Agenda item - Community Safety and Crime in Brighton and Hove

Report of the Executive Director, Neighbourhoods, Communities and Housing (copy attached)

55.1    The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Neighbourhoods, Communities and Housing explaining that under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, there is a requirement for statutory and other partners to formulate a plan every three years to tackle crime and disorder and monitor progress. This report provided an update on the work undertaken by the Safe in the City Partnership in relation to the Community Safety and Crime Reduction Strategy focussing on performance in the first quarter of 2017/18.

55.2    The Head of Community Safety, Peter Castleton, and Chief Superintendent Bell gave a presentation setting out the context and background to the information in the report, the headline indicators and those areas which had shown an increase. Chief Superintendent Bell accompanied the Head of Community Safety in order to answer any questions members might have.

55.3    It was explained that the upward trend in crime over the last three years followed a long term decline over the preceding years. Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) had undertaken an audit of crime recording practices in 2013/14 and as a consequence improvements had been made within forces including Sussex Police. This had had an impact on the figures for some of the types of crime set out in the report, particularly violence against the person, as well as contributing to the number of total crimes recorded. As the HMIC audit had been an on-going process, this had contributed to the ongoing upwards trend in recorded crime. Domestic violence, sexual violence ad hate crimes were among those crime types which were now more accurately recorded resulting in better services and outcomes for victims. It should also be noted that the increases shown also reflected the changes which had been made to the manner in which incidents were recorded and to increased reporting of some crimes.

55.4    Both nationally and locally there had been concern regarding right-wing extremist sentiment expressed on-line in the aftermath of terrorist incidents and in response to news reports on individual cases. A Communities Co-ordinator had been appointed to continue work with community groups and develop projects countering extremis, including online, and to develop a campaign around shared values and the unacceptability of hate incidents and crimes. In answer to questions, the Head of Community Safety explained that whilst there had been a “spike” in certain types of hate crime in the city post Brexit, but that this had not followed the pattern which had been seen elsewhere in the country.

55.5    Councillor Miller referred to the figures provided in relation violent crime and to the changes to the way in certain types of crime were defined and recorded seeking  clarification regarding whether it was possible to break down the figures down further for example, the figures for the incidence of domestic violence against women. Chief Superintendent Bell referred to the tools used in relation to the conversion rate for certain types of crime for example in relation to public and private places and to improved reporting practices in relation to the night time economy. This impacted on the figures overall and it should not be lost sight of, that notwithstanding concerns expressed or the need to address them, that the city remained a safe place, with relatively low incidence of crime.

55.6    Councillor Bewick stated that he welcomed the input which had been provided by Chief Superintendent Bell noting the collaborative working/ referral arrangements between the Police, Council Officers and other partners. Notwithstanding that however, he considered that the figures were a reflection of the leadership of the Police and Crime Commissioner. Whilst the precept paid to the Police had increased, on street neighbourhood policing had decreased and crime continued to rise. The reduction of PCSO’s and beat officers on the street had decreased this was of a matter of concern to the public and did not appear to be being addressed.

55.7    Councillor Peltzer Dunn stated that he found it difficult to extrapolate from the figures provided in order to enable meaningful comparisons to be drawn with other areas and in order for members to be sure that they were comparing like with like. The Head of Community Safety explained that the headline information contained in the report needed to be considered in the concert with the tables set out in the appendix. It was agreed that subject to capacity further thought would be given to how the available information was set out in subsequent reports.

55.8    Councillor West concurred with what had been said stating that the Police Commissioner should attend a meeting of the Committee and to explain the approach being adopted, there were a number of questions which he would like to ask. The Chair, Councillor Daniel, drew attention to the fact that that one of the report recommendations requested that it forwarded to the Commissioner with a copy of the minutes and a response requested in relation to the rise in figures for recorded crime and the strategies being put into place to address that.

55.9    RESOLVED – (1) That the Committee notes the information contained in the report which provided an update on work being undertaken by the Safe in the City Partnership in relation to the Community Safety and Crime Reduction Strategy 2017-20; and

            (2) That the Committee requests that officers send a copy of this report and the minutes of the meeting to the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner seeking a response to the matters raised and that officers report back to a future Committee with details of the response.