Agenda and minutes

Councillor Tim Stevens was confirmed as the Chairman of Safer Bromley Partnership.

Apologies were received from Sarah Denton (Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime), Conal Percy (London Ambulance Service), Gill Rose (Federation of Bromley Housing Associations) and Jamie Roumph (Affinity Sutton).

The notes of the last meeting held on 8^th March 2012 were received.

It was AGREED that the minutes be approved.

The Chairman thanked the members of the Partnership for their hard work in 2011/12 and looked forward to the new municipal year.

The Chairman was pleased to announce that the summer programme of youth diversion activities had been launched on 23^rd June 2012, and highlighted the wide range of activities that would be delivered across the Borough over the next 6 weeks.

The Chairman also confirmed that he and the Leader of the Council would be meeting with James Cleverly, London Assembly Member for Bromley and Bexley and the Deputy Mayor for Policing in July 2012 to discuss policing issues for Bromley, and invited members of the Partnership to provide their questions to him.

The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service would be hosting an additional event for residents of Bromley and Bexley in January 2013 in the Council Chamber at Bromley Civic Centre.  This would provide an opportunity for both residents and partners to talk to the Commissioner, listen to his vision for London and question him on policing across the two Boroughs.

It was AGREED that the update be noted.

The Deputy Borough Commander confirmed that crime had been reduced across a wide range of offences over the last quarter.  Gun crime had seen a slight increase, however this represented only a small number of offences.  Burglary remained an issue in the Borough and continued to be targeted as a priority with a number of arrests being made.

In response to a question from the Chairman, the Deputy Borough Commander confirmed that a new Local Policing Model would be introduced following the 2012 Olympics.  A number of probationary Police Officers would be joining Safer Neighbourhood Teams and Response Teams in the Borough shortly, allowing more experienced officers from Response Teams to move into Safer Neighbourhood Teams.  Police numbers had also been secured for the period of the 2012 Olympics; no officer would be allowed to take annual leave for the period of the games, and Olympic shift patterns would be introduced for a 12 week period.  The number of court dates during this time had also been reduced and the impact of the 2012 Olympics on policing levels on the Borough would be minimal.

It was AGREED that the update be noted.

Consideration was given to the performance monitoring report for 2011/12 which reported progress against 4 key indicators.  Overall significant progress had been made in relation to reducing crime and disorder in Bromley over the past 5 years. 

Performance Indicator 1: Reduction in Number of Violent Crimes showed that offences related to Violent Crimes represented 20% of the Total Notifiable Offences in Q4, with a reduction of 76 offences compared to the same period in 2010/11.

Performance Indicator 2: Reduction in Numbers of Property Crimes within Bromley showed that offences related to property crimes represented 67% of the Total Notifiable Offences in Q4, with an increase of 33 offences compared to the same period last year.  This included a decrease in robberies by 15%, theft and handling by 6% and criminal damages by 11%.  There had been a 32% increase in burglaries, which was reflected at the national level, but this had been targeted and the number of burglary offences had significantly reduced in the last quarter. 

Progress against Performance Indicator 3: Reduction in Levels of Recorded Anti-Social Behaviour showed a reduction of 1080 incidents of Anti-Social Behaviour reported compared to the same period in 2010/11, which represented a 22% reduction.

Performance Indicator 4: Increased Confidence in the Fact that Bromley is a Safe Place showed an increase of 24% in respondents who agreed with the indicator ‘To what extent do you agree that the police and local council are dealing with the ASB and crime issues that matter in this area’ compared with the same period in 2010/11, although this had reduced from the previous quarter. 

The Chairman highlighted the need for a strong message to be sent to communities underlining the fact that Bromley was a safe place to live and work.  There was potential to target communications to those groups who were most concerned about safety, such as older people.  Messages could also be delivered to communities through a range of channels, including community projects, the Glades Shopping Centre, the Health Service and Bromley Community Engagement Forum, and this would be spearheaded by the Communications Group of the Partnership.

It was AGREED that the Performance Management Report for 2011/12 be endorsed.

Consideration was given to a report outlining proposals for performance monitoring targets for 2012/13.  The proposed targets comprised:

·  Reduction in number of violent crimes within Bromley by 2%

·  Reduction in number of property crimes within Bromley by 2%

·  Reduction in levels of recorded Anti Social Behaviour by 10%

·  Increase confidence that Bromley is a safe place (Question 74AB) to 55%

In considering the proposed targets, it was agreed to include a sub-target to measure the reduction in levels of repeated recorded Anti Social Behaviour.  The Deputy Borough Commander highlighted that a 10% reduction in the levels of recorded Anti Social Behaviour was a challenging target, and this would be revisited at the next meeting of the Partnership.

It was AGREED that the proposed performance monitoring targets for 2012/13 be adopted.

RuksanaMannan, LBB Project Officer gave a presentation outlining work undertaken to assess the impact of gangs and gang membership on the Borough, with a view to delivering a cross-agency response to identify and minimise any negative consequences of gang membership and activity within the Borough.  Currently there were no gangs in Bromley as defined by the Metropolitan Police Service, however some neighbouring boroughs were affected by gang activity and it was important to ensure that Bromley worked proactively to ensure that gang activity did not move into the Borough and that the activities of existing peer groups did not escalate. 

Intervention for young people involved in gang activities was a mix of preventative, diversionary and enforcement activities, and Members noted that partners offered a wide range of prevention activities across the Borough, including the Junior Citizen, LIFE and Impact Factor Initiatives.  Diversionary activities were also provided, including mentoring, triage and the Pupil Referral Unit, and enforcement was delivered through such tools as Anti Social Behaviour Orders, Dispersal Zones and Behaviour Contracts. 

Elayne Stewart advised Members of the Partnership that ex-gang members were relocated to the Borough where appropriate, and that the Youth Offending Team undertook an annual mapping exercise which might provide useful intelligence around gang activity.  Paula Morrison highlighted the network that had been set up during the public disorder experienced in Bromley in August 2011, which might also be useful in gathering intelligence from partners to support the development of any strategy.

The Assistant Director (Safeguarding and Social Care) noted that only 45 of the 800 named families identified as part of the Tackling Troubled Families programme had anti-social behaviour issues and only a small number of these had any links with gang membership.  Early intervention would be key to ensuring young people did not become involved in gang activities.  It was also important to identify how neighbouring boroughs were addressing gang activity and whether there were identifiable ‘pinch-points’ that made young people more susceptible to involvement with gangs.

Howard Oldstein underlined the need to ensure there was a police presence in Bromley Town Centre to reassure traders.  The Deputy Borough Commander confirmed that there was always a police presence in this area.

It was AGREED that:

1)  Comments on the draft assessment by Members of the Partnership be noted;

2)  Additional information or sources of information identified by Members of the Partnership be noted; and,

3)  Members provide any additional information as requested to facilitate the next stage of work to identify appropriate interventions that can be delivered to resist the development of gang activity within the Borough; and,

4)  A further update be provided to the next meeting of the Partnership.

Consideration was given to an update on the Tackling Troubled Families Programme.  This cross-Government programme would make £448m available over 3 years to support local authorities and partners agencies to target ‘troubled families’.  Government funding would need to be match-funded by local authorities and would follow a Payment by Results model where the Government would pay up to 40% of local authorities’ costs where families were supported successfully. 

An expression of interest had been submitted by the Local Authority with regards to the new programme, and the Assistant Director (Safeguarding and Care Services) confirmed that the Council had been successful in attracting £450k funding for 3 years, of which 80% of the first year’s funding would be provided up front, with a further sum provided up front for Year 2.  £100k had also been awarded to fund Coordinator fees for the scheme.  800 named families had been identified as potential beneficiaries of the scheme and key partners were being invited to put forward business cases for funding.

It was AGREED that the update be noted and that a further update be provided to the next meeting of the Partnership.

Consideration was given to the Borough’s Arson Reduction Strategy 2012 which aimed to continue to reduce the number of deliberate fires across the Borough. 

Andy Holcombe outlined a range of measures to support a reduction in arson across the Borough.  This include the continuation of visual audits by the Borough’s five front line fire engines, which would conduct a total of 120 visits a quarter, focusing on areas with increased arson activity.  Where possible arson targets were identified, notification would be provided to the Borough’s Community Safety Officers who would review what action needed to be taken in partnership with other agencies to reduce the likelihood of further deliberate fires on the same site.  The Arson Sub Group also met on a quarterly basis to review previous incidents of arson and the actions taken by partners to respond to these incidents.

A programme of preventative work had been developed which included the delivery of 3 LIFE courses during 2012/13.  A total of 51 places were available for young people nominated by the Youth Offending Team to attend the course, which was specifically designed to stop young adults from engaging in anti-social behaviour including arson.  At the end of the course young people were given a passing out parade to which their parents and carers were invited, and were referred to the Bromley Mentoring Scheme.  Members highlighted the importance of engaging with the parents and carers of these young people to build on the positive progress made during the course.  The Assistant Director (Safeguarding and Social Care) suggested that a parenting programme could be delivered to these parents as part of Tackling Troubled Families initiative.  There was also potential to ensure the LIFE programme linked in with activities delivered by other partners.  It was noted that the Life programme was not suitable for all, and Elayne Stewart confirmed that the Youth Offending Team delivered intervention in a different way where appropriate.  James Cleverly underlined the need to develop a long term sustainable funding model for the LIFE scheme, which might include private funding.  In his new role as Chairman of the London Fire Emergency and Planning Board, there was also potential to build on provision at a pan-London level.

Following successful delivery of a new programme, ‘Impact Factor’ at Charles Darwin School which had included workshops on fire, drug and alcohol, guns and knives and theft, ten further Impact Factor days would also be delivered to Years 8 and 9 in those Secondary Schools identified as being of the highest priority to stop young people engaging in antisocial behaviour.

Councillor Julian Benington noted that some deliberate fires could be linked to insurance claims.  The Deputy Borough Commander confirmed that these cases were investigated by the Police.

It was AGREED that the Bromley Arson Reduction Strategy 2012 be endorsed.

Consideration was given to a report outlining the White Paper, “Putting Victims First – More Effective Responses to Anti-Social Behaviour”, which set out proposals to change legislation and improve the range of tools that police and other agencies had to tackle anti-social behaviour.

It was AGREED that:

1)  A review be undertaken by the Head of Community Safety to assess current delivery mechanisms for reducing the levels and impact of anti-social behaviour in the Borough; and

2)  Further consideration of this item be referred to the next meeting of the Partnership.

Rob Clarke, London Probation Service, provided an update on the tendering of contracts for the Community Payback Programme and confirmed that London Probation Trust had tendered for the contract to deliver community service across London in partnership with Serco.  The outcome of the bidding process would be announced on 12^th July 2012.  It was proposed that programmes of community service would be more intensive in future, with the expectation that offenders would work more frequently and up to 4 days per week where appropriate.  Community sentences would also begin immediately.

It was AGREED that the update be noted and that a further update be provided to the next meeting of the Partnership.

(Drug Action Team, Youth Offending Team, Bromley Community Engagement Forum, Arson Sub-Group and Operational Tasking)

Drug Action Team – The Chairman led the Partnership in conveying thanks to Dave Prebble for his excellent work as part of the Partnership and wished him well in his retirement.  The Head of Community Safety confirmed that adult drug treatment services had been re-tendered and were now being delivered by a single organisation.  There had been concerns raised in relation to performance against National Drug Treatment Agency targets and these were being considered.

Youth Offending Team – No update was provided.

Bromley Community Engagement Forum – Amanda Evans confirmed that a community outreach day would be held on 6^th July 2012 outside Orpington Station.  Representatives of British Transport Police and Safer Transport Teams would be attending, and partners were invited to get involved. The annual general meeting of the Bromley Community Engagement Forum would be at 7.00pm on 11^th July 2012 at Bromley Town Football Club. 

Arson Sub Group – No update was provided.

Operational Tasking – The Deputy Borough Commander confirmed that 2 people had now been charged in connection with the murder of James Durkin in Orpington.  A 29 year old man had also been jailed for 4 years after a string of Iphone robberies in Bromley Town Centre.  A number of operations were currently targeting drugs offences and included the recent seizure of 500 cannabis plants in the Locksbottom area and a number of arrests for the possession and supply of drugs.  Operation Condor continued to target illegal licensing issues and burglary also remained a priority.

Consideration was given to a report providing Members of the Partnership with details of the arrangements for provision of the Community Safety Fund for 2012/13, which confirmed that a total sum of £140,753 had been allocated.

It was AGREED that the update be noted.

This item was deferred to the next meeting of the Partnership.

(a)  The LBB Public Protection and Safety Portfolio Plan 2012/13 would be considered at the next meeting of the Partnership.

(b)  The News Shopper Safer Bromley Partnership ‘Wrap’ had been circulated for information and was noted.

(c)  The BCEF Youth Outreach Day report was introduced.  The Youth Conference had been held on 23^rd March 2012 at the Education Development and 72 students from 12 Secondary Schools across the Borough had attended.  Workshops on Mutual Respect, Cyber Bullying and Alcohol Awareness had been held, and Victim Support was now working with one school following the identification of Peer Pressure as an issue.

(d)  The Borough Commanders Newsletter for June 2012 had been circulated for information and was noted.

There was no other business.

10.00am, Thursday 27^th September 2012

10.00am, Thursday 13^th December 2012

10.00am, Thursday 21^st March 2013

All meetings start at 10.00am unless otherwise notified.

Thursday 27^th September 2012

Thursday 13^th December 2011

Thursday 21^st March 2013