Agenda item

The Chairman invited to the table:

·         Ms Kiran Vagarwal, Assistant Director of Community Safety and Regulatory Services

·         Mr Ian Helcke, Housing Service Manager, Barnet Homes

Ms Vagarwal spoke to the report ‘Preventing and Responding to Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and Domestic Abuse (DA) 2018-2019’.  She noted that Barnet’s VAWG Strategy sets out how the Barnet Safer Communities Partnership (BSCP) works to prevent and respond to Domestic Abuse (DA) and underlines the BSCP’s commitment to working together to prevent all forms of VAWG.

A Member requested an update on the issue of modern day slavery and human trafficking. Ms Vagarwal would forward this to Committee Members following the meeting.

Action: Ms Vagarwal

A Member asked about the take-up of CommUNITY Barnet’s initiative to provide training in healthy relationships (for trainers) which would begin in October. Ms Vagarwal would forward details to the Committee.

Action: Ms Vagarwal

It was noted that Mr Helcke is Lead for Domestic Violence in Barnet Homes’ housing options service so is the main contact.

A Member asked for an update on the detection rates for VAWG and DA. Ms Vagarwal responded that the Metropolitan Police’s Command Unit for Barnet, Harrow and Brent had put in place a Safeguarding Investigations Team which is working with uniformed colleagues on ways to identify gaps in detection. Also all incidents were reported to the Police Community Safety Unit. In addition a Detective Inspector had been allocated to Colindale Police station for oversight on DA.

Ms Vagarwal added that many community partners were aware of the Perpetrator Programme which focuses on behaviour change.

A Member enquired about the One Stop Shop; numbers had increased between 2016-18 so could a continued increase be managed? Mr Helcke noted that additional funding had been secured for a part-time role to support the One Stop Shop. This was currently being run by volunteers.

A Member asked about anti-social behaviour, drugs and safety on the streets of Barnet particularly at night. Ms Vagarwal noted that the Strategy focuses on preventing and responding to violence including a closer look at attitudes. Areas of ASB and other issues would become part of intervention when highlighted. The challenge as to not increase fear of crime. The Safer Communities Partnership Board (SCPB) could consider this, including the safety of transport at night for example.Ms Vagarwal would discuss this with her team.

Mr Helcke spoke to his presentation.

Barnet Homes (BH) has had a Domestic Violence Worker in its housing options service for several years and BH is engaged with specific actions to support the Strategy including delivering housing support and advice to victims of DV, as well as providing a Refuge.

A Member noted that the Prime Minister Rt Hon Theresa May MP had announced that local authorities would have a legal duty to house DV victims.

The Member enquired about the change in policy in relation to the 5-year residential connection to an area which had been a problem for some DV victims. Ms Vagarwal noted that there was new guidance for victims of domestic abuse in relation to housing allocation and some may want to live elsewhere.

A Member enquired about ‘honour killings’ and forced marriage. Ms Vagarwal responded that honour-based violence includes forced marriage and is part of the Strategy. 

A Member asked about the high number of returning offenders to the One Stop Shop of around 33%. Did this mean they were not effective? Mr Helcke responded that there were few One Stop Shops across London and it was difficult to benchmark due to this; it seemed that many customers returned because all services were available in one place so they were often returning for different advice or another service than they had originally attended for.