Meeting documents

A verbal update by Inspector Robinson and Chief Inspector Hadley.

The Chairman welcomed Chief Inspector Hadley of the Thames Valley Police to the meeting and invited him to provide the Committee with an update on policing matters within the town.

Chief Inspector Hadley informed the Committee that his colleague, Inspector Robinson (the Town Inspector), had intended to attend to accompany him to the meeting but had to give her apologies on the day.

Chief Inspector Hadley presented the performance data / crime statistics and reported that domestic burglary had risen by 13% (23% in the Thames Valley) and violence excluding domestic violence in the town had increased by 6% (fourth lowest trend).  It was noted that whilst there had been no increases in grievous bodily harm there had been an increase in violent crime and knife crime was down 5% on previous years.  The Committee was informed that the Police were doing a lot of campaigning, locally and nationally, on hate crime which was currently at 19%.  It was noted that with regard to the force restructure High Wycombe was now fully migrated to the operating model and had seen an increase of 14 new recruits.  With regard to neighbourhood policing and problem solving it was noted that the Police were trying to increase the use of social media, neighbourhood action groups and world café groups (community engagement, World Café was an example of such).  It was noted that the first closure orders had been used in the town as a result of drug users causing anti-social behaviour. 

Chief Inspector Hadley went onto explain that the Police were looking at the issue of begging in the town centre and were working alongside Wycombe District Council to look at individuals profiles.  The Committee was informed that the Police could use Section 34/35 powers when it came to tackling anti-social behaviour which had to date been used on 58 occasions.  It was noted that the Police had issued 6 tickets related to the Public Space Protection Orders to date which had resulted in one arrest. 

Chief Inspector Hadley explained that in order to be pro-active there were numerous plain clothed operations underway. On one operation 114 opportunities when people had found themselves to be vulnerable were rectified.  The Committee was informed that there had been very few licensing breaches in the town which had not been the case a year ago.  It was noted that ‘Operation Rowlock’ had resulted in 5 men being sentenced to 18 years in prison after they had been found to be dealing drugs in High Wycombe.  Members were informed that Police Cadets were increasingly being used in public operations such as ‘Operation Grotto’ at Christmas time. 

The Committee was informed that Chief Inspector Hadley was unable to confirm whether crime in High Wycombe on the whole had increased or decreased. It was noted that whilst Chief Inspector Hadley had the crime statistics split by categories rather than by town but would seek to make the town statistics available upon request.

In discussion Members were informed of the following:

•        That the Community and Diversity Officer was a permanent appointment who brought a lot of experience from Yorkshire.

•        That the Commissioner was personally committed to retaining the mounted police which were seen as an extremely valuable resource that helped increase public engagement. It was noted that this was currently under review and the options were either to leave them as they were, to make reductions in both the officers and horses or to do away with the section altogether.

•        That anti-social behaviour Section 34/35 powers worked via a triage system which was ran out of the Police control centre that looked at threat, risk & harm.  It was noted that an initial response would take place if needed and if deemed suitable a neighbourhood officer would allocate an appointment to the victim.  Members were informed that some appointments were within an hour (if needed), some were same day and some took place next day.  Members were informed that the Police shared information / issues with partners (e.g. lighting issues). 

•        That Chief Inspector Hadley informed Members that his officers had been through a period of significant change and that he was pleased with the overall performance of his officers.  It was noted that national media was not always pro-Police but Chief Inspector Hadley assured Members that there was always internal debates taking place about who should carry tasers, whether a lone officer should be out in a car on patrol on their own, etc. 

•        Chief Inspector Hadley assured Councillor Rafiq Raja that intelligence would look into the incidents he had referred to regarding a specific family in High Wycombe who were being targeted by a drug dealing person / business based in the High Wycombe area.  It was noted that the Police needed to ensure safeguarding was taking place.

•        That with regard to the plan for Neighbourhood Action Groups (NAGs) the Police were looking into using virtual NAGs and social media.  It was noted that the Police were still engaged with making NAGs LPA wide and were also working with Wycombe Wanderers to launch a Youth Group.  Members were informed that once the new command team were in place by the 01 March 2018 it would be advertised in the Bucks Free Press. 

•        Members informed Chief Inspector Hadley that the NAG Police representative for the Terriers and Amersham Hill ward had not turned up to a NAG meeting on the 22 January 2018.  It was requested that going forward the NAG Police representative inform the meeting organisers whether they were or were not planning to attend as members of the public often attended.

•        Chief Inspector Hadley confirmed that he would like to see environmental audits undertaken in neighbourhoods.  Members highlighted the Frogmore area as an area of particular concern to them and Chief Inspector Hadley assured them he would let his colleagues know an environmental audit had been requested in that location.

•        That a force intelligence hub and a bureau looked into the use of closure orders nationally. 

•        That there was some correlation between offenders released from prison and the 13% increase in domestic burglary.  It was noted that the Police were alerted to relevant prison releases and that they were able to take measures if felt necessary. 

•        That the Police tailored a plan to incidents reported as they were not always hate crime.  Members were informed that the Police liaised with partnerships and schools if an incident occurred in a school and that they preferred to educate young offenders as ignorance was often to blame.  It was noted that the Police often joined in various campaigns to help raise public awareness of hate crime. 

•        Members informed Chief Inspector Hadley they would be disappointed if the mounted Police were to disband as they felt their presence reassured locals particularly when incidents had taken place.

•        Chief Inspector Hadley informed Members that they had a specific department which dealt with domestic abuse.  With regard to support strategies it was noted that the Police had a positive intervention policy in place. Chief Inspector Hadley explained that the Police had invested a lot of provision in to support strategies with regard to domestic abuse, were working with women’s groups and had a Community Safety Plan in place.  Members were informed that the earlier the Police were able to intervene and give advice the better.

•        Members were assured by Chief Inspector Hadley that information about domestic abuse incidents that could be shared were shared with partners such as midwives, etc.

•        Chief Inspector Hadley was informed that the Micklefield ward had organised a couple of events to help raise awareness about domestic abuse.  

•        Chief Inspector Hadley informed Members that by working in partnership and sharing information at the regular     Prevent Board meetings and via Safeguarding helped to tackle domestic violence and ASB.  Members were informed that Chief Inspector Hadley hoped to be able to hold specific Community Partnership meetings to help streamline the process.  It was noted that one of his PCSO’s had been recruited as the ASB Officer which he believed would help with regard to partnership working. 

•        Chief Inspector Hadley informed Members that no cuts had been made to the 101 service and that the contact service         was imminent which would deal with the initial 101 calls from the public, prioritising urgent calls.  Members were informed that Chief Inspector Hadley had been unaware of the delay in 101 calls being answered as they should be diverted if unanswered after a certain amount of time.  

•        Chief Inspector Hadley assured Members that officers in the Response Team did receive comprehensive briefings which included the PCSO’s.  It was noted that whilst the Response Team did not directly deal with drinking prohibition orders they were aware of them.  Members were informed that the Desborough Road area was the responsibility of the Neighbourhood teams which were not fully resourced at present. 

•        Chief Inspector Hadley informed Members that the Police did have a priority in ‘Big Society’ that had morphed into community resilience.  It was noted that the Police had people, usually graduates that worked with them for two or three years to develop their public service knowledge.  With regard to what could be done to help support the Police, Members were informed that technology assistance would be welcomed as it would allow people to be empowered to call about small issues as well as big issues.   Chief Inspector Hadley confirmed that he did have posters available that could be put up to help attract volunteers to the Police which he could provide to Members upon request.  

The Chairman thanked Chief Inspector Hadley for attending the meeting and updating Members, which was echoed by the Committee.