Agenda item

Report and Presentation by Gemma Thompson, Community Safety Analyst, Gateshead Council

The Committee received a report and presentation to provide an update in relation to the findings outlined within the Strategic Assessment that has been carried out within Gateshead to help identify Community Safety priorities for 2019/20.

The Community Safety Partnership has a statutory duty to produce an annual assessment and must seek views of the public and responsible authorities on the assessment and proposed priorities.

The current priorities for 2018/19 are:

·         Anti-Social Behaviour and Environmental Crime

·         Domestic Abuse

·         Mental Health

·         Restricting Supply – Drug Misuse

It was also agreed that the following workstreams would be monitored:

·         Hate Crime and Tension Monitoring

·         Preventing Violent Extremism

·         Serious and Organised Crime (Disruption)

·         Repeat Victimisation Vulnerability

·         Reducing Re-offending

In terms of 2019/20 whilst there is still some uncertainty around Brexit, it would be foolish to ignore that there maybe issues.  What will happen if a lot of non-British workers decide they don’t feel welcome here.  We are already one of the most deprived areas in the country will this make us worse.  Will there be further demands on food banks.  What if there are food shortages, how will this impact on crime and disorder, what about community tensions, we already know there was a rise in hate crime after the referendum itself and if and when we leave will that give credence to right wing groups.

Other issues to consider include:

·         Operation Dovetail – this has implications for the local authority, lots more demand place on us with regards to preventing radicalisation and supporting those who have already been radicalised.

·         Prison Sentences Review – what impact will that have on probation services, bearing in mind how stretched the services are already.

·         Domestic Abuse Bill – will hopefully see increasing numbers of victims reporting issues and being adequately support, but we need to have capacity and capability to deal with this.

The 2018 Strategic Assessment identified 21,597 crimes recorded, an increase of 10%, in particular increases in violence against the person, criminal damage and burglary.

There has been a 28% increase in the number of victims of crime in Gateshead.  52% of victims are female (this differs depending on the crime type). 

Police has recorded anti-social behaviour has fallen by 16%, youth related anti-social behaviour has fallen by 13%.

3525 crimes recorded as domestic-related which is an increase of 93%.  Three in ten violent crimes are classed as domestic, referrals to domestic abuse service are increasing.

Increases in the number of hate crimes reported to the police, two thirds of hate crimes are racial, six in ten offences are public order offences.

Fires attended have fallen by 2%, there was a massive spike in July 2018 (+262%) which was linked to youth disorder.  Attacks on firefighters have been highlighted nationally and there have been several reports of this locally but it is really difficult to identify perpetrators, they tend to be youths but we need to think about how this can be improved for officers.

The draft priorities which have been identified are:

·         Anti-social behaviour

·         Reduce the harm caused by substance misuse

·         Domestic abuse

·         Preventing violent extremism

·         Hate crime

It is proposed that priorities are set based on data but areas where we can go above and beyond normal business.

There will be a public consultation via the Viewpoint consultation portal during February and March.  It is suggested that Action Plans will be developed with partners for each of the priorities to ensure all partners are represented and involved in tackling each of the priorities where possible.  The board has strategic ownership of the priorities so everyone has a part to play.

RESOLVED  -            (i)         That the presentation be noted.

                                    (ii)         That the comments of the Committee in relation to the draft Strategic Priorities be noted.

                                    (iii)        That further updates be provided at a future Committee.