Agenda item

The Panel gave consideration to a report and presentation that provided the priorities and performance updates in respect of the Safer Stronger Doncaster Partnership and the current position in respect of the Domestic Abuse and Violence Against Women and Girls agendas.

It was noted that the Community Safety Strategy priorities were as set out below with detailed information being provided on each area by Superintendent Ian Profitt, South Yorkshire Police, Bill Hotchkiss, Head of Service Communities Safer Stronger and Karen Shooter, Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategic Lead:

·             Priority 1 - Tackling domestic and sexual abuse;

·             Priority 2 - Reducing anti-social behaviour;

·             Priority 3 - Reducing crime and re-offending;

·             Priority 4 - Tackling serious and organised crime;

·             Priority 5 - Reducing substance and alcohol misuse;  and

·             Priority 6 - Reducing violence and violent crime.

Members sought clarification on the following issues:

Domestic and sexual abuse Gypsy and Traveller representatives – it was explained that active recruitment was currently being undertaken to appoint a representative and that if suitable applicants were received they would look to appoint from within the Gypsy and Traveller Community.  It was noted that the appointed person would need to be culturally aware and sensitive and training would be provided to the person appointed.  The Panel was pleased to note that good relationships were already in place in Public Health with the Gypsy and Traveller community.

Charitable Womens Aid – in response to concern expressed by a Member with regard to the number of safe accommodation places, it was explained that Doncaster had an 8 unit refuge.  Sometimes the units were occupied by a single person or a family.  Additional to this were 6 disperse units.  Funding support  had been increased but so had the complexity of support.  The Commissioning model was based on best practice but creative in what was being requested. 

In relation to, for example, the Charitable organisation Phoenix Womens Aid, it was noted that it was a valuable partner that could access and secure funding the Council was unable to achieve.  The organisation take referrals from the Domestic Abuse Hub, for counselling, outreach and provision of safe accommodation.

“Get Home Safely” – The Panel raised the Campaign, promoted by the UNITE union that encouraged night time employers to provide a safe home return to staff members.  It was acknowledged that it was a good campaign to promote and therefore it would be added as an item for discussion on the next Violence theme reduction group, the link would be added to the violence against women and girls web page and Business Doncaster has been requested to promote it with local businesses.  It was noted that the content was similar to the Doncaster Council’s guidance and responsibilities and would be linked to future work.

Duty to protect employees – it was acknowledged that all employers had a duty to protect their employees and the Council’s “My SOS” lone working GPS tracking device was highlighted. 

Best Bar None Scheme – the number of young people who worked in bars to the early hours was noted and the issue was to be addressed by the Violence Reduction Group to address how it could work closely with members of the scheme to ensure pub and club owners ensure their staff get home safely.

Anti-social behaviour  - It was noted that Police report ASB was showing a decline with a reduction of 24% in the twelve months up to August 2022.  However there was clearly some under reporting, which was being addressed to ensure increased confidence, in turn providing early intervention.  With regard to the Council’s data it showed a lot of and increasing work with early intervention for example with minor neighbour disputes before severity increased.  Across Doncaster there was a good use of specific Orders, for example, Tenancy warnings and ASB warning letters.

Vulnerability – incident data was addressed at Board meetings where situations were mapped and scored to provide intervention and support to repeat victims.

Electric Scooters and off road motor bikes– It was acknowledged that dealing with the correct usage and enforcement relating to electric scooters was challenging and frustrating across the majority of Police forces and recognised there was the need to drive change with legislation.  How different Police forces addressed dealing with electric scooters was highlighted, particularly when they were being used for criminal activity.  Electric Scooters were not for use on roads and people when buying them may not be informed of this and not aware that they were breaking the law.  An example of safe use was one City Council encouraging their use in bike lanes to ease congestion, which was acceptable and in line with some cities in mainland Europe.  It was noted that generally there was also a mix of people commuting into their place of work using this mode of transport.  Until guidance or legislation was developed, in the meantime people would be educated as much as possible on their use.

With regard to off-road motorbikes, having no insurance was enough to seize a bike.

Fly tipping – The Local Authority was making good use of covert cameras with South Yorkshire Police providing support, for example, arrest days following crimes being committed.

Neighbourhood policing – it was reported that newly recruited police officers would be joining Police teams across the County therefore the numbers were due to increase before the Christmas period.

Real Help Scheme – in response to a question it was explained that the scheme provided help and support to the homeless and was run and operated by the changing lives partnership.  It was acknowledged that both partners and staff needed to be more aware of the scheme to ensure its full potential and usage.

CCTV – It was explained to the Panel that from a Council perspective there was a wide range of public realm cameras.  These were used to prevent crime, public safety and anti-social behaviour.  The monitoring was effective with people’s privacy and monitoring responsibility taken very seriously.  CCTV images could be forwarded to the Police, under strict guidance and data protection Privacy Agreement, to be used as evidence if a crime had been committed to aid prosecution.  It was noted that there were approximately 100 actionable items each month but not all were used.

Reporting  neighbours causing anti-social behaviour – In response to Members concerns that in some areas anti-social issues could be so bad people may have to be rehomed due to feeling so vulnerable in their own homes.  It was explained that as much as possible was being undertaken to prevent such behaviour and stop it escalating.  It was noted that a recent campaign, “report it so we can sort it” had been very successful.

It was acknowledged that Doncaster would love to have its own Police off-road motor cycle team but it was a South Yorkshire Team that responded.  Generally it used to be a seasonal issue but there had been an increase of quad bikes being used at night, which was currently being investigated through a partnership plan.  Certain areas were targetted, including use of large boulders to stop entry onto certain public pathways and signage.  Enforcement is used as much as legislation allows.

Serious and organised crime figures – in response to a question relating to figures pre-lockdown in comparison to now, it was advised that the information could be provided following the meeting.

Impact on South Yorkshire Police protocols and training – the Panel was informed that the current investigations undertaken in the Metropolitan Police had seen a ripple effect through all Police Authorities.  South Yorkshire Police had a new Values Framework with the key elements being Fairness, Integrity and Trust, leadership training had been enhanced and improved from first line supervisors to the top of the organisation with a leadership academy being launched to ensure first line supervisors provide a good impact culture within a team.  The Professional standards department dealt with people that do not provide high standards expected and if a member of staff was arrested they were suspended until the matter was resolved.

Re-launching actions – it was accepted that if schemes and actions were relaunched, the reasons why were important and should be better communicated, whether it was because a scheme was successful or had not worked for a particular reason.  It was also stressed that sometimes the Partnership was having to respond very quickly to new funding opportunities.

Drug trafficking offences – it was explained that the figures relied upon the amount of drugs found and ceased, therefore the Police Authorities were not accepting that it has declined.  Drug trafficking case work was undertaken by a regional crime unit, National Crime Agency and neighbouring Police Forces who they work closely with to deal with this offence.

Organised crime work – it was clarified that this criminal element focused on individuals with a mapping process that identifies people involved.

RESOLVED:  That the information provided and discussion, be noted.