Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Kate Lymer, Sue Cooper (Affinity Sutton), Selene Grandison (SE London Probation Service), Jean Levy (Community Links Bromley), Jane Oakley (Bromley Gypsy Traveller Project), Howard Oldstein (The Glades), Doug Patterson (LBB Chief Executive) and Elayne Stewart (Youth Offending Team).

The notes of the last meeting held on 30^th June were received.

It was noted:

Minute 10 – Operational Update (Verbal Update) – The Borough Commander confirmed that the overall reduction in crime in the Borough of 25% over the last five years represented at least 9,000 fewer victims of crime, and not the figure of 1,766 quoted.

It was AGREED that the minutes be approved.

Consideration was given to the performance monitoring report for Qtr 1, 2011/12 which reported progress against 4 key indicators.

Progress against Performance Indicator 1: Reduction in number of violent crimes showed that offences related to violent crimes represented 22% of Total Notifiable offences in Q1, and showed a reduction of 56 offences compared to the same period in 2010.

Performance Indicator 2: Reduction in numbers of Property Crimes within Bromley showed that offences related to property crimes represented 65% of Total Notifiable offences in Q1, and showed a reduction of 85 offences compared to the same period in 2010.

Progress against Performance Indicator 3: Reduction in levels of recorded Anti-Social Behaviour showed 1203 fewer incidents of Anti-Social Behaviour compared to the same period in 2010, which represented an 18% reduction. 

Discussions around how to measure Performance Indicator 4: Increased Confidence in the fact that Bromley is a Safe Place had been ongoing. 

The Borough Commander suggested the Police’s Public Attitude Survey which had surveyed 500 people across the Borough on a quarterly basis since 2006, represented a reliable source of data for both Performance Indicator 3 and 4.  Within the Public Attitude Survey, Question 74AB: ‘To what extent do you agree that the police and local council are dealing with the Anti-Social Behaviour and crime issues that matter in this area?’ was highlighted as a potential measure of Performance Indicator 4.  This was a standard question asked across all Police regions to assess public confidence in the action taken by Police and the Council to combat Anti-Social Behaviour and crime issues, which would support benchmarking against other local authorities, however it did not specifically measure public confidence in the work of the Safer Bromley Partnership. 

The Public Attitude Survey also included Question 10A-G, which was a composite question about perceptions of Anti-Social Behaviour in a number of areas such as the incidence of vandalism and graffiti and the use or dealing of drugs, and Question 15 which asked respondents to what extent they were worried about Anti-Social Behaviour.  This indicator showed that 24% of Bromley residents recently surveyed were worried about Anti-Social Behaviour, which was a cause for concern.

Following discussion, members of the Partnership considered these would be useful measures.  The Director, Community Links Bromley highlighted the importance of also including data from Registered Social Landlords and this was in progress.

It was AGREED that the Performance Management Report for Qtr 1, 2011/12 be noted.

The Chairman proposed that Lulu Pearce, Ethnic Communities Programme Manager, join the Safer Bromley Partnership as a full member in her role representing ethnic communities.  This was agreed by the Partnership. 

It was AGREED that Lulu Pearce, Ethnic Communities Programme Manager, join the Safer Bromley Partnership as a full member.

The Deputy Borough Commander presented a DVD showing CCTV images and outlined the actions taken by the Council in partnership with the police following the public disorder experienced in Bromley on Monday 8 August, 2011, which had taken place after similar, more severe riots in other areas of London.  Rioting and looting had taken place in Bromley, Beckenham and Orpington, and the impact of the disorder was felt to a lesser extent in wards such as Biggin Hill, Penge and Cator, Hayes and Coney Hall, Petts Wood and Knoll and Plaistow and Sundridge.

Within the Borough, a total of 85 offences had been attributed to the public disorder.  This included 49 non-residential burglaries and 19 incidents of criminal damage, and 77 people had been arrested, of which 31 were Bromley residents.  CCTV had proved an effective tool in both deploying police resources and in subsequent identification of suspects.  The Deputy Borough Commander confirmed the investigation into offences committed during the public disorder would continue, with ten investigation hubs to be created across London. 

In response to a question, the Borough Commander confirmed that a far reaching review of the Mark Duggan shooting was taking place.  However the public disorder that had spread across London following this protest appeared to be largely of an opportunistic nature.  Following the public disorder, work had been undertaken by partners to provide security, reassurance and advice to affected business owners, and Council cleansing teams had worked hard to restore town centre areas.  James Cleverly underlined the importance of publicising the custodial sentences given to offenders to prevent further disorder. 

Communications had been key to managing the response to the public disorder and had worked well with regular briefings held between the Police, the Council and other key partners and updates e-mailed out to key partners and community groups.  Paula Morrison highlighted that health services had been able to remain open on the day following the disorder due to clear information from the Bromley Police.  However due to misinformation many retail outlets had closed early across the Borough on the day following the disorder for fear of further disorder. 

Judith Cross outlined findings from the recent Bromley Community Engagement Forum Outreach Day which indicated the vast majority of residents felt the Police kept residents aware of their activities, and suggested local radio was a good communication tool for the wider community.  Susie Clark thanked members of the Partnership for supporting the communication of key messages and suggested the Communications Group hold a meeting to consider how communication processes might be built on in the future. 

Andy Holcombe and Tracy Pigeon underlined the excellent work of the Police in protecting Fire and Ambulance crews during the public disorder.  Call rates for ambulances had increased in the Borough however there had been no serious injuries.  Andy Holcombe noted there had been up to 30 deliberate fires in the Borough on the night of the public disorder, and an increased incidence of deliberate fires had continued in Bromley in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

(a)  Victim Support Youth Intervention Project – 3 Year Report

Cora Green gave an update on the Victim Support Youth Intervention Project that had been established in September 2008 to support young people who had been victims of crime or bullying.  Initiatives included the Junior Citizens and Prison Me No Way days which took a multi-agency approach to raising young people’s awareness of potential hazards and gave advice on issues including internet safety, bullying and personal safety.  Other initiatives included YOT Victim Awareness Working Shops, which were delivered to young offenders aged 13-17 years, and Spiralling Workshops that promoted healthy relationships and domestic violence awareness to young people aged 15-21 years.  Work had also been undertaken to encourage young people to report crime to the Police.  Cora Green confirmed that three years additional funding had recently been secured by Victim Support Bromley as a result of the domestic violence aspect of the work delivered.

(b)  Mentoring Initiative

The Assistant Director: Public Protection gave an update on the Mentoring Initiative.  The scheme had been launched in summer 2011 and although take-up had initially been low, it was expected that there would be a significant increase in referrals following the start of the school year. 

(c)  Protecting the Elderly and Vulnerable

The Head of Trading Standards gave an update on activities protecting the elderly and vulnerable.  Work was currently being undertaken to strengthen links between partners and to identify potential funding streams.  The Chairman confirmed that a report was due to be considered at the next meeting of Public Protection and Safety PDS Committee at 7.00pm on 25^th October 2011.

It was AGREED that the update be noted.

Susie Clark provided an update on the Safer Bromley News, the electronic newsletter showcasing the work of the Safer Bromley Partnership.  The autumn 2011 edition had recently been published and included information about the Partnership’s response to the public disorder in Bromley during August, as well as details of the work of the Council’s Food Safety and Licensing Teams.  A special edition of the Safer Bromley News was currently being developed to communicate changes to Safer Neighbourhood Panels.  There was potential to increase the contribution of partners to the Safer Bromley News by involving the members of the Communications Group.

It was AGREED that the update be noted.

(Tactical Group Report, DAT Report, YOT Report, Arson Sub Group Report and Bromley Community Engagement Forum) – (Verbal reports)

Tactical Group Report – The Deputy Borough Commander reported that the Police were continuing to achieve a reduction in crime across the Borough, including violent crime offences, however there had been a slight increase in some offences.  A Borough-wide initiative would be launched in October to target seasonal offences, including residential burglary and theft of motor vehicle offences as well as anti-social behaviour.  Work was also continuing on the ‘Enough is Enough’ campaign, and recent arrests had been made in relation to drug offences.

DAT Report – Dave Prebble reported that tendering of services was currently on track and additional funding streams were being sought.  A new service provider was now delivering the Harm Reduction service and was working to increase capacity by recruiting more GPs.  The Youth Offending Team had received additional funding for its Triage Service, which had supported 77 young people from becoming involved in the criminal justice system between April-July 2011.

Arson Sub Group Report – Andy Holcombe reported that training was being undertaken with the Community Safety Team.  There had been an increase in incidence of deliberate fires since the public disorder in the Borough and work was being undertaken to target a spate of deliberate fires in Crystal Palace Park.

Bromley Community Engagement Forum Report – Judith Cross confirmed that a Youth Conference for children and young people with disabilities would be held in the Great Hall, Bromley Civic Centre on 6^th October 2011.  A meeting of Multi Faiths had been arranged for 2^nd November 2011, and a project involving youth and the older generation was currently being developed.

(a)  The minutes from the meeting of Bromley Community Engagement Forum held on 6^th July had been circulated for information and were noted.

(a)  Lulu Pearce informed partners that Diversity Day in Bromley would take place between 10.30am – 3.00pm on Tuesday 18^th October 2011 in the Great Hall at Bromley Civic Centre.  Community groups and schools would be celebrating diversity in the Borough through music, dance, ethnic food, reading, poetry and displays, and all partners were invited to attend.

(b)  The Director of Environmental Services advised partners that the Safer Bromley Awards 2011 would be held on Thursday 2^nd February 2012.  The nomination forms would be available shortly.

10.00am, Thursday 15^th December 2011

10.00am, Thursday 22^nd March 2012

All meetings start at 10.00am unless otherwise notified.

Thursday 15^th December 2011

Thursday 22^nd March 2012