Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies of absence made.

None.

Councillor Mark Houlbrook declared an interest in agenda item 6 specifically relating to the Crime in Prisons element.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 13th February, 2019 were agreed as a correct record.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 22^nd October, 2020 were agreed with the inclusion reference that the report considered also covered the Section 19 report.

There were no public statements made.

The Committee received a presentation from the South Yorkshire Police, the Heads of Community Service and Public Health in relation to the following Stronger Doncaster Partnership (SSDP) priorities and performance overview, including the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic;

The following discussions took place under each priority heading;

Priority 1 - Reducing Crime and Reoffending

It was explained that during 2020, there had been a decrease in reported crime, which could possibly be linked to Covid-19 and the restrictions in place.  It was noted that with more people working from home or advised to stay at home, that burglaries and residential dwelling crime had decreased.

In respect of other crimes impacted by the pandemic, it was reported that there had been increases in incidents of domestic abuse, anti-social behaviour, online fraud (due to increased online work) and finally, crime towards the vulnerable (for example, by individuals masquerading as NHS workers).

It was clarified that incidents were reviewed on a daily basis and rag-rated with the appropriate response identified.  It was explained that the police was keen to maintain a core response with plans to scale up and scale down accordingly.  In terms of Covid-19, it was reported that the police had to adapt accordingly and that Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was now routine.

The Chair thanked South Yorkshire Police for the work undertaken on the frontline and recognised the contingencies that had been put in place

In reference to the increase in crime during September 2020, it was explained that this was a reaction to the enforced lockdown and that some small increases that had occurred.

In terms of Neighbourhood Policing, Members were informed that this would be delivered gradually and rolled out as part of the Chief and  forces plan from an uplift of officers through policing. It was explained that this was about building on those neighbourhood teams already in place with the aim to become fully staffed over a 12-18 month period.  It was clarified that there were a total of 3 Inspectors, 9 Sergeants and 52 Police Officers with a contingency of Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs).  It was added that South Yorkshire Police was presently in a dialogue with St Leger Housing Doncaster to utilise their housing stock to enable a greater police presence within communities that would also provide increased flexibility.

In terms what this new model would mean to existing PCSOs, it was explained that many PCSO’S were transferring over to the police and that others had wanted to remain within the neighbourhood police.  It was requested that clarification be provided on the number of PCSOs there were in Doncaster that were part of the Neighbourhood Policing teams.

Members welcomed the prospect of increased visibility in policing and hoped that it would help to reassure residents and deter crime.

Priority 2 - Reducing Anti-Social Behaviour 

Concerns were raised around negative perceptions/categorisation off-road bikes.  It was explained that the police was bound by the home office and nickel list although such issues raised were being  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

The Senior Governance Officer presented the Overview and Scrutiny Work Plan report for the 2020/2021 municipal year.

RESOLVED that:-

1.     The Overview and Scrutiny Work Plan for 2020/2021 be approved;  and

2.     The Council’s Forward Plan of Key Decisions, be noted.