Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Clare Elcombe Webber, Daniel Cartwright and from Kay Weiss.

The notes of the last meeting held on 16^th April 2015 were received.

It was AGREED that the minutes be approved.

Report CSD 15076

The Board noted the Matters Arising report and that a verbal update on Gangs would be provided at the meeting by the acting Deputy Borough Commander— Superintendent David Tait.

With respect to IOM, it was noted that Probation Services were in need of administrative support. The Group were updated concerning the current allocation of MOPAC funding. It was the case that £400k had been allocated, and was fully committed. The funding was currently allocated to domestic abuse, communications, initiatives to deal with ASB such as Operation Crystal, and to the Lawyers Service. It was also noted that we were half way through the funding cycle. 

The Board heard that the way the funding was allocated could be reprofiled, but that all funds were currently allocated. It was the case that currently no funds had been allocated to support IOM. The lack of funding was frustrating IOM practioners who were in dire need of administrative support, and of other funding that could be used as a contingency fund to help support offenders in various ways; this could include money for basic needs such as clothes, food and bus passes.

It was suggested that admin support for IOM could take the form of a part time post. It was also noted that currently LBB Community Safety had no administrative support. It was anticipated that the officer in question would be back with LBB in the new year, and that it may be possible to allocate one day per week to IOM support.

Mr Nigel Davies (Executive Director for Environmental and Community Services) agreed that he would look at the issue of reprofiling MOPAC funding with the Head of Trading Standards and Community Safety, and also would investigate to see if there were any other funding pools that could be used.

Louise Hubbard (Probation Services) felt that whatever funding was resourced should be allocated to providing administrative support for co-ordination as a priority, as there was an urgent need for strategic support for practioners. The Group were informed that the National IOM Board meeting was scheduled for the 9^th July 2015. In view of this, it was the general consensus that a solution to the problem of administrative support be resolved before that date.

Anne Ball (MOPAC) informed the Board that MOPAC would be running IOM workshops in the near future. The workshops would be for practioners, and the training would provide guidance around data analysis. Anne would confirm the dates in due course.

Cllr Kate Lymer gave an update concerning the Safer Neighbourhood Board (SNB). It was noted that there was currently an underspend of £4.5K; there was going to be a meeting on the 23^rd June 2015 to see how this money could be spent. A resident’s survey would help to steer funding allocation. Bids for funding would be submitted to MOPAC by the 30^th June 2015.

It was AGREED that: 

(1)  A solution to the problem of no administrative support for Probation Services  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

The Chairman’s update was provided by the Borough Commander, Chris Hafford.

It was noted that there was only seven months to go until the end of MOPAC 7. The MOPAC 7 monthly offence volume for Bromley between March 12^th 2015 and May 15^th 2015 were:

·  Burglary offences had decreased from 347 to 250

·  Criminal Damage offences had decreased from  196 to 189

·  Robbery offences had decreased from 54 to 34

·  Theft of Motor Vehicles had decreased from 183 to 108

·  Theft from Person had decreased from 23 to 20

·  Theft of Motor Vehicles had increased from 65 to 79

·  Violence with Injury had increased from 137 to 153

Bromley Police were three weeks into Operation Omega which was a 60 day plan aiming to place more police officers on the street to combat MOPAc 7 crime. This was a MET wide initiative.

The Borough Commander reminded the Group that Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe (The Police Commissioner) was coming to Bromley Central Library on Wednesday 24^th June at 6.30pm to speak and to answer questions. 

The Borough Commander mentioned the new BBC documentary that aired at 21.00 on Mondays; The MET: Policing London. It was noted that this was not a documentary controlled by the Police, but by the BBC. The Borough Commander was pleased with the unbiased and factual content of the documentary, and noted the coverage of the Notting Hill Carnival and the Marc Duggan case.

Lissa Moore (Croydon and Bromley Community Rehabilitation Company) asked if surveys had been carried out to assess the fear of crime in Bromley. Susie Clark (LBB Communications) stated that surveys had been carried out in the past, but not recently. It was the case that many people regarded Bromley as a safe shopping environment, and that there was evidence that people were travelling into Bromley from other areas to shop as they felt safe.

It was AGREED that the Chairman’s update be noted. 

The Safer Neighbourhood Board update was provided by Cllr Kate Lymer. 

It was noted that the next meeting was scheduled for the following week, and that Mr Terry Belcher was the Vice Chairman, and Cllr Tim Stevens was still in place as the Chairman.

A stall was planned for the “Big O” festival that was scheduled to take place in Priory Gardens on the 4^th July. The next public meeting would be held in Biggin Hill on the 1^st July, and the acting deputy Borough Commander (Davit Tait) would be speaking. It was also expected that the new fire station manager at Biggin Hill would also be speaking.

Cllr Lymer highlighted what she perceived to be a lack of communication in the Biggin Hill area between the police and the fire service, but this matter had now been resolved. It was also noted that the police and fire service were looking at the possibility of joint visits to schools. It was hoped that the fire brigade operating at Biggin Hill airport would be available to speak at the meeting in Biggin Hill.

Finally, Cllr Lymer informed the Board that the SNB had recently conducted a survey around resident’s perception of crime. It was noted that many residents did not consider crime in Bromley to be a big problem. Areas of possible concern were identified as burglary, robbery and problems in the town centre at night time.

It was AGREED that the update on the Safer Neighbourhood Board be noted. 

The presentation was done jointly by Louise Hubbard and Lissa Moore.

Louise Hubbard (NPS London- Head of Bexley, Bromley &Greenwich and Extremism & Hate Crime) commenced the presentation with a focus on the National Probation Service.

The Board heard that the new Probation Delivery Model was introduced on the 1st June 2014. The Transformation Programme was aimed to continue protection against serious offenders, whilst at the same time, aiming to reduce the rate of serial reoffending by low and medium risk offenders, and look at mentoring and rehabilitation. It also opened up the Probation Service to competition. Under the new guidelines, high risk and MAPPA (Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements) offenders would still be dealt with the National Probation Service (NPS), whilst medium and low risk offenders would be dealt with by Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRC’s). As the name suggests, a primary function of the CRC’s would be looking at offender integration and rehabilitation, whilst the NPS would have more of an advisory and protective function.

The Group were informed that it was the NPS who would identify which offenders were suitable to be dealt with by the CRC’s. This would usually take place at the court or at the point of transition from youth to adult services. It was explained to the Group that the NPS remained in the Public Sector under the auspices of the Ministry of Justice, whilst the CRC’s were private companies.

Louise Hubbard explained to the Group that it was the function of the NPS to advise courts concerning sentencing, and that any advice from the NPS would be free of any commercial bias. The NPS would also provide advice to the Parole Board.

Ms Hubbard provided a concise overview of the NPS as follows:

·  Providing reports and advice to Courts and Parole Boards

·  The management of high risk offenders and MAPPA clients

·  Dealing with breaches of orders beyond the first warning

·  Managing changes in the risk of harm

·  Managing Approved Premises

·  Liaison with victims and keeping them informed in accordance with statutory guidelines

·  Managing sex offender programmes

Ms Hubbard outlined the main aim of the Offender Rehabilitation Act 2014 (ORA). The Act stipulates that anyone who has been sentenced to a custodial term of more than one day would receive at least 12 months of supervision after release, again the emphasis was on rehabilitation. Many of these individuals were being dealt with by the CRC’s.

Ms Hubbard informed the Group that:

·  The NPS worked in partnership with CRC’s, the MPS, and Community Safeguarding Boards.

·  The NPS was likely to provide officer support to Youth Offending Teams

·  The NPS would advise the Youth Management Board

·  The NPS would aid in the transition process from CRC to NPS

·  Both NPS and CRC’s sit on Safeguarding Boards

·  The NPS sit in on DHR (Domestic Homicide Review) cases.

The CRC update was provided by Lissa Moore--Assistant Chief Officer - Croydon and Bromley CRC.

Ms Moore explained that on February 1st 2015, the transfer of ownership of the London Community  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

An overview was provided on the latest developments concerning Operation Crystal.

A new operation had been launched to target crimes against the elderly, and this was Operation Sterling.

An operation had also been launched to target courier fraud.

Police and Trading Standards had been working with Banks to increase awareness of bank fraud targeting the elderly and vulnerable.

It was hoped that a report on the work with Banks could be brought to the December 2015 meeting.     

It was noted that a joint meeting would be held between the GP&L Committee and the Public Protection & Safety PDS Committee on the 14^th July 2015 at 6.30pm. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss the problems with the night time economy in Beckenham and Bromley, and the Police would be attending. An update on this meeting would be brought to the SBP in September.

It was AGREED that:

(1)  A report on the work done by the Police and Trading Standards with Banks be brought to a future SBP meeting

(2)  It was agreed that an update on the joint meeting of the 14^th July be brought to the September SBP meeting

It was noted that the work on the SBP Strategy Document was ongoing.

It was anticipated that the document would be ready for the next meeting of the SBP in September 2015.

It was AGREED that work on the revised SBP Strategy Document be prioritised, and presented to the Safer Bromley Partnership Strategic Group Members at the meeting in September 2015    

A brief update on New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) was provided by Mr Rob Vale.

It was noted that LBB and the Police were considering action against a premises in Anerley.

The Group were reminded that following the election, a Bill was now being processed for a blanket ban on NPS substances. The new Bill would allow for criminal sanctions that included fines and up to seven years in prison, as well as civil sanctions.

The previous action against “Skunkworks” in Orpington had been highlighted in the Safer Bromley News. Mr Vale felt that LBB and Bromley Police would be well placed to enforce the new legislation. There had been positive feedback from both local residents and businesses concerning the action taken against “Skunkworks”, and Mr Vale praised the good work undertaken by the Police.

It was AGREED that the Group note the NPS update, and that any further developments concerning the premises in Anerley be reported to the Group in due course.         

The Lead for the Domestic Abuse Sub Group (Clare Elcombe Webber) sent apologies and provided a written document that was tabled to update the Strategic Group.

The main points were:

·  The Bromley Domestic Abuse and VAWG Steering Group met last on the 25^th March 2015

·  The required action plan arising from the last Domestic Homicide Review was 19 months overdue because of a lack of response from some partner agencies

·  A tabled list of those invited to the Steering Group was provided

·  Ms Webber requested assistance from the Strategic Group in addressing the lack of commitment from partner agencies, and in revising group membership and scope if required 

·  The date for the next meeting of the Steering Group had not been finalised.

It was AGREED that:

(1)  The Domestic Abuse Sub Group report be noted

(2) The Borough Commander would contact relevant groups or organisations that had not been engaging with the Bromley Domestic Abuse and VAWG Steering Group to encourage participation and support.     

Apologies had been received from Kay Weiss who was the Lead for the Youth Offending Sub Group.

The Group were made aware that a meeting of the Youth Offending Service Management Board had taken place the previous day, to formulate an action plan that could be approved by the Inspectorate.

It was noted that consideration be applied concerning how Ms Weiss would feed into the SBP Strategic Group.

Louise Hubbard felt that the YOS Police should talk to the National Probation Service Board to understand how both parties could interface and work together. It would also be relevant to consider when the IOM Model should be used when dealing with the 17+ cohort.

The Portfolio Holder informed the Group that a “triple” meting was being planned for July 22^nd 2015. The meeting was a combined one involving:

·  The Education PDS Committee

·  Care Services PDS Committee

·  Public Protection & Safety PDS Committee

The meeting was being convened to debate the Youth Offending Team Improvement Plan.

Ms Hubbard made the following comments:

·  Not enough detail was being made available to understand decisions being made

·  Were Members of the Group being given the information that they needed to fulfil their obligations

·  It was important to have a detailed strategic plan, and for the Strategic Document to be completed

It was Agreed that the Youth Offending Sub Group Update be noted.

The Gangs Sub Group Update was given by Superintendent David Tait.

It was noted that the Gangs Sub Group had met on the 27^th May 2015 at Bromley Police Station.

The Gangs Sub Group consisted of:

·  David Tait—Bromley Police

·  Peter Sibley—LBB Anti-Social Behaviour and Gangs Lead Officer

·  Barbara Godfrey—Oxley NHS Trust

·  Pat Jennings—LBB Youth Offending Services Manager

·  Jane Bailey—LBB Assistant Director of Education

·  Kevin Clarke—Bromley Police

·  Kay Weiss—LBB AD of Children’s Safeguarding and Social Care

·  Sara Bowrey—LBB AD Housing Needs

Superintendent Tait explained to the Board that the main driver for the formation of the Gangs Sub Group was the Peer Review report on Gangs that had come from the Home Office. An action plan had been formulated from the recommendations of the report, and 15 actions had been identified to progress—some of these had already been undertaken. The 15 action points had been detailed in a report tabled by Superintendent Tait at the meeting. Actions that had already been progressed included the mapping of gang activity and the increase the size of the Police Gangs Unit, and challenging the behaviour of young people where appropriate.

Superintendent Tait had formulated a strategy for dealing with gangs, and the key aspects of this strategy were:

·  Prevention

·  Intervention

·  Enforcement

·  Leadership

·  Co-ordination

It had been decided that Jane Bailey would lead on Prevention; Pat Jennings on Intervention; Davit Tait on enforcement and that the Gangs Sub Group would collectively own Leadership and Co-ordination.

Superintendent Tait briefed the Group concerning an organisation that he had contacted called Growing Against Violence (GAV).  GAV was the largest serious violence prevention initiative of its kind in the UK.  It was a public health and safety programme, delivering evidence based preventative education sessions. It provided age appropriate sessions delivered universally to students in school years 6 through to 10.

A document had been tabled by Superintendent Tait that outlined the GAV curriculum:

1.  Friends vs Friendly (Year 6)

2.  Gangs: Myths v Realities (Year 7)

3.  Knives: Choices and Consequences (Year 7)

4.  Anti-Social Media: What happens online can hurt you offline (Year8/9)

5.  Stop & Search (Year 8/9)

6.  Girls, Gangs & Consequences (Year 10)

7.  Parent and Family Session

8.  Professional Session 

The Group heard that GAV had been approached for quotation, and the full package was costed at £10k. It was felt however, that the full, package was not required, and that a package estimated at £7K would be sufficient. The Police would be able to contribute £2k, which would leave the rest of the SBP Strategic Group to find the remaining £5K. It was expected that 600 young people would be targeted in the right areas and ages. Superintendent Tait was strongly in favour of going ahead and using GAV.

The Executive Director for Environmental and Community Services asked what overlap there may be with the “Prevent Programme”, which was a programme designed to prevent the radicalisation of young people to Islamic fundamentalism. The Superintendent felt that there would not be significant overlap. The Group  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

Ms Lissa Moore provided the Integrated Offender Manangement Sub Group Update. She reminded the SBP that  Integrated Offender Management was the term used to describe an overarching framework for bringing together agencies in local areas to prioritise interventions with offenders who cause crime in their locality. It was the case that the (IOMSG) was a subgroup of The Safer Bromley Partnership Board. The Safer Bromley Partnership Board acted as the statutory Community Safety Partnership for Bromley as stipulated by the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and subsequent 2009 review.

The IOM subgroup was due to meet in July, and there would be updates from the police and from practitioners.  

It was the case that currently 100 individuals had been allocated to the IOM scheme, and there were “ragged”. KPI’s were being formulated; at the moment the police were struggling with data due to high reoffending rates. It was possible that “IDIOM” may be used to collate IOM data.

It was the case the IOM was struggling with funding issues.

It was AGREED that the IOM Subgroup be noted, and that the SBP Strategic Group be provided with an update concerning the IOM meeting in July in due course.  

The Chairman of the Bromley Borough Anti-Social Behaviour Sub Group (Borough Fire Commander Daniel Cartwright) provided a documented update that was tabled at the meeting as he was not able to attend in person.

The Group were updated that in May 2015 the LFB were aware of 18 deliberate fires in the borough, and that Cllr Kate Lymer had expressed concern about suspected incidents of arson in the Biggin Hill area. There were also plans in place for the Safer Neighbourhood Teams and LFB to attend local schools.

The document contained a brief update on Operation Crystal, including LFB attendance at a business premises that was causing a fire risk with collective debris.

It was noted that a number of abandoned vehicles that had been reported via the “Fix My Street” site, and had been removed. It was also noted that there was a general perception that the antisocial use of motorcycles had fallen, and that applications had already been received for fireworks displays from the four main public display areas in the borough.         

No future presentations were agreed.  

Susie Clark informed the Group that the next edition of the Safer Bromley News would be produced around November 2015, and that she would be looking for appropriate news stories over the summer.

The Group noted that a Major Incident Training Exercise was scheduled to take place in Bromley on 21^st June 2015.

Louise Hubbard informed the Group that she was leaving her current role, and would be working for NOMS (National Offender Management Service) instead. 

Anne Ball informed the Group that MOPAC had just commissioned a £5M 2-year Pan London Domestic Violence Service that would run from July 2015 to June 2017. This was a mayoral manifesto commitment.  The award of the contract for the service was to Victim Support. For Bromley this equated to an additional 0.5 caseworker and 2.5 IDVA.  (Independent Domestic Violence Advocates).

Anne Ball also informed the Group about a new website for a victim information service – the details of which are below:

Live from 1st April is the Government’s Victim Information Service: https://www.victimsinformationservice.org.uk/.

Its main purpose is to direct victims to their local support service as quickly as possible.

It was AGREED that Anne Ball from MOPAC would forward the link concerning funding for Domestic Abuse Services. 

The next meeting of the Safer Bromley Partnership Strategic Group is at 10.00am on September 17^th 2015.

It was noted that the date of the next meeting was currently set at 10.00am on the 17^th September 2015.