Agenda item

To receive any updates from SIA Leads.

Vulnerability and Safeguarding

Nick Bensted-Smith provided an update concerning the Vulnerability and Safeguarding SIA. He advised the Committee that he would be attending the Vulnerability Steering Group in the week following the meeting. He also explained that the Community Scrutiny Group focusing on Stop & Search, Use of Force and Taser use was now meeting on a quarterly basis, although attendance from the community had been low so far.

He also explained that he had been attending meetings of the Independent Custody Visitor Panel and the report regarding Young Persons and Children in custody had been well received.

Public Protection

Lucy Sandford provided an update concerning the Public Protection SIA. She reminded the Committee that it was a busy time of year for Public Protection, in light of Bonfire Night and the Lord Mayor’s Show.

She explained that there were concerns regarding the number of qualified Public Order Level 2 officers to provide sufficient cover. This was a voluntary role, with no extra payment for undertaking the role. It was suggested that the Committee may wish to consider how officers can be encouraged to take up this role.

Ms Sandford explained that she had attended public order training in Gravesend the previous month and would be attending the Public Order Working Group meeting the following day.

She also informed the Committee that a Red Flag exercise, to test the overall command and asset coordination for a multi-seated Terrorist Firearms Attack in the City, would be held in December 2016. Ms Sandford explained that she would attend this event.

Other SIA updates

A Member commented that at the previous meeting it had been agreed that all Members of the Committee should be invited to the Community Speedwatch event on 7 December 2016. The Member queried how many Members were attending this event. The Town Clerk explained that in addition to the event on 7 December 2016, which one Member was attending, there was now a further event on 21 December 2016, which two Members were attending.

The Committee agreed that invitations to each of these events should be sent to all Members of the Court of Common Council.

SIA Rota

The Town Clerk explained that the Chairman had requested that a rota of Special Interest Area Updates be created for future meetings. The Town Clerk advised that he would be in contact with Members to consult on the creation of regarding this rota over the next few weeks.