Agenda item

It was noted that the new Safer Bromley Strategy was still in the process of development; Members were asked to note the quarter two update. The committee was informed that the consultation regarding the priorities for the new SBP Strategy was ongoing, and would close on the 12th of February. The Assistant Director for Public Protection encouraged responses to the consultation. Once the consultation process had ended, then an update would be brought back to the committee.

A Member noted the Safer Neighbourhood Board theatre production that had been performed with respect to ‘county lines,’ and wondered how the effectiveness of this could be assessed. A Member noted that 610 potential weapons had been collected in the Council’s two knife amnesty bins and she wondered if further bins could be located in the south of the Borough. A Member asked what a ‘Faraday Bag’ was. It was noted that this was a bag in which car keys could be put to stop them being cloned. The technology was essentially that if you put keys into a metal box, then it would stop the transmission of radio waves and this would prevent the car keys from being cloned.

The Vice Chairman expressed her thanks to the Community Safety Team with respect to the successful implementation of Community Impact Days. She asked that this be noted in the minutes, and hoped that more could be organised in the future. It was further noted that these days were part financed through MOPAC funding.

A Member drew attention to the service road located in Bromley South between the police station and Waitrose. This was not a Council road, and he said the police were not enforcing parking restrictions in this road. He asked if it was possible for the committee to look into this on safety grounds, and ask the police to take further action and increase parking restrictions. The Director for Environment and Public Protection responded that the Council were aware of the situation and were in discussions with the police to adopt the road. There were some complexities involved, in that the police were asking for 50 parking spaces for their vehicles. It was noted that the Assistant Director for Traffic and Parking was trying to locate a police contact and had written regarding this matter to the Borough Commander. A Member enquired why the same interest was not being applied to the road next to Orpington Train Station and Orpington Bus Station.

It was noted that the ASB Conference would be taking place on 11^th March 2024. This was being organised by the police and the Safer Neighbourhood Board. 

A request was made for the scheme ‘Driven by Consequences’ to take place in  schools with greater frequency. The Chairman said that this request would be passed onto the Safer Bromley Partnership. 

Post Meeting Note regarding the issue of parking enforcement on the service road by the police station:  Update from the Assistant Director for Traffic and Parking.

I have now had it confirmed that advance plans are underway to install ANPR private parking enforcement on the below access road. This will lead to “Parking Charge Notices” being issued as you would get in many other private (i.e. non-Local Authority enforced) parking locations.

This will be preceded by clear signage and public awareness to reduce this problem. I also believe they are looking to create a system where any profits from this scheme will be donated to charity so that this is not viewed as a police “money making scheme.” We would simply rather people didn’t park blocking the road rather than any intent to make money.

Further communication will follow but it now appears there is a plan to address this issue.

Reference was made to the consultation process that was now in place regarding the new Safer Bromley Strategy. It was confirmed that once the consultation process had ended, a presentation would be delivered to the committee regarding the draft Strategy Delivery Plan.

RESOLVED that the Safer Bromley Partnership Member update be noted.