Agenda item

Report of the Commissioner (copy attached).

The Committee received a report of the Commissioner providing an update on recent community engagement activities, community priorities and forthcoming events.

With regard to the recent murder in the City, a Member expressed disappointment that it had taken quite some time for a message to go out to the local resident and business communities, adding that they hoped this would be done quicker in future.

A Member made reference to the section detailing engagement with business, observing that no feedback from the businesses was listed and asking that this be included in future, even if it was just a line to say none was received.

The Chairman expressed surprise that the report stated there were no concerns in the East Area (Portsoken Ward), stating that he had been made aware by the Ward’s Alderman of concerns around officer visibility in the area. The Commander advised that he had met the Members for Portsoken Ward earlier that week to provide reassurance over this issue, giving detail about the new patrolling plan which had been implemented and adding that the Force would be including information in the next Ward newsletter to provide reassurance to the community.

In response to queries about the Volunteer Police Cadets, the Commander felt that the initiative was developing well and confirmed that they had been involved in policing operations at the Diamond Jubilee celebrations. He also advised that the numbers of Cadets the Force was able to have was limited only by the capacity within the organisation to manage them, as it was dependent on staff volunteers.

RESOLVED: That the report be received and its content noted.