Agenda item

Kent Police - Crime and Disorder in the Sevenoaks District

Chief Inspector Roscoe Walford, Sevenoaks District Commander of Kent Police in attendance to answer questions about crime and disorder in the Sevenoaks District.

 

Minutes:

The Chairman welcomed Chief Inspector Roscoe Walford, Sevenoaks District Commander of Kent Police, to the meeting, who gave an overview of the levels of crime and disorder within the District.

 

Chief Inspector Walford explained that the Sevenoaks District was the third lowest crime area in the County. There had been a rise in crime with 388 extra recorded crimes over the rolling year to the end of October 2016 with between 10 and 14 crimes reported each day. However, crime recording methods were one of the best in the country with approximately 90% accuracy. Domestic violence was the most common crime but Kent Police had one of the best rates for domestic violence prosecutions with relatively low levels of repeat offenders and victims having more confidence to report incidents and receive support. The Kent Police sexual offences department would be restructured to deal with the rise in cases since Operation Yewtree. Kent Police were beginning to disrupt organised crime groups, which were causing disproportionate harm within the District.

 

He congratulated the Community Safety Unit for their work, with their well documented and audited processes leading the way in West Kent. The District had the lowest reported anti-social behaviour in the county.

 

Questions were asked of Chief Inspector Walford.

 

In response to questions from the Chairman, the Chief Inspector confirmed that there were 5,313 crimes reported over the rolling year and 112 of those were sexual offences. Most incidents occurred in the most populated parts of the District but most acquisition crimes would take place in the south. Most fraud matters would be dealt with at the County level, whose department was expanding. There were 45 constables, 18 PCSOs, 13 sergeants and 6 inspectors in the District. There was funding for up to 65 constables in the District but recruitment had been difficult. 1,400 recruits were due in the next 18 months with 8 beginning a probationary period in the District from the new year.

 

The Chief Inspector confirmed that if there were a shortage in available Officers then support would be received from other Districts, traffic or firearms Officers as necessary. Only one of over 500 core demand calls was not responded to in the year. Kent Police had held recruitment events for special constables, with 80 recently expressing interest in Swanley.

 

A Member asked about what landowners could do to stop unauthorised encampments on their land and whether he had experienced new priorities from the new Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC). The Chief Inspector explained that Kent Police had adopted a Joint County Policy for consistency on encampments, but landowners would be asked to take the lead before Kent Police used its powers. The new PCC had been proactive and had prioritised mental health issues, which were a significant burden on the force, and victim support.

 

In responding to questions, the Chief Inspector explained that he hoped that his current PCSOs would be in place for some time. Bureaucracy put a large demand on Officer time, with 2-3 hours needed even for a simple case file. Priorities were made based on threat, harm and risk. Some activities required Officers to be present, such as counter-terrorism presence, but if available he would have also given more police presence elsewhere.

 

The Chief Inspector was asked about theft in rural communities and he explained that it was important for residents to report the crime so that Kent Police knew the size of the problem. The ending of lost and found was a significant cost saving and it was recommended that lost goods be left, for example, with a shop they were found in.

 

Members raised concern at the level of cyber crime. He explained that they were processed through a national forum and few were allocated locally. The Kent Central Fraud Team were unlikely to expand soon due to limited resources, but Kent Police were trying to adapt to modern policing in areas such as child sexual exploitation, modern slavery, counter-terrorism and counter-extremism.

 

A Member asked about the problem in Sevenoaks of groups of youths who gathered during the Summer. The Chief Inspector confirmed that, following incidents on The Vine, some offenders had been charged and some given custodial sentences.

 

The Chairman thanked Chief Inspector Walford for his attendance.

 

 

Back to top