Agenda item

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Committee received a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath reviewing the performance of the Heath Constabulary and seeking approval for the continuation of the support for outreach work in Public Sex Environments. The Committee noted that the Consultative Committee had been supportive of the proposal to continue working with the Terrence Higgins Trust, but had deferred commenting on the proposals for the policing priorities until they were able to consider the report on more detail at their next meeting.

In response to a query from a Member the Superintendent confirmed that organisations that use the Heath for events were asked for a contribution towards the policing and administration time involved in their events.

The Superintendent further clarified that the increase in the number of incidents responded to by the Constabulary was due to recent additional training and growing confidence and competencies among the Constabulary as to the extent of their powers, rather than an increase in offences. It was felt that resources were sufficient for the number of incidents reported.

It was reported that the use of a new phone application was increasing the use of the Heath, but that there were associated risks involved with carrying mobile phones in the open.

The Committee wished their thanks to the Constabulary Team to be recorded.

RESOLVED – That;

·         Approval be granted for the continuing of outreach work with the Terrence Higgins Trust, and that

·         The priorities as laid out in Appendix 4 of the report are endorsed and a further report be presented to the November Consultative Committee meeting.