Agenda item

The Community Safety Officer presented the report to the Committee.

The report provided the necessary background information for the Committee when completing its Annual Review of the Community Safety Partnership (CSP).

The Committee was consulted prior to the review to establish current issues and key lines of enquiry.  Relevant officers were also approached prior to the review to ensure Members were fully briefed on current developments and service delivery during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Attached at Appendix 1 was an update on the CSP and its current delivery.

Attached at Appendix 2 was the CSP Plan.

The CSP’s mission statement was to “work together to reduce crime and disorder and improve the quality of life for you and your Community”. The presentation covered:

• Why a CSP Partnership exists;
• CSP’s were a Statutory Responsibility;
• Statutory organisations in the CSP;
• The Bolsover CSP Strategic Group;
• The Bolsover CSP Plan and Priorities;
• The Police and Crime Commissioner Priorities (2022-2025);
• The CSP Plan Priorities 2023 – 2026 (Refreshed 2025); and,
• What had been achieved.

To a question on the types of Youth Diversionary Activities, the Outdoor Recreation Officer informed most young people preferred group activities with their friends (e.g. music jams – mini Glastonbury’s).  For some events 40-50 interested parties would attend without the need to advertise (word-of-mouth amongst friend networks).  On average, 30 attended all activities.

On the possibility of the installation of a skatepark in South Normanton, the Outdoor Recreation Officer offered to attend a local Parish Council meeting to get in mind what might be preferred.  The Committee discussed funding options (residential developments, UK National grants, etc.).  One option voiced by some Members was to use Council assets and savings before it was dissolved and replaced by a unitary council under Local Government Reorganisation efforts.

Continuing, the Community Safety Officer highlighted a sign posted outside schools for driver speed awareness.

Shoplifting remained high though the total crime level was decreasing.

To a question on the current waiting lists to access support for victims of Domestic Abuse (including children), the Community Safety Officer informed the current waiting times was due to resourcing issues.

The Committee was informed of a recent spate of deliberate fires in derelict buildings that had taken place.

The Community Safety Officer passed over to Inspector Matthew Brown of the Derbyshire Constabulary to elaborate on the work of the CSP.

Specific numbers on drug trafficking and shoplifting were provided to the Committee, with it being noted overall crime and instances of Anti-Social Behaviour and acts of burglary dropping – this may have been down due to the use of “nudge theory” and an uplift of the Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs).

SNTs were local officers assigned to community areas (e.g. Bolsover SNT, Clowne SNT, Shirebrook SNT, etc.) which then made it possible for the retention and apprehension of outstanding suspects (i.e. people who were ‘Wanted’).

Key areas to improve included victim satisfaction levels (to update in person or over the phone instead of via email and text services)

Raised by a Member, the Committee was informed that the Pinxton and South Normanton Wards were covered by the Amber Valley Policing Area, and that Members being contacted by residents on possible crimes there would need to contact them.  It was offered contact with this other area could be made on relevant Member’s behalf.

To concerns raised on the use of Cannabis, it was explained the power of entry for small / suspected uses of Cannabis could be utilised in instances of small children residing in such properties, but that it would still depend on intelligence and quality of strategies involved.

The Council’s Enforcement Team and Rangers had made use of Community Protection Warnings and / or Notices, but it was recommended for Members and residents to keep a dairy of evidence (with specific times) which would enable the pinpointing of activity.  This would then make successful prosecutions possible.

Due to the sensitivity of further information being presented to Members, the Committee moved to exclude the public for the remainder of the item and the meeting.