Agenda item

Peter Clifton presented the community safety strategic assessment. He stated that Barnet is one of London’s safest boroughs and has achieved long-term reductions. The MOPAC target was 20% and Barnet has missed this target due to increased levels of reporting in violent crime.

Overall crime rates in Barnet are significantly lower than the London average. Residential and non-residential burglary is higher than the London average. Some of the key focus areas will centre around how the partnership will work with the police to deter and tackle burglary and focus on repeat victims.

In regards to violent crime there has been an increase since 2014 and that is part of a London trend. Overall, violent crime in Barnet is low compared to other areas. However, there are some small but significant issues associated with gang activity. Barnet has the 11^th lowest level in London for serious youth violence out of 32 boroughs.

In relation to domestic violence and abuse there has been an upward trend in the last five years (coinciding with local and national efforts to encourage reporting due to the acknowledged underreporting of this issue) and in the last 12 months there has been a lower rate of increase. Key work will be undertaken for domestic violence and violence with injury strategy.

Hate Crime has increased in London. However the increase in Barnet has been greater than that in London. There is significant underreporting in hate crime. The Safeguarding Adults Board will focus on hate crime and the subgroup will work to encourage reporting, including through a refresh of the Hate Crime reporting process.

Key work around re-offending will involve the Community Rehabilitation Company and National Probation Service taking a co-ordinated approach towards Integrated Offender Management and the mental health referral pathway.

The Community Safety Team will work to establish partnership agreements for consistent reporting of Anti-Social Behaviour, recording and risk assessment processes for dealing with ASB.

Kiran Vagarwal referred to page 10 of the agenda pack and asked partners whether they felt that counter-terrorism should be listed as a separate outcome and to requested to receive comments in relation to the priorities and outcomes.

Dr Simon Harding suggested that the debates and discussions will need to be held as early as possible and get people to recognise whether they are being groomed.

Julie Pal stated the need to define and share good practise in carrying out the public duty places on public bodies under legislation, so that progress can be monitored.  It was agreed that Julie Pal would send Kiran Vagarwal or the Governance Service an update of the progress of an independent school which received Prevent money from the Home Office. (Action)

All Board Members agreed to add Prevent as the 7^th objective.

Julie Pal and Superintendent Paula Light asked whether the cost of crime figures could be interrogated because there is significant difference between the cost of crime figures and underreporting figures.

It was agreed that Mr Clifton would provide details of the figures and their sources. (Action).