To receive the Safer Communities Torbay Annual Review.

The Board considered the annual review of Safer Communities Torbay, which outlined partnership activity across community safety, antisocial behaviour, serious violence, domestic abuse, Prevent and safeguarding activities.  It was noted that the Police and Probation were unable to attend the meeting and written responses would be sought where appropriate.

Members heard that the review was informed by the strategic assessment of crime and disorder across Torbay and highlighted activity undertaken to address areas of greatest risk and harm.  It was noted that antisocial behaviour data was currently affected by data capture issues within Police recording systems and should be treated with caution until corrected.

The Board was advised of ongoing work relating to the Prevent duty, particularly in response to learning emerging from the Southport Inquiry, including work around the identification and management of individuals fixated on violence, community engagement and communication regarding hate crime.

Members were informed of work undertaken through the antisocial behaviour night-time economy group, youth antisocial behaviour initiatives, the Serious Violence Duty, and awareness raising around domestic abuse and community safety.

Members asked questions in respect of the following:

·                What types of weapons were being carried and what action was being taken to address weapon possession?

·                What impact had Prevent-related communication and engagement activities had on community safety outcomes?

·                What support exists for people aged over 25 in relation to serious violence interventions?

·                What conclusions could be drawn from antisocial behaviour data where recording methods may distort trends?

·                What is the "Adults Stand Back" initiative?

·                How was youth antisocial behaviour being addressed in Paignton?

·                What can be learned from longer-term crime trends rather than single-year comparisons?

·                How were changes in antisocial behaviour recording impacting other data sets such as harassment statistics?

·                How was the partnership monitoring the growing impact of cyber crime?

·                How much of recorded harassment may relate to online activity?

·                Who receives Active Bystander training and could it be made available to schools?

·                How do banks share intelligence relating to cyber crime and how was that information used?

·                Were individuals fixated on violence becoming more prevalent, and how were they identified and supported?

·                Could the “Adults Stand Back” initiative be expanded across Torbay?

·                Was activity delivered through Operation Town Centre reflected within the report?

The following responses were received:

·                Current weapon possession activity includes targeted operations addressing knife carrying in clubs and other locations.  A written breakdown of weapon types and action being taken would be provided by the Police.

·                Prevent activity focuses on identifying individuals at risk, supporting reporting routes, strengthening workforce awareness and building community relationships.  Local referral numbers remain relatively low.

·                Serious Violence Duty funding was primarily directed towards those aged 25 and under.  Other services, including domestic abuse work, support adults affected by violence.

·                Antisocial behaviour statistics were currently affected by recording issues and further clarification from Police was required before firm conclusions could be drawn.

·                “Adults Stand Back” was an emerging initiative that will give young people opportunities to lead discussions and events on antisocial behaviour and related issues, with adults supporting rather than directing the process.

·                Multi-agency work involving Police, Youth Justice and other partners was targeting persistent antisocial behaviour in Paignton, including issues within the town centre, Parkfield and beach hut areas etc.

·                It was agreed that crime data should be viewed over multiple years rather than relying solely on year-to-year comparisons and this was done by the partnership.

·                Further clarity was required from the Police regarding the harassment figures, specifically what this data includes and whether it relates to ASB.  This may help explain the decrease in ASB and the corresponding increase in harassment figures.

·                Cyber crime was recognised as an emerging challenge and forms part of broader partnership discussions around technological change and risk.

·                Online activity may contribute to harassment figures, although data would require further analysis to verify this.

·                Active Bystander training was being offered to SWAN (Safety of Women at Night Charter) signatories, Council staff and Councillors, and there was potential to extend delivery to schools through a train-the-trainer approach as it was being delivered in-house.

·                Additional information on the sharing and use of cyber crime intelligence from banks will be provided in writing from the Police.

·                Concerns regarding individuals fixated on violence have increased alongside technological change and online influences.  Partners were reviewing thresholds and approaches to ensure risks were appropriately managed.

·                The “Adults Stand Back” initiative will initially be piloted through a single event before wider roll out was considered.

·                Activity delivered through Operation Town Centre contributes to antisocial behaviour and community safety work already being reported.

Resolved (unanimously):

That future Safer Communities Torbay annual reports include a detailed breakdown of crime and community safety trends covering the previous three years to provide greater context and support trend analysis.