Agenda and minutes

To approve as correct the minutes of the meetings held on 2 July 2015 and authorise the Chairman to sign them.

The minutes of the meeting held on 2 July 2015 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive an oral report from the Director of Public Health.

Officers provided details of the Drug Misuse and Alcohol Strategies which would be informed by the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA).  A number of stakeholder meetings and one to one interviews had taken place.  The Drugs Misuse Strategy would include the supply and use of legal highs including prescribed drugs and over the counter drugs.  The three main themes would be restricting supply, reducing demand and building recovery. 

The Alcohol Harm Strategy had four themes; crime and prevention, reducing harm, effective support service and association with Mental Health issues.  Some of the initial findings were discussed including that a number of young women were unaware that drinking and drugs could cause harm when trying to conceive or when pregnant.

Members stated that health was not currently one of the licensing objectives that could be considered.  This would be useful when agreeing a premises license as conditions on the maximum strength could be applied.  This would need to be a National campaign.

The Sub-Committee noted the update.

To receive an oral report from the Borough Commander.

The Borough Commander outlined the seven MOPAC targets and the progress against each.  It was noted that the largest contributor with over 2000 crimes was burglary.  This was likely to increase with the Autumn season.  Criminal damage was declining, with the majority of cases taking place in the police station.    Motor vehicle criminal damage was at 60% however these were potentially attempted theft.  Robbery was showing a reduction against our 4 year target but was experiencing an upward trend in the short term and the police were targeting individuals.

The statistics for violence with injury now had a different reporting means therefore this figure had now increased; however this was not necessarily an overall increase just that reporting criteria had changed.  The majority of data was gathered in conjunction with the London Ambulance Service.  The activity in Romford Town Centre was monitored and liaised with Licensing.  It was noted that there was an increase in crime at the end of the month, which coincided with pay-days.  There was an increased resource at these times of the month.  Peaks were generally at the weekend.

It was noted that Romford was previously in the top 5 of violent crimes, now with the success of Operation Omega the area was now outside the top 20.

Discussions were had about the increase in domestic violence reporting.  The Sub-Committee requested an update on the domestic violence strategy at the next meeting.

The Sub-Committee noted the report.

To receive an oral report from Community Safety.

Officers presented information on serious group violence. Crime in Havering was in line with the national average.  Following the riots in Inner London enforcement in these areas had increased therefore a knock-on effect in Outer London Boroughs had been seen.  The changes were highlighted to the Sub-Committee together with the possible impacts that would be had.

In 2012, Havering was not selected as a Trident Borough, however regular liaison with the Home Office were carried out as there were a number of nominals on the Matrix.

The difference between Peer Groups, Gangs and Organised Criminal Networks was explained.  52 young people in Havering were monitored on a regular basis, as being gang affected or gang active.  Of these, 20 nominals had appeared on the Trident Gang Matrix.

Havering had the fourth highest increase in London for Serious Youth Violence in 2014/15, with an increase of 30.6% from 108 victims in 2013/14 to 141 in 2014/15.  Havering had the 10^th highest volume of firearms discharged in London in 2014/15 (11 shootings) with 24 in Lambeth and only 1 in Kingston upon Thames.  It was noted that this would include some air-rifles and some may not be confirmed as firearms.

The largest concern was that Havering had the 5^th largest increase for knife crimes resulting in injury (stabbings) in 2014/15.  This was an increase of 35.43% from 48 victims in 2013/14 to 65 victims in 2014/15.  Officers explained that this was linked to robberies and was around the town centre transport hubs. 

The MOPAC funding was explained together with the preventative work that would be carried out.

It was noted that Havering was working with the Home Office on a new piece of work to find out what is known about vulnerability and violence.  This would be linked to working with County Lines and sharing local knowledge and information about missing persons.  It was noted that drug lines were worth around £20,000 per week.  This would be across East London and Essex.

Members noted that there was a briefing session on 20^th October on Child Sexual Exploitation for all members which was agreed would be useful to attend.

Officers stated that the most activity was in the town centre, these areas were monitored via CCTV and Police Resources.  Monthly monitoring took place to ensure the service was aware of any issues.

The Sub-Committee thanked the officer for the presentation.

To consider the attached document.

Officers provided details of the commitment to bring forward new legislation to ban the new generation of psychoactive drugs.  The Psychoactive Substances Bill would protect people from the risks posed by untested, unknown and potentially harmful drugs and create a blanket ban which would prohibit and disrupt the production, distribution, sale and supply of new psychoactive substances (“NPS”) in the UK.  Exempt substances include alcohol, tobacco and nicotine, medicines (including those subject to testing in clinical trials) and controlled drugs as well as caffeine and foodstuffs.

The Bill would make it an offence to: produce; supply; offer to supply; possess with intent to supply; import or export a psychoactive substance.  It was noted that there was no offence of simple possession.

The Sub-Committee noted that Nitro-oxide would be included in the Bill.  Last year over 30,000 nitro-oxide canisters were found at We “R” Festival, this year a different approach was taken including “honesty bin” so there were a lot less.  Officers stated that this substance was used in the catering business and could be bought easily online.

The Council were looking to introduce a Public Space Protection Order in the Ring Road Area, where the current “Designated No Drinking Zone”existed which could include a ban on all psychoactive substances as well as other anti-social behaviour.  It was hoped to extend this to the area around Queen’s Hospital too.

The Havering Community Safety Partnership would need to approve the order and then consult with the public. This could take up to two years to implement.  The Sub-Committee asked that an update on progress be given at a future meeting.

To consider whether or not to establish a Topic Group to investigate how prisoners with Mental Health issues are dealt with. Various papers have already been circulated to assist members.

The Sub-Committee agreed to establish a topic group to look at how people with mental health issues were supported by the Justice System.  It was suggested that information was sought from NELFT, the CCG, Public Health as well as an understanding of what happens in the custody system and how magistrates handle complex needs.

Suggested dates would be circulated to members.

To consider the attached report.

The Sub-Committee received the Corporate Performance Report for Quarter one.  This duplicated the information given by the Borough Commander as the indicators were in line with the 7 MOPAC targets.

It was noted the there was no MOPAC target for repeat MARAC referrals of Domestic violence, however a local target was to be in line with the national average of 24.5%.

Anti-Social Behaviour incidents were lower however it was noted that the majority of complaints were attributed to neighbour nuisance.  Members discussed the anti-social behaviour of the public and their attitudes towards each other.  It was noted that at a recent members briefing on parking, one of the issues was about drivers in the borough parking over residential driveways and the affect this has on the residents.  Members requested that at the next meeting a presentation on these types of anti-social complaints be given to the Sub-Committee.

To consider the attached consultation paper and decide whether to submit a response.

The Borough Commander explained the document that had been circulated on “Reforming the Powers of Police Staff and Volunteers”.  Savings within the Metropolitan Police needed to be made and this was the consultation document and suggested approach.  The service would be looked at in a different way with the support from other partners. 

Members raised concerns in relation to volunteers as there would be limits to what a volunteer would be able, or would wish to carry out.  Members discussed the issues around volunteers and agreed that an agreed structure and support package would need to be put in place.

The Sub-Committee was asked that any responses to the consultation needed to be completed by 31 October 2015.