Agenda item

Cabinet agreed to receive the supplementary agenda amending the report recommendations and legal implications.

Cabinet:

1.     APPROVED the Serious Group Violence and Knife Crime Strategy 2019-2022 and associated Action Plan.

The Serious Group Violence and Knife Crime Strategy 2019-2022 was presented to Cabinet by Councillor Viddy Persaud, the Cabinet Lead Member for Public Protection and Safety.

Cabinet agreed to receive the supplementary agenda amending the report recommendations and legal implications.

Havering launched its first Serious Group Violence Strategy in 2014.  This second strategy aligned its strategic aims with those set out in the regional (MOPAC and London Crime Reduction Board) and national (Ending Gang Violence and Exploitation) strategic ambitions with a focus on:

•   Tackling knife crime and gangs

•   Early intervention for those on the periphery of crime

•   Protecting and safeguarding our children (from exploitation & county lines)

Serious youth violence and knife crime was of high concern for residents and the public in general, with fear of crime disproportionately high in Havering; and tackling violent crime remained a priority for the Havering Community Safety Partnership.

Young people at risk of involvement in serious youth violence would be offered targeted, tailored prevention and intervention from an early age, in order to discourage their involvement in offending and ensure they receive the right support from the right partners at the right stage in their life.

The Strategy would be delivered in partnership with the Police, Council and commissioned and voluntary services as detailed in the action plan.

The strategy and associated action plan focused on 4 key areas - prevention, intervention, enforcement and intelligence and information sharing.

It was noted that Safer Schools Officers carried out workshops for Year 6 pupils and secondary school pupils, providing information on safety and the consequences of violence and knife crime and the Gangs Mentoring Service was active in the borough.  There had been an increase in stop and search in the borough since January 2019 and this was monitored on a monthly basis.  Members agreed that the prevention of crime needed to be a higher priority for the Council, and recognised the reduction in Police resources.    Following discussion:

Cabinet:

1.    APPROVED the Serious Group Violence and Knife Crime Strategy 2019-2022 and associated Action Plan.