Minutes:
The Police update was provided by the Deputy Borough Commander, Detective Superintendent Paul Warnett.
Concerning a comment made previously by a Member with respect to night time economy statistics, Mr Warnett stated that it was not a problem for him to provide the night time economy statistics if they were still required.
The Committee was updated with respect to the proposed BCU merger with Croydon, Sutton and Bromley. It was noted that the new BCU Commander would be Chief Superintendent Jeff Booth who was currently the Borough Commander at LB Croydon. Despite the fact that various local authorities had raised objections and concerns about the BCU amalgamations, the BCUs would be going ahead. The London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea had written a letter of objection, and they were informed that the matter was a Police decision rather than a political one.
The Chairman asked Mr Warnett if he was familiar with the disturbing reports emanating from the BCU trials. He responded that it was the case that first response rates had fallen, and that there had been some infrastructure problems. Lessons would be learnt from the trials, and the 12 BCUs would not all be operating the same model.
The BCU would have 5 Functional Superintendents that would cover :
a) Emergency Response
b) Partnership
c) Investigation
d) Safeguarding
e) Neighbourhood Policing
The Committee heard that the current Borough Commander would be leaving in two weeks, but no further details on his posting were mentioned.
The Tri-Borough amalgamation for Croydon, Sutton and Bromley was expected to go live in either late summer or early autumn. The Chairman expressed concern that geographical factors had not been given proper consideration.
Crime had increased in most areas, particularly robbery, burglary and the use of violence. The increased figures for robbery were partly related to an increase in moped crime. The number of reported burglary offences had increased because this also now included break-ins to out buildings. A Member asked if going forward the burglary statistics could be split to distinguish between the burglaries of houses and outbuildings.
A Member requested if he could be sent performance data with respect to ASB. The Chairman referred to the previous emphasis that had been given to ‘MOPAC 7’ crime areas, and expressed concern that some of these areas may no longer be a priority for the Police. Mr Warnett explained that the Police would still be responding to these crimes, but that it would not be the total focus like it was previously.
The Committee was briefed with respect to the three murders that had occurred over the last three months. A number of suspects had originally been charged with respect to the murder of Michael Jonas in Betts Park. However, the case had just been discontinued and the suspects had been released.
A suspect had been charged with respect to the Knockholt Train Station murder case where a person had been chased onto the tracks and stabbed. There had also been a murder committed at Empress Drive in Chislehurst, a suspect had been arrested, and then interviewed and bailed pending further investigation.
Mr Warnett appraised Committee members with respect to staffing issues. Two detectives had been sent to assist with Operation Northleigh, which was part of the Grenfell investigation. On the day of the PPS/PDS Committee meeting, Mr Warnett had been informed that he needed to provide another seven officers to the Sexual Assault Command to help with reviewing 600 cases of serious sexual assault that contained digital media, to ensure that no further cases were discontinued by the CPS.
The Bromley fleet of cars had been reduced by 5 in recent weeks; over 170 cars MET wide had been taken out of service. Some cars had done high mileage and needed frequent servicing.
Mr Warnett advised the Committee that when he had taken up post in Bromley, he had reviewed the figures relating to the use of stop and search, and he had noticed that stop and search had been used infrequently. After giving staff extra training, and providing re-assurances with respect to complaints, the use of stop and search had increased. A new Tasking Team had been set up to deal with gangs and serious youth violence.
A Co-opted Member asked why Bromley Police would be losing 5 vehicles. Mr Warnett explained that a decision had been made that the vehicles were no longer required. Another issue that the Police were thinking about was whether or not two officers were required in each Police vehicle. The Co-opted Member continued by stating that losing vehicles must have an effect. Mr Warnett responded that Bromley Police still had the use of 36 vehicles which was sufficient. If vehicles were not required then that would be a drain on the public purse, and the Police were seeking to eliminate waste. He assured that going forward there would be individual patrol vehicles assigned to individual dispatches, and that there would be no reduction in frontline staff.
A Member asked about ward teams and ward bases. Mr Warnett explained that all ward bases would be going in due course. As part of the new model it was intended that all ward officers would be located within 20 minutes walking time from the ward; they may not be based on the ward itself. A Member asked how police cars were dispatched, and it was explained that they were sent out by a central dispatch unit; infrequently a call could be picked up by a car directly.
Police officers in dispatch cars occasionally did not come back into the office all day. Calls would be risk assessed as part of the dispatch process--as resources were limited. Croydon had extra resources and this would not change. It was agreed that performance data would be reported back to the Committee at future meetings.
Finally, Mr Warnett mentioned the recent problems with respect to Carillion as they were responsible for the management of the building used by Bromley Police at Bromley South. The Committee was pleased to hear that the building remained unaffected.
RESOLVED that:
1) Performance data relating to the response to emergency calls is reported back to future Committee meetings.
2) Performance data relating to ASB is provided to Councillor David Cartwright.
3) In the future, burglary statistics should be split to distinguish between the burglaries of houses and the burglary of outbuildings.