Agenda and draft minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no public statements.

The Committee received a presentation and considered a report providing an update on priorities and the level of crime and anti-social behaviour in Doncaster with figures based upon the previous 12 month period. 

Members noted that the overall level of crime in Doncaster was 15% higher than last year but that it was a similar position across South Yorkshire.  Specific figures were highlighted with regard to anti-social behaviour, hate crime sexual abuse, domestic abuse and serious acquisitive crime.  It was explained that a performance group meets bi-monthly to address the latest crime trends and issues arising from the data.  Actions plans were then developed and delivered to ensure accountability and progress.

The presentation covered the following areas:

South Yorkshire Police

• Doncaster’s Local Policing Structure – it had been recognised that some areas required local policing teams and would be reintroduced
• Potential changes
• 101 non emergency number – lengthy waiting times had been addressed
• Hate crime trends – Members were of the opinion that this crime could be under-reported but noted that sometimes it could be reported as something else but was actually categorised as hate crime once further investigation had been undertaken

Safer Stronger Doncaster Partnership

• Agreed priorities for 2014 – 2017 – to be revisited as part of the 2017 review.
• Review of the Community Safety Strategy – priorities likely to cover the same areas but amended to reflect new trends/challenges.
• Structure of the Team Doncaster Strategic Partnership
• CCTV new installation - including the use of tannoy systems with pre-recorded messages in targeted areas.  The cameras came at a high cost therefore investigation was being undertaken to identify whether such systems could be incorporated into existing lamp columns as costs would reduce significantly.
• Off road motor cycles – the Police centralised team have 4 off-road motorcycles for use in hotspot areas.  Access to the bikes enabled the Police to undertake operations more easily and stop offending vehicles safely.  It was noted that some people see off road motorcycling as a sport and pastime however without appropriate permissions, it is illegal.  Reacting to illegal motorcycling requires intelligence, therefore communities need to feed any events to the police or local councillors.  It was noted that illegal motorcyclists were most vulnerable when they were cleaning their bikes or refuelling, so information on where this takes place was invaluable.  When motorcyclists were caught their equipment was ceased.
• Operation Duxford – is a Police and Partnership 3 monthly operation addressing crime generally including antisocial behaviour, vulnerability and reassurance, which on the last occasion lead to 29 arrests, 5 report on summons, 12 cars seized, 19 other traffic offence, 17 taxi licensing offences and a kilo of cocaine recovered.
• Future planned activity

The Committee thanked South Yorkshire Police and officers for the information provided in the presentation and further addressed the following areas:

General increase in crime – it was stressed that anti-social behaviour was an issue that affected peoples day to day lives and the increase was worrying.  It was noted that the crime  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.