Agenda item

To receive a report from Andrea Clemons, Head of Community Safety.

RECEIVED an update from Andrea Clemons, Head of Community Safety.

NOTED:

(i)            The report was split into five sections; Identification, Prevention, Intervention, Enforcement and Conclusion;

(ii)          Andrea went through the report, providing detailed information on each area;

(iii)         The Gangs Partnership Group (GPG) had now evolved into a fortnightly meeting with many partners and agencies attending;

(iv)         The two agencies that we would like to improve links with are housing and mental health. Mental health is the more important of the two and work is ongoing to try and achieve representation for the future;

(v)          There is a concern that the average age of young people coming to notice for gang related offending or involvement is decreasing. Work is ongoing to try and find out whether this is short term or a longer term issue, and this needs to be understood and tackled

(vi)         Work was taking place with the Mayors’ office around gangs. Certain young people and adults will move from Enfield (and other areas) and set up a criminal franchise of sorts outside of London, predominately to set up sales of illegal drugs;

(vii)        The North Middlesex Hospital (NMH) A&E project, provided by Oasis, was officially launched in November 2015 and continues to grow. Over the last 12 months there have been 224 referrals of which 168 were Enfield residents, 93 young people were able to be contacted an offered support;

(viii)      The A&E project links in with the St Giles Trust who provide a similar service at the Royal London Hospital which is commissioned by MOPAC and information is shared between teams;

(ix)         Domestic violence and abuse are areas that need to be better understood as there appears to be an increase in sexual violence that is gang related;

(x)          The GPG coordinates action plans that support and divert young people from joining gangs. Enfield commissions, using MOPAC funding, St Giles Trust to provide a gang exit strategy worker who works with young people and their families to support them leaving the gang lifestyle or prevent them from joining gangs;

(xi)         The current St Giles worker has worked or is working with 24 young people since taking up the post;

(xii)        The Gang Call in continues and 10 have now been delivered. The police gangs coordinator post is currently vacant and this has prevented any further dates being agreed. This post is currently being recruited to;

(xiii)      The police have delivered Crest to some secondary schools within the borough. This is a version of the Call In and targets whole year groups to inform them of the risks and consequences of joining gangs;

(xiv)      A family approach is taken to intervention work and every effort is made to engage with  the family and particularly parents in order to support them in diverting their children away from gangs;

(xv)        Since the strategy was agreed there has been an overall increase in serious youth violence in both Enfield and the Metropolitan Police area of 5.7% for Enfield and 6.1% increase for London;

(xvi)      There has also been a change in Anti-Social Behaviour legislation. In addition, since October 2015, the Community Safety Unit ASB team has taken on responsibility for  managing the highest priority (Priority 1) cases for council housing;

(xvii)     The MPS has recently held a firearm amnesty called Operation Magpie that was held between 23/11/15 and 6/12/15. This was specifically targeting firearms that are available or held by gang members;

(xviii)    The relationship between various gangs continues to change due to various factors and there is a constant challenge to understand this and the risks that are produced as a result;

The following questions were raised:

Q:  What work is being done to discourage young people from joining gangs?

A:  The attraction of gangs is often criminally earned funds. A lot of work is being done to engage with young people and show them better, legitimate opportunities. More work needs to take place around enforcement.

Q:  What work do we do with other boroughs when they place their looked after children in Enfield?

A:  Other boroughs transferring any ‘duty of care’ should be liaising closely with us so we know exactly who is being placed and any related issues. Unfortunately however there are many cases where this is not happening, and we are not receiving the relevant information.

Q:  How successful was the Firearms Amnesty?

A:  I do not know the results off the top of my head but I can find out and circulate to Members. Action: Andrea Clemons

      Post meeting note: Under the Amnesty, Enfield recovered 1 non firing imitation revolver, 8 blank firing pistols and 4 AMNO

Q:  How does the 24 young people that the St Giles Worker is dealing with compare to other boroughs?

A: I do not know how this number compares, however I can find out and advise accordingly. Action: Andrea Clemons

      Post meeting note: This is a high caseload compared to other boroughs          

Q: Will Crest be delivered to all secondary schools?

A: Yes, the police are gradually working their way through all secondary schools