Minutes:
The Police update was provided by the Deputy Borough Commander (DBC), Detective Superintendent Trevor Lawry.
It was noted that the former Chief Inspector for Neighbourhood Policing was moving on and that two candidates had been interviewed for the post; an offer of employment had been made. The Committee would be updated further in due course.
In terms of performance data, the MOPAC 7 reporting system was still operational. The Police were waiting to hear of any changes to be made subsequent to the new Police and Crime Plan. The performance of Bromley Police against the MOPAC 7 targets was generally considered to be good. Bromley Police was one of only seven forces where the overall crime figures in the rolling twelve month period had decreased.
Challenges still remained with the figures for Violence with Injury (VWI) and Theft from the Person. The number of VWI offences in 2011/12 was 1889, compared with the current figure of 2132—this was an increase in the actual number of offences of 243, or 12.9%. The VWI figure was still lower than the average MPS figure.
In 2011/12, the number of Theft from the Person offences was 305, and it was currently 350, which was an increase of 14.8%.
The Committee heard that the number of ASB offences being reported was increasing across the Metropolitan Police Force. Mr Lawry felt that some of the increase was due to a real increase in offences, but that some of the increase was due to changes in the way that offences were reported. ASB offences seemed to spike on occasions like Halloween and Bonfire Night. The number of arson offences seemed to be on the increase.
Ninety per cent of grade 1 emergency calls were responded to within 15 minutes, but averaged ten minutes. Grade 2 emergency calls were responded to within 60 minutes in 84.5% of instances.
There was an update on Operation Glorious that had been undertaken in the Mottingham area. This had resulted in numerous individuals being convicted of various offences relating to drug possession and drug supply. The Committee was updated concerning Operation Atlas. This was an Operation aimed at dealing with offences connected to gangs, Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE), and other vulnerable children and young people. The Operation had originated as a response to the Ofsted Inspection on Children’s Services.
A member asked if the Police were aware of instances when gangs were going around bashing people on the head. The DBC stated that any such incidences had not been reported to the Police as far as he was aware, but he would investigate and report back to the Committee.
A member requested that details of Police operations be disclosed to Councillors at the earliest opportunity so that positive feedback could be given to encourage local residents. A member stated that according the MPS website, 32% of cases in Bromley were still outstanding, and that in 42% of cases there were no suspects. He asked if these figures were normal.
The DBC responded that the 42% figure relating to lack of suspects was not surprising. In some cases it was connected to either there being no CCTV available, or difficulty in accessing CCTV from various sources. The member commented that the 32% figure equated to 800 open cases. The DBC responded that he was confident that Bromley Police did not have 800 outstanding cases, but he would investigate further.
It was noted that at a Ward Panel meeting recently, the local Ward Officer did not attend. It was queried if it was still usual for Ward Officers to attend. The DBC confirmed that this was still the case.
A member referenced the problem caused in the Borough (especially Orpington) by the dangerous and nuisance use of quad bikes and motor bikes. He asked if Bromley Police were still using off road bikes. The DBC confirmed that this was the case, and that in fact they had been out patrolling on the morning of the meeting. Bromley was the only Borough that still used off road bikes.
A member asked what crime was potentially being committed when motor bikes were being used in town centres in a dangerous and nuisance fashion. The DBC responded that it may be the case that Road Traffic and Public Order offences were being committed in these instances.
It was noted that no charging point existed in West Wickham for body worn cameras. A member asked when this would be rectified. The DBC responded that there was not a specific date set aside for this. The charging point consisted of a special piece of kit that took up a large section of a wall. He promised to look into when the installation may take place.
A member enquired if any progress had been made in identifying the ‘cat killer.’ The DBC clarified that this was an investigation that was being led by Croydon Police.
A member referenced the number of windows being broken in the vicinity of the Walnuts Shopping Centre in Orpington, particularly windows that had been broken in the Library and Sainsbury’s. The DBC explained that breaking a window was a quick and easy crime to commit. It was possible that the Police may try and increase patrols in the area.
RESOLVED that the Police update be noted.