Agenda and minutes

Cllr Rye welcomed everyone to the meeting and introductions were made.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Gina Needs (Cabinet Member for Community Safety & Cohesion).

Apologies for lateness were also received from Superintendent Chris Byrne (Neighbourhood Policing, BCU North Area).

Members of the Council are invited to identify any disclosable pecuniary, other pecuniary or non-pecuniary interests relevant to the items on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest received regarding any item on the agenda.

To agree the minutes of the Crime Scrutiny Panel meeting held on 12 September 2023.

AGREED the minutes of the meeting held on 12 September 2023.

To receive an update from Superintendent Chris Byrne, Enfield Neighbourhood Policing Team, North Area BCU.

Superintendent Chris Byrne introduced the presentation which provided an overview on Reforming the Met and the implications for Local Policing in Enfield, and he advised that off the back of the Baroness Casey Review there has been some fundamental changes in the way in which business will be conducted which is a real positive change. The Met is moving towards a model which is dramatically different, but it is an exciting time ahead.

Further information was provided including detail on a selection of themes which were highlighted in Baroness Casey’s Review. Superintendent Byrne went on to speak about the values and guiding principles which had been set to help deliver cultural reform across the Met. These values and principles will be embedded in HR processes that develop and assess staff, meaning that everyone is judged by how they work. He also provided information in relation to community crime-fighting and anti-social behaviour and working with Londoners to keep them safe. Data will be better used to understand the demands faced and officers will then be deployed to communities where the biggest difference can be made. Specialist teams will be strengthened, and will work closely with local police teams and partners on investigating domestic abuse, sexual offences and child sexual abuse and exploitation. Work will also continue with partners to ensure individuals in need of care and non-crime help get supported by the right agency, freeing up officers’ time to tackle crime. A victim focus desk will also be provided to provide better support and advice.

Discussions took place regarding key progress in the North Area BCU and it was advised that they are actively consulting more with local communities across Enfield and listening to residents’ views to help shape how work is prioritised. All strands have been represented at these community events with more to follow. Community led engagement is taking place across wards to establish their priorities and the way in which ward panel (CAPE) meetings occur is also changing, ensuring greater awareness and attendance with a broader membership to include business owners and young people. Localised Neighbourhood resourcing is increasing on every ward in Enfield, and data is used to allocate resources effectively.

In response to a question regarding abstractions it was advised that these have reduced from Neighbourhoods and Local Investigation Teams by putting more officers in response and abstraction data is constantly reviewed to ensure this plan is working. It was however acknowledged that there had recently been unprecedented demand centrally around protests etc, but this was unavoidable. 

Superintendent Byrne went on to provide detailed information on strengthening Neighbourhood Policing and figures were provided on current and future resources which represents the ambition to increase posts on the Neighbourhood Policing Teams over the next three years (this is subject to recruitment and funding of PCSOs). An increase has already been seen in Sergeants and Inspectors within Neighbourhood Policing and it was advised that under the new model Inspectors will only be managing four wards as opposed to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To receive the report of Adam Cummings, Head of Community Safety & Corporate Security and Rebecca Barnett, Community Safety Intelligence Officer.

Adam Cummings, Head of Community Safety & Corporate Security introduced the report which set out the performance against agreed priorities of the Safer and Stronger Communities Board Plan. The key points in the report were highlighted and it was noted that Totable Notifiable Offences in Enfield have decreased by 1.7% in the year ending October 2023 when compared to the previous 12 months. London saw a 6.2% increase over the same period. Further data, comparisons and trends were provided for each category.

Questions were invited from Members.

In response to ongoing concerns regarding theft of motor vehicle crime Superintendent Chris Byrne advised that there were various initiatives in place to tackle this, including distribution of crook locks, advice on installation of posts outside properties as well as letter drops around the borough. Targeted work had also taken place with local Travel Lodges to warn tradesmen of the risks of leaving tools in their vans overnight. Members were advised however that some of the issues around this crime type are geographical to the borough, with the M25, A406 and the A10 offering easily accessible routes for criminals travelling into and out of London. 

In response to a question regarding the increase in domestic abuse incidents in Enfield, Superintendent Byrne said that this was not his area of expertise but advised that he would be happy to invite a colleague from the Public Protection Team to a future meeting of the Panel to discuss this issue in more detail.

Action: Superintendent Chris Byrne

Members questioned the sexual assault and rape data and the possible link with known sex offenders and asked whether any work was being done in relation to this. Adam advised that he would discuss this matter with Police colleagues to gain a better understanding of the figures/monitoring system and feedback accordingly.

Action: Adam Cummings, Head of Community Safety & Corporate Security

Questions were raised regarding sexual offenders being released from prison and what measures, if any, were in place to support these individuals upon their release. Information was also requested on the number of bail hostels in the borough. Superintendent Chris Byrne did not have this information to hand but advised that he would invite a colleague to give a presentation at a future meeting to address these questions.

Action: Superintendent Chris Byrne

Following comments regarding robberies around schools and the action being taken, Superintendent Byrne advised that Police Officers are out and about patrolling and targeting known robbers. He added that there is also a programme in place where Officers go into schools to talk about knife awareness and staying safe. Council Officers provided further information on the additional outreach work taking place which included the mobile youth bus, which can be deployed around schools where concerns have been raised, teachers monitoring areas outside schools and working closely with the Police around transport hubs. Information was also provided on the work undertaken by the Youth Justice Team which included the Restorative Justice Conferences which had produced some great outcomes.  Safer  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To note the Crime Scrutiny Panel Work Programme 2023/24.

NOTED the Crime Scrutiny Panel Work Programme 2023/24.

To note the dates of future meetings as follows:

Tuesday 27 February 2024

Tuesday 16 April 2024

All meetings will commence at 7:00pm and will be held in the Conference Room at the Civic Centre.

NOTED the dates of future meetings as follows:

·       Tuesday 27 February 2024.

·       Tuesday 16 April 2024

These meetings will commence at 7:00pm and will be held in the Conference Room at the Civic Centre.