Agenda item

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 challenge for the partnership in many fields such as domestic violence, where several incidents occurred before victims sought support. It was emphasised that it was key that people reported incidents to the policy by dialling 101 or completing an electronic form.

 

It was noted that anti-social behaviour had decreased by 12.6% this year but it was emphasised that this figure was measured on a regular basis as it was based on the

number of calls that were being made to the police.

 

It was confirmed that focus had been placed this year on the Serious Violence Duty which had come into force in January 2023. It was explained that a regional approach had been adopted to address the expectations of understanding the local picture of serious violence in the form of a needs assessment and preparing a strategy in response. It was emphasised that these had been developed by the end of January 2023 and they were now in the hands of the Home Office. It was noted that there was a need to coordinate the operation of the strategy locally with partners. Reference was also made to the fact that the Partnership wished to use these duties to reintroduce educational programmes in schools.

 

Pride was expressed that the partnership had been successful in receiving funding from the Shared Prosperity Fund for the purpose of extending the CCTV system. It was explained that this coincided with one of the United Kingdom's Levelling Up Mission aims, namely that homicides, serious violence and neighbourhood crime would reduce by 2030.  It was emphasised that locations had been identified where offences took place or where people did not feel safe, where additional CCTV could be introduced.

 

A member referred to the acquisitive crime data drawing attention to the fact that there was an increase in cases in Gwynedd, especially in the data of thefts with an increase of 60%. He highlighted that a reduction could be seen across North Wales under several headings. He suggested that the situation should be monitored with historical data in case a trend was developing. In doing so, they could examine the reasons for the increase  and what could be done to prevent it from increasing further.

 

Concern was expressed on behalf of the partnership that domestic violence numbers were increasing and that frustrations arose when attempting to provide necessary support. ⁠It was explained that such support was funded under the mobile support work stream of the Housing Support Grant but its rates had not been amended to reflect inflation. It was confirmed that this matter was being prioritised by partnership boards and that regional and national discussions were being held about the matter.

 

It was explained that the Trading Standards service collaborated with North Wales Police on a project to prevent cold-callers for individuals who had been identified as potential targets or victims of cold-calling by leasing call blockers. It was recognised that approximately 10 victims had currently received call blockers but it was hoped that this support would increase in future.

 

In response to an enquiry, reference was made to a Private Leasing Scheme that was being developed by the Homelessness Team in the Housing and Property Department. It was detailed that the aim of the scheme was to bring in more private landlords to let their houses as an option to re-house those who were homeless and to reduce the use of Bed & Breakfast accommodation and the associated costs.

 

In response to an enquiry about the use of data gathered by rural insurance organisations, it was confirmed that the partnership did not receive this information. It was recognised that theft and rural matters were a priority for the partnership. It was agreed to provide the contacts of the Police's Rural Crime Team to members.

 

A member highlighted the need to differentiate between recent and historical sexual violence data in the report.

 

It was ensured that officers would contact the police to obtain more information about the following before reporting back to Members, after making enquiries:

·       Whether the police compared the data of the number of anti-social offences with incidents under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

·       Provide detailed figures for different areas in Gwynedd, if they were available.

·       Receive information about the cross-section of offenders’ ages in Gwynedd.

 

It was confirmed that this information would be included in next year's report.

 

RESOLVED:

 

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.