Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed the Board to the meeting and thanked them for their attendance.

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 April 2013 were agreed as a correct record.

None

The Board heard a presentation from Adrian Usher, Barnet Borough Commander and highlighted the changes in relation to how the Metropolitan Police is changing. There will be more police officers but would present more challenges for the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) and the focus will be to cut seven priority crimes.

The board were told that there will be less public access to police stations and that most of these will be shut down but one hundred new contact points will open in place which will include 24/7 front centres and that the police will visit the victim.

Emphasis was placed on the fact that the location of present police stations was not the best for reporting crime and contact points would be more accessible and convenient.

The police station at Golders Green would stay open for longer hours to accommodate the Jewish community in this area. The board were told of the new arrangements for localised policing, for example police officers will not be tied to wards anymore but moved around to work with partners to find out what the issues are.

The Borough Commander offered to circulate a copy of the map so that senior officers and councillors can ascertain in which ward they are located.

ACTION - Adrian Usher, Barnet Borough Commander

The Borough Commander advised that Barnet are in Tranche 1 for the roll out of the new arrangements for localised policing. The board were informed that Neil Seabridge is retiring and Simon Causer will be his replacement.

The Borough Commander informed the board that there will be a decrease of 20% to the number of senior police officers but emphasised that police numbers will remain the same.

Ann Graham, Assistant Director for Children’s Social Care questioned whether the loss of senior police officers has been a factor of things that have gone wrong. The Borough Commander explained that technology has helped but also created a greater imbalance in the work load of senior officers. He advised that the new arrangements for localised policing will even out responsibilities and noted that the MET held on to some staff because of the Olympics.

Councillor Longstaff suggested that the presentation should be sent to Lawnetta Greaves who will then circulate it with the minutes to the Safer Communities Partnership Board.

ACTION:Adrian Usher, Barnet Borough Commander

Dov Gerber, the Chair at Barnet CSEG provided the board with a briefing on the new Safer Neighbourhoods Boards that will replace CPEG’s across London.

Dov drew attention to the issue of funding projects around engagements for the new Safer Neighbourhood Board in Barnet. Pam Wharfe informed the board that Capita may be able to assist with funding into the borough to support the SN Board.

It was suggested that a working group should be set up to further discuss the development of the Safer Neighbourhood Board model in Barnet.

ACTION: Michael Kelly to liaise with Hamera Asafa Davey from the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime DNA (MOPAC).

DPPO/Cricklewood Dispersal Zone - Enforcement Update

The Borough Commander presented a short video and drew the board’s attention to concerns around Romanian immigrants living on the grounds of Hendon Football Club and the efforts which are been made to deal with this issue effectively.

The board was told of some of the work which is being done in partnership with other agencies to tackle this issue for example BARKA provides office space. The Borough Commander highlighted a new pilot scheme with support from the Romanian embassy for Romanians before they arrive in the UK to work. The Borough Commander emphasised that this could lead to more Romanians working legally. Andy Mariner also pointed out that Romanians are well skilled in construction and the intention is to use these skills legally to work and prevent crime, he also informed the board of the assistance BARKA provides with regards to finding work for Romanians and suggested that this draws Romanian immigrants to Barnet to receive this support.

The Borough Commander and Andy Mariner also drew the board’s attention to concerns around labour and risks of the immigrants being underpaid and working for cash-in-hand.

In response to a question from the board Mr Mariner explained that the police were uncertain of where the women and children were located but 67 men and 1 woman were found on the site. Mr Mariner also advised that 8000 Romanians are registered across the three nearby boroughs including Brent and Harrow and advised that a multi-agency effort is required and the possibility of working with other boroughs to deal with the issues effectively.

i) DPPO/Cricklewood Dispersal Zone - Enforcement Update

The Borough Commander presented a short video and drew the board’s attention to concerns around Romanian immigrants living on the grounds of Hendon Football Club and the efforts which are been made to deal with this issue effectively.

The board was told of some of the work which is being done in partnership with other agencies to tackle this issue for example BARKA provides office space. The Borough Commander highlighted a new pilot scheme with support from the Romanian embassy for Romanians before they arrive in the UK to work. The Borough Commander emphasised that this could lead to more Romanians working legally. Andy Mariner also pointed out that Romanians are well skilled in construction and the intention is to use these skills legally to work and prevent crime, he also informed the board of the assistance BARKA provides with regards to finding work for Romanians and suggested that this draws Romanian immigrants to Barnet to receive this support.

The Borough Commander and Andy Mariner also drew the board’s attention to concerns around labour and risks of the immigrants being underpaid and working for cash-in-hand.

In response to a question from the board Mr Mariner explained that the police were uncertain of where the women and children were located but 67 men and 1 woman were found on the site. Mr Mariner also advised that 8000 Romanians are registered across the three nearby boroughs including Brent and Harrow and advised that a multi-agency effort is required and the possibility of working with other boroughs to deal with the issues effectively.

Pam Wharfe proposed that a policy is needed to update on this and to circulate to partners to inform who does what. Pam Wharfe and Michael Kelly to coordinate a response and involve MP’s.

ACTION: Pam Wharfe and Michael Kelly

DCI, Garry Randall provided the board with a presentation on reducing serious youth violence in Barnet. He explained that there has been a 31% reduction in youth crime in the borough during this time last year and robberies have decreased by 22%.

DCI Randall reported that Barnet was ranked 9^th among all London boroughs for youth violence and drew the board’s attention to the NW9 and HA8 areas in Barnet as more concentrated hotspots for violence. He explained that kidnapping is now an issue in the borough.

The board were shown the life cycle of a gang member to highlight the issues and to raise the profile in the NW9 and HA8 areas. DCI Randall asked the board for additional assistance in relation to this.

In response to a question from Manju Lukhman,       Domestic Violence Coordinator, DCI Randall explained a mandatory check is carried out for every crime and that there is a trigger plan is in place for this; domestic violence he advised would rank high on this list.

Ann Graham reported that there may be training available for this at LBB, DCI Randall agreed this assistance from LBB would be beneficial.

ACTION: Ann Graham

Dr Harding and DCI Randall was in agreement that early recognition and sharing information was of critical importance.

DCI Randall advised that schools located close to the two geographical hot spots should focus on mentoring. He emphasised that there has been good partnership working already been undertaken to address this issue but there is more work still to do.

Councillor Longstaff commended DCI Harding for his presentation and for the work that has been done so far.

Property crime

The Borough Commander reported that among the London Boroughs Barnet was ranked 4^th largest reduction in the number of burglaries. He further advised that there has also been a significant reduction in burglaries.

Anti-social behaviour (ASB)

Lynn Bishop, Street Scene Director, attended the meeting to update the board on the rise of litter within the borough and the plans to deal with this issue. Lynn explained that following the Residents Satisfaction Survey, the primary focus would be about delivery and to enabling residents to become more responsible and accountable for their litter. 

There will be a change in the autumn to how the waste and recycling service operates in the borough to make it easier for residents to recycle. The board were also told of some of the other changes which will be taking place in relation to this matter for example from next year the whole front-line service for street cleaners will change to a more mechanical approach, the way waste is disposed of would also change from boxes to a containerised service.

Andy Mariner reported that he met with Barnet Homes to discuss and highlight the issue with repeat victimisation and is looking to work together with Barnet Homes to take cases forward where there are overlaps. Michael Kelly reported that the Met police have introduced a new Case Work System to build up a more accurate picture and to have outcomes around this. He explained that this is in addition to the Barnet Homes anti social behaviour group that are also doing this.

Violent crime (DV)

The Borough Commander advised the board that Domestic Violence Crimes in the borough has increased. However, there has been a decrease in the number of repeat victims. Ann Graham, Assistant Director for Children’s Social Care notified the board that they are working with the courts to improve the process behind Domestic Violence.

Integrated Offender Management

Michael Kelly updated the board that funding has been achieved. The board agreed that it would be beneficial to develop a performance framework around this. Michael notified the board of the implementation of the new Case management System. It was noted that Barnet was the only London borough with the lowest rate for adults re-offending. 

Early intervention

Duncan Tessier provided the board with an update on the Early Intervention Scheme and informed the board that one of the objectives is to save money and advised of the new challenges over the next few years.

Places where offences take place

Repeat victimisation

The board agreed it would be beneficial to have an action plan to accompany the performance report as a better way to deal with repeat victimisation.

Reassurance and Confidence

Chris Palmer updated the board about the communications plan. He highlighted some of the concerns for residents, for example reducing re-offending, fear of crime. There has also been a rise in concerns about litter, reducing benefit fraud, placement of CCTV’s. Chris advised one of the priorities will be to reduce reoffending rates over the course of the year.

ACTION: The Chairman encouraged the board to liaise further with Chris Palmer.

The board were updated on two enhancement projects. These two projects are overseen by community volunteers. The board were advised that input was needed on how to set up the model. There are two community coaches already in place, anti social behaviour, crime and other referral routes and improving work with existing services.

The Chairman advised that this item is brought back to this meeting after the boards have been set-up and links made with the Barnet Children’s Trust Board.

Dr Simon Harding reminded the board of the conference on 17th/18^th September to be held at the Middlesex University. Dr Harding advised that the conference will be attended by representatives nationwide including MOPAC and Neighbour Hood Watch.  Dr Harding encouraged the board to get involved as this would be an opportunity to showcase the SCPB.

Dr Harding agreed to liaise with Michael Kelly to ensure the SCBP is well represented.

ACTION: Dr Harding/Michael Kelly

None.

The meeting finished at 16.30pm. Date of Next Meeting: Friday 25th October 2013