Agenda item

The Head of Licensing and Community Safety submitted a report about crime and the perception of crime in East Herts.  It was noted that whilst crime and antisocial behaviour problems were relatively low in East Herts, the fear of crime was relatively high.  Members were advised that crime detection in the District was 36.02% set against a national crime detection figure of 22%. 

The report and supporting Essential Reference Papers provided data on main crime types broken down into areas and how East Herts’ compared with similar group areas.  The report also provided background information on four crime types which had not reduced this year relating to vehicle crime, robbery, serious acquisitive crime and burglary (sheds and theft of lead, etc).

The Head of Licensing and Community Safety explained the difficulties in data capture which was mostly attributable to how individual partner, e.g. the Police, Housing Associations collated information on their own systems.

Members were provided with clarification on the statistics as presented.  Councillor A D Dodd referred to the positive news in relation to anti-social behaviour, which he attributed to the contribution of Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and Street Pastors. 

The issue of Police meetings was considered.  The Chairman said that there needed to be better liaison by the Police with the Council about when these meetings were held.  He referred to the fact that the Council published all its meetings well in advance.

In relation to the perception of crime, the Chairman queried whether there was an opportunity to raise concerns and work with local residents.  The Head of Licensing and Community Safety suggested that one such medium was through IT.  He said that young people’s knowledge of IT was extensive and that residents could benefit from being given further information.

The Head of Licensing and Community Safety suggested that the partnership should be congratulated for their work and their achievements.  Key issues which needed to be addressed involved the funding of CCTV cameras, PCSOs and their effectiveness. 

The Chairman referred to five crimes recently in Bishop’s Stortford which might have been deterred if CCTV had been deployed.  In terms of the cost, the Head of Licensing and Community Safety said that he anticipated that the cost of CCTV would reduce rapidly.  Whilst he supported their use, he added that these needed to be placed in the right areas and that these should not be used to replace personnel.

Members referred to the excellent role of PCSOs in tackling anti-social behaviour and providing a physical presence.  It was suggested that Parish Councils might have a role to play in providing partial funding for PCSOs.

The Head of Licensing and Community Safety advised that the Partnership had achieved excellent results and that crime statistics showed that overall crime continued to be reducing making which contributed to the District being recognised as the sixth best place to live in the country by the Halifax ‘Quality of Life’ survey published in December 2010.  He stated that this was the message which needed to be communicated to the public more effectively. 

The Chairman welcomed the good news and that the statistics were moving in a positive direction.  He urged Members to become more involved from a safety viewpoint in liaising with residents.  He also recommended that Members should take advantage of the “Ride Along” scheme offered by the Police.

Members agreed that CCTV funding be included as part of the Community Safety Review and that Officers should explore other sources for funding PCSO’s within the  community e.g. by approaches to Parish Councils.

RESOLVED – that (A) the report be received; and

(B)   CCTV funding be included as part of the Community Safety Review and that officers explore other sources for funding PCSOs within the community, e.g. by approaches to Parish Councils.