Agenda item

Following an introduction by the joint-portfolio holders, the Cabinet Members for Planning and Housing, the Crime Disorder, Local Partnership Working and CCTV Update presentation was presented by the following individuals:

-       Head of Service (Housing),

-       Head of Service (Public Protection),

-       Police Inspector Hillson,

-       Safer Streets Co-Ordinator.

The presentation comprised of the following information:

-       Multi-agency work being undertaken in forums such as the Vulnerable Adults Panel (VAP), Joint Agency Meetings (JAM), and Missing And Child Exploitation (MACE) meetings.

-       Enforcement action undertaken and the process for doing so. This outlined the number of enforcement actions undertaken with 45 unacceptable behaviour warning letters and 6 full closure orders issued.

-       Tools and powers afforded to local services by the Anti-social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014.

-       Case studies of local instances of crime that required enforcement action.

-       An overview of Crime Data in South Kesteven, differentiating the figures for different types of crime.

-       Youth Crime and the Young Person Protocol (effectively the approach for dealing with underage anti-social behaviour (ASB)).

-       The role of the Joint Diversionary Panel and the resolutions available.

-       The role and achievements of the Safer Streets team.

-       The Head Of Service (Public Protection) noted that she would arrange an invite for Members to view the new CCTV Centre.

During discussions, Members commented on the following:

-       Police Inspector Hillson confirmed that the crime data statistics showed a 50% increase in rape cases as a result of increased numbers of domestic abuse victims reporting instances.  

-       Police Inspector Hillson also confirmed that theft from the person cases has increased in Stamford from 7 cases in the year to January 2024 to 20 in the year to January 2025. This was therefore not as drastic as the 185.7% increase initially appears and could be the result of a single prolific offender.

-       It was queried what the usual outcome was of the offenses outlined within the crime rate statistics. It was confirmed that being charged was the most likely outcome.

-       The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on crime rates was queried. It was confirmed that crime rates dipped, but ASB increased significantly due to disagreements between individuals about following Covid restrictions.

-       It was confirmed that there was a Performance Officer employed within the Police force to analyze crime and identify trends.

-       Some Members voiced concerns about the impact of Lincolnshire Police being placed in special measures by the Home Office, particularly on the number of Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs). With this in mind, it was queried and confirmed that there were no longer any PCSOs based in the south of the South Kesteven district.

-       It was confirmed that there was no indication from central Government that funding for Safer Streets would continue following the end of March 2025. As a result, alternative funding was being pursued but was yet to be secured.

-       A Member confirmed that the feedback from their residents had been overwhelmingly positive about the Safer Streets Team.

-       The new CCTV Centre was confirmed to have 161 cameras across the district with 38 in Grantham.   

-       Members encouraged raising awareness of the Joint Diversionary Panel.

Members noted the Crime Disorder, Local Partnership Working and CCTV Update.