Agenda item

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Inspector Jarvis welcomed the Committee and gave a presentation to the Committee on Policing in King’s Lynn.

Inspector Jarvis provided an overview of the figures in the King’s Lynn town area for neighbourhood crime, domestic abuse and serious violence and knife crime and serious sexual offences. He highlighted there had been increases and decreases in these areas and he confirmed the overall crime rate was low in King’s Lynn.

He brought to the Committee’s attention the crime recording standard and charging standards were different and crime should be recorded at the earliest opportunity. He provided further explanations and context to the definitions.

Inspector Jarvis highlighted the improvement in the figures provided in the presentation could be down to introduction of the new reporting system as it was easier to report crimes to the police in an easier format. He reflected further by advising of the delays in reporting along with supporting evidence, forensic, CCTV and witnesses.

He outlined that opportunities needed to be considered on how the Police were diverting offences rather than dealing with them by an arrest. He commented other ways needed to be considered on how offending was managed and stressed the importance of early intervention.

Inspector Jarvis highlighted the improvement at the Bus Station with the extra patrols which had been put in place and work would continue as the operational partnership team had considered other options such as civil orders and injunctions.

He referred to projects in King’s Lynn such as the clear, hold, build and events held to provide information to stakeholders on this project. Additionally, Inspector Jarvis referred to the Beacon in King’s Lynn and the London 2 Lynn walk which started to the Rise North Lynn project.

Councillor Jones referred to the purple flag award which was awarded in Cambridge for managing evening and nighttime economy and asked if this was being worked towards in King’s Lynn.

Inspector Jarvis confirmed the purple flag award was being worked towards in King’s Lynn and was in conversations with BID on ways for this to be achieved.

Councillor Heneghan asked for further details on serious sexual offences which had occurred and questioned what else could be done to prevent these crimes from happening. She referred to Ask for Angela, a safe haven for women and better lighting in the town.

Inspector Jarvis advised the where and when were variable and stranger violence and nighttime economy crimes were low. He added venues were being contacted to be made aware of the resources available. He referred to the SOS van in King’s Lynn and outlined what they had done to provide support. He added further the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk and the Police needed to continue to work together in different aspects to provide a safer area.

Councillor Heneghan sought clarification on actions being taken to improve street drinking.

Inspector Jarvis acknowledged street drinking was still an issue and encouraged this to be reported. He advised additional officers were in the areas where this was occurring.

Councillor Heneghan commented Youth Hub’s had begun to be set up around the country and commended the work around the Beacon and the pizza project.

Inspector Jarvis agreed the Beacon was a fantastic blueprint and encouraged this to be replicated in other wards.

Councillor Sayers sought clarification on the White Ribbon Campaign being supported again this year and if CCTV was helping with prosecution and how the Borough Council could do more to support the Police. Councillor Sayers asked a further question regarding the Anti-Social Behaviour figures, and if any had got to the community stop or case review stage.

Inspector Jarvis responded to Councillor Sayers and confirmed the White Ribbon Campaign would be supported this year. He added further the relationship with CCTV at the Borough Council and the Police work proactively and identify crimes together and encouraged this work to continue. He advised of the success the operational partnership team have had with early intervention and this was key to having a low number of community stops and case review.

Councillor Colwell commented it was encouraging the figures had decreased and asked in comparison how King’s Lynn was doing to Norfolk and the rest of the country.

Inspector Jarvis reiterated crime was low in King’s Lynn and the figures were positive. He referred to how the constabulary had gone beyond with the work to prevent shop lifting compared to what had been done nationally.

Councillor Colwell referred to the presentation and the serious violence and knife crime figures and specifically the solved crime rates and questioned what was preventing improvement of these figures.

Inspector Jarvis commented proving a robbery was problematic and evidence was required. He added solvability assessments were considered when investigating a robbery. He provided assurance that 15% was a positive figure.

Councillor Ware thank Inspector Jarvis for the presentation and asked if the reduction in domestic burglary was down to people’s own preventions such as ring doorbells. Additionally, Councillor Ware referred to the clear, hold, build event which was taken and asked for clarification when events like this take place that a place needed to be booked for Councillors.

Inspector Jarvis commented preventions taken by people were effective such as ring doorbells and battery CCTV Cameras. He added this provided reassurance to people. He responded to Councillor Ware and encouraged Councillors input surrounding these events and provided clarification.

Councillor Everett brought to the Committee’s attention the projects which were taking place in Fairstead and sought clarification these figures had reflected these projects.

Inspector Jarvis advised the figures did not reflect the effectiveness of the projects in Fairstead due to the short amount of time they had been in place. However, he provided assurance there was scope to reproduce the success of North Lynn in Fairstead.

Councillor Everett asked how the relationship between the Police and Social Housing Associations and other organisations was.

Inspector Jarvis confirmed this was the role of the operational partnership team and this team had won an exceptional policing award. He confirmed the relationship between the police and Social Housing Associations was good.

Councillor Rust thanked Inspector Jarvis for the presentation and advised she had attended a clear, hold, build event, and stated it was excellent. She also commented the policing for pride and impact it had for making people feel safe and protected during a vulnerable event. Councillor Rust referred to training she has had on child exploitation and asked if there was any investigation on anti-social behaviour being caused by child exploitation.

Inspector Jarvis referred to Norfolk County lines team would have had similar training on child exploitation and added recognising the circumstances surrounding anti-social behaviour was key and that early intervention was the education to officers.