Agenda item

To receive a presentation from the Local Police Force regarding their work over the previous 12 months within the Borough.

The Committee considered a presentation from the Local Police Force, set out in agenda pages 13 to 16.

The presentation outlined the priorities for the Local Policing Area, including operations relating to sexual offenses, domestic abuse, knife crime, burglary, and keyless vehicle thefts. A number of partnership working examples were outlined, including a closure order on Ashridge Road, and ongoing facilitation of Wokingham Shop Watch.

The Committee were advised of the initial outcome of the Force Review, which proposed a 5-area command model which would place Wokingham with West Berkshire and Reading. It was unlikely that any changes would happen within Wokingham for at least a year, whilst the changes would feature a push towards neighbourhood policing, which was a crucial part of service delivery. A consultation was due to commence shortly, with a final decision due in July 2023.

Andy Cranidge (Area Commander – Bracknell and Wokingham), and Narinder Brar (Community Safety Manager) attended the meeting to answer Member queries.

During the ensuing discussion, Members raised the following points and queries:

·         The Committee expressed a desire to submit a response to the Force Review, and requested that an item return to the Committee in May 2023;

·         Were there opportunities for improvement with regards to communication from the police to residents, especially due to a spate of vehicle crimes in the Earley area? Police response – This spate of crimes was being carried out by organised criminals and gangs. Comments regarding communication issues would be taken on board. The best thing that individuals could do to protect themselves from keyless vehicle theft was to purchase and use a faraday box. The Force would make strides to ensure that more people were aware of outcomes to reports of crime;

·         It was noted that a more detailed breakdown of crimes carried out within the Borough could be circulated to the Committee;

·         It was noted that one crime could be recorded in more than one category;

·         Why had car manufacturers not provided solutions to keyless car thefts? Police response – Manufacturers do not want to supply faraday pouches as it gave the impression that the vehicle could be stolen easily. The Force was engaging with local dealerships on this matter;

·         Were the figures of domestic abuse victims likely to include individuals who had been abused on multiple occasions? Police and WBC Officer response – This figure included victims who had reported crimes multiple times. On average, a victim would report 35 instances of domestic abuse prior to making a 1^st report;

·         Was it possible to ‘reboot’ the Shop Watch in Woodley, could schools have a dedicated police liaison officer, and had neighbourhood policing been tried before? Police response – It was important to have good relationships with local schools, and this was being championed in the area. Neighbourhood policing had always operated locally, however recruitment of new officers often involved an element of protected learning which took them away from frontline duties which had to be covered by neighbourhood policing officers. Neighbourhood policing was a priority for the PCC and 80 new officers were being deployed to help drive neighbourhood policing;

·         It was noted that a neighbourhood police officer had attended the most recent Woodley Town Centre Management Initiative, and there had been quite a lively discussion regarding antisocial behaviour in the precinct;

·         Was there additional funding within the Community Safety partnership for the Shop Watch Woodley scheme? WBC officer response – The Wokingham Town scheme was funded for 2 years, and additional costings would be required to expand this to Woodley. Officers were aware that the Woodley precinct was currently an antisocial behaviour hotspot. A visual and CCTV audit of the precinct had been undertaken, and the CSP was looking to match funding received from the 'proceeds of crime fund’;

·         It was noted that national antisocial behaviour week was scheduled for the week commencing 10 July 2023;

·         It was noted that as retailers were now, in general, employing less staff this left the remaining staff more vulnerable to shoplifting with less time to report such instances. Retailers should look to take additional responsibility for staffing and security of their premises;

·         It was requested that a spokesperson for the Community Safety Partnership attend a meeting of the Woodley Town Centre Management Initiative, in part to discuss issues relating to antisocial behaviour;

·         It was noted that an alert had gone out via ‘Thames Valley Alert’ regarding how people could take precautions against keyless car thefts;

·         It was noted that there was a desire to have a closer working relationship with the Council’s antisocial behaviour team. If the police could engage with antisocial behaviour offenders from an early stage, then this could have a positive impact on future knife crime numbers, as perpetrators of knife crime frequently had a history of antisocial behaviours;

·         Was it usual for only twenty percent of reported crimes to have any form of action taken? Police response – This figure was around the national average of twenty one percent, however there was a focus to improve on these figures’ year-on-year;

·         What additional steps could Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) take to assist the police force? Police response – Additional liaison between the police and the WBC antisocial behaviour team would be beneficial, and it was likely that the antisocial behaviour team was not supported by the police as much as it could be. Informal conversations between local Ward Members and neighbourhood police officers were key, and direct contact information could be shared to help facilitate this.

RESOLVED That:

1)      Andy Cranidge and Narinder Brar be thanked for attending the meeting;

2)      The Committee formulate a response to the Force Review consultation, with an item scheduled for May 2023 to help facilitate this;

3)      A spokesperson for the Community Safety Partnership be requested to attend a meeting of the Woodley Town Centre Management Initiative;

4)      A more detailed breakdown of crimes carried out within the Borough be circulated to the Committee;

5)      Additional liaison between the police and the WBC antisocial behaviour team be investigated;

6)      Options be explored to facilitate more informal conversations and relationships between neighbourhood police officers and local Ward Members;

7)      An annual update be considered by the Committee in March 2024.