Minutes:
The Borough Commander commented that the police contact point in West Wickham was now open five days per week, and for around three to four hours per day. The Borough Commander also informed the Committee that the police were on target to make the required £575m target for savings this year, and that this had been very challenging. Burglary was down by 6.8% against a target of 6%. The rates of criminal damage offences had increased by 8%. Motor Vehicle crime was down by 22% which was on target. The number of actual bodily harm offences had increased by 139 compared to the same point last year.
The number of “I” calls responded to within the correct timeframe stood at 91%. The Committee were informed that the number of “I” and “S” calls approximated 80-130 per day.
The Borough Commander stated that plans were now underway to initiate Operation Bumble Bee and Operation Equinox. The former was aimed at reducing burglary, and the latter was aimed at reducing violence in the town centre. It was noted that the volume of burglary offences increased as the nights drew in and the hours of daylight decreased.
The Borough Commander mentioned that Parm Sandu was now in place as Deputy Borough Commander in place of Jo Oakley, and that David Tait had
assumed responsibility for the Safer Neighbourhood Team. Staffing levels were currently good, and Bromley Police were currently six police officers and sixteen PCO’s above staff target levels.
The Borough Commander referenced ASB and burglary related crime in the Crays area, with particular reference to the use of mopeds. It was noted that eight key individuals had been arrested, four had been remanded in custody, and one had been detained at a secure unit in Bedford.
Reference was made to the efforts that the police had made to support the summer diversionary activity projects, and there was positive feedback from Members regarding this. The Committee were updated concerning arrangements in place to ensure that police officers worked at least once every three weekends. This was releasing greater police numbers to deal with incidents arising in town centres on a Saturday night.
The Committee heard that a meeting had taken place with SLaM (South London and Maudsley NHS Trust) concerning how the police were going to deal with incidents at Bethlem Hospital in the future. The plan was that communication would take place with the relevant Team Leader before arriving on site, so that officers would be better informed upon arrival.
Members also heard that a newsletter was in the process of being disseminated.
The Borough Commander informed Members that many officers were now working with body worn video equipment. This had proved particularly useful in dealing with domestic abuse incidents.
Video recordings had been used as evidence in court proceedings. The scheme had been piloted in seven boroughs and the equipment was currently being used by around 54-55 officers.
A Town Centre Team focusing on Orpington Town Centre was being launched on October 22nd.
It came to light during the police update that a large number of asylum seekers had been accommodated at the Mary Rose Inn Hotel at St Mary’s Cray. This was a surprise to Members and the Portfolio Holder, who were not aware that around seventy asylum seekers had been transferred to the Hotel from the Queen’s Hotel at Crystal Palace. It was presumed that the placements had been initiated by UKBA. It was not known how long the accommodation was planned for, but was estimated at three months. The Portfolio Holder and the Ward Councillor for Cray Valley East expressed concern that they had not been informed. It was the general consensus of the Committee that a protocol or channel of communication be opened up with UKBA to avoid a repeat episode of non communication.
Councillor Kim Botting congratulated the Borough Commander with respect to the good work that the police and the Safer Neighbourhood Team had done in Orpington, particularly with respect to the execution recently of an arrest warrant targeting drug dealers. This was sending out a clear message that drug crime would not be tolerated. The Chairman praised Councillor Botting for being pro-active in this case, and for pushing for a resolution.
Councillor Cartwright thanked the police for all the good work that they had undertaken in Mottingham.
RESOLVED:
(1) that the Borough Commander’s Police Update be noted
(2) that communication is made with UKBA to open up more effective lines of communication