Issue - meetings

To provide an overview to Members of the activities of the Gwynedd and Anglesey Community Safety Partnership (CSP) for the period of 2023/24.

1.    To accept the report and the supporting documents, noting the observations made during the meeting.

2.    To support the priorities and the future direction of the work.

The report was submitted by the Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Well-being, the Gwynedd and Anglesey Community Safety Partnership Senior Operational Officer and the Assistant Manager for Safeguarding, Quality Assurance, Mental Health and Community Safety. ⁠Attention was drawn briefly to the following main points:

Members were reminded of the need to scrutinise the work of the Partnership in its entirety rather than focusing on any specific body or organisation.

⁠It was explained that the partnership had been formed in line with the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 which placed a statutory duty on Local Authorities to work in partnership with the Police, Health Service, Probation Service and the Fire and Rescue Service to address the local community safety agenda. The main responsibilities of the partnership included: Crime and Disorder, Substance Misuse, Reducing Re-offending, reducing serious violence and establishing Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHR).

It was noted that the partnership did not have specific funding and relied on regional and national grants. It was explained that the only commissioning undertaken by the partnership was the Domestic Homicide Reviews. Unfortunately, it was explained that the partnership was working on 5 Domestic Homicide Reviews this year and it was noted that the work inevitably had significant and continuing implications on the partnership's resources.

It was recognised that the main challenge currently facing the partnership was the different types of crimes that occurred within our communities. It was detailed that technological developments had increased the opportunities where people could be exploited by Organised Crime Gangs. Furthermore, it was considered that the cost-of-living crisis contributed towards the figures of offences within the community safety field.

It was confirmed that the Partnership was operating in line with an annual plan, that was based on the priorities of the Safer North Wales Board Strategy. It was noted that the priorities for the 2023/24 annual plan were as follows:

·       Prevent Crime and Anti-social Behaviour

·       Tackle Violent Crime

·       Tackle Serious Organised Crime

·       Safeguard and build resilient communities and maintain public safety.

Reference was made to current crime figures noting that violence against the person offences had generally decreased in Gwynedd compared to the previous year. It was also noted that there had been an increase of 15.4% in 'Theft and handling' offences compared to last year, and it was considered that this was the result of more retail offences. It was explained that this followed the statistic that shoplifting had increased 43.2% this year in comparison to last year, with a general increase of 35% across the region. It was detailed that the cost-of-living crisis was being considered as one of the biggest driving forces behind this increase. It was recognised that retail offences were now a priority for the police and substantial work was underway to ensure that these figures improved. It was ensured that residents were informed of any support available, and local food banks where appropriate.

It was reported that several Gwynedd communities were under-reporting incidents within their communities. It was recognised that this was a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5