Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from the Chairman, Deputy Chairman, Steve Presland, Peter Dunphy and Don Randall.

Lucy Sandford declared to the Group her involvement as the Police Committee lead for the Community Engagement and Anti-Social Behaviour Special Interest Groups.

Minutes of the meeting held on 3 February 2017

[RESOLVED] – That the minutes of the last meeting be approved as an accurate record.

The Group received a report of the Town Clerk summarising actions outstanding from previous meetings.  The following update was noted:

·         Street Pastors:  Was now being developed under the “Street Angels” banner and would be launching training in July. The CST manager was supporting the training process.  An update on this would be provided at the next meeting in September.

[RESOLVED]  - That the report be received and all outstanding actions be discussed.

Report of the Department of Community and Children’s Services

The Group received a report of the Assistant Director of Community & Children’s Services summarising the activities of the Domestic Abuse & Sexual Violence Forum with particular focus upon the new 2017-2019 Action Plan.

The Director of Community & Children’s Services highlighted the recent work carried out on Domestic abuse.

The Director of Community & Children’s Services explained that the Domestic Abuse & Sexual Violence Forum is currently in an interim period, and there hasn’t been a MARAC over the last 6 month period.  A directory of all services is currently being compiled, and is expected to be ready by the next meeting of the Group in September. (1)

[RESOLVED] – That the report be received.

Verbal update from the Safer Communities Project Manager

The Group received a verbal update from T/Commander Gyford on the One Safe City Programme.

The Commissioner explained that previously there had been three projects: Joint Contact and Control Room (JCCR), Ring of Steel and Safer Communities Project.  However, as there were gaps between these three individual projects the scope of the programme was adapted to cover the following five projects:

1.    Digital Ring of Steel

2.    Joint Contact and Control Room

3.    Safer Communities – CCTV Hardware

4.    Future technology (Facial Recognition etc.)

5.    Physical Infrastructure

The T/Commander Gyford explained that a clear and robust business case had been commissioned for each project that would cover HR and costings etc., and in each case a project executive would be appointed.  The One Safe City working party would now need to be consulted, the One Safe City programme would be officially closed and all relevant action taken up within the Secure City Programme. The Commissioner advised that the Force were planning to bring a full report on the Programme to the Police Committee in September.

The Director of Port Health raised concerns over the lack of feedback from work achieved under the previous regime of the One Safe City programme, and highlighted the importance of updates on the programme and its outcomes.  T/commander Gyford explained that there is a closedown report on the Safer Communities project due to be submitted to the September meeting of the Police Committee (2) , but no others; Programmes such as the JCCR had many dependencies that need to be mapped out so that these projects can be taken forward effectively.  The Commissioner explained that due to the lack of clarity over the issues within the One Safe City programme the workload had become unstructured.

The Commissioner explained that under the new programme proposal

Report of the Town Clerk

The Group received a report from Gary Griffin detailing the outcomes of Information Sharing Workshops in reference to the sharing of information within the City of London Corporation’s internal departments, with its external partners, and also with the City of London Police.

He explained that the key areas of focus at the last workshop were vulnerability and anti-social behaviour.  It was explained to the Group that the topics were deemed too wide ranging, and that the workshops developed into a format of one-on-ones as a result, which proved significantly more productive.  It was explained that the topic of anti-social behaviour and its relationship with issues surrounding housing provided noteworthy discussion points.  It was also explained that crimes such as shoplifting were linked to vulnerability through patterns of behaviour.

It was also explained that one of the perceived lessons learned from the workshop was that the use of “scenarios” format led to a relatively narrow focus, producing a limited range of practical solutions.

The Chairman asked if there was an information sharing protocol currently in place.  The Safer Communities Project Manager explained that although there was a protocol in place, though this does not necessarily confirm that information gets shared.  It was explained that there is an initial difficulty in identifying the information that needs to be requested, which in turn leads to a lack of information sharing even if there is nothing explicitly prohibiting it.  The Safer Communities Project Manager explained that there was currently an information sharing agreement that has been drawn up and sent to solicitors for editing.  Once this has taken place, the agreement will provide the necessary mandate to question any refusal to share information that takes place.

A member of the Group asked for confirmation of who had been assigned to complete the recommendations as

Report of Community Safety Team

Members considered a report of the Community Safety Team Manager that provided an update on multiple issues that had not been previously addressed.

The Community Safety Team Manager alerted Members to an error within the cover sheet of the report stating that this was submitted to the Group “For Information”.  It was confirmed that the report, in terms of the Prevent strategy for 2017/18, was in fact due for decision by the Group.

The Community Safety Team Manager explained that recent events had seen a significant increase in workload around monitoring community tensions and concerns.  This was an area of work unlikely to diminish in the short term and that required some additional development.

The Chairman referenced LFBs “visual audits” in which those working within communities identify visual causes for concern, which could include graffiti or stickers inciting hatred.  The Chairman highlighted the importance of such information being fed back to Prevent/CST Manager.  This highlighted the relevance of issues previously discussed with regards to information-sharing.  The Chairman then asked if there had been an increase in information fed back in the light of recent events such as the numerous indiscriminate acts of violence in public spaces across the UK.  The Community Safety Team Manager confirmed that there had been an increase in reporting.  Members agreed that there needed to be a more robust and accessible system for reporting and sharing these kind of issues.  It was suggested that there be a central hub within the City of London Corporation that records these findings from each of the partners within the Group.  The Community Safety Team Manager confirmed that at the current time, this would effectively be the role carried out by them, but would place a considerable additional burden on the team given its current capacity.

A member asked if

Report of the City of London Police

The Group received a report of the Commissioner of Police updating them on the City of London Police’s activities in the period between 1^st January and 31^st March 2017.

The Commissioner explained that had been a decrease in violent crime since last year, and as this is in contrast to the overall trend for London, this was very positive.  However, the Commissioner explained that there was a significant increase in Acquisitive crime since last year, and this was attributed in part to an increase in thefts by those on stolen mopeds.  The Chairman asked for reassurance that these specific crimes are being targeted with a response from the CoLP. 

The Commissioner explained that perpetrators who act in gangs were acquiring mopeds in surrounding London boroughs and entering the City perimeters to commit theft.  Collaboration with the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) in order to acquire information about where these individuals are living or are based has therefore been of central importance when tackling this issue, and is set to increase following a further report.  The Commissioner also explained that measures such as increased lighting, studying technology timelines (e.g. release dates of new iPhones etc.) and raising awareness of those being targeted (e.g. taking your phone out in key target areas) have been taken in response to the issue. 

However, it was explained by the Commissioner that prevention remains the imperative, and the gang element is a cause of significant concern as it demands more substantial knowledge.  It was explained that there is a weekly briefing of the CoLP that includes the faces of the top ten “known nominals” who are thought to be involved.  A Member asks for clarification in reference to the issue of premise licence holder responsibility surrounding installation of CCTV to prevent these thefts.  The

Verbal update of the Borough Commander, London Fire Brigade

The Group heard a verbal update from the Borough Commander of the London Fire Brigade on its recent notable activity.

The Commander explained that everything was currently as expected, with reported fire incidents at normal levels.

[RESOLVED] That the Borough Commander be heard.

Report of the Community Safety Manager

The Group received a report of the Community Safety Team Manager providing an update on activity by the Community Safety Team.

The Community Safety Team Manager explained that rising acquisitive crime figures were a particular concern.  This may be an area where the perceived safety of the City is a contributory factor.  Given the high volume of acquisitive crimes ait plays a significant role in the City’s overall crime figures.

The Director of Port Health and Public Protection provided an update from the last Serious and Organised Crime Board meeting to the Group.  He explained that acquisitive crime had been a significant topic of discussion.  On the topic of the Serious and Organised Crime Board the Chairman explained that the national strategy sets out priority areas for work, and that we in the process of discussing these at monthly meetings.  Once each area had been considered the City of London would be able to determine which areas it should focus on/

On staffing the Community Safety Team Manager explained that one of the two Community Safety Team Officer posts within the Team has been vacant since February, and this has put additional pressure on the output of the team.  It was hoped this situation would be resolved shortly.

The Commissioner of Police explained to the Group the work on suicide prevention in the form of a “street triage” in which nurses come out to carry out short assessments on individuals had been very positively received.  The chairman asked who was funding this initiative.  The Commissioner confirmed that this was funded primarily by the CoLP with support from Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs).  This followed on from the successful trialling of a combination of a bicycle paramedic alongside a bicycle police officer over the Christmas period.

[RESOLVED] – That the report be

Director of Markets & Consumer Protection

The Group received a report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection updating Members on recent activities of the Public Protection Service.

The Director of Markets and Consumer Protection explained to the group that work is ongoing to deter illegal street sellers, with ice cream vans virtually eliminated from the Square Mile through persistent action, though nut sellers remain in some locations, as do map sellers on the Millennium Bridge.

It is also noted that within the report summary, the text should read “24/7” when referring to the Noise complaints service working hours.

[RESOLVED] – That the report be received.

This report was not available at time of dispatch and will be circulated separately

This report was unavailable at the time of publication and was due to be circulated separately.

The Community Safety Team Leader explained that this report would be completed and circulated as soon as possible prior to the next meeting of the Group (5).  He outlined the proposed priorities for the year ahead as being:

·           Supporting the Counter Terrorism Strategy Through Delivery of the Prevent Strategy - to challenge radicalisation of vulnerable people and reduce the threat posed to theCity and more closely support our communities.

·           Violence Against the Person – to protect those who work, live or visit the City from crimes of violence.

·           Acquisitive Crime – we will work to protect our residents, workers, businesses and visitors from theft and fraud.

·           Night Time Economy Crime and Nuisance – to ensure the City remains a safe place to socialise.

·           Anti-Social Behaviour – to respond effectively to behaviour that makes the City a less pleasant place.

These built on the previous year’s work, reflected current concerns and also demonstrated the potential to benefit from partnership approaches. 

[RESOLVED] – That the Community Safety Team Leader be heard.

This report was not available at the time of dispatch and will be circulated separately

This report was unavailable at the time of publication and was due to be circulated separately.

The Group agreed that this report needed to be delivered as soon as possible. (6)

[RESOLVED] - That the Safer City Partnership Annual Assessment be delivered as soon as possible.

A question was raised about the funding allocation of the “Security Levy”, which had been identified within the One Safe City work.  It was agreed for this information to be sought and fed back following the meeting. (7)

MOTION - That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of the Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

[RESOLVED] – That Item 17 does not meet the requirements to be marked as non-public, and therefore can be received as part of the public agenda for this meeting.

Report of Manager of Community Safety

The Group received a report of the Community Safety Team Manager that reviewed the first year of the City Community Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (CCM).

The Community Safety Team Manager explained that as information sharing is an issue, the CCM is useful in providing a platform for this.  However, it should also be noted that there is not sufficient IT infrastructure to best facilitate information storage and sharing.

The Chairman explained that there had been discussions about combining the CCM with the Domestic violence MARAC, though it was decided that this would not be useful or relevant.  A Member raised concern over the importance of having effective information sharing protocols and processes.

A Member questioned whether those making repeated suicide attempts were being monitored appropriately, and asked for an explanation of how data on this is stored.  The issue of the careful use of terminology in respect to those attempting or threatening suicide was also raised.  The Community Safety Team Manager agreed with this point and provided assurance that wherever possible there were links to individual’s mental health providers.  It was an area which would continue to develop and be regularly reported back on. (8)

[RESOLVED] – That the report be received.