Meeting documents

Presentation from Mr Matt Barber, the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner and Chief Constable Francis Habgood.

The Chairman welcomed Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Mr M Barber and Chief Constable Francis Habgood to the meeting.

Mr Barber gave a presentation to Council, appended to the minutes, and highlighted the following:

• The roles and responsibilities of the Police and Crime Commissioner.
• The Thames Valley Police and Crime Plan five priorities; prevention and early intervention, vulnerability, police ethics and reform, serious organised crime and terrorism and reducing reoffending.
• Funding highlights; £2.7m Community Safety Fund   provided to councils, nearly £3m towards supporting victims of crime and £93k to charities and community groups who assisted in reducing crime and reoffending.
• A TVP in-house victim support service was now in place funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner (PC&C) called Victims First.
• Overall increase in crime remained at a low level and overall had seen a decreased of 28% in the last 15 years.
• Trend in crime vs income and current lobbying at the Home Office and Treasury for increases in funding.
• TVP were performing well against other comparative forces.
• Plans were being put in place to help address issues with the 101 service which included recruitment.
• Financial pressures due to changes to pension regulations which if agreed could see a financial pressure £5m next year and £15m from 2021 onwards.

The Chief Constable gave a presentation to Council and highlighted the following:

• 2018 had been a busy year across the Thames Valley including royal weddings and a president’s visit.  The Chief Constable conveyed the pride of managing those events and the reassurance given to members of the public that had come from all over the world.
• The number of 101 and 999 calls for the service had fallen 5.3% in 2017/18 compared to 2016/17, however, this result was driven by a reduction in 101 calls: the number of 999 calls has increased 11.1%.
• There was a spike in 101 calls in the summer but it was believed this was due to a shift in those calling 101 instead calling for an emergency.
• Call volume figures were shared.  A spike in the summer 2017 could be seen which was believed have been caused by a shift in those calling 101 instead calling for an emergency.
• Service improvements continued to be made including an online service to report crimes
• Crime trends had seen areas of concern as residential burglary, violence against the person sexual offences and reductions seen in criminal damage and theft.

• Examples of successful operations across the county were highlighted and problem solving and demand reduction work.

The Chairman thanked the Chief Constable for his presentation and wished him well in his retirement.

In response to Members’ questions the following points were made:

• The Chief Constable stated that there was ongoing improvements to the issues experienced using 101.  They were up to establishment numbers and time would be needed to allow for training, however there would be improvements in performance.
• When asked about recruitment the Chief Constable stated that this would depend on the individual but could take 6-9 months.
• County line issues were a top priority nationally with a strong hold team in every local police area that concentrated on county lines issues.  It was noted that Buckinghamshire were in a good position and the Chief Constable was encouraged by the ongoing work.
• The Chief Constable highlighted the responsibilities of all members of the police force in relation to hate crime support.
• The Chief Constable confirmed the role of Independent Advisory Groups in engaging with the local community and the opportunity to test out policies and helping with recruitment.

Members discussed the recent footage that had been shared on social media recently of police officers being attacked and that they were not helped by members of the public.  The Chief Constable stated that they were fortunate in having supportive members of the public and that you would have to make a judgement call under the circumstances, but that we had a responsibility to support emergency workers.