Agenda and minutes

The Chairman of the Safer Communities Partnership Board, Councillor David Longstaff welcomed the Board members and thanked all guests for their attendance.

Apologies were noted from Steve Leader (Sean Madeley in attendance), Dr Simon Harding and Sam Denman.

The minutes of the meeting held on 31 October 2014 were agreed as a correct record. The Board noted the list of actions set out in the previous minutes.

The Chairman invited Andrew Francalanza (Senior Service Delivery Manager North Division - Victim Support) to present the item. Mr Francalanza provided the Board with an update on Victim Support Services.

It was noted that Victim Support has been delivering services to victims of crime for more than 40 years and supporting witnesses of crime attending court for more than 25 years.

Mr Francalanza informed the Board that Victim Support has been in receipt of a grant to run a revised victim service for London from October 2014 for a period of twelve months.

The Board noted the outlined key changes in enhanced and standard referrals and a new service for Children & Young People and new support service for tourists who are victims of crime during their stay in the capital.

Andrew Francalanza noted the positive feedback of the Victim Awareness Course which is designed to make offenders think about the consequences of crime and reduce reoffending.

Action: Andrew Francalanza to update Duncan Tessier on work undertaken at Victim Support to enhance partnership working, avoid duplication of work and improve efficiency of services.

Action: Kiran Vagarwal to liaise with Victim Support for further information and data about provision of services at Victim Support

Action: Liaise with MOPAC to request representation at Board meetings and partnership working with the Community Safety Team

The Chairman invited the Borough Commander to present the item. The Borough Commander for Barnet Adrian Usher introduced the item and noted the context of the increase in figures and partnership approach to addressing the increase.

The Borough Commander informed that the data clusters were attributable to a different system of reporting than previously conducted.

It was noted that a new set of instructions has been adopted which includes a change in what would constitute a violent crime.

The Committee heard that in policing terms, the figures do not reflect a substantial change in offences and that in general there had been low levels of crime in the borough.

The Borough Commander for Barnet updated the Board on the re-assurance strategy in response to raised counter terrorism tensions. The Board heard that daily patrols have been dispersed around faith schools in the borough and that intelligence is monitored closely.

It was noted that Police Officers have engaged positively with communities to provide re-assurance and that the overall message is to be alerted but not alarmed.

Roger Kemp Chair of the Safer Neighbourhood Board requested that a representative from the Metropolitan Police attend an SNB meeting to provide an update. (Action)

The Head of Community Safety Kiran Vagarwal noted the importance of this campaign in light of the Community Safety Outcome:

‘Residents and businesses feel confident that the police and council respond to crime and ASB in their area’

The Borough Commander introduced the item and briefed the Board about the Confidence campaign which is disseminated across London.

The Committee noted the importance of the delivery of the ASB communication to communities through advertising and tailored messages across Barnet.

Duncan Tessier, Chair of Youth Justice Matters, Assistant Director Early Intervention & Prevention (LBB) informed the Board about the youth offending services statutory managing Board, Youth Justice Matters.

Mr Tessier updated the Board about the Home Office review project and noted that the Board would receive a report at a future meeting about the co-ordinated strategy for tackling youth offending.

The Chairman of the Board noted the importance of a joined up approach and work with young offenders and the need for good partnership working to reduce re-offending rates.

The Board heard about the need for MOPAC to share key developments and lessons in this area with the Safer Communities Partnership Board.

The Board noted the objectives and outcomes as outlined in the Community Safety Strategy 2015-2020 as set out in the report.

The Chairman briefed the Board about the consultation undertaken which included public meetings, on online surveys, workshops and stalls.

The Head of Community Safety Kiran Vagarwal informed the Board that following feedback additional content was added to the Strategy regarding CSE and substance misuse.

RESOLVED that the Board agree and sign off the final Community Safety Strategy 2015-2020.

The Chair of the Barnet Safer Neighbourhood Board Roger Kemp provided the Board with an update following the SNB meeting in December 2014. Mr Kemp noted that following initial proposal of the application, no further feedback had been received from MOPAC about the mobile phone application.

Mr Kemp informed that the next meeting of the SNB will take place during March 2015 at Hendon Town Hall and members of the Board and the public are welcome to attend.

Action: Chair of SNB and Chairman of SCPB to receive a list of Senior Police Management from the Metropolitan Police

The Board noted the information published as part of the Performance Dashboard item in the Supplementary Agenda pack.

The Board heard that the annual Magistrates’ Court mock trial competition will start in March this year with the vast majority of heats taking place on 7 March, 14 March and 21 March.

The national final will be held in late June at the Victoria Law Courts, Birmingham.

The Chairman thanked Board members for their contributions to the discussion. The Head of Community Safety informed that members are able to put forward items or suggestions for discussions at future meetings of the Safer Communities Partnership Board.