To receive a presentation by the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner.
Minutes:
The Chair welcomed Mr Arfon Jones, North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner and Superintendent Richie Green (Gwynedd & Anglesey) to the meeting.
Mr Arfon Jones gave an insight to the role of the Police and Crime Commissioner to the meeting. He said that following his election as Police and Crime Commissioner in 2012 he had a duty to produce a Police and Crime Plan within 12 months of taking office. The Plan sets out the strategic direction of North Wales Police for his term as Police and Crime Commissioner. He referred that he has identified five priorities within his second publication of the Police and Crime Plan for 2017-2021 as follows :-
· Domestic Abuse
· Modern Slavery
· Modern Slavery is a term used to refer to the exploitation of vulnerable people through activities such as human trafficking and forced labour. This crime is often hidden from public view, with victims frequently reluctant to approach the police due to the levels of control and fear place upon them;
· Need to ensure that victims are recognised as victims and not dismissed simply as perpetrators of other crimes such as illegal immigration, prostitution or shoplifting;
· Holyhead Port makes North Wales a key area in the UK for Modern Slavery.
· Serious and Organised Crime
· The Government regards serious and organised crime as one of the greatest threats to the UK’s national security and costs the UK more than £24 billion a year. The National Serious and Organised Crime Strategy is built on the framework used for counter terrorism and sets out how opportunities will be taken to prevent people getting involved in serious and organised crime, strengthen protection against and responses to it, and to pursue the criminals;
· A number of serious organised crime operations have been tackled in the Port Holyhead and across the North Wales border.
· Sexual Abuse (including child sexual exploitation)
· The number of rape and other serious sexual assaults, often committed by partners or people know to their victims, reported to the police are high. However, there is a need to encourage victims to come forward to report such incidents;
· A Team has been established by North Wales Police to tackle child sexual exploitation (CSE). Working partnership with other organisations is also undertaken to ensure that all that can be done to safeguard these children is given the priority it deserves. There has also been increased incidents of ‘on-line grooming’ across the country.
· Delivering Safer Neighbourhoods
Mr Jones further said that he wished to highlight the partnership working between North Wales Police and the County Council, which is highly regarded, and reference was made to the ‘Early Action Together’ programme. The Early Action Together ACEs learning network provides helpful information for the public, professionals and Police about the Early Action Together programme and its work in relation to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). The aim is to share useful information and research about ACEs as well as best practice and resources. The programme has reduced the protection referrals to the County Council’s Social Services Department.
As Police and Crime Commissioner, Mr Jones said that his vision is to stop offenders re-offending. He referred to the ‘Check-Point’ Cymru programme which aims to help keep minor offenders out of trouble and out the courts. Some offenders have mostly drugs related issues and mental health problems and the ‘Checkpoint’ programme seeks to afford courses to help and support people within their communities.
Superintendent Richie Green highlighted local issues within Anglesey to the Committee. He referred to the partnership working between North Wales Police and the Local Authority to respond to problems of anti-social behaviour and the reasons behind the problems of people offending. He further said that regular meetings with the local Health Authority as regards to vulnerable persons offending due to drug related problems and mental health issues is paramount to the work of the Police Authority.
The Chair thanked the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner and Superintendent Richie Green for their presentation to the Committee. The Committee considered the information presented and made the following points:-
· Reference was made as to the partnership working with the local Health Authority as regards to vulnerable persons with mental health issues. Questions were raised as to whether the Health Authority and other agencies were contributing to the preventative work for vulnerable persons who may be in danger of offending. The North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner responded that the situation has improved over the last year as to the support given to vulnerable persons when they find themselves in police custody. Training has been afforded to Custody Officers and Control Room Staff as to how to deal with persons with mental health issues and statistics show that the response to people in crisis has improved. Superintendent Richie Green said that due to partner agencies meeting on a regular basis on Anglesey the support to vulnerable persons with mental health issues has significantly improved;
· Reference was made that complaints by local residents to elected members, on a regular basis, is issues relating to the 101 non-emergency number. The North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner agreed that there is an issue with the 101 non-emergency number. He said that an on-line system needs to be implemented to release staff in the Control Centre to answer emergency calls;
· Reference was made that anti-social behaviour figures has shown a decreased recently. A Member referred to the recent incidents of anti-social behaviour as in the Llangefni area and questioned as to the number of PCSO’s employed within the area. Superintendent Richie Green responded that there has been a decrease in the number of PCSO’s on the Island but 5 extra Police Officers have been employed since October last year. The North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner said that it is anticipated that 200 extra Police Officers are to be employed over the next 3 years but it was emphasised that the recruitment process can only employ Police Officers and not PCSO’s;
· Members referred that it has become evident that there has been a rise in cocaine use rather than heroin. Superintendent Richie Green responded that as part of the Christmas period ‘drink drive’ campaign it has become apparent that there has been an increase in recreational cocaine use in first time users rather than cannabis. He noted that this issue is of concern at it keeps county lines prevalent in North Wales;
· Questions were raised whether North Wales Police deal with ‘on-line’ and telephone fraud. The North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner said that as part of the Police and Crime Plan he intends to establish a Team to investigate fraud against vulnerable persons. He said that there is numerous incidents with people having lost a considerable amount of money to ‘on-line and telephone fraud. Banks are now working with the Police Authority to stop suspicious transactions from people’s bank accounts.
The Chair thanked the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner and Superintendent Richie Green for attending the meeting.
It was RESOLVED to note the report.
ACTION : None