Agenda and minutes

That the minutes of the meeting held on 19 September 2019 were approved.

It was noted that an update on CCTV would be brought to the February meeting.

The Forward Work Progamme was noted.

Report of the Assistant Chief Executive and Chief Digital Officer

Members were updated on the Performance Indicators for 1 July  – 30 September 2019 (Quarter 2) for services within the purview of the Community Safety and Public Protection Scrutiny Sub Committee.

Members felt that the Performance Indicators (PI’s) related only to outputs, and did not show the actual difference that was being made in meeting the needs of the community.  Officers explained that PI’s could be refined, and information gathered to compare how safe it was in the county borough in comparison to other areas.

Members agreed that crime and the concept of feeling safe were difficult to monitor, therefore refining the PI’s would provide additional information.

Officers suggested a further discussion on the PI’s at the March committee meeting.

A discussion took place around Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (VAWDASV). It was highlighted that this was mandatory training for council employees. It was also noted that a number of schools had adopted suitable programmes to address VAWDASV, although it was at every school’s discretion.  Officers explained that the authority had recently developed its own programme which would be rolled out to schools. On completion of the roll out this would mean an increase in the PI’s percentage.

Officers went on to explain that Hafan Cymru’s Spectrum Project funded by Welsh Government had been delivered at eight schools, and in conjunction with this a Healthy Relationship lesson formed part of the Relationship and Sexuality Education Pack developed by the Youth Service, these lessons would be delivered to all schools on a phased roll-out.

Following scrutiny, the report was noted

The committee received a presentation and verbal update from Sgt. Tim Barrell, South Wales Police in relation to cybercrime.

Sgt.  Barrell informed the committee that cybercrime referred to any crime that used computers and the Internet, and was the most common crime in the country.  The majority of incidents went unreported.  Sgt.  Barrell stated that there were a total of 334 cybercrime offences recorded in Neath Port Talbot over the last six months, with 69% related to social media.

It was highlighted that “prevention was better than cure”, therefore raising awareness and education was paramount. South Wales Police carried out a number of initiatives including road shows, stalls at public events, shopping centres and through social media. The Police also worked alongside partners.  Sgt.  Burrell informed the committee that there were two dedicated Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) who delivered presentations to organisations and partners regarding cyber security.  Officers suggested a Members Seminar on raising awareness of cybercrime.

A Community Safety Task Group met monthly, which brought partners together and cyber security was a standing agenda item.  The aim of the group was to improve resilience and raise awareness of risk and also vulnerability in our communities.

Sgt. Barrell explained that suspected cybercrime fraud could be reported via the Action Fraud on-line or the telephone. The national centre for cyber related crime provided information about fraud and internet crime, when a crime had been reported the information would be passed onto the Police to progress the crime.   Also available was Get Safe Online which offered free practical security advice to the public and private sector on how to protect themselves against on line crime.  

In response to members’ queries it was explained that the council’s IT Section had cyber security controls in place.  If requested, more information could be brought back to committee on this issue. 

Following scrutiny, the information was noted.

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