Town Hall, St. Helens, , WA10 1HP

Telephone: (01744) 676106 (Mrs KM Howard)

Agenda SAFER COMMUNITIES OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY PANEL

PUBLIC MEETINGS ARE WEBCAST (LIVE STREAMED)

Date: Tuesday, 26 March 2019 Time: 10.00 am Venue: Room 10 - Town Hall

Membership

Lab 7 Councillors CD Banks, Fulham (Chairman), J Jackson, P Jackson, McDonnell, C Preston and L Preston

Con 1 Councillor Mussell

Co-Opted (Non-Voting) Phil Byrne, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service Chief Superintendent Louise Harrison,

Item Title Page

1. Apologies for Absence

2. Minutes of the Meeting held on 11 December 2018 3

3. Declarations of Interest

4. Safeguarding Review of Merseyside Police Verbal Report

 Local Policing Superintendent, Louise Harrison has been invited to attend the meeting.

5. Update on Skate Park Verbal Report

 Roy Benyon, Head of Place and Delivery has been invited to attend the meeting.

6. Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service Update Verbal Report

P.T.O Item Title Page

7. Merseyside Police Update Verbal Report

8. Scrutiny Report - Review of Hate Crime 9 2 SAFER COMMUNITIES OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY PANEL

At a meeting of this Panel held on Tuesday, 11 December 2018

(Present) Councillor Fulham (Chairman) Councillors CD Banks, J Jackson, P Jackson and L Preston

(Also Ian Mullen, Station Manager, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service Present) Chief Superintendant Louise Harrison, Merseyside Police

(Not Present) Councillors McDonnell and Mussell

------

18 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors McDonnell and Mussell.

19 MINUTES

* Resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 3 October 2018, be approved and signed subject to the following amendment:

Minute 15 - ‘Her Majesty’s Fire Service Inspectorate (HMFSI)’ to read ‘Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC)’.

20 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

No Declarations of Interests from Members were made.

21 KNIFE CRIME UPDATE

The Commissioning and Development Manager and the Communications and Project Support Officer were present at the Panel to present an update on the progress made with the Young Advisors Knife Crime Workstream.

The St Helens Young Advisors ‘Cut it out #nomoreknives’ Campaign Evaluation Report had been attached to the report at Appendix 1 and was presented to the Panel.

The Service Manager Housing and Safer Communities was also present to present an update on the partnership and collaborative work that was taking place locally and with other Merseyside Community Safety Partnerships (CSP’s) across the City Region to collectively address the issue of knife crime.

The Panel raised questions, which were answered at the meeting, in relation to the following; early intervention at primary school age, consideration regarding the presentation of knife wounds and/or scarring as a preventative element within presentations to young people, if ‘County Lines’ was a factor affecting the perceived need to carry a knife amongst some vulnerable young people and if progress had been made on establishing a confidential method or place for young people to report knife possession.

3 2 SAFER COMMUNITIES OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY PANEL

* Resolved that:

(1) the Commissioning and Development Manager, the Communications and Project Support Officer and Service Manager Housing and Safer Communities be thanked for their attendance; and

(2) the report be noted.

22 PREVENT STRATEGY

The Assistant Director, Community & School Support Services was present at the meeting to present the PREVENT Strategy.

At the meeting of Cabinet held on 3 October 2018, the PREVENT– St Helens Operational Guidance and Action was plan 2018-2021 was approved and adopted.

The PREVENT strategy, originally published by the Government in 2011 and updated in 2018, was part of the overall counter terrorism strategy CONTEST. The aim of CONTEST was to reduce the threat to the UK from terrorism preventing people from becoming influenced through extreme and radical ideology.

The updated strategy provided a much greater focus on a systemic and coordinated response across Public Sector organisations. The revised document was underpinned by four priorities –

 Prevent - To stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism;  Pursue - To stop terrorist attacks;  Protect - To strengthen our protection against a terrorist attack; and  Prepare – Mitigate the impact of a terrorist attack.

The revised document provided a more integrated approach between intelligence, local authorities, health authorities and other key agencies.

PREVENT Operational Guidance and PREVENT action plan 2018-2021 was attached to the report at Appendix 1.

The Panel requested more detail regarding 1.7 of the PREVENT action plan ‘Ensure that the Council’s IT infrastructure has the necessary filters to provide solutions to PREVENT access to extremist material’. This was provided by the Assistant Director, Community & School Support Services at the meeting.

* Resolved that:

(1) the Assistant Director, Community & School Support Services be thanked for his attendance;

(2) the report be noted; and

(3) the Panel continue to receive updates regarding the PREVENT agenda.

Councillor J Jackson left the meeting during discussion on the following item.

4 2 SAFER COMMUNITIES OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY PANEL

23 VULNERABLE PERSONS RESETTLEMENT PROGRAMME

The Resettlement Officer was present at the meeting to present an update on the implementation of the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Programme (SVPR) in St Helens.

Work commenced on the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Programme in January 2017 to resettle approximately 60 Syrian refugees within the Borough. To date, 96 refugees had been resettled, which included; 10 refugees as part of the Vulnerable Children Resettlement Scheme and 22 individuals as part of the Family Reunion Scheme. The majority of refugees originated from Syria although a small number of families were from Iraq.

The report updated the Panel on the following:  Phasing of Refugees in St Helens Borough;  Home Office Minimum requirements;  Funding from the Home Office;  Responsibilities of the Local Authority Support Provided to Families and Process Delivery including; housing, schools, health, access to English for Speakers of Others Languages (ESOL), Access to employment and training opportunities and community sponsorship;  Community Integration;  Key Outcomes; and  Increase of Pledge until March 2020 for 60 individuals.

The Panel raised questions which were answered at the meeting in relation to the following; exit visa processes and if there was enough financial support to continue the extended ESOL support.

* Resolved that the report be noted.

24 MERSEYSIDE FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE UPDATE

A verbal report was given by Ian Mullen, Station Manager which updated Members on the current work of Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service.

It was reported over the bonfire period there had been a significant reduction in incidents; with a 35% reduction compared to the same period last year in St Helens and a 6.6% reduction in incidents over the Merseyside District.

During the Bonfire period 51 tonnes of bonfire material had been removed from the streets Merseyside, of which 9.5 tonnes was from the streets of St Helens. Pan Merseyside there had been nine attacks on Fire Crews during this period and seven fire work incidents, none of which had occurred in St Helens.

This significant reduction of reportable incidents over this period had been in part, due to the multi-agency work that had taken place over this period in main through Operations Goodguy and Banger.

The Panel was informed of other work undertaken since the last update to Members which included: a Panel visit to the Joint Command Centre at , Homelessness support through Teardrops, joint working with Police around a Person of Interest, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) Inspection and of work being undertaken

5 2 SAFER COMMUNITIES OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY PANEL

as part of the Christmas Campaign.

Members were also informed of the future plans for a new Fire station in St Helens which was expected to be complete in 2020.

Members raised questions which were answered at the meeting in relation to; Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) Inspection timeframes and if improvements in technology e.g. LED lights had had a noticeable positive impact on reduction incident of house fires.

* Resolved that:

(1) the verbal report be noted; and

(2) the outcome of the recent HMIC Inspection be reported at a future meeting of the Panel.

25 MERSEYSIDE POLICE UPDATE

A verbal report was given by Chief Superintendant Louise Harrison which updated Members on the current work of Merseyside Police.

The Panel was given an overview of the last few months performance over a number of crime types including Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB), Criminal Damage, Vehicle Crime (including Interference) Robbery (Personal and Business) Burglary Dwelling and Hate Crime.

It was reported with regards to vehicle crime and burglary dwelling although there was a general picture of overall reduction there had been the odd peak of activity. Directed work had been undertaken to address this by way of targeting areas and individuals which had led to a reduction in incidents.

The Panel was informed of the targeted work being undertaken during the Christmas period in relation to drink/drug driving through Operation Nemesis and through social media encouraging extra vigilance over the Christmas period with regards to home security.

Additional patrols were also being deployed in the main shopping areas/retail parks and in the evening to the support safe enjoyment of the night time economy during the festive period.

Members were also advised of the upcoming HMIC Inspection; the results of which would be reported at a future meeting of the Panel.

Members asked questioned that were answered at the meeting in relation to: Hate Crime reporting and how the reported Anti-Social Behaviour figures were measured.

* Resolved that the verbal report be noted.

6 2 SAFER COMMUNITIES OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY PANEL

26 UPDATE ON SCRUTINY WORK PLAN 2018/19

A verbal update report was given by the Chairman on the Scrutiny Work Plan 2018/19.

It was reported that the Panel had attended at the Joint Control Centre (JCC) at Bridle Road in November 2018 and the draft report from the Task and Finish Group on Hate Crime would be presented at the next meeting of the Panel.

* Resolved that the verbal report was noted.

27 EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC

* Resolved that the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items for the reasons stated:

Minute Reason (under the Local Government Act 1972)

28 Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

28 CCTV UPDATE

Senior Assistant Director, Housing, Safer Communities, Recreation and Libraries was present at the meeting to give a verbal update report to the Panel on CCTV.

* Resolved that the verbal update be noted.

-oOo-

7 This page is intentionally left blank 8

St.Helens Council

Safer Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel

Review of Hate Crime

March 2019

1. Background

1.1 During the annual Scrutiny Work Programme Consultation in Spring 2018, the topic of Hate Crime was suggested. This topic falls under the Safer Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel remit and a task and finish group was established, including Councillors, Partners and Council Officers.

1.2 ‘Hate crime is defined as ‘any criminal offence which is perceived, by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by hostility or prejudice towards someone based on a personal characteristic.’ This common definition was agreed in 2007 by the police, Crown Prosecution Service, Prison Service (now the National Offender Management Service) and other agencies that make up the criminal justice system. There are five centrally monitored strands of hate crime:

 race or ethnicity;  religion or beliefs;  sexual orientation;  disability;  and transgender identity.’

Home Office Report: Hate Crime, England and Wales, 2017/18, Statistical Bulletin 20/18

1.3 As stated in the above report, there were 94,098 hate crime offences in 2017/2018 recorded by the police in England and Wales, this was an increase of 17% compared to 2016/2017. In 2012/2013 42,255 crime offences were recorded resulting in an increase of 123% over the years to 2017/2018.

1.4 The increase in figures is thought to be due to improvements in police recording, raising awareness and different methods of reporting. However,

1 9 8

there has been spikes in hate crime following certain events such as the EU Referendum and the terrorist attacks in 2017.

1.5 The 2017/2018 figure of 94,098 of hate crime offences is broken down into the following five areas:

 71,251 (76%) race hate crimes;  11,638 (12%) sexual orientation hate crimes;  8,336 (9%) religious hate crimes;  7,226 (8%) disability hate crimes; and  1,651 (2%) transgender hate crimes.

1.6 Sometimes a hate crime offence can have more than one motivating factor which is why the above figures equal more than 94,098 and more than 100%.

2. Findings

2.1 The task and finish group comprised the following members:

 Councillors Dave Banks, John Fulham and Jimmy Jackson  Helen Cushion, Arson Reduction Officer, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service  PC Al Russo and Detective Jenny Beck, Merseyside Police  Simon Cousins, St Helens Council’s Equalities Officer  Layla Davies, St Helens Council’s Resettlement Officer  Colette McInyre, St Helens Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour Manager  Lee Norman, St Helens Council’s Housing and Community Safety Service Manager

2.2 There are many different forms of hate crime, including;

 physical assault  damage to property  arson  graffiti  threats  verbal abuse  bullying  obscene telephone calls  Intimidation  Harassment

These are aimed at people with regards to their, race or ethnicity, religion or beliefs, sexual orientation, disability or transgender identity and have devastating effects on people’s lives.

2 10 8

2.3 Local Hate Crime Statistics

The following statistics were supplied by Merseyside Police and show the Hate Crime patterns across St.Helens over the past three years.

The data is an analysis of reported Hate Crimes and Hate Incidents for the period of Nov 2015 – Nov 2018. This period includes the merging of Knowsley and St Helens to form the EAST policing area of Merseyside. The merger took place in November 2016 when St Helens along with Knowsley were afforded a dedicated hate crime coordinator.

01/11/2015 – 01/11/2016 (St.Helens)

Category Total Crime Total Incidents Reports Reports Disability 22 02 Race 128 03 Religion 11 02 Homophobic 31 00 Transgender 03 02 Total 188 07

01/11/2016 – 01/11/2017 (St.Helens)

Category Total Crime Total Incidents Reports Reports Disability 26 01 Race 140 06 Religion 09 01 Homophobic 54 03 Transgender 04 00 Total 223 11

01/11/2017 – 01/11/2018 (St.Helens)

Category Total Crime **Total Incidents Reports Reports Disability 41 00 Race 127 02 Religion 12 01 Homophobic 53 01 Transgender 02 00 Total 222* 04

As a comparison, the three tables below show the figures for some neighbouring authorities for the same period as the above table.

3 11 8

01/11/2017 – 01/11/2018 (West - Wirral Area)

Category Total Crime **Total Incidents Reports Reports Disability 48 01 Race 273 05 Religion 11 00 Homophobic 63 00 Transgender 08 01 Total 409* 08

01/11/2017 – 01/11/2018 (North – Sefton Area)

Category Total Crime **Total Incidents Reports Reports Disability 51 03 Race 246 09 Religion 32 00 Homophobic 85 04 Transgender 08 02 Total 391* 20

01/11/2017 – 01/11/2018 (Central – Area)

Category Total Crime **Total Incidents Reports Reports Disability 91 02 Race 1158 24 Religion 86 03 Homophobic 242 00 Transgender 22 00 Total 1596* 29

* The individual figures may add up to more than the total as sometimes one crime might be in one or more categories. **An incident report just falls short of being an actual crime.

2.4 As briefly mentioned in 1.5, the increase in crimes is thought to be due to improvements in police recording, raising awareness and different methods for victims to report the crimes. People possibly feel more comfortable reporting Hate Crimes knowing that dedicated officers will process the report and support victims through the process. Increased reporting of hate crime is seen as a positive sign and not an indication that levels of hate crime are increasing.

2.5 The increase in disability hate crime reports has been the result of awareness raising within St Helens which had not been taking place prior to the merger of

4 12 8

Knowsley and St Helens. The Hate Crime Coordinator has been developing relationships with partner agencies in the disability community networks and promoting the reporting of hate incidents. The highlighting of some high profile incidents which have resulted in court cases with excellent results, have also been promoted and this appears to have instilled confidence in victims coming forward to report crimes.

2.6 Local Resources to Tackle Hate Crime

2.7 St. Helens Council has Officers that work across several departments. These officers support victims in reporting Hate Crimes, educate people and liaise with our partners to tackle Hate Crime. In addition there are dedicated Council website pages which list relevant contact numbers, including the Council, Police, Anthony Walker Foundation, Victim Support and Stop Hate UK. This is the alternative method for reporting Hate Crime other than the Police.

2.8 In addition, the Safer St Helens Community Safety Partnership website resource has further information and a link for organisations to sign up to the St Helens No Place for Hate Pledge.

2.9 A Hate Crime Partnership Board exists and is scheduled to meet every three months, members include;

 St.Helens Council  Merseyside Police Service  Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service  Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner  St.Helens and Knowsley NHS  St.Helens College  Local Housing Associations  Youth Justice Service  St.Helens Chamber

2.10 The purpose of the Hate Crime Partnership is to monitor and review hate crime that occurs locally, raise awareness, encourage reporting and support for victims and reduce repeat victimisation.

2.11 The partnership last met in October 2018, however, prior to this, had not met since Autumn 2017. There is a St Helens Hate Crime Action Plan. Members of the task group noted lack of representation from the Primary or Secondary Headteachers groups and the faith sector. It was also noted that victims of hate crime were not represented in the partnership meetings.

2.12 The Councils Safer Communities team completes quarterly reports on Hate Crime statistics which include numbers of crimes, locations, and victim data. This is analysed and used to report for performance indicators. These

5 13 8

performance indicator targets have been intentionally set at a higher figure to clearly encourage the reporting of Hate Crimes, consequentially these targets are not being currently achieved.

2.13 Data indicates that the majority of reported Hate Crimes occur in the Town Centre area. The task group members were reassured to learn that, intelligence shows there are no extreme groups operating within the St. Helens area.

2.14 Merseyside Police Service has a dedicated Hate Crime Coordinator for St.Helens and Knowsley, Detective Constable Al Russo who works closely with partners and residents across the two boroughs. Considerable work has been undertaken during the last few years to increase awareness and levels of reporting with excellent working relationships being built between partners such as local Councils, Fire Service, NHS, Community Groups and Schools.

2.15 Raising Awareness

2.16 The Council and its partners work to raise awareness and understanding of hate crime and what support in available through various campaigns. These include:

 St Helens hate crime awareness week in October and fly flag on Town Hall.

 No Place For Hate reporting.

 Hate crime poster campaign in schools so children understand what is unacceptable.

 Holocaust memorial day.

 Stop Hate UK 0800 no. to contact.

 Promoting the NHS ‘Over The Rainbow’ monthly support group for 13- 25yrs LGBT.

 Hosting supporting information on the Safer St Helens webpage.

2.17 We heard that the Merseyside Police & Crime Commissioner commissions Stop Hate UK to deliver an awareness raising and reporting pathway for hate crime in Merseyside.

2.18 Reporting Pathways

2.19 DC Russo and his team have undertaken considerable work around disability hate crime and have established Hate Crime ambassadors in Day Centres.

6 14 8

His research has identified that people feel more comfortable discussing and reporting crimes face to face, this helps to build trust and learn the pathway of the report. The Police also hold monthly information stands in local Hospitals to engage with the public and this also provides a place for people to report Hate Crimes.

2.20 Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service manages Hate Crime from the Joint Control Centre in Bootle, Liverpool. Each fire station is a third party reporting centre, where people can feel safe to report Hate Crimes. Fire stations and fire engines in St Helens are also designated ‘safe havens’ which are a place of relative safety whereby short term refuge can be taken until such time as assistance can be offered or requested. People who are at risk of becoming, or are a victim of Hate Crime can be offered additional measures called ‘target hardening’ to reduce the threat of fire being used as a weapon against a person.

2.21 It was noted that further work is required to increase the number of third party reporting centres. The use of sports centres and community centres was suggested. This would enable victims to report crimes at more locations, and some may feel more comfortable reporting allegations in a more familiar setting, if they did not want to attend a Police Station. A third party reporting week is being planned to take place during national Hate Crime Awareness Week where local partners and businesses will be invited to act as third party reporting centres. The Police would also like to see local Councillors become third party reporting ambassadors so the public have further ways to report Hate Crimes.

2.22 The Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) has commissioned the services of a number of support services for victims of hate crime. The Anthony Walker Foundation (AWF) is the main hub who will receive all referrals from Merseyside Police for hate crime victims. This will then ensure that the appropriate partner support agency (DAISY UK support services) will provide the necessary support to the victim. The support agencies will offer emotional support, practical assistance and information.

2.23 Close work with our local schools is also undertaken, the task group members were pleased to hear that St.Helens schools engage with the police very well. Schools deal with incidents under their own policies and fully engage with the police should the incident be of significant concern. The police are keen to learn about all incidents in Schools to complete local data, however, currently only learn of the incidents reported directly to them.

2.24 Since repeal of Section 28 of the 1988 Local Government Act schools can more confidently tackle bullying that is based on sexuality. In 2018 the Department for Education issued draft advice to independent schools, saying

7 15 8

secondary school children should know about “protected characteristics” under the 2010 Equality Act, which include gender reassignment and sexual orientation. Primary school children should be “aware of the ways in which people can be different and be respectful of those differences”. The advice is expected to be formally issued later this year.

2.25 The Task Group thought that Department for Education has a duty to promote education to raise awareness, although notes that this does not mean pupils or parents and guardians have to agree.

2.26 We heard that partnership working with local Housing Associations is strong and that the Housing Associations are very helpful. It is hoped that working relationships with the faith sector could be strengthened in the near future. Hate crimes reported to the Police via the various referral routes are investigated by the Police. A person who commits hate crime can expect to face criminal proceedings by the Police, and victims should be given the benefit of the doubt when reporting their concerns.

2.27 Training to Public Sector staff and Partners

2.28 Partners such as Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and the NHS have all delivered bespoke training to their staff with assistance from the Police. Hate Crime is documented in Equalities Policies across partners, helping and guiding staff to understand their roles and responsibilities. Some training is delivered via online portals. It was suggested that this method be rolled out across partners to ensure all employees had the opportunity to educate themselves.

3. Conclusions

3.1 We were pleased to hear about the good work being undertaken by the Council and its Partners in tacking Hate Crime. Hate Crime is inflicted on people by others that feel it is acceptable to say and do terrible, indeed illegal, things. Whether they claim to not understand their crime or plead ignorance the work must continue to ensure that people do understand that it is totally unacceptable and there that there will be consequences for their behaviour.

3.2 It is clear that there is established partnership work being undertaken in the St.Helens area and across Merseyside. Partners are working closely together, sharing data and encouraging people to report Hate Crimes. We would like to see the Hate Crime Partnership Board meet on a more frequent basis to ensure data and good practice can be continuously shared amongst a wider group.

3.3 Whilst the membership reflects the local position, we thought it would be beneficial for representatives from both the Primary and Secondary

8 16 8

Headteachers groups, the faith sectors and hate crime victims be represented.

3.4 There are clear reporting methods documented on the Council’s website which allows victims a choice should they wish to report a Hate Crime. We would like to see more third party reporting centres in localities and more use made of community centres, sports centres, libraries and other public buildings, as well as a greater awareness of the reporting pathway itself. The Council’s performance indicator for Hate Crime is currently not being met, so its hopeful with an increase in third party reporting centres this could be achieved.

3.5 The Panel thought that the roll out of Councillor training as third party reporting ambassadors would further enhance current practice. It is acknowledged that Councillors work very closely with local residents on a daily basis, building relationships which could result in victims feeling more comfortable reporting Hate Crimes.

3.6 We were pleased to learn that awareness training is delivered amongst partners and that consideration to Hate Crime is set out in Equalities Policies and school’s anti-bullying policies. The use of online training portals would reach a wider audience. This would decrease the pressure on the officers delivering the training and employees could undertake the training when convenient.

4. Recommendations

1. That the Hate Crime Partnership Board continue to meet on a quarterly basis to ensure data and good practice be continuously shared amongst a wider group, and that greater effort to broadcast its work be made.

2. That the membership of the Hate Crime Partnership Board be extended to include representatives from the Primary and Secondary Headteachers Groups, the local Faith sectors and victims of Hate Crime.

3. That the work currently being undertaken by Merseyside Police to establish more third party reporting centres in local community centres, sports centres, libraries and other suitable places be supported by the Council.

4. Members be given training by Merseyside Police to assist them in becoming third party reporting ambassadors for Hate Crime within their wards.

5. That an easy to use online, Hate Crime awareness training resource be identified and communicated across partners.

9 17 8

Rec Recommendation Responsible Agreed Action and Date of Implementation No Officer

1 That the Hate Crime Partnership Board continue to meet on a quarterly basis to ensure data and good practice be continuously shared amongst a wider group, and that greater effort to broadcast its work be made.

2 That the membership of the Hate Crime Partnership Board be extended to include representatives from the Primary and Secondary Headteachers Groups, the local Faith sectors and victims of Hate Crime. 18 3 That the work currently being undertaken by Merseyside Police to establish more third party reporting centres in local community centres, sports centres, libraries and other suitable places be supported by the Council.

4 Members be given training by Merseyside Police to assist them in becoming third party reporting ambassadors for Hate Crime within their wards.

5 That an easy to use online, Hate Crime awareness training resource be identified and communicated across partners.

10