Police Inspector Bill Knopp will update the commission on the current position relating to neighbourhood policing.
Minutes:
Temporary Inspector 1995 Daniel Eveleigh, seconded to the Environment and Enforcement Division provided an update on Neighbourhood Policing. Temporary Inspector Eveleigh’s update related to three main areas:
Change Programme
Consultants KPMG were working with the Force Change Team to help bring out savings and to help ensure that working practices were efficient. While Leicestershire remained committed to Neighbourhood Policing, because of the need to make these savings, there would be a reduction in officers as part of natural wastage.
Co-location
The importance of the role of the Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNT) was recognised and these were well integrated in communities. The Belgrave SNT was now located within the Belgrave Community Centre and an increase in visitors and visibility since the closure of the Melton Road Police Station had been reported. A similar exercise was taking place with the New Parks Police Station and options were being explored to locate the SNT to maintain their profile on the estate.
A member of the commission expressed disappointment that the New Parks Police Station would be closed; he stressed the need for the Police to find a new location very promptly. He added that the Police had previously been offered the opportunity to share the Fire and Rescue Service’s premises in New Parks but this offer had been declined.
Members questioned what other police stations might be closing and also what criteria would be applied in any decisions to make such closures. Assistant City Mayor responded that she believed that footfall was one of the issues that would be taken into account, but this matter was still under consideration.
T’Insp Eveleigh also reported that the Leicester Anti-Social Behaviour Unit (LASBU) would be located at Mansfield House Police Station from June 2014.
He emphasised that the Police did want to be embedded in local communities.
Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Response Cars
The meeting heard that the Police were trialling a six month project to improve Leicestershire Police’s response to ASB, with three cars on a late shift, seven days a week. The cars were dedicated to preventative patrol and responding to ASB incidents.
Assistant City Mayor Russell commented that positive steps were being taken in neighbourhood policy. She then provided a further update which included the following points:
· There would be an increase in the number of PCSOs
· The Safer Leicestershire Partnership had been successful in bidding for funding from the Police and Crime Commissionaire’s budget; funding had been put towards projects already, which included initiatives relating to the night time economy and alley gates.
The meeting heard that a good model was operating in Eyres Monsell where the Community Centre was used by the Police. PCSOs were visible and good relationships were being forged with children there. A request was made however for the Police to be more pro-active in tackling obstruction on pavements.
The Chair questioned whether there were any trends or spikes in crimes or whether there were any outside influences affecting crime in the neighbourhoods. Assistant City Mayor Russell responded that overall there had been a very slight increase in reported crime and more austerity type crimes. However where increases had been identified, action was quickly taken through very good partnership working.
In response to a query relating to ‘Stop and Search’, T’Insp Eveleigh explained that the Police were very aware of the issues and sensitivities relating to ‘Stop and Search’ and very strict standards applied.
A concern was raised relating to residents’ forums in New Parks where the Police had not turned up for meetings for at least 18 months. T’Insp Eveleigh agreed to pass that concern on, on behalf of the Member.
There was some discussion regarding parking, obstructions and enforcement. It was noted that the Economic Development, Transport and Tourism Scrutiny Commission were undertaking a review into Pavement Parking and it was hoped that the findings of the review would clarify some of these issues.
The Chair concluded the discussion and asked that an update, including an update on the findings of the consultants KPMG be brought back to a future meeting of the commission.
RESOLVED:
that the update be noted and for a further update, to include an update on the findings of the consultants KPMG on the Change Programme be brought to a future meeting of the commission.