Agenda item

Commissioner & Chief Officers to be heard.

Members received a verbal update from the Commissioner.

Numbers of people in the City had started to increase both in the day and evenings. Whilst crime levels for some crime types were approaching levels pre-lockdown, the volume of reports remained low (50% lower than the previous year). Despite this, the Force was not complacent and implemented the Policing Plan to ensure the City did not exceed pre-lockdown crime figures.

There was increased activity with the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) in response to protests and other public order matters. Officers were deployed on eight occasions in recent weeks, but this was a manageable level.

The 20 May 2021 a high visibility day was planned to work in partnership with the City Security Council. This was organised to welcome people back to the City (workers, visitors), by engaging with people through various stands, bike marking events etc. This helped to promote the return to the City by highlighting the continued safety provided by the Force and partner security organisations.

The Force was looking at plans to ensure its own working environments were suitably equipped and safe for the mixed economy of employees working from home and in the office.

Following a question raised at the recent Court of Common Council meeting, a concern over the Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) in the west of the City had been drawn to the Commissioner’s attention. The local policing model, Chief Inspector and Sector Inspector were leading the response by meeting with partners and the Corporation to look at prevention opportunities. The nature of the issue made the matter challenging but not impossible. The Commissioner encouraged more people to submit ASB or crime reports to the Force, so they have a richer picture of what is taking place, enabling them to take appropriate tasking action in response.

The Home Secretary had given approval to progress to the next stage of procurement for the Next Generation Fraud and Cyber Crime Reporting Service. With formal procurement launching soon.

The Senior Leadership Team at the Force had participated in a two-day workshop on inclusion, facilitated by an external company. This course covered inclusive leadership and made those taking part consider the issues raised in surveys locally and nationally.

On the budget, the Commissioner expressed caution over the underspend from last year as it was unlikely this would be replicated this year. There were challenges ahead but this was being worked through with the Treasurer and Chamberlain’s Department.

RESOLVED, that the update be noted.