undertaking brief interventions and has an alcohol intervention worker based in the Accident and Emergency department. As a result, the number of repeat attendees in A&E has dropped by over 60% according to HertsReach figures. Work is being done to look at whether this model could be successfully put in place in other Accident and Emergency departments.
4.9 It was important that the taxi-marshalling scheme and the brief interventions work with NHS Trusts in Accident and Emergency departments should continue and be expanded.
4.10 The Group was also interested in the youth dimensions of crime reduction; consequently it received evidence on initiatives to divert young people away from disorder or enable them to step away from a life of criminal activity. Statistics from child protection work have shown that predominant risk factors for offending behaviour are domestic violence and/or drug/alcohol misuse. The Group heard about the work of the Children’s Trust Safeguarding Board and the Children and Young People’s Plan in trying to reduce the prevalence of neglect at an early stage before offending behaviour develops.
4.11 In addition the Youth Crime Reduction Strategy has been developed to provide a framework for HCTP to facilitate a coherent approach to tackling youth crime across the county. It aims to provide guidance for local community and agency partners to develop their own delivery plans and targets to address their identified priorities.
4.12 There has been a recent proliferation of projects in Hertfordshire to divert young people away from crime. Whilst there is some good practice and a body of growing expertise developing, an ad-hoc approach to tackling anti-social behaviour may lead to duplication of effort, poor value for money and unclear outcomes for young people.
4.13 Whilst the Group received clear evidence that Hertfordshire is one of the safer areas of Britain in which to live, it was concerned at figures with regard to domestic violence. This is a crime which receives little publicity nor does it figure as an area that the public identify as a concern. Yet it can account for up to 50% of the violent crime rate, and there is a problem with repeat offences: in 2006/07 there were just under 11,000 domestic violence incidents reported to the police in Hertfordshire, of which 4,300 were actual crimes and 40% were from repeat victims.
11 4.14 Early preventive work in domestic violence (e.g. Relate, mentoring, individualised support programmes) has the potential to reduce the number of victims and incidents and the need for acute services (e.g. Police involvement, custodial sentences, refuge placements).
4.15 The number of refuge spaces available in the County is currently approximately 20 beds short of the district BVPI 225 bed indicator target.
12 5. Conclusion
Hertfordshire is a low crime area Crime rates are declining The perception or fear of crime is not substantiated by the crime statistics HCC is responding with regard to multi-agency working but it remains fragmented HCC’s contribution to reduce crime is good but internally fragmented External partners do not always play a full part
Having considered the evidence, the Group established a number of findings and agreed a series of recommendations on behalf of the AC&CS Scrutiny Committee. The Overview & Scrutiny Committee will then consider whether to refer these to one or more of the following: Leader of the Council Chief Executive of the Council Executive Member for Community Safety Cabinet County Council
A summary of the Group’s findings and recommendations is listed below.
Appendix 1 contains details of the membership of the Group and its meetings
Appendix 2 contains notes of a visit with Hertfordshire Constabulary in Hertford/Ware (Operation Sprawl) on 14 December 2007, and Watford on 8 February 2008
Appendix 3 contains Figures for Anti-Social Behaviour, Criminal Damage and Violent Crime on Friday Nights and Saturday Mornings in Hertford Castle Ward during December 2007
A copy of the full scoping document for this scrutiny can be viewed on the County Council web-site at www.herstdirect.org/yrccouncil/civic_calendar.
13 6. Findings & Recommendations
FINDING RECOMMENDATION Finding 1 Recommendation 1 Partnership is a major means of The Chief Officers Group to review, delivering services against which HCC’s against national minimum standards, the future performance will be judged. The effectiveness of HCC’s partnership Group remains to be convinced that the arrangements with regard to crime partnerships are operating at optimum reduction in line with clear evidence that efficiency (i.e. RAGs and their partnerships can demonstrate that they constituent elements) add value Recommendation 2 The Chief Officers Group to encourage CDRPs to consider developing alternative ways of engagement with their partners (13 Dec 2007)
Finding 2 Recommendation 3 Police lack of awareness of the range of Regular joint induction sessions for new services provided by HCC hinders Police Inspectors and others, and, when communication and affects partnership appropriate, joint training and liaison working (13 Dec 2007) needs to take place, e.g. Police lack awareness regarding Childrens’ Trust Partnership. To be faciliated by Crime Reduction Unit and Corporate Learning & Development (13 Dec 2007) Finding 3 Recommendation 4 MIDAS is a key information source for A review of MIDAS and the Community CDRPs. Information and Intelligence Analysts is needed to develop a more co- sharing is a vital element in supporting ordinated approach leading to greater effective partnership working (1 Nov & efficiencies is undertaken by the Head of 13 Dec 2007) Information Systems. This should include encouraging bodies who have a statutory duty to share information for the purposes of reducing crime to do so (1 Nov 2007 & 13 Dec 2007) Finding 4 Recommendation 5 Feedback from district colleagues The Group agreed that the work of the identified youth provision as the major Youth Service did not fall within its remit, partnership area which has potential for and suggested that a separate scrutiny of further development the service, to include the issue of joint working with the districts, must take place in the future, once the changes currently taking place (IYSS) have been fully implemented (4 Jan 2008) Finding 5 Recommendation 6 Both taxi-marshalling and Brief CDRPs and Health to further extend taxi
14 FINDING RECOMMENDATION Interventions are examples of effective marshalling and Brief Interventions need partnership working led by HCC e.g. across the county Brief Interventions has led to a 60% drop in repeat A&E attendees whilst taxi marshalling has helped to reduce alcohol-related anti social behaviour by 29.2%. The promotion of Visual Audit/ Community Involvement Days is to be commended although some doubts exist as to whether the improvements affected during these initiatives are sustained. It also helps towards the greener/cleaner LAA target (1 Oct 2007) Finding 6 Recommendation 7 PCSOs are much appreciated by Herts Forward be requested to identify residents. HCC’s substantial further opportunities for funding to enable contribution to funding PCSOs will be the current level of PCSOs (252) to be cut to reflect that of comparable maintained or increased. authorities. (1 Oct & 13 Dec 2007) Recommendation 8 The Chief Officers Group to review the value of Visual Audits /Community Involvement Day for increasing public reassurance Finding 7 Recommendation 9 Domestic violence is a hidden statistic CDRPs to ensure that all partners divert (1 Oct 2007) resources to early preventative measures that can prevent domestic violence incidents from escalating into more serious issues of concern and address the 23 bed shortage from the BVPI in the allocation (1 Oct 2007)
15 7. Glossary of terms & abbreviations
ABC Acceptable Behaviour Contract: Establishes an informal agreement with the individual and a local agency with the aim to reduce/eliminate anti-social behaviour. to shift the focus to positive outcomes rather than punishment.
ASBO Anti Social Behaviour Order: aims to stop a person continuing their bad behaviour. Restrictions are placed on a person’s behaviour. If the behaviour persists the person could face a prison sentence.
AC&CS Scrutiny Adult Care and Community Safety Scrutiny Committee Committee: the Committee which scrutinises the policies and services of the Council which fall within the Adult Care and Health and Community Safety portfolios.
ACS Adult Care Services: is responsible for the provision of social care to individuals (and their parents/carers) from 18 to no upper limit. All mental health services are provided through HPfT.
BCS The British Crime Survey measures crime in England and Wales by asking people about crimes they have experienced in the last year. It includes crimes which are not reported to the police, so it is an important alternative to police records.
BVPI Best Value Performance Indicators provide a rounded view of local authority performance delivery. They are designed to enable central Government to monitor progress over a period of time, allow authorities to compare their performance against that of their peers, and provide residents with information about the performance of their local authority
BME Black and Minority Ethnic
Brief Interventions Works in liaison with NHS Trusts in Accident and Emergency departments with regard to repeat attendees suffering alcohol intoxication
Challenge 21 A scheme with off-licences engaged in the reducing under age alcohol consumption
CDPR Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership
16 CDSU Crime and Drugs Strategy Unit: works closely with the ten local CDRPs. The unit helps council services to contribute towards reducing crime and the fear of crime, reducing the incidence of youth crime and disorder and preventing young people getting into trouble. It also works closely with the police and other partner organisations across the county, promoting efficient and effective working practices.
CRB Criminal Records Bureau: a national, one-stop shop service for organisations which require certain employees to have criminal record checks undertaken.
CSF Children Schools and Families: provides social care and education to individuals (and their parents/carers) from 0 to 19 (longer if Looked After Child)
CSP Community Safety Partnership: public meetings where both Police and the Partnership are held accountable for their performance.
CYPP Children and Young People’s Plan: a three-year strategy updated on an annual basis which underpins the work of the Hertfordshire Children’s Trust Partnership.
DPPOs Designated Public Place Orders: identify an area where it is an offence to drink alcohol after being required by a police officer not to do so.
EHDC East Herts District Council
HCC Hertfordshire County Council: works with local organisations and central government to deliver a range of local services to over a million people, who live, work and travel in Hertfordshire.
HCTP Herts Children’s’ Trust Partnership: the partnership group responsible for delivering the improvement agenda for the five outcomes for children outlined in Every Child Matters.
HPS/HHSS Handy Person Scheme/Home Securities Service: aims to promote independent living thus enabling people to remain longer, comfortable and free from risk in their own homes and prevent or delay hospital admissions.
HIS Home Improvement Scheme: provides adaptations for those with disabilities.
IDVA Independent Domestic Violence Advocacy
17 JAR Joint Area Review: describes the outcomes achieved by children and young people in Herts.
ISSP Intensive Surveillance and Supervision Programme: work with serious offenders who face custodial sentencing. The scheme offers very close and tight supervision and programme of intense work on their offending behaviour
IYSS Integrated Youth Support Service: combines the resources of Connexions Hertfordshire and Hertfordshire County Council’s Youth Service. Some services would be delivered directly, whilst other services would be commissioned from the most appropriate partners.
LAA Local Area Agreements: simplify the number of funding streams from central government. It focuses on a core set of outcomes for an Area and gives local areas much greater freedom to spend on local priorities, reducing ring- fencing.
MIDAS Multi-Agency Information and Data Access System: collects information from all partners that contribute to the reduction of Crime and Disorder within the County. Converting it into Information Products that can be accessed via the internet by the public, Community Safety Managers, Police Analysts and other partners.
One-off scrutiny an issue scrutinised by Members in one meeting
OSC The Overview and Scrutiny Committee reviews decisions made by the County Council and makes recommendations for improvement.
PCSOs Police Community Support Officers: uniformed civilians who are an easy-to-see representative of law and order, helping to stop crime and help people feel safe. PCSOs help tackle things like vandalism and anti-social behaviour, and spend almost all of their working day out in the community, on the streets, not at a desk in an office. They also gather information from communities about crime, suspected criminals and nuisance behaviour so that they can feed this to the police. PCSOs are very different to police officers and do not replace them, although they do work side-by-side and complement each other. They do not have the same wide powers as police officers and do not deal with emergency situations or criminal investigations.
18 PCTs Primary Care Trusts: responsible for the commissioning of all health care including primary care and secondary services.
RAG Responsible Authorities’ Group
VS Victim Support - the national charity for people affected by crime. Staff and volunteers based in local branches across the UK provide information, emotional support and practical help to people who have suffered crimes including burglary, domestic violence, rape and sexual assault and homicide. It also runs the Witness Service.
YCRS Youth Crime Reduction Strategy - aims to bring a co- ordinated approach to reducing youth crime
YISP Youth Inclusion and Support Panels - works with young people whose behaviour puts them at risk of offending
YOT Youth Offending Team - are made up of representatives from the police, Probation Service, social services, health, education, drugs and alcohol misuse and housing officers. Each YOT is managed by a YOT manager who is responsible for co-ordinating the work of the youth justice services.
SECTION 17 All local authorities must have due regard to achieving safer communities whilst discharging the services that they are responsible for - 1998 Crime and Disorder Act
SIA Security Industry Authority - manages the licensing of the private security industry. It aims to raise standards of professionalism and skills within the private security industry and to promote and spread best practice.
19 Appendix 1 – Membership & List of Meeting Dates
Membership The following County Councillors were appointed to the Topic Group:
Sherma Batson (Vice-Chairman) Roy Clements Duncan Peek Eddie Roach (Chairman) Allan Witherick
To provide independent support Natalie Rotherham, Scrutiny Officer, acted as the Lead Officer. Administrative support was provided by Emma Lund, Democratic Services Officer.
List of meetings and visits Minutes and papers from meetings of the Topic Group can be obtained from www.herstdirect.org/yrccouncil/civic_calendar. Meetings took place as follows:
Meeting 1 : 10 July 2007
Remit and membership of the Topic Group Background information Work programme
Meeting 2 : 30 July 2007
Perception of crime Handyperson scheme Work programme
Meeting 3 : 6 September 2007
Youth issues: witness evidence Information requested from previous meeting Work programme
Meeting 4 : 1 October 2007
Witness evidence Work programme
Meeting 5 : 1 November 2007
Presentations (victim support; MIDAS project) Work programme
20 Meeting 6 : 27 November 2007
Presentations (substance misuse; work of the probation service) Evidence from East Herts District Council Work programme
Meeting 7 : 13 December 2007
Discussion with representatives of Hertfordshire Constabulary Work programme
Meeting 8 : 4 January 2008
Feed back from visit with the Police on 14 December 2007 Work of the Youth Justice Service Work programme
Meeting 9 : 22 January 2008
Information requested from previous meeting Update on the Joint Area Review Launch of the Youth Shadow Board Draft report
Meeting 10 : 19 February 2008
Draft final report
In addition to the above meetings, representatives of the topic group attended a meeting of the East Herts Responsible Authorities’ Group on 13 September 2007, attended a visual audit in Buntingford on 25 September 2007, accompanied the police in Hertford and Ware on an evening shift on 14 December 2007 (Operation Sprawl) and accompanied the police in Watford on 8 February 2008.
Witnesses:
The topic group received evidence from the following witnesses:
Trudi Barnett, Project Manager, Crime & Drugs Strategy Unit (meeting 4)
Tom Brennan, Planning and Commissioning Manager, Drugs and Alcohol (meeting 5)
Lindsay Edwards, Head of Young People's Substance Misuse & Crime Reduction Services (meeting 3)
Derek Eyre, Youth Offending Team Manager East (meeting 3)
Barry Fearon, Commissioning Manager, Hertfordshire Equipment Service, ACS (meetings 1, 2, 3,4)
21 Jon Frayne, Hertfordshire Probation Area Assistant Chief Officer (meeting 6)
Catherine Haylock, MIDAS Product and Analysis Development Manager (meeting 5)
Andy Manson, Youth Services Manager East (meeting 3)
Mike McGregor, Operations and Development Manager, Hertfordshire Trading Standards (meeting 2)
Paul Packham, Partnership Support Manager (meeting 5)
David Padgett, Area Manager, Victim Support Hertfordshire (meeting 5)
Inspector Andy Piper, Hertfordshire Constabulary (meeting 7)
Guy Pratt, Head of Trading Standards (meeting 1)
Gary Ray, Strategic Performance Manager, Crime and Drugs Strategy Unit (meetings 1, 2, 3, 7)
Vicki Reid, Crime and Drugs Strategy Manager (meeting 6)
Sergeant Martin Singleton, Hertfordshire Constabulary (meeting 7)
Tom Rees, Assistant Director, Youth Justice Service (meeting 8)
Chris Rowland, MIDAS System Manager (meeting 5)
Martin South, Head of Strategy Group, CSF (meeting 9)
Chief Inspector Jon Speed, Hertfordshire Constabulary (meeting 7)
Jan Spong, Head of Community Safety and Licensing, East Herts District Council (meeting 6)
Sarah Taylor, Strategy & Development Officer, North Quadrant Supporting People Team (meetings 2, 3, 4)
Chief Superintendant Al Thomas, Area Commander Eastern Area, Hertfordshire Constabulary (meeting 7)
Nick Thornton, Analyst, Hertfordshire Constabulary (meeting 7)
Inspector Diane Watson, Hertfordshire Constabulary (meeting 7)
PCSO Paul Weston, Hertfordshire Constabulary (meeting 7)
Philip Winter, Head of Crime and Drugs Strategy Unit (meetings 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
22 Appendix 2 – Notes of a visit with Hertfordshire Constabulary in Hertford/Ware on 14 December 2007 and Watford on 8 February 2008:
Ware/Hertford:
County Councillor Bernard Lloyd represented the topic group, with the Scrutiny Officer and the Head of the Crime and Drugs Strategy Unit also in attendance. A briefing was held prior to the patrol.
Hertford:
Briefing:
a high vis operation a busy time of year increased crime and disorder (predominately alcohol related) foot patrols taking positive action protecting and reassuring law abiding citizens includes CDRP Partners (PCSOs, Special Constables, district council licensing officers, Technical Team, drug dog, Fire & Rescue etc)
The key elements are nuisance youths (frequently alcohol related) maintaining public order (ditto)
There is a particular focus on a visible presence at the railway stations – in order to set the tone. This would include seizing alcohol from under age drinkers and tracing purchase.
Emphasis on public order in Hertford and Ware. All offences to be dealt with positively and robustly whilst maintaining an approachable face to law abiding citizens.
All procedures comply with the Human Rights Act.
Patrolling (foot and motor)
A motor patrol travelled between Ware and Hertford that included monitoring the Section 30 area in Ware where youths had gathered and drinking took place. Youths have disbursed, without trouble arising in other areas. Very little criminal or public nuisance activity witnessed.
Anecdotally, Ware is lively earlier in the evening, whilst Hertford becomes steps up during the evening.
There was further discussion with police officers as to the support and involvement of HCC departments, especially the role that CSF could play.
23 Foot patrols around Hertford ranged the railway stations, Hartham Common and town centre. Youths congregated on the Common with some drinking taking place. A number of young people identified the need for a meeting place out of the cold. PCSOs mentioned that teenagers’ behaviour deteriorates and by the end of the evening youths can be difficult.
Youths travel by train from settlements to the south and between Hertford and Ware. Ticket checking takes place to encourage both adults and youths to purchase tickets before travelling.
A number of youths were well known to PCSOs and police officers. A PCSO travelled with a youth who was taken to the police station (to support him as he was in a state of distress).
There was a high policing presence for the amount of activity witnessed.
Ware:
It was very cold so probably fewer young people about.
A group of about four or five very young people (about twelve) just sitting out in a park. No drink and not causing problems. Would they go if a drop in was provided?
Impressed by the contacts both old and young particularly the PCSOs had made.
Good to see people going up to the police and thanking them for their presence.
The Section 30 removal of a youth, ringleader and trouble maker, who was carrying a bottle of alcohol. Would be of interest to the Group to be told powers and circumstances of Section 30, who gives the powers and why. Interesting that a member of the public had spotted this youth back in the area and made a point of telling the police where they had seen him
Licensing visit to Storm bar/Sky club in Ware with EHDC officers. Two officers enter premises to conduct internal checks, licensee reluctant to show himself, police officers becoming irritated. During this visit 6 high vis officers in attendance. Police officers also reminded us re location of taxi rank that Highways would prefer to be on opposite side of road to the club. Police would prefer to be on same side of road to the club.
Carried onto the Old Bull’s Head in Ware. Licensee very cooperative with police and EHDC officers. All in order. EHDC officers commented how much issues have improved recently. This has been helped with two way radio, pub watch scheme etc.
Police officers requested to respond to a domestic on route from Ware to Hertford. Nothing to report on arrival.
Back to Sky club early hours of the morning. Heavy police presence. One young club leaver fined £50 for urinating against a shop front in Ware next to Sky. Another club leaver reported her mobile phone stolen within the club. Orderly departure from the club
24 Summary - heavy police presence for a very quiet night.
Watford:
Watford town centre when busy caters for 18,000 drinkers
Smoking ban has affected the character of the town. Police prefer smoking zones in front of buildings which activity is highly visible
To create a cafe culture in the town centre has so far failed
On a busy night the taxis queue from the marshals meeting point to beyond the roundabout creating a safety hazard. The lay by for the marshals could be longer to take taxis off the main road. Taxi Marshalls have requested a stand (with appropriate signage - helpful)
Some tension between the different taxi companies. Relationship with the local council unclear.
Unofficial taxi pick up and drop off point by flyover. Gade car park pick-up point not very successful
Pop-up toilets not used
Inner city centre bollard (to prevent through traffic through shopping area) not working for 3 years. Police tape off access area but this gets constantly broken
Monday is student night with cut price drink offers - very busy
Street Angels met - very creditable service
Destiny - current capacity 1,980 due to double with roof terrace if planning permission given. Can make £50,000 on a good week. Fire Service have not visited Destiny over the last 6 months
CCTV does its job.
Bars at top of the street better behaved clients (more expensive drinks).
Heavy police presence, at one point 3 transit vans for what was a quiet night with most venues reporting below average attendance (Destiny circa 500). It was a cold night and that might have contributed to this impression. Also the previous weekend was busy (end of month, people paid perhaps).
25 Appendix 3 –Figures for Anti-Social Behaviour, Criminal Damage and Violent Crime on Friday Nights and Saturday Mornings in Hertford Castle Ward during December 2007:
Figures for Anti-social Behaviour, Criminal damage and Violent Crime on Friday nights and Saturday mornings in Hertford Castle Ward (A1C) during December 2007
HERTFORDSHIRE CONSTABULARY EASTERN AREA
The following figures were extracted from CIS via NMIS and show the count of incidents of Anti-Social Behaviour, Criminal Damage and Violent Crime in A1C between 18:00 on Friday and 03:00 on Saturday. It should be noted that due to the reported time range, some offences have a start time prior to 18:00 and an end time post 03:00. These, therefore, cannot be omitted as they may fall between specified times. Offences that have been omitted are those that can be identified are known to have a start and finish time outside of 18:00 and 03:00.
The results for Hertford Castle are as below:
Criminal damage, Anti-social Behaviour (ASB) and Violent Crime
Friday – 07.12.07 Criminal Damage: 0 ASB: 3 Violent Crime: 2
Friday – 14.12.07 Criminal Damage: 0 ASB: 4 Violent Crime: 0
Friday – 21.12.07 Criminal Damage: 0 ASB: 2 Violent Crime: 1
Friday – 28.12.07 Criminal Damage: 0 ASB: 1 Violent Crime: 0
26