Agenda item

The Scrutiny Committee will discuss the following as part of the Crime and Disorder agenda item:

• Local policing - crime trends and risks
• An update on the Safer Melton Partnership
• Rural Policing
• An update on CCTV
• Anti-social behaviour management in housing services
• An update on Domestic Abuse

 

As part of the item there will also be a question and answer session.

Through a presentation, the Director for Housing and Communities (Deputy Chief Executive) introduced the Crime and Disorder item and provided a summary of what to expect during the presentation.

 

Inspector Lindsey Madeley-Harland, Leicestershire Police’s Neighbourhood Police Commander for Melton and Rutland provided Members with an overview of crime in the area. Members were informed that the current priorities for the Police in the area are: stopping County lines, tackling anti-social behaviour, preventing rural crime and road safety.

 

Inspector Madeley-Harland stated that officers had to be provided to East Leicester due to the recent disturbances and that this had affected coverage in the area, however policing levels in the area had since been restored to usual levels.

 

The Committee were informed that in terms of Community Safety, the police would not have been able to achieve the results they have without the partnership in place.

 

In addressing the crimes statistics, Inspector Madeley-Harland informed Members that the figures are lowest within the police area. In the 7-month period from February 2022 there have 2262 crimes reported, in the same 7 months the previous year there were 1908 crimes reported and in 2020 there were 1746 crimes reported. Inspector Madeley-Harland explained that crime is up due to changes in the way crime is reported.

 

It was explained that in the last 28 days, in Melton the following crimes had been reported: 6 burglary others compared to an average of 8; 10 residential burglaries which is average; 1 robbery; 3 thefts from person compared to an average of 2 and 9 thefts of motor vehicles compared to an average of 8. The satisfaction rate of the police in the area for September is 81.4%.

 

Members were then updated on a range of projects that the Council are working on including: partnership working; engagement with communities; the AMY project; Fairmead Football League; CCTV; Domestic Abuse and Anti-social Behaviour Management within the Housing Service.

 

At the start of the debate a comment was made that the majority of the discussion was focussed on the town of Melton Mowbray and that it is important not to forget that half of the Borough’s population lives in the villages when considering Crime and Disorder. Officers and Inspector Madeley-Harland assured the Committee of the work being done across the whole Borough including in rural areas.

 

Following this, a concern was raised that the lack of youth services within the villages has led to an increase in petty vandalism. In response, it was explained that one of the priorities is rural crime and that every effort is made to engage with the local community when addressing issues. Officers referred to proactive engagement with Parish Councils, to which a Member suggested that Ward Councillors should also be involved in those discussions. The Director for Housing and Communities then committed to feeding back to colleagues to ensure that Ward Members are briefed on the updates that are provided to Parish Councils.

 

A Member questioned whether there had been an increase in shoplifting, however the Committee were informed that there had not been a recorded increase. Inspector Madeley-Harland noted that sometimes petty thefts are unreported and reiterated how important it is that people do report when crimes are committed.

 

The process of relocating domestic abuse victims was discussed. Members were assured that that all options including safeguarding and local ties are considered to ensure the best option is taken.

 

The Committee raised a concern over the coverage of the police in rural areas particularly in response to crime, however it was explained that rural crime remains a priority for the police and that rural areas are regularly patrolled. A number of examples of rural area specific policing operations were provided particularly in relation to the theft of farm machinery and hare coursing. In regard to response to crimes, if it is an emergency then 999 should be rung. In addition, there is a local number that can be used for non-emergency situations.

 

A Member wanted to place on record how grateful they were for the job that the Police do and understand that it is a difficult job.

 

Following a question on whether early intervention is pursued when addressing crime and disorder issues with young people, Members were assured that there is a considerable amount of early intervention work in the Borough and that there is engagement with all schools in the area.

 

The comment was made that the Fairmead Youth Football League has been well received and the feedback has been very good.

 

Following this, Members wanted reassurance that sufficient support is being given to people suffering from anti-social behaviour. Members were informed that in order to deal with anti-social behaviour then it needs to be reported, and sufficient victim support can be given.

 

A Member commented that they thought the presence of the police at the hunt is excessive, however it was explained that the visible presence is to support the rural community and is usually a routine patrol of the rural area.

 

The comment was made that the Action for Melton Youth (AMY) should be engaging with other youth groups, e.g. Melton Young Farmers and Scouts. It was explained that AMY is in its infancy and that links with other groups will come as AMY grows from strength to strength and learns to communicate with those groups. Members noted that there are a range of groups of young people who would welcome interaction from the police, such as the Young Farmers. Inspector Madeley-Harland committed to follow this up and has since confirmed that arrangements are being made for police to attend young famers meetings.

 

 

In response to a concern raised on how the Council will practically support prison leavers, the homelessness process and how the council supports prison leavers was explained. The Council will liaise with other agencies to ensure that no prison leaver is homeless upon release, however there are some circumstances in which accommodation can not be provided, e.g. there is none available or the leaver is unwilling to engage.

 

Concern was raised that some victims are not receiving timely updates on what is happening with their cases and this has left them feeling that no one cares. More updates would be reassuring to these victims. The Director for Housing and Communities thanked the committee for this feedback and committed to discuss with teams, as the importance of timely communication was recognised.

 

The Chairman thanked all guests, Officers and Members for their attendance.

 

RESOLVED

 

That the Scrutiny Committee provides comments for consideration by the Cabinet at their meeting on 12 October 2022.