Michelle Cunningham, Thurrock Community Safety Partnership Manager, presented the report which provided Members with an update on the performance of the Thurrock Community Safety Partnership in 2017/18. The report also outlined the key focuses and continued priorities for the partnership for 2018/19.

The Chair stated her concerns with the Victim Based Crime figures and asked what the detection rate figure would be. Michelle Cunningham stated she would check this figure with Essex Police and if public the information would be forwarded to all Members.

In Michelle Cunningham’s opening comments she advised Members that she would be keen to see the Prevent member group re-established.  The Chair was keen to see the Prevent member group re-established and that the Cleaner Greener and Safer Overview and Scrutiny Committee took the lead on it and asked whether Thurrock should be worried about high referral numbers. Michelle Cunningham confirmed that there had been no referrals to Channel this year.

The Chair questioned whether victim based crime figures could be broken down into wards and be publically available. Michelle Cunningham stated a link with this information could be circulated to all Members.

The Chair questioned whether the secured doors in the communal blocks were necessary as they looked unsightly. Michelle Cunningham stated the Housing Team would be best to respond, but understood residents preferred the secured doors instead of the damaged doors of previous.

Councillor Abbas questioned the decrease in number of anti-social behaviour incidents in the report. Julie Rogers, Director of Environment and Highways, stated that the figures provided were those reported to Essex Police.

Councillor Abbas questioned was the increases in recorded crime due to local Police not being seen around the borough. Michelle Cunningham stated that the Police were making themselves more visible with additional patrols and engagement including use of a mobile unit.

Councillor Rigby referred to the victim based crime figures and questioned whether any allowance had been given due to the increase in the population in Thurrock. Michelle Cunningham stated this information was available by 1000 population from the Home Office and the data covered all crime types however this report was not public a copy could be sent to Members.

Councillor Fletcher stated that a change in perception was vital in the borough. Julie Rogers stated that Thurrock continued to work in partnership with Essex Police, at the recent Police Fire and Crime Commissioner meeting with residents the Police Fire and Crime Commissioner had discussed the increase in the number of Police in the borough, which would assist in addressing this.

Councillor Fletcher suggested that the Council approached schools in the borough about how the message could be spread about domestic abuse. Michelle Cunningham confirmed she had spoken to Changing Pathways regarding this.

The Chair questioned whether the decrease in the number of racial offences was down as incidents were not being reported and asked whether Thurrock had a Hate Crime Officer. Michelle Cunningham stated that this was an under reported crime with work being undertaken on promoting how incidents could be reported and how incidents could be reported anonymously. Michelle Cunningham stated that the Hate Crime Officer for Thurrock was Suzanne Parson who was well supported with working with the community and advisory groups and had 150 Hate Crime Ambassadors who had undertaken the hate crime awareness training. Michelle Cunningham also added that the Prevent training for Council Officers now included hate crime.

RESOLVED

1.         That the Cleaner Greener and Safer Overview and Scrutiny Committee noted the performance of the Thurrock Community safety partnership for 2017/18 and supported the three priorities for 2018/19 that were linked to supporting the delivery of the Police Fire and Crime Commissioner’s priorities.

2.         That the Cleaner Greener and Safer overview and Scrutiny Committee noted the continually changing landscape and challenges that were faced by Thurrock Council and its partners to combat an increase in violent crime.