Agenda item

Members received the Strategic Assessment 2017, which was approved by the Havering Community Safety Partnership on the 16^th January 2018. 

The contents of the assessment included performance and recent trends, Crime Harm Index, Community Safety Problems and suggested priorities and recommendations.

The assessment highlighted an increase in robbery, sexual offences, weapon enabled crime, motor vehicle crime and serious youth violence.  Youth violence rate per 1,000 had seen Havering move from the 9^th worse in London to the 8^th worse.  The CSE rate remained the 2^nd worse in London; and the taking of motor vehicles had seen a 47% increase on the previous year, moving Havering from 12^th worse in London to 4^th worse.

Burglary dwelling and domestic violence with injury had both seen less than 1% change on last year’s level.  The burglary dwelling rate had improved on the previous year, from 8^th to 19^th.

There had been a 10.6% reduction in violence with injury, 26.4% reduction in hate crime and 41.8% reduction in business crime, despite a rise in shoplifting.  Other areas which had increased included burglary non-dwelling, violence without injury and damage to dwellings.

Those in their mid-teens to mid-thirties were at greatest risk of victimisation from harmful and high risk problems, with the greatest increase in the 14-17 age group.  30 and over were at greatest risk of household / home based acquisitive crimes.  Domestic abuse and sexual offences were more likely to be reported by females, whereas serious wounding and robbery were more likely to be reported by males.  The overall breakdown of all violence was 35% female and 65% male.  Domestic abuse had the highest level of repeat victimisation, at 28.8%.  Cash, phones, credit cards and jewellery continued to be the most stolen items, with iPhones accounting for 60% of the phones stolen in all crime types.  Ford were the most stolen, and stolen from, vehicles.

Crime offending rates were above average for those aged 14-39, with the peak offending age being between 16-24.  For more serious violence and sexual offences, the predominant age range was 16-30, but for domestic abuse the predominant age range extended into the forties.  Males accounted for a total of 80% (suspected) offenders, ranging from 68% - 95% depending on the category of crime.  Categories of crime where offenders were most likely to know victims were sexual offences and domestic abuse.

Top categories which had impacted across Havering were domestic violence, violent crime and youth violence, burglary, sexual offences and anti-social behaviour.  Top contributory factors in the commission of crime were alcohol harm, drug use/misuse and domestic abuse perpetration.

The key priorities identified from the assessment were:

·      Protecting vulnerable individuals/victims.

·      Support the most prolific and/or high offenders.

·      Create safer locations.

·      Community engagement and public confidence.

The recommendations from the assessment were:

·      To retain the strategic priorities agreed for Havering the previous year.

·      To maintain a strong focus on reducing re-offending, especially for adults and those involved in gangs.

·      To reduce repeat victimisation, especially violence against women and girls, child sexual exploitation and anti-social behaviour.

·      To reduce substance misuse and the harm it causes.

·      To reduce problems in communities experiencing disproportionate levels of crime.

·      To improve feelings of safety through communications.