Minutes:
Representatives from Norfolk Constabulary and John Greenhalgh, Environmental Health Manager (Community Safety) were present at the meeting to answer questions from the Panel on joint working between the Council and the Police.
The Chairman invited questions and comments from the Panel and responses and comments were provided as summarised below.
With regard to dog fouling, the Borough Council had taken on this area of work. If an incident was witnessed, it could be reported to the Council and a witness statement could be taken. Warning notices could be issued, or the individual could be prosecuted. Incidents could also be reported to the Police, who would pass the information on to the Council. The Panel was informed that work was carried out in the community and in schools to try and encourage people to clean up after their dogs. Walkabouts in high problem areas could be arranged.
Reference was made to street bail and it was explained by the Police that this was where the individual was not arrested immediately, instead would be instructed to report to the Station at a particular time. This was used if there were serious issues apparent such as mental health issues or injuries. It also depended on the nature of the incident and would not be considered if there was a risk of danger to the public.
The representatives from the Police outlined the new arrangements for the Safer Neighbourhood Action Panel Meetings. A review had been conducted and the Meetings were now being trial run as surgeries, held during the day. It was hoped that the new arrangements would enable more frequent sessions to be run and access to the sessions would be easier. It was explained that Police Connect was being rebranded and work on improving the service would be carried out by the Community Engagement Officer. Work was also ongoing to rebrand the website, making it easier to report incidents, and improve the flow of information available via social media.
Members of the Panel asked if the Police were able to attend Parish Council Meetings. It was explained that it would be difficult for the Police to attend all meetings, but if there was a specific issue to be discussed they possibly could attend on an infrequent basis. Representatives from the Police encouraged Parish Councils to report any issues or incidents to them straight away, rather than waiting for the next scheduled Parish Council meeting as they would be able to investigate them in real time.
The Panel was informed that the Borough was a relatively low crime area, although there had been an increase nationally in hidden harm crimes, which included child exploitation and domestic violence. The Panel was informed that hidden harm crimes were the Polices main focus at present.
The Police also undertook Offender Management, working with repeat offenders and trying to ascertain why they kept offending and work to change their patterns.
The Panel was informed that the amount of reported incidents of anti-social behaviour had reduced, however it could be as more anti-social behaviour was happening online.
Issues regarding vehicles parking on pavements and blocking access to wheelchair users or people with push chairs were raised. The Panel was informed that this was a difficult issue to control and the Police could not take any action unless it was considered to be dangerous. The Panel agreed that Parking Arrangements be added to the Work Programme and the Business Manager from the Borough Council be invited to a future meeting of the Panel for a Question and Answer Session.
In response to a question as to whether the closure of the Discovery Centre had made a difference to the amount of anti-social behaviour, it was confirmed that there had been a marginal increase, but the real test would be during the summer.
RESOLVED: (i) Parking Question and Answer Session be added to the Work Programme.
(ii) Representatives from the Police be invited back to the Environment and Community Panel in a years’ time.