Minutes:
The Gangs Update was given by the Deputy Borough Commander.
It was noted that the Gangs Sub Group had met on the 27th 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 in 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
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.
The Committee were informed that the Gangs Sub Group of the Safer Bromley Partnership Strategic Group would be meeting again soon. The Committee requested that relevant feedback from the SBP be filtered back into the PDS Committee. The Committee felt that the proposed work with GAV was very positive. The Committee agreed that there should be a presentation on Gangs in the future, and that this should be incorporated into the Work Programme.
The Executive Director of Environmental and Community Services pointed out that where matters arose concerning young people, it was important that the Education PDS Committee also be involved and informed. The Committee noted the need for cross communication across the Council and for a holistic approach. The Deputy Borough Commander indicated that he was happy for the PP&S Portfolio Holder or PP&S PDS Chairman to attend the Gangs Sub Group meetings.
The Portfolio Holder for Public Protection and Safety requested that in in the future, the previous minutes for the Safer Bromley Partnership Strategic Group be incorporated as a standing item on the agenda.
RESOLVED that:
(1) the Gangs update from the Deputy Borough Commander be noted
(2) the minutes of future meetings of the Safer Bromley Partnership Strategic Group be added as a standing item to future agendas
(3) that all relevant information from SBP meetings be filtered into the PDS Committee
(4) that a future presentation on Gangs be incorporated into the Work Programme
(5) that the Education PDS Committee be kept informed of any developments concerning young people.
(6) the PP&S Portfolio Holder or PP&S PDS Chairman to attend the Gangs Sub Group meetings.