Agenda item

Presentation by the Chief Constable and the Police and Crime Commissioner

Minutes:

Council welcomed the Rt.Hon.Alun Michael, the Police and Crime Commissioner, Mr Peter Vaughan, the Chief Constable, Mr Matt Jukes, the Chief Constable Designate and Mr Martin Jones, the Chief Superintendent, to their annual meeting with Council.

 

Mr Michael advised Council that this was the last meeting Mr Vaughan would attend as Chief Constable as he would shortly be retiring and that Mr Matt Jukes would be taking over the post.  He advised Members that when Mr Vaughan took up his position in 2010, the force was 43 out of 44 in victim satisfaction.  This had substantially improved and the force was now in the top 3 or 4 in the Country.  The force was the 8th largest in the Country and its budget had been reduced by £50m, also losing in the region of 1,000 members of staff.

 

Members noted that there had been a comprehensive handover period between Mr Vaughan and Mr Jukes, with Mr Vaughan visiting staff to personally thank them for their contributions. The 6 priorities remained in place, with the addition of a further Value for Money priority.  This would include valuing and supporting staff and their development.  Council was advised that since 2015 the national police budget had been protected however the budget disseminated down to the force had been cut.  This had resulted in increased pressure on staff, however the force had one of the best staff attendances.

 

There had been an increase in the number of vulnerable people in the area and a review of community safety had been undertaken.  Improvements in community safety would have to be dealt with at community level, working with local groups, the police and the Local Authority.

 

A copy of the Executive Summary of the South Wales Police and Crime Reduction Plan for 2017/21 was circulated at the meeting for Members information and would be in place from January 2018.

 

Mr Vaughan then thanked Members and Officers for their support and help during his time in office and wished the Authority well for the future.

 

Mr Jukes then gave Members a brief outline of his career to date and welcomed the opportunity to improve on neighbourhood policing.  He advised Council that the Welsh Government  provided finances for 200 out of the 400 PCSO’s, and that many of the PCSO’s later went on to become PC’s.  Members were advised that there was a concern regarding the proportion of the money being spent on responding to incidents, and felt that there was better value in resources being targeted to prevention.  Early intervention, particularly with domestic and socio/economic issues, would, it was anticipated, help to reduce crime.   Early intervention in relation to both children and those over 18 was very important to prevent those individuals turning to crime and the Police and Crime Commissioner advised that he took a great interest in offender management.

 

Operational priorities included Street Crime, for example organised drug trafficking and ‘Hidden Harm’, for example on-line crime and domestic abuse.  In addition to these the force also dealt with ‘Non Crime Demands’, for example missing persons and harassment on Facebook, etc. One of the major challenges facing the force was policing major events, such as rugby. 

 

Members then raised the following:-

 

·        The increase in antisocial behaviour particularly in Neath Town Centre and Aberavon were highlighted.  Members were advised that this increase was due, in part to social issues such as poverty, homelessness and substance misuse. In order to address this, a plan had been put in place to ascertain what could be provided to reduce the problems through multiagency case conferences. 

·        Members also noted that many incidents were not being reported, with problems with call handling and feedback being issues.  The Police were looking at the ‘public experience’ which included accessing the vulnerability of the caller in order to correctly prioritise the complaint and to feedback.  There were also peaks and troughs in the number of calls coming in.  The ability to report incidents on-line was also going to be introduced.  

·        Members raised the possible siting of the prison in Port Talbot and asked whether, with the closure of the Port Talbot Police Station, there would be sufficient holding cells and whether there would be an increased police presence. Members were reassured that, from the experiences in both Bridgend and North Wales, the impact of a prison was not expected to place significant demands on police resources.  

·        Members asked whether there was a Drink/Drive Campaign over the festive season as it was felt that there was complacency amongst some people and were advised that breath tests were targeted following intelligence received.  There were insufficient resources to carry out blanket testing, however there would be a campaign to remind people.

·        Members questioned the role of the PCSO’s, and in particular why they did not have powers of arrest, and were advised that PCSO’s would then be required to attend court hearings, etc and would then not be available ‘on the beat’.  In addition it was noted that the use of ‘body videos’ were being introduced by PCSO’s and that there had been positive feedback.

·        Members asked whether the priorities could be expanded to an all Wales basis and noted that this could provide better value for money. Members were advised that the PCC was supportive of policy being devolved to Wales.

·        Members asked for details of the opening hours of the Neath Police Station and expressed concern that these had been reduced but that Local Councillors and the public had not been informed.  This would be investigated and Members advised following the meeting.

·        Members asked for details of the work being undertaken to combat incidents of VAWSVDA, and the work to be undertaken with the transformation funds and were advised that 147 new posts had been developed in order to address such things as protection of vulnerable adults, stalking and harassment, cohesion and controlling behaviour.  Body worn cameras also allowed for evidence for the scene – allowing on occasions victims not having to give evidence.  Work was ongoing with Barnados in relation to identifying cases of sexual abuse and sexual exploitation.  The police would be undertaking a survey in the New Year to identify examples of sexual harassment.

·        Partnership working was seen as the way forward with the Local Authority, Health, the Police and the Area Planning Board in dealing with antisocial behaviour including such things as fly tipping, etc.

·        Concern was expressed that the valley areas did not experience the same level of policing as the urban areas.  The Police advised that even though there were budget cuts, efforts were made to achieve parity between valley and urban areas, with, for example, the increased use of technology. The force was regarded, by the Home Office, as the most visible in the UK.

·        In relation to Briton Ferry there was a problem with rogue and unregistered landlords and drugs and the Police confirmed that they would continue to target this area.

·        In relation to internet based crime, this included such things as child abuse and fraud.  The Police had released information, via its Website entitled ‘Getting Safe On Line’ and digital investigations, including Officers taking part in chat rooms, were ongoing to address these issues.  Prevention was the best way forward and to this end raising awareness in schools would continue.

 

The Mayor then made a presentation to Mr Vaughan as a sign of appreciation and wished him a long, healthy and happy retirement.