AGENDA ITEM No. ____5 ...... NORTH LANARKSHIRE COUNCIL REPORT To: WISHAW & DISTRICT LOCAL AREA Subject: JOINT COMMUNITY SAFETY PARTNERSHIP REPORT From: HEAD OF PLANNING & REGENERATION Date: 22ND OCTOBER 2014 Ref: SL/MC Purpose of Report 1.1 The purpose of this report is to update members of the Wishaw & District Local Area Partnership on progress with Community Safety in the locality and the joint work carried out in the area by the Local Community Safety Sub−Group (CSSG) over the last six months. 2. Background 2.1 The Joint Community Safety Report reflects the impact which the Local Area Team and Community Safety Sub−groups and general joint partnership work creates within the area. 3. Proposals/Considerations 3.1 Appendix 1 provides a statistical analysis for the period April − September 2014. There is also attached at appendix 2 an up to date summary of the Community Safety Subgroup Action Plan that is regularly updated by partners using the Sharepoint system. Appendix 3 provides a summary of anti−social complaints received for the period. 4. Promoting Positive Outcomes 4.1 Police Scotland is a lead partner in the 'Action for Craigneuk' initiative. Partners are working with the community to improve services in the area. As a result of a recent public consultation, it was highlighted that the local community wanted dedicated police officers (similar to the Gowkthrapple project) in place. On 1st September 2014, 2 officers took up post providing closer links to the local community. 4.2 A pilot project is also underway between Police Scotland and the antisocial behaviour team for a 3 month period. This project sees both agencies work closely and carry out pro−active visits on Friday and Saturday evenings, between the hours of 7pm and 10pm. This will allow both agencies to identify any problematic addresses or areas and visit them to deter any further acts. 4.3 Officers from Police Scotland recently attended Cleland Family Fun day along with local groups. This provided the opportunity for interaction with local children and residents and allowed the children to try on items of police uniform and view equipment. Safety leaflets were also distributed on internet safety, home security, door step crime etc. 4.4 The Antisocial Behaviour Response Team officially launched on 3 rd April 2014 and during the months of June, July and August, there were 354 complaints made relating to the Wishaw & Shotts Locality. More serious incidents resulted in 18 First Warnings and 6 Final Warnings being issued as well as an eviction decree for antisocial behaviour being granted at court. Further information relating to the level and nature of complaints received is contained within appendix 3. 4.5 Wishaw and Shotts areas have been chosen for a new Housing and Police Scotland joint initiative. On Friday and Saturday evenings from 7pm, officers from the Antisocial Behaviour Response Team, along with designated Police Scotland officers visit 10−12 high profile, repeat offender addresses as identified by the locality day time Antisocial Behaviour Response Team and Community Police officers. Results will be analysed to measure any further call−outs and complaints after the visits to assess effectiveness. 4.6 The locality Antisocial Behaviour Response Officers have issued another 2 Unacceptable Behaviour Notices to youths under 16 for persistent antisocial behaviour. Neither youth has re−offended since these were issued. One youth was referred to the Firereach Programme run by Scottish Fire & Rescue to reduce re−offending. There has been 1 Early & Effective Intervention meeting chaired by Social Work about another youth causing problems in the area and diversionary activities and supports have been initiated to stop re−offending. 4.7 All Residents Group Walkabouts have now been completed with no Community Safety Issues raised. Repairs issues identified have been reported to Property Services for action. 4.8 Church Street & Miller Place, Harthill − lanes. During the reporting period these lanes have remained quiet with no incidents being reported to Housing. Weekend Patrols continued from our Antisocial Behaviour Response Officers. Response Officers did not note any issue of concern at the sites. 4.9 An eviction decree was granted at court in ward 12 against a tenant for antisocial behaviour. The tenants in the area concerned were extremely worried about the area, this result demonstrates that we take strong and effective action against serious antisocial behaviour and will continue to do so. 4.10 Housing and Social Work Services and Police Scotland held a joint 'drop in surgery' for residents to encourage reporting of issues in the area. This event was arranged for 23rd July 2014. Leaflets were hand delivered to properties in the community, the event was advertised in local buildings and shops as well as being publicised on the Action for Craigneuk Facebook page. Unfortunately, only two residents attended the event and neither reported any antisocial behaviour. This was a disappointing result to an event organised to encourage the community to report issues that matter to them. 4.11 In Broompark Road, Craigneuk contractors for Housing's Capital Programme have had issues with youths congregating around their materials and scaffolding. Patrols have been initiated in the area and Police Scotland are also giving the area extra attention as yet Housing and Social Work Services have been unable to establish names in order that formal action can be taken against the youths and possibly their parents. 4.12 The Action for Craigneuk Group has continued to meet throughout the reporting period and continues to make excellent progress across the various themes. Housing and Social Work Services recently carried out an Estate Walkabout with tenants in the area, the majority of issues raised were already being dealt with by their Estates Team. They continue to be proactive in the area with intensive Estate Management and robust protocols with Police Scotland. 4.13 Tiree Crescent, Newmains continues to be an area of concern, with residents complaining to appropriate agencies including Housing Services and Police Scotland, primarily relating to youths and underage alcohol issues. CCTV has now been installed through the Local Development Programme for the area and the Antisocial Behaviour Response Team are continuing patrols and calling Police Scotland for support should any issue be identified. This issue is also on the agenda for the CSSG for appropriate action to be undertaken. 4.14 Tore−instatingimprove Community Safety, Property Services division are investigating the verbal communication link between the two towers in Gowkthrapple. Works commenced in July to re−establish the cabling required to enable this and is ongoing at this time. 4.15 Gowkthrapple again continues to benefit from the extremely intensive work ongoing with Housing, Police Scotland and all the partners. Special note is made ofCo−theordinatorjoint work ongoing with Garrion Housing People's Co−op Volunteer who has introduced a fantastic range of diversionary activities suitable for all members of the community but especially focussed on youths. There are now extensive programmes that are open to all residents. The new "block focus" initiative is continuing within Gowkthrapple. This involves Housing Advisors and Antisocial Response Officers focussing on one block at a time to comprehensively dealing with repairs, security, drying areas/fire risks and speaking to all residents to find out what the individual issues are within each block. Feedback from residents has been extremely positive. 4.16 Complaints of antisocial behaviour remain relatively low. Within the two towers, there were 9 incidents (3 criminal and 6 antisocial behaviour) reported over the reporting period and all have been actioned appropriately with formal action as required. Two particular addresses caused issues with partying and both tenants were served formal Final Warnings and both have since terminated their tenancies. 4.17 Housing met with Roads and Lighting section to discuss dark areas on the path between Smith Avenue and Stanhope Place, as well as the lighting to the rear of Stanhope Place to Castlehill Primary School all within Gowkthrapple area. Costings for upgrading to improve Community Safety were provided and the Housing Area Manager is giving consideration to the proposals for progression. To encourage resident community involvement and improve the quality of their wellbeing; Housing, Police Scotland and volunteers have started a food bank within Birkshaw Tower Common room on a Tuesday morning between lOam − 12 noon. The Birkshaw Tower residents also have their Bingo night confirmed for 3rd September and this is being co−ordinated by local housing staff. 4.18 Restorative justice has been in the area throughout June to August (and will continue into the next reporting period); carrying out extensive improvements to the local open spaces, play parks, community garden and communal areas. This is resulting in improved facilities for residents and has reduced litter and shrubbery as well as reforming foot paths in the area. The visual impact on the aesthetics of the area is immediately obvious. 4.19 In summary, the reporting period continues the successful partnership working which has been of a positive pro − active nature and is resulting in improved outcomes for our residents. The nature of the work illustrates that all the diversionary work compliments the strong enforcement work ongoing to improve community safety in the Wishaw & Shotts locality. 4.20 In addition to SFRS on−going Sheltered Housing Initiative, 8 Cook Safe sessions are in the process of being delivered to targeted sheltered housing complexes throughout North Lanarkshire. These events focus on safety relative to fire whilst cooking and preparation of cost effective nutritional meals. 4.21 North Lanarkshire Council's successful FireReach programme is once again fully booked for the year ahead with 23 High Schools and 2 EBDNs partaking throughout the year. Over the next 3 months the attending school will be: Clyde Valley, Wishaw.