All Councillors have been invited to attend the meeting for this item of business.
Police and Crime Commissioner Lorne Greene will talk through the role of the Police and Crime Commissioner and the work the office undertakes on his behalf around the Police and Crime Plan.
The Local Commander for King’s Lynn and district will also be in attendance.
Minutes:
The Police and Crime Commissioner Lorne Greene and Superintendent Dave Buckley were present at the meeting. Lorne Greene explained that this was an opportunity for Councillors to express their views and ask questions.
Lorne Greene provided the Panel with an overview of the Police and Crime Commissioner role and the priorities that had been set within the Police and Crime Plan.
Superintendent Dave Buckley informed the Panel that he was responsible for local policing. He provided an overview of recent activity within the force, including increasing the amount of police officers, creation of a proactive drug squad, increasing response strength and County Lines.
He explained that crime was reducing in most areas, but there was a rise in domestic violence and sexual offences. Antisocial behaviour was being managed, but it was recognised that there was still some significant issues.
The Chair thanked Lorne Greene and Superintendent Dave Buckley for the information and invited questions and comments from the Members present, as summarised below.
Councillor Bambridge asked if statistics were kept on the cost of the night time economy in King’s Lynn. Superintendent Dave Buckley explained that indicative costs were available and most of the resource focussed on Friday and Saturday nights, between 10pm and 5am, in the Norfolk Street area of King’s Lynn and Downham Market.
Superintendent Dave Buckley explained that usually on a Saturday night in King’s Lynn there would be a Sergeant and ten officers available to cover the town centre. He explained that having a presence in King’s Lynn town centre, rather than just being responsive had helped reduce the amount of incidents and was a preventative measure.
Councillor Wilkinson commented that after the loss of PCSO’s she did not feel that there was much of a Police presence on the Estates in King’s Lynn. She explained that there was often groups of young people who were dangerous on bikes and could be intimidating. Superintendent Dave Buckley explained that there was dedicated Safer Neighbourhood Teams in King’s Lynn and they covered the Estates on foot and by bicycle. He explained that over Christmas more resources had been diverted to the town centre, so there may have been a decreased presence, but they should now be getting back out into the community.
Lorne Greene made reference to the importance of a visible police presence, but asked Members to be mindful of the important issues which needed dealing with and were desk based, such as online fraud and child exploitation investigations.
Lorne Greene explained that antisocial behaviour and substance abuse was a concern within a lot of communities. Therefore he had undertaken to convene round table discussions, which would include representatives from the Borough Council, County Council, Child Services and the Police to look at the situations which got young people engaged in antisocial behaviour.
Superintendent Dave Buckley also encouraged Councillors to get in touch with him or their Local Beat Manager if they had any queries.
Councillor Kemp commented that local consultation was important and asked if the Safer Neighbourhood Action Panel meetings would be reinstated. She also referred to county lines, domestic violence and the need for another domestic violence refuge. Lorne Greene explained that Safer Neighbourhood Action Panel meetings had been effective in the past, but attendance had been dwindling and alternative ways to make use of officer time whilst engaging with the public had been explored. Superintendent Dave Buckley explained that Police Officers were now available to engage with the public in various ways such as a presence in public places such as supermarkets and suggestions on other ways to engage were welcomed.
Lorne Greene made reference to domestic violence and the white ribbon campaign. He explained how he planned to raise awareness and encourage organisations to work together to tackle this issue.
Superintendent Dave Buckley referred to county lines and explained that these did operate in King’s Lynn. There was a team available to work on intelligence received and take action on those who tried to establish themselves in the area. He referred to stop and search powers which were being used and had resulted in more arrests. He also made reference to ANPR cameras which were useful in showing movement in and out of the County and enabled the police to track down offenders and take action.
Councillor Bullen asked about the links between drug use and crime. Superintendent Dave Buckley explained that drug and alcohol abuse was a big factor in violence and antisocial behaviour and there had been an increase in incidents involving young people. He made reference to the bus station in King’s Lynn which had been a focus of the Police recently with over 500 interventions in the area.
Councillor Collop referred to Beat Managers newsletters and stated that one of the contact details in a recent newsletter was incorrect. Superintendent Dave Buckley explained that there was lots of different ways to contact the police including via email, mobile or by visiting the police station and he would check the contact details in the newsletter.
Councillor Squire commended her local Beat Manager and explained that she had worked with him on issues relating to antisocial behaviour and parking outside the local school. She also referred to county lines and that a large level of young people with social issues and Autism were being targeted. She hoped that local and national organisations were being engaged and educated on this issue.
Councillor Squire also referred to a knife crime video which had been made available to schools, but she was aware that it had not been shown to all students as it was considered to be too violent. She explained that she had seen the video and felt it was important that it was made available to all, to which Lorne Green agreed, but stated that it would be up to schools on what they showed to their students.
She also stated that she did not feel that Norfolk Police took all harassment cases seriously and this needed improvement. Lorne Greene explained that new powers to address this had now come into force.
Reference was also made to the plans for the Police and Crime Commissioner to take over operation of the Fire Service. Lorne Greene explained that he had explored if it would be worthwhile for the Police and Fire Service to merge. He felt that it would result in efficiency savings and the report prepared as a result of the investigation had also concluded this, however Norfolk County Council did not find merit in the report. Lorne Greene was pleased to announce that there was now enhanced collaboration between the organisation and facilities were being shared, but he still felt that more benefits would be brought forward should there be shared responsibility.
Councillor Ryves addressed the Panel under Standing Order 34. He referred to ANPR in rural areas and how it could help elderly people feel more secure in rural areas. Superintendent Dave Buckley explained that ANPR was a great benefit and was available in most police vehicles as well as static cameras and provided a great deal of intelligence.
Lorne Greene and Superintendent Buckley thanked the Panel for giving them the opportunity to attend the meeting and encouraged Members to contact them if they had any concerns.