Agenda item

To consider an update on policing in the Borough following submissions to Council in September 2017 by the Chief Constable and the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley.

Superintendent Shaun Virtue, Local Area Police Commander, delivered an update on local area policing and the joint Bracknell and Wokingham Police Area.  The presentation highlighted the issues that were facing the force in terms of new and emerging crimes and the areas where there had been success, such as the work targeting drug dealing in Norreys Estate.  Overall, Wokingham was one of the safest boroughs in England and Wales.

In response to a Member question regarding drug use in schools, Superintendent Virtue stated that that it was an ongoing concern, especially amongst Looked After Children who were often more vulnerable.   Schools usually called the police in when incidents occurred. There were a range of options available for addressing this including education.  He went on to state that he would feed concerns about drug selling in Maiden Place into the team.  In relation to Anti-Social Behaviour, he indicated that information supplied could be subjective but, when unpicked, informed priorities.

In response to questions regarding cyclists using lights, Superintendent Virtue indicated that there was a joint responsibility regarding bikes and education was part of this.  Enforcement was not an answer.  Cycle deaths were increasing.   Various methods could be used, such as employers enforcing the use of lights as part of bike schemes.  Regarding thefts of Asian gold, the figures were fairly low as the change in rules around accountability for cash generating companies had impacted it positively.  Regarding Domestic Violence, the figures showed an overall reduction but that the percentage of repeat offenders was still high. The force worked closely with a number of outside agencies, such as Berkshire Womens Aid, to improve the situation.  Overall, one of the key drivers of crime was drugs.  There was a need for increased community intelligence and this would be aided if the police were more effective in feeding back the results of intelligence to the public.

In response to Member questions regarding staffing, recruitment and retention, Superintendent Virtue stated that the force had 250 police and PCSOs.  The increase in firearms teams meant that a team could attend an incident in less than 9 minutes.  Across Thames Valley as a whole, there had been a cut of 400 posts since 2010.  The backroom functions had been pared back and the service was stretched.  The increase in local population would lead to higher demand.  Thames Valley was one of the least well-funded in the country. Approximately 70% of funding came from the Government so the increase in local population would only have a slight impact on the precept that provided the remainder. Recruitment was a particular problem currently.  The nature of policing as a career appeared to have changed with people seeing it as a short-term career.  Although loss of experienced staff to the Metropolitan Police had reduced, many forces were recruiting actively and some, such as Surrey, offered better packages.  The cost of accommodation locally was significant, with some police officers having to take second jobs or claim benefits.  A lot of legwork was actually carried out by volunteers.

RESOLVED That:

1)    Superintendent Shaun Virtue be thanked for his update;

2)    a further report be presented to the Committee in 2018 to update Members on crime statistics and the impact of changes in policing/emergency services, and

3)    Members be asked to submit questions to Democratic Services to be sent to Superintendent Virtue prior to this.