Agenda item

The Police and Crime Commissioner and Acting Chief Constable have been invited to attend for this item.

The Panel considered a report of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) which set out the principal changes made to the Police and Crime Plan (the Plan) and introduced the refreshed Plan to be published by 25 October 2013.  A copy of the report is filed with these minutes.

 

The Chairman welcomed the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) and the Acting Chief Constable (ACC) to the meeting.

 

The PCC introduced the refreshed Plan and highlighted that it had been amended significantly from the draft received by the Panel at its meeting on 25 March, as a result of the Panel’s comments and feedback from wider public consultation.  In particular, the section on partnerships had been strengthened and improved to reflect the level of activity in that area which, through the Strategic Partnership Board, was now more clearly understood by the OPCC.

 

The PCC explained that the Plan included a number of targets which had been set in consultation with the Police to prioritise those issues identified as important by the public.  The Home Office was of the view that to reduce bureaucracy only one target would be necessary (i.e. to reduce crime in the area).  However, the PCC believed that this target only ‘skimmed the surface’ and did not reflect the complexity of crime and the wider issues related to crime which the Plan aimed to address and which needed to be measured. 

 

The ACC confirmed that he and colleagues had been engaged by the PCC in the development of the Plan and were satisfied that their views had been reflected and that it mirrored the length and breadth of work the force undertook.  In particular he was satisfied that the Plan recognised that the Police did not tackle crime alone, but worked very closely with partners and the public and that this would be increasingly important in the future, as pressure on resources increased.

 

The ACC confirmed that he recognised the dangers of relying too heavily on meeting targets and the priority for the Police would be to focus on outcomes.  However, he agreed that targets were needed in order to provide the necessary focus on those crimes identified as important by the public and to allow for performance to be measured throughout the year. 

 

The ACC outlined the financial challenges facing the force over the coming years; a funding gap of up to £19.9m had been identified to the end of 2016/17.  A Policing Plan was being produced to address this.  The priority for the force would be to continue to deliver on its duty to protect the public and keep people safe.  However, with funding being reduced at a time when costs were increasing, some radical and challenging changes would need to be undertaken in how this would be achieved.

The ACC explained some of the possible changes proposed for 2017 which included:

·         a smaller number for specialist officers and an increased number of generalist officers to ensure greater flexibility whilst also ensuring that specialist services could be targeted where needed;

·         a more centralised service with reduced numbers of police units/sections, therefore reducing risks arising from cross boundary issues;

·         greater emphasis on the forces commitment to local neighbourhood policing with less reliance on fixed police stations and more staff being located within community buildings;

·         greater use of technology, both by officers and as a means for reporting crimes and as a means to engage more effectively with communities;

·         cultural changes to reduce some levels of supervision; empowering officers to make more decisions themselves.

 

The following points rose from discussion:

 

      i.        The Panel welcomed the changes made to the Plan since the version received at its meeting in March and congratulated the PCC on having responded positively to its comments and those of the wider public.

    ii.        The amendments to the section on partnership working were particularly welcomed.  The Panel emphasised the amount of work undertaken across Leicestershire and the need for the full engagement of all partners, including the PCC. 

   iii.        The Panel commended the PCC on the format of the Plan which it now considered to be much improved; easy to read and follow and a good outline of what actions were proposed for the future.

   iv.        The Panel supported the inclusion of targets within the Plan and considered these to be challenging but achievable.  However, the Panel questioned whether this would hinder proposals to also reduce the level of bureaucracy.  

    v.        The Panel questioned the use of the term ‘young people’ in relation to Priority 2 on page 20 of the Plan.  The age ranges covered by this priority were18 – 24 year olds who were classified as ‘adults’.  It was suggested that either the age range should be reduced to capture young people from the age of 16, or use of the term ‘young people’ needed to be removed.  The PCC confirmed that the correct age range had been used and that use of the term ‘young people’ would be reconsidered.

   vi.        The Panel suggested that the inclusion of an appendix which detailed the age ranges being targeted for specific areas of work would be helpful to distinguish between children and adults.

  vii.        The Panel suggested that a list of all the services commissioned by the PCC would be helpful to identify what work was now being undertaken and for partners to establish where new linkages could be made.  The Plan also needed to measure overall satisfaction and the Panel suggested that a list of outcomes against which the Plan would be measured should be included.

viii.        In response to questions about plans to reduce re-offending the PCC emphasised the importance of early intervention work and its potential to provide significant savings for the future: he was committed to working with partners and the Supporting Leicestershire Families (SLF) programme to contribute to this agenda.  The Panel agreed that, to support the SLF programme fully, representation from the OPCC on the SLF Commissioning Board would be crucial.

   ix.        The Panel welcomed the ACC’s proposals for more mobile working and the greater use of technology.  However, it highlighted that difficulties might be faced in more rural areas where, although improving, poor broadband connectivity and mobile phone signals could be an issue.  The Panel further highlighted that increased use of technology might result in increased reporting of incidents which, whilst a positive outcome, would increase the demand on police services at a time when resources were being reduced.

    x.        The Panel questioned the ACC about what contingencies would be put in place to ensure it could respond to major incidents if resources were reduced.  The ACC confirmed that there had been investment in major crime collaboration work which meant the force had been able to respond to several recent events without significant disruption to its usual operations.  The East Midlands Special Operations Unit covered areas including Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire and Derbyshire etc. This allowed large issues or issues which crossed geographical boundaries to be addressed collectively, ensuring the best use of resources. 

   xi.        It would be important to ensure the use of more generalist officers did not result in a loss of expertise or have a detrimental effect on the forces ability to respond to crimes such as domestic violence or child abuse and sexual exploitation.  The ACC confirmed that due to reduced resources it would be important to ensure more officers became multi skilled allowing specific specialist officers to be targeted to such crimes more effectively.  This would be a priority area and changes would be monitored to ensure the correct balance had been achieved.  The PCC confirmed that he had been reassured by the actions taken by the force so far to implement these changes.

  xii.        The Panel supported proposals by the ACC to empower officers to make more decisions, but considered that this needed to be balanced against the need to ensure the public were protected and that actions taken and powers used by the Police were appropriate. 

The Panel commended the Police’s response to the recent high profile events in Leicester City and the work it had undertaken particularly in maintaining good community relations during this difficult period.  

 

Cllr Sood proposed that a letter be sent to the families affected by the stabbing on Kent Street and the subsequent fire in Wood Hill which resulted in the tragic death of five people to pass on its condolences at this very difficult time.

 

RESOLVED:

 

(a)  That the Panel accepts and supports in full the Police and Crime Plan subject to the comments now made and amendments proposed;

(b)  That officers be requested to send a letter on its behalf to the families affected by the stabbing on Kent Street and the subsequent fire in Wood Hill which resulted in the tragic death of five people to pass on its condolences at this very difficult time.