Agenda item

Richard Webb, Director of Community Safety & Enforcement, was in attendance to answer Members’ questions regarding the Safer Hillingdon Partnership Performance Update report.

Members commented that much of the data provided in the report was a little unclear and out-of-date. It was confirmed that older data had been provided as it related to the end of the strategy period. It was acknowledged that a new dashboard would be required in the future to provide further detail and a level of insight previously not available. More work was needed in the serious violence strategy to engage communities and make a difference in terms of serious violence in the Borough.

With regard to the information set out on page 9 of the report regarding IRIS, Members noted that there was no mention of domestic abuse relating to men, the elderly and LGBTQ+ groups. It was important to ensure that GPs were fully trained to meet the needs of all.

In respect of the utilisation of resources as mentioned in the report on page 9, point 4, Members heard that a new joint process between the local authority and the Police was in place. Each month a review was conducted to ensure Police / Council alignment on matters which would make the biggest difference across the Borough. It was noted that the Council had a Safer Communities Team; however, the Council’s response to crime and disorder concerns covered several teams – it was important to pull together to address the problems most effectively. 

Members were informed that the IRIS project would provide training in GP surgeries noting that GP referrals into domestic abuse support services were currently very low. The aim was to ensure that all GPs were responding to the signs.

With regard to knife crime, it was recognised that this was a broad term – a further breakdown of the different types of knife crime could be requested. It was confirmed that the main issue related to young people carrying knives in the vicinity of schools rather than inside the schools themselves.

Members enquired how often the SHP priorities were reviewed noting the proliferation of burglaries in the Borough. The Committee was informed that the SHP reviewed its priorities annually – it was important to consider the impact of crime in addition to volume. The SHP was exploring better ways of factoring in all these elements.

The Committee emphasised the importance of community engagement given the diverse communities across the Borough. The Director of Community Safety & Enforcement concurred with this and recognised the importance of involving local communities in helping to form the Strategy and determine priorities; this was not embedded in processes at present. Members were informed that the SHP would be meeting the following week and a Community Engagement event was one item for discussion.

Councillors enquired whether members of the Safer Neighbourhood Board (SNB) could be more involved with the work of the Safer Hillingdon Partnership (SHP). The Director of Community Safety & Enforcement explained that the Chair of the SNB was a member of the SHP but agreed to consider additional ways in which other members could be involved.

It was noted that the Strategy document provided was the starting point only which created the framework – it had been important to meet the 31 January 2024 deadline. The Strategy would be refreshed later in the year and would be supported by a more detailed plan. It was confirmed that the Theory of Change model was a relatively new concept hence the use of experienced trainers was recommended.

Members thanked the Director of Community Safety & Enforcement for his input but felt it was imperative that a representative of the Metropolitan Police attend future meetings to provide a fuller update in relation to Crime and Disorder in the Borough.

RESOLVED: That the Residents’ Services Select Committee noted the contents of the reports and asked questions in order to clarify matters of concern or interest in the Borough.