Agenda item

Purpose: Meeting in its capacity as West Berkshire Council’s Crime and Disorder Committee, to receive a presentation from the Building Communities Together Partnership.

Nigel Lynn (WBC Chief Executive) and Superintendent Andy Penrith (Thames Valley Police) presented the Community Safety Update (Agenda Item 6).

The following points were raised in the debate:

·       Members congratulated the Building Communities Together Partnership (BCTP) on achieving a reduction in domestic abuse crimes.

·       The current approach to tackling domestic abuse had been in place for between 3-6 months, and it was thought that a decrease in the number of children reported as being affected by domestic abuse may lag behind the decrease in reported crimes. Also, new obligations to capture the voice of the child, may lead to an increase in referrals to children’s social care. Conversations had taken place with the Executive Director – Children’s Services about how to resource this and use the data to protect vulnerable children.

·       The Police were commended for their increased applications for protective orders in West Berkshire.

·       It was highlighted that Operation Sceptre would be repeated later this year. Separately, it was reported that the recent amnesty for ‘zombie knives’ had been successful across the Force.

Action: Thames Valley Police to provide statistics for the recent ‘zombie knives’ amnesty.

·       It was confirmed that there had been no recent stabbing incidents in The Nightingales estates. Although local Ward Members had not received complaints about violent crime in the area, Police intelligence had highlighted some issues, which had informed their approach and a funding bid to the Home Office.

·       It was acknowledged that Black, Asian and Mixed Race individuals were more likely to be the subject of ‘stop and search’ than other ethnic groups, but West Berkshire had the lowest levels of disproportionality in the Force’s area. Stop and search was recognised as being a key determinant of community trust, and the statistics were regularly reviewed by an independent advisory group.

·       Tackling rural crime was confirmed as a priority for the Police, and a Rural Crime Task Force had been set up. Residents were encouraged to report suspicious activity.

·       It was confirmed that burglaries were not included within anti-social behaviour (ASB) crime statistics. While there had been a slight increase in burglaries, there were no significant trends and rates remained low. A change of approach meant that the Police would now attend all domestic burglaries, and incidents were being considered at weekly crime meetings to generate intelligence. It was noted that recidivist thieves were operating in the area.

·       Members highlighted ongoing ASB incidents in Aldermaston Ward.

Action: Superintendent Andy Penrith to liaise with Councillor Dominic Boeck.

·       An issue was highlighted in relation to a negative experience that a local resident had had with a police officer from Bracknell and Wokingham.

Action: Superintendent Andy Penrith to liaise with Councillor Howard Woollaston.

·       It was highlighted that the fear of crime was a real issue. The Police were reviewing how they communicated with local communities, and they were looking at using a variety of different channels. This was picked up in Neighbourhood Policing Performance meetings.

·       The previous lack of response to shoplifting and retail crime was recognised as an ‘own goal’ for the Police and had damaged community confidence, but Operation Purchase had been set up to address this. Now, reported crimes went through a triage process before being passed to a local team. The charge rate had improved and there were more officers on patrol.

·       It was confirmed that nine mobile CCTV cameras were being installed around the Nightingales, funded by Safer Streets Grant.

Action: Alex O’ Connor to liaise with Councillor Billy Drummond regarding the installation of the CCTV cameras.

·       Members welcomed the Police response to issues along the A4 in Thatcham.

·       It was suggested that the success of the BCTP was down to the strength of the relationships between the partners. Council officers were in regular contact with colleagues in the Police.

·       It was confirmed that the Police restructure would take effect in May 2025.

Action: Superintendent Andy Penrith to provide updated contact details in due course.

RESOLVED to note the report.