Agenda item

Inspector James Ellis - further to the presentation , Inspector Ellis will take questions from the Board.

Superintendent Emma Burroughs and Inspector James Ellis, Thames Valley Police gave a presentation providing an update and overview of the local policing situation.

It was noted the Chiltern, Wycombe and South Bucks policing areas would be amalgamated in June becoming South Buckinghamshire policing area.

Inspector James Ellis introduced himself as Neighbourhood Inspector for the South Bucks area. During the presentation the following information was provided:

• The current policing landscape figures were highlighted. Burglary levels in Gerrards Cross had reduced 14% this was not reflected nationally as reported burglaries had increased. Serious violence and robbery were also on a downward trend. However, there had been a rise in reported harassment, public order and sexual offenses. This could be attributed to society becoming more insular after lockdown and reduced social contact.
• There had been a rise in drug trafficking reports which the police were pleased to receive intelligence on. The lockdowns had allowed the police to detect drug suppliers with prosecutions being reported on social media.
• The NCRS (National Crime Recording Standards) figures were presented and it was explained the police had a duty to record all incidents reported to them. Examples of recorded incidents of harassment included report of a football kicked into a garden and a public disorder incident included low level road rage. There had been a rise in reported hate crimes which reflected a greater intolerance in society. It was noted that crime was not the only aspect of policing roles, there had been an increase in non-crime incidents including mental health concerns, care within the community and fear for welfare.
• The local policing structure was highlighted with the control room taking incoming communications, the majority of incidents passed to the immediate response team for police deployed locally. The CID specialist investigators also formed part of the team who investigated crimes. The neighbourhood team looked at long term approaches and solutions for underlying local issues.
• The local team structure and job roles for Gerrards Cross and Denham were provided. Officers at a geographical level were able to support problem solving in conjunction with superintendent level policing requirements.
• The police were keen to discover what issues affected communities, one tool used was online voting polls arranged by Buckinghamshire Council and the policing issues panel.
• The Community Boards had representation on the policing issues panel which sought to discuss local concerns. The panel was independently chaired and all local concerns were collated in a document which were accessible to the public online. The policing team used this document daily and updated accordingly. 
• The police were using social media regularly to inform the public of arrests and prosecutions and a quarterly update was shared to local stakeholders reporting on how community issues had been addressed. There had been an increase in joint working across communities’ examples of projects included speed watch, pub watch and neighbourhood watch.
• It was highlighted there was budgetary provision for Community Boards to assist with funding resources for particular community concerns. The neighbourhood priorities were outlined including serious acquisitive crime, anti-social behaviour and speeding. The police were working closing with the Council to address fly tipping as this was linked to anti-social behaviour. On a national level policing was focused on issues including modern slavery and County lines which also fell under the Police and Crime Commissioner’s remit.

The Chairman thanked the police for their attendance and presentation. It was requested that that community safety and wellbeing action group collate priorities to highlight local issues from the presentation.

A Member raised the issue of pony and trap issues, along with road safety, it was considered to be complex issue, but one which would need to be looked at further. This could be looked at by the Health and Wellbeing Action Group. It was reported that the police had some positive prosecutions in this area, but a longer term solution to the issue was being investigated.

There were concerns raised regarding 101 call waiting times. The police reported the average call wait time currently was 3 minutes which was an improvement. 101 calls had been raised at police performance meetings and potentially covid isolation rules could have affected staffing levels. The public were encouraged to also use the online reporting tool https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime

A Member discussed the origin of fly tipping, and the possibility of it being from out of county. According to local evidence provided, it was both local and non-local residents. Preventative measures were undertaken by the of council including campaigns and cameras had been installed in some areas. The Inspector highlighted the police often led retrospective investigations into fly-tipping and the Council’s enforcement powers would help prevent fly-tipping. 

A Member reported the effective usage of social media in their experience, and asked if cross border crimes were problematic,. Reassurance was given that there was a system of cooperation and information sharing with other areas, particularly as this Community Board area was on the border of several councils. The police could monitor criminals entering Buckinghamshire particularly through the highway network and close access to motorways. There was a net advantage to the wider community to intercept any criminal activity.

A Member voiced their concerns regarding the police response to “trashing”,( the vandalization of local areas), which led to street furniture being removed e.g bus shelters and benches. However the Inspector reported that the isolated locations limited their ability to stop crime ; the best option was to remove certain structures to reduce crime.

The Police were thanked for their informative presentation.