Agenda and minutes
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Apologies for Absence Minutes: Apologies were received from Councillors Biederman, Pearson and Tucker.
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Minutes: RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 8th November 2021 (circulated previously) be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.
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Items brought forward which in the opinion of the Chair should be considered by the meeting as a matter of urgency. Minutes: The Chair advised the Sub-Committee of the “Reclaim the Night” march taking place in Barnstaple on Friday 9th December 2023. This was organised following a recent spate of attacks on women in Barnstaple in order to raise awareness of the problem and signpost those organisations available to help those affected. Anyone interested in getting involved was advised to contact Councillor Leaver.
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Declarations of Interests. (Please telephone the Corporate and Community Services team to prepare a form for your signature before the meeitng. Interests must be re-declared when the item is called, and Councillors must leave the room if necessary). Minutes: There were no declarations of interest announced.
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Update on the North Devon and Torridge Community Safety Partnership. Report by Superintendent Toby Davies, Devon and Cornwall Police (attached).
Minutes: Superintendent Toby Davies introduced himself as the Local Policing Commander for North and West Devon and the current Chair of the Community Safety Partnership. Members were also introduced to Nathan Walker, Community Safety Sergeant, Community Safety Manager Janet Williams (Community Safety Manager) TDC) and Natasha Rowlands (Service Lead – Vulnerable Needs Group and Community Safety) (NDC) and Tim Birtwisle, (Community Protection Officer) (NDC). The Local Elected Members for Devon County, North Devon Council (NDC) and Torridge District Council (TDC) were also introduced – Cllr Paul Henderson, Cllr Caroline Leader and Cllr Philip Hackett.
A detailed introduction to the Community Safety Partnership the Safer Devon Partnership was provided for members. Superintendent Davies then drew members' attention to the update report for the NDC and TDC Community Safety Partnership. It was confirmed that over the last 12 months crime had increased in the local area – it was explained that comparative data was taken from 2019 (pre-Covid).
The main points highlighted were as follows:
· From 2019 there has been a 4 percent increase in crime for the local ‘patch’. This was said to equate to 11,000 crimes across last 12 months. · Violent crime made up the majority of these crimes and crimes of violence had seen an increase of 10 percent. · A third of violence was domestic abuse. · Sexual violence recorded crimes are up 20 percent. · Burglary and theft is down to 15 percent.
Superintendent Davies advised that:
· There had been an increase in hate crime locally, with 250 reported crimes in the last 12 months – most of these cases were reported in the last 3-5 months. This was stated as an area of concern and potential focus for the Community Safety Partnership. · Anti-social behaviour (ASB) was down from 2019 figures, however it was still recognised as the most visible issue for the area, with 2,840 reports in last 12 months. · Devon and Cornwall ranked the third safest force area in England & Wales. It was also stated that outcomes and crime data integrity was best in the force.
The Strategic Assessment and feedback from CSP joint committee were referenced at this point and Superintendent Davies highlighted the main areas of focus – these were confirmed as:
· Serious violence (inc VAWG) · Safer Streets (inc ASB) · Road Safety · Emerging Threats (Hate Crime was highlighted, along with Sexual Violence)
Principles and themes were then highlighted for members:
· High Intensity work - targeting those causing the most harm in the community and then working with them in a trauma informed way. · The rurality of the community and the added sense of vulnerability and issues this part of the community experience. · National priorities – counter-terrorism and Prevent, as well as work on anti-slavery and modern day slavery and domestic homicide reviews.
Superintendent Davies summarised the work taking place for the Partnership.
Serious violence / violence against women and girls – the work of the multi-agency forum was highlighted for members, along with the preventative work taking place through awareness campaigns ... view the full minutes text for item 16. |