Chief Inspector Elizabeth Jones will be in attendance to provide an update on crime and disorder in the District.

overview of the changes made over the past year in the District’s policing including the neighbourhood policing model and victim based crimes. She also gave an overview of ‘County lines’, performance statistics and some examples of recent successes.

In providing the overview, The Chief Inspector detailed that the new Neighbourhood policing model provided dedicated ward officers, in addition to the local policing teams, which resulted in more policing powers on the streets and a named officer. In regards to victim based crime team would investigate PIP level 1 investigations that affect the community on a daily basis. The benefits included residents knowing who their local named Police Officers were for continuity and powers of arrest. The Neighbourhood teams worked during the evenings and weekends meant they could be present when Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) was happening. The benefits of the Victim Based Crime (VBC) included swifter investigations and the focus on those repeat offenders.

She reminded Members that the Kent Police Control Strategy was for violence against women and girls was at the centre.

In response to questions, Members were advised that the Police only measured on charges, as it was the Criminal Prosecution Service who were responsible for prosecution rates.

It was questioned how communities, Councillors and local parishes and towns could support the Police, especially with known anti-social behaviour taking place. The Chief Inspector advised that reporting ASB was very important, particularly if it could be reported at the time of the incident taking place. She advised that it was important not to put anyone’s self in danger, but photographs were very helpful as many were already known or an AI system could help identify. In regards to Town Centres where they were high levels of ASB and shoplifting/retail crime. Police had been successful in issuing criminal behaviour orders (CBO) to certain individuals which would exclude someone from a particular areas/shops and this was particularly used for adult offenders. In terms of young people there was a child centred policing unit and work was undertaken with social services to get to the root cause. This was also similar with gas canisters, and in response to questions the Committee was advised that the law had changed and it was now illegal. However, there was a focus that with young people to create diversions and demonstrate the risks of them, especially that having a criminal record could affect their changes of employment. It was important to look at the bigger picture and make sure outreach workers were there working with the young people. However, if powers of arrest were required to be used, then this would be done.

CCTV was key, particularly for those sites that were monitored as they would be on the radio systems and would be able to look and see what was happening. As lots of shops and people had cameras all the videos could be used together as evidence and can help to solve high level crimes. There was a portal called cams which allow people to upload their CCTV. 

In response to further questions, it was explained that grip areas were decided by the Home Office based on the statistical crime information. Some boroughs or districts could have more than one grip area and this area would get extra money for policing and so there was an obligation to patrol areas for 15 minutes and this was fed back to the Home Office. If high levels of crime increased elsewhere it would be reassessed and the grip area could change yearly.

In response to a question regarding anti-social behaviour at Hewitt roundabout, the Health and Communities Manager advised that there was a consultation for a PSPO going through the committee process and joint meetings had been taking place with MET police and Bromley Council.

A Member asked for further details regarding the Neighbourhood policing model and Members were advised that the new model was not at its fully capacity yet and was going through a phased uplift, with the next uplift in January. There was meant to be 12 named Neighbourhood Police Officers in the district, but this was alongside the local policing teams as well. This approach was going to be very data-driven which would detail where the crime was happening and Officers would be directed to those areas.

In response to a final question, the Chief Inspector advised that there had not been an increase in hate crimes in the area following the conflict in the Middle East.

The Chairman thanked the Chief Inspector for her attendance at the meeting.