Agenda item

Examination of crime statistics received from MOPAC to include:

(a)  Recorded Crime;

(b)  Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB);

(c)  Public Confidence & Victim Satisfaction;

(d)  Complaints against Borough Officers/Staff

(e)  Stop and Search

Acting CI Andy Port gave the following update:

·         Reduction in MOPAC 7 crimes had remained static for the past 2-3 months at between 15-17%.  This was below the 20% target.

·         In the last four years (11/12 to 15/16) Burglary had reduced by 21.6% and Theft From Motor Vehicle by 29.3%.

·         Violence with Injury remained a challenge.  However, it should be noted that the definition of this crime had changed a number of times and this would impact results.  Levels of Violence with Injury still compared favourably with other London boroughs.

·         Burglary remained a concern over the last 12 months; and this had especially been the case in the last month, as evenings had become darker. 

·         Theft of Motor Vehicle had decreased by 21.5% in the last 12 months, which was a positive result. 

·         Incidents of Criminal Damage had risen in the last 12 months.  This crime could be sporadic in nature and a number of factors could be involved.  Officers were currently being targeted to look at overlaps with this crime and other issues and repeat target venues.  Betting shops were particularly vulnerable to Criminal Damage and the Police were working with them on this as it was a licensing condition to help prevent ASB near their premises.

·         There had been an overall decrease of 5% in the last 12 months of MOPAC 7 crimes.

·         Stop and Search – figures for positive outcomes for Stop and Search were good and remained either near to or over the MOPAC target of 20%.

·         The Police were now working to increase the proportion of Stop and Search undertaken for weapons (as opposed to drugs). 

·         Stop and Search ethnicity data helped monitor the proportionality of searches undertaken.  At the moment there was a slight disparity between white and BME members of the community.  Complaints relating to Stop and Search were low.

·         There had been a significant reduction in ASB this year from last year. Much work had been done in order to achieve this.  A team of officers had been tasked to look at issues around ASB in order to help further reduction and work was ongoing to tackle particular peak periods (such as Fireworks Night and Halloween) for ASB.  

·         Confidence – Confidence levels in Enfield remained a challenge.  It was thought that Police visibility was a key factor in maintaining confidence; recent reduced visibility had therefore impacted on these results.  It was planned to roll out a corporately produced Metropolitan Police newsletter to the South Cluster to reassure residents.  Uncertainty over the future of PCSOs, who were often the most visible Police presence on the streets, had also affected confidence scores. 

Board Members commented that visibility was important but acknowledged that current demands on Police resources meant that they were less so.  The need to travel quickly across the Borough to attend to different matters also meant that officers most often travelled by car, rather than on foot, and this also potentially decreased visibility.

·         Satisfaction – This was improving and was just below the MPS average.  Improving access to the Police and keeping residents updated during investigations had helped achieve this.

·         Complaints – There were currently 33 complaints under investigation, which had been open for an average of 65 days.  This compared favourably to neighbouring boroughs.  A dedicated Sergeant dealt with Enfield complaints.  It should be noted that, of the complaints made, only a handful had been upheld.  A number (35) had been ‘subject to local resolution’ i.e. a full investigation had not been carried out, the complaint had been resolved by other means.

Operations

The following updates were NOTED:

Operation Autumn Nights – Tackling the anticipated increase in burglary, robbery and ASB during the autumn/winter. Shift times have been changed so there are more officers proactively policing the borough throughout the evenings.

Operation Omega - tackling the MOPAC 7 20% target. Utilising dedicated teams, working in areas with hot-spots targeting wanted offenders and named suspects. Operation Omega activity has contributed to Edmonton Green falling from the list of top Violence With Injury wards across the MPS.

Operation Teal – tackling gang crime with enhanced central resources such as the Territorial Support Group, Trident and Dog units working with Enfield Gangs Unit officers.

Operation Spyder- tackling motor vehicle crime and criminal damage through proactive patrols, targeting known offenders and target hardening with some investigative responsibilities.

Met Trace  (linked to Safe as Houses) - approximately 1,700 premises have been registered with Smart Water out of the target this year of 9,000.

The following questions and comments were taken:

Q:  Has the Stop and Search Community Monitoring Group yet started to meet?

A:  Yes.

Q:  Do we know the ethnic breakdown of known gangs in the Borough and does this impact on the approach taken with Stop and Search?

A:  There could perhaps be a more detailed breakdown of the ethnicity data presented in the Report.  We do look at the make-up of gangs.

Q:  The Board needs to be reassured that if particular gangs are known to be made up of members of a particular community; that Stop and Search is not carried out on members of another community unnecessarily in order to ensure ethnicity data is ‘equal’.

A:  There has been a lot of publicity around this issue.  The Metropolitan Police have moved a long way away from using Stop and Search ‘for the sake of it’ or to influence statistical data. This would be a disciplinary matter if it was found to be happening.  Police officers do not have individual targets either any more for Stop and Search and this has also reduced unnecessary Searches.

It was requested that in future Reports, a more detailed ethnicity breakdown be provided ACTION: CI Andy Port.

It was also requested that the Stop and Search Community Monitoring Group provide their nominated representative to the Board ACTION: CI Andy Port to take back.

Q:Referring to page 10 of the Agenda Pack (MOPAC Crime Statistics), Enfield seems to have the highest number of Officer/Staff (complaint) Allegations per 100 workforce.  Is this anything to do with our own particular cases?

A:We do seem to have the highest number, however, I am not able to give a definitive answer on this at present ACTION: CI Andy Port to follow up.

It was noted the LB Hackney had achieved a significant reduction in complaint levels and there may be best practice that could be taken from this.

Q:What were the issues and outcomes for the 6 complaints in Enfield that were upheld?

A:I do not have the specific outcomes to hand but I would assume that they can range between words of advice, verbal or written warnings and perhaps even dismissal.

Q:Has there been an increase in burglaries involving violence?

A:Not that we are aware of.  There has been no increase in that particular issue that has been detected by the Police.

Q:Is there anything that can be done to restrict the selling of fireworks from shops – some sellers are irresponsibly selling fireworks to groups of youths which may then be involved in incidents of ASB.

A:If a business operates within the law and its licensing conditions, then the Police cannot restrict or stop the selling of such fireworks.  The Police can, however, look at working with the local authority to raise awareness with such businesses on how to ensure responsible selling of fireworks.

Members of the Board commented that cancellation of the Town’s annual firework display may have contributed to the increased personal use (or misuse) of fireworks.

CI Andy Port responded that the decision to cancel the display had been taken by the SAG (Safety Advisory Group) which had had safety concerns that had not been satisfactorily addressed.  It was acknowledged that, for next year’s display, liaising far enough in advance with partners and with the organisers should prevent the need to do so again.