Meeting documents

To note and ask questions on the topical issues report.

The PCC reported that there has been an upturn in crime nationally. The PCC expressed concern that many of these deaths related to crime fuelled by drugs such as heroin and cocaine and this was becoming a worrying trend for the Thames Valley. He commented that he felt stop and search was being underused and hoped that this was being addressed nationally.

The PCC expressed concern about funding and the year on year reductions to the budget whilst having to deal with complex crimes such as Child Sexual Exploitation, Domestic Abuse, cyber-crime (particularly fraud) and the number of historical cases. There were then further pressures generated by HMIC inspection reports incorporating recommended areas for improvement, and further cuts to partners (which impacted on the Force) including Local Authorities, Ministry of Justice and the Crown Prosecution Service.

Cllr Page referred to page 21 of the agenda in relation to the Force being 98 officers below strength and said that he agreed with the PCC’s comments about the lack of funding. He asked for an update on the number of vacancies and to which areas they related in the Thames Valley. He also referred to page 23 of the agenda and the Government review of council powers for unauthorised encampments and what work had been progressed by the TVP Rural Task and Finish Group. He asked the PCC whether he would respond to this consultation and commented that the Panel should also respond. From a process point of view it took a long time to secure eviction notices and go through the court hearing process

Action: Scrutiny Officer

The PCC reported that they were recruiting officers but explained that one of the issues is that police officers were leaving the Thames Valley because of the cost of living. The Chief Constable reported that they had a number of applications through and also 84 requests for transfers. He reported that the problem was that other Forces were recruiting and taking officers away from the Thames Valley (who had a good reputation for well trained officers). He also reported that civilian case investigators were being used to replace police officer posts and that they were developing a career pathway for investigators (as police staff). The underspend in police officer posts was being used to recruit police staff.

The PCC reported that he would respond to the unauthorised encampments consultation. This was a complex issue and distressing for residents particularly when they ‘trashed’ the site and often at vast expense to the landowner. The PCC commented that he would liaise with the Chairman and Scrutiny Officer when he drafted a response. Cllr Egleton reported that unauthorised encampments were a real concern and it was important that Local Authorities respond to the consultation as well. Last year there had been a number of forced entries with resulting criminal damage. In some cases there was reluctance by the police to take action and it needed to be dealt with swiftly. The Chief Constable asked whether there was sufficient evidence to take action in those cases. Cllr Egleton reported that in one case they had CCTV evidence but that the investigating officer did not want to pursue it. In terms of eviction notices, the Chief Constable reported that they were having an issue with court time slots at the moment but they were meeting with the Judges next week and will raise this issue.  This also related to what priority was put on each case. Cllr Mallon referred to the previous themed meeting where the Panel had made a recommendation that a consistent approach on authorised encampments be made by Local Area Commanders and following this training had been put in place. The Chief Constable referred to a meeting with Chief Executives from each Local Authority where a draft protocol on unauthorised encampments had been submitted. This would be circulated to Members.

Action: PCC/Scrutiny Officers

Cllr Bendyshe Brown asked about recruitment for Police Community Support Officers as they should have two and only had one currently who was retiring. Another Member also made reference to the Community Speed Watch project and the fact that their police constable had been taken away and that further support from the Force would be appreciated. The PCC reported that quite a few PCSO’s had become police officers. The Chief Constable reported that they had a number of vacancies for PCSO’s and that there were also training capacity issues. They were looking at other ways to help support Local Police Areas and also to make the Community Speed Watch self-sufficient. It currently required a high level of support so was not sustainable.

Cllr Hayes expressed concern about the reduction in PCSO’s and referred also to the reduction in budgets for Local Authorities. He asked how TVP were tackling the drugs issue, how police officers were being retained and commented that he would rather have a police officer than a case investigator. The PCC referred to £100 million that had been cut from his budget in the past years which had impacted on community policing. He commented that case investigators were very experienced and referred to some work they had carried out in Reading to catch burglars. The Chief Constable reported that it was important to get the right balance between case investigators and police officers and that they were attracting good people into these posts because of the career pathway being offered. Investigators do not require full police powers but have the confidence and skills to assist with police work. The Chief Constable commented that he could not compete with a better quality of life elsewhere which was why police officers were leaving and case investigators were providing the necessary skills and experience. They could offer increased salaries but at some point those salaries would become the norm again and officers would leave to move to other areas, so they still would have the same problem with retention. This was happening across the public sector with social workers and teachers.

Julia Girling referred to the increase in housing and asked whether developers were contributing to policing. The Chief Constable reported that they were not providing houses for police officers but they were applying and benefitting from the community infrastructure levy and Section 106 funding. They would also get the benefit from the council tax element from new residents. The PCC referred to the potential amount of building in Oxfordshire relating to the Oxford – Cambridge expressway and commented that it would be worth looking into this issue in more detail.