Agenda item

Report of the Commissioner of Police

This Committee received a report of the Commissioner updating on engagement and activities across the four main areas linked to the Force’s strategic priorities - Counter Terrorism and communications, Safeguarding the Vulnerable, Anti-Social Behaviour and Policing the Roads.

A Member raised a question relating to a story published in the Metro newspaper that alleged that a particular massage parlour was operating as a brothel.  The Commissioner reiterated that there was no evidence found to suggest that this was the case, but that contact was currently ongoing regarding community suspicions about premises such as these within the local area.

A Member asked whether there was a significant issue with Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) in the City. The Commissioner explained that there had been increased standards of reporting and therefore it would be useful to consider the issue as one of perception.  The Commissioner stated that the perception of an increase in ASB was something that needed to be addressed.

A Member raised a point to the Committee relating to paragraph 3.5, and the issue of rough sleepers within the City of London.  The Member explained that there was a noticeable increase of rough sleepers London-wide and unfortunately this also included the City. Fleet Street was an area that on average would see about 8 people sleeping rough, this was often due to dispersal activities in the boroughs of Westminster and Camden. The City of London commissioned St Mungo’s to provide an outreach service that involved the team providing outreach hits at different times throughout the day and evening. The aim of the team was to ensure that rough sleepers in the square mile had an assessment, and that plans were put in place to enable them to access services and accommodation. Often there was resistance and the team worked very hard to engage with the rough sleepers. There were sometimes Eastern Europeans in the area who have no recourse to funds and they needed to engage with finding work or being reconnected back their country of origin.  The Commissioner and Town Clerk noted these concerns.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.