a. Policing in
Lincoln
Chief Inspector Pache provided an update on policing in Lincoln and
advised as follows:-
- Anti social behaviour in Lincoln is
down 14.7%
- There are three distinct problem
areas – Street Drinking, Vagrancy and Noise Nuisance
- Inspector Judith Kent is new in post
and is targeting the top 5 offenders
- Begging is an issue in the city
centre, however when arrests are made prosecutions are not
undertaken so the deterrent side is limited. The Police are
currently looking at alternative sanctions.
- Persistent offenders in the City
Centre are being served with exclusion notices.
- Street drinking is not illegal it is
the behaviour of individuals that is the problem.
- The Police are targeting individuals
who act anti socially. The increase in the number of Off Licences
is a problem. There has been a 120% increase in anti social
behaviour in certain areas. These hot spot areas including the High
Street are to be prioritised.
- Overall crime in the City is down
5%. Not all crimes are recorded.
- Lincolnshire Police is a beacon
force in National Crime Recording Standards.
- Police are working with retail
premises in respect of shoplifting, nationally there has been a 54%
increase and a 29% increase in Lincoln.
- Work has been undertaken with
Lincolnshire Coop in respect of providing additional security in
their stores. This has led to a reduction in crime and some
displacement to the neighbouring county –
Nottinghamshire.
- Independent retailers do not have
the capacity to put measures in place. However the Police are
working with them through the Business Crime Strategy to try and
minimise shop thefts.
- The next Comprehensive Spending
Review may lead to further cuts in budget, however it should be
noted that Lincolnshire has one of the most efficient forces in the
country.
Members commented as follows:-
- How do you equate falling crime
statistics with reducing resources?.
Response –
The Police function is different now. There used to be a lot of
officers in uniform. The Police now concentrate on vulnerable
people and persistent offenders, we now have 10 Officers
who’s particular function is to respond to urgent priority
incidents in a 10 minute response time.
- Under reporting appears to be a
problem, why?.
Response –
Under reporting has always been a problem. All calls received are
recorded and included in Police statistics. Both funding and crime
are reducing.
- Police attendance at the
Carholme Community Forum has been
sporadic which has led to the relationship between the residents
and the Police not being as good as it was. Whilst
“Freshers Week” might not
have appeared to be that bad it was actually horrendous.
Response –
The Police have many challenges, and the public have high
expectations. The Police have to target their resources at hotspot
locations. Offences within the night time economy are down.
- The City Centre has recently won the
Purple Flag award which implies it is a safe environment. However
there are problems in other areas of City especially in respect of
anti social behaviour.
Response –
Lincoln is a very safe place and whilst it has appeared in the
top10 list of alcohol related admissions to A and E it is not out
of control.
- In respect of street drinking has
this been displaced to further down the High Street because of the
imposition of the DPPO and has the changes the City Council has
made to CCTV had any affect?.
Response –
The areas of significant concern High Bridge, St Martins Square
relocated to St Mary le Wigford.
However there have been a significant increase in incidents in the
vicinity of G H Shaws. It is to early
to comment on whether the changes to CCTV will affect the
Police.
RESOLVED that the report be noted.
b. West Lincolnshire
Community Partnership
Chief Inspector Pache provided an update on the West Lincolnshire
Community Partnership and advised as follows:_
- The Partnership is no longer in
force and from November 2013 the CSP will monitor policing
arrangements in Lincoln.
- A planning meeting will be held in
January to discuss Portfolio leads and action plans.
- That he is the current temporary
Chair of the partnership.
- There was a need for Councillor
representation on the partnership which could be either a district
or County councillor.
RESOLVED that the report be noted.
c. Lincoln BIG
Matt Corrigan, provided an update on the work
of Lincoln BIG and advised as follows:-
- They focus their resource on the
City Centre, spending approximately £150,000 annually on
safety and security.
- Key issue within the City Centre is
shoplifting. A new database is being is currently being developed
detailing offences and offenders. There was a need to engage with
businesses.
- A lot of businesses in the City
Centre do not have internet access which is an issue.
- Shops have been more effective in
banning persistent offenders.
- The award of the Purple Flag award
sends out a positive message. In addition the Evening Safety
Officers provide enforcement when necessary.
- Comments are often received on
vagrancy, begging and street drinking. There is a need to provide a
pleasant safe environment for shoppers and Lincoln BIG are
encouraging the public not to donate to vagrants/beggars.
Members commented as follows:-
- Taking into account the Purple Flag
Scheme and the comments made at the meeting, a lot of people might
get the impression that businesses are targeting people with
disposable income. Is there any evidence that we are trying to move
to a more continental environment?.
Response –
The majority of businesses want a safe sustainable environment.
Removing premises does not necessarily prevent people coming into
the city. Managing people in drink is the main problem as
authorities have a wider responsibility to the community. Staggered
closing times often work better.
- Would input from shopkeepers assist
in controlling the sale of alcohol?.
Response –
Yes possibly, many shops employ security staff due to problems with
street drinkers.
RESOLVED that the report be noted.
d. City of Lincoln
Council – ASB Team
Sam Barstow, Public Protection and Anti
– Social Behaviour Service Manager, provided an update on the
work of the Public Protection and Anti – Social Behaviour
Team and advised as follows:-
- The current team had been in place
since June 2013 and since that date had received 1,711 requests for
assistance.
- The team had a wide variety of
responsibilities and of the enquiries received 380 had been ASB
complaints which appeared to be increasing.
- Current satisfaction levels were
being ascertained however 86% of complainants were either fairly or
very satisfied.
- Vagrancy and begging were
significant issues.
- Fly tipping was an issue in
Abbey/Park Wards and this has increased
since the bulky waste collection service had stopped. This was
currently being monitored.
- Because of legal highs there has
been a rise in the number of ASB complaints connected with them. 75
– 80 young people have been identified as offenders.
- In respect of noise complaints the
numbers received by the Police are increasing whilst the numbers
received by the Council are decreasing. This is currently being
looked at.
- The Crime and Anti – Social
Behaviour Bill is likely to remove some of the powers that
authorities currently use.
- The provision of the DPPO was
reviewed by the Policy Scrutiny Committee.
- There had been some displacement of
street drinkers to Marley’s on the High Street.
Members commented as follows:-
- What about fly tipping on private
land, who is responsible for its removal?.
Response – It
is the responsibility of the land owner.
Resolved that
- the report be noted; and
- a report on the Crime and Anti
Social Behaviour Bill be presented to the next meeting.