Agenda item

Peter Clifton, Crime Analyst at LBB, presented the Performance Dashboard item. Mr Clifton noted that although a reduction in residential burglary of 24% in comparison to previous year, Barnet is still ranked high in comparison to the London average. Barnet has seen a marginal increase in Gun Crime in comparison to other London boroughs and that this is predominately attributed to Domestic Violence- which raised the issue of efforts to improve reporting in domestic violence cases.

Action: Peter Clifton to provide further data in the violent crime Dashboard on Gun  crime in the borough

Indicators on Domestic violence showed an increase in the recent quarter and a 13.9% increase versus the previous year. Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARACs) are regular local meetings where information about high risk domestic abuse victims is shared between local agencies. Mr Clifton explained that although MARAC repeat rates have risen over the last two years, the number of repeats has remained fairly constant.

Action: Peter Clifton to update the ASB Indicators within the Dashboard.
Action: Salar Rida to publish updated Dashboard Indicators on LB Barnet webpage

Reduction in re-offending data indicate that Barnet’s ranks 8 out of the 32 London Boroughs (1 being the best performing) at. Peter Clifton informed the Board that Youth Offending rates are lower than London, National and Statistical rates- Barnet has been performing fairly strongly in reducing Youth Offending rates as indicated by figures for first time entrants into the criminal justice system.

Mark Strugnell of the Metropolitan Police informed on the possible complications in reporting rates for Theft from the Person- particularly in relation to mobile devices. The Board was informed that currently a small number of police officers are involved in the piloting of a series of schemes designed to reduce theft of electronic and mobile devices. Mark Strugnell noted the implications on reporting Theft from Person data in cases where individuals are unsure as to whether a misplaced mobile device should be reported as stolen or lost.

Kiran Vagarwal, Head of Community Safety for LBB, informed the Board that Performance indicators are updated on a regular basis as new information is received. Following a question from Mathew Kendall, the Assistant Director for Community & Well-being, regarding the performance of Barnet in comparison to other boroughs, the Board was informed by Mike Strugnell that significant reduction in crime rates have been achieved in a number of areas. Taking into consideration the continued challenges in Barnet, Mr Strugnell emphasised the importance of addressing the wider issues and to continue to move forward in reducing crime rates.

Mathew Kendall queried the development of initiatives aimed at underreporting of certain types of crimes. Following a question from Mathew Kendall on the implications of underreporting, Peter Clifton informed the Board that underreporting of domestic violence remains an issue which continues to raise concerns- an area of concern. In order to increase reporting in this area, active measures are currently taken into consideration for further implementation.

The Chairman noted the importance of further analysis of data on Domestic violence cases to and contrast cases involving early levels of intervention. Mark Strugnell concurred and noted the challenges in improving reporting and study of themes which drive domestic violence- particularly cases concerning repeat victims.

Kiran Vagarwal informed the board of the update on indicators for domestic violence data for the forthcoming meeting in April. Kiran Vagarwal informed the Board that a presentation will be prepared on domestic violence data for the next Board meeting in response to the concerns and issues raised.

Action: for Kiran Vagarwal to prepare presentation for the meeting in April on themes of domestic violence.

Action: for Peter Clifton to implement strategic assessment of indicators for domestic violence data.

The Chairman thanked Kiran Vagarwal and Peter Clifton and noted the quality of the report.