Agenda item

To submit a report by the Deputy Chief Executive.

The report of the Deputy Chief Executive was submitted for consideration by the Committee.

The Leader of the Council, in the absence of the Portfolio Member said that the Annual Report give an opportunity to view the statistics and the challenges as working in partnership is fundamental to community safety. 

In considering the report, the Committee discussed the following main matters:-

·         Questions were raised as to what extent does the Committee agree with the Partnership’s priorities, which are based on a local needs assessment process, and are there other matters which need to be prioritised.  Further questions were raised as the report refers to the changes in reporting and as to how it is possible to get a true picture of any improvement or deterioration in individual communities. The Community Safety Senior Operational Officer for Gwynedd and Anglesey responded that the Gwynedd and Ynys Môn Community Safety Partnership priorities within the Action Plan are based on a regional strategy by the Safer North Wales Board. The focus of the Board is to make sure that Gwynedd and Anglesey is a safe place to live, work and to visit .  The Partnership’s Strategy is also influenced by the Police Strategic Assessment and reports on the crime issues within the area. The Strategy places a framework of priorities for all the partner organisations within the Community Safety Partnership.  She noted that the changes to the recording process was highlighted within the report and the Police will have an extended period to prioritise victims of crime without having to duplicate records.  This will ensure a consistent method of recording across the UK which is more accurate than the previous system.  She further noted that North Wales is in a positive place in terms of crime reduction.

·         Questions were raised as to what ways does the statutory partnership add value and work in an effective and efficient manner in accordance with the expectations of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.  The Community Safety Senior Operational Officer responded that under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 the Community Safety Partnership has a duty to work closely with its partner organisations to ensure greater collaboration and sharing information.  She noted that there are different work areas that are undertaken by the Community Safety Partnership and the local authorities are in a better position to address any issues that may arise.  The Deputy Chief Executive, as Chair of the Community Safety Partnership, said that work is undertaken on a strategic process to raise awareness on different issues of concerns that would otherwise not been aware of, and action can be undertaken purposely and improve how to tackle crime issues that may arise. Further reference was made by the Committee that it is noted within the report that the Home Office does not acknowledge anti-social behaviour as a crime, but the Police Authority does acknowledge that anti-social behaviour is a crime.  The Community Safety Senior Operational Officer responded that she is given to understand that anti-social behaviour is not recorded by incident but is recorded by how many calls that are received by the Police Control Room.  The Deputy Chief Executive said that he intends to invite the Police Officer that attends the Community Safety Partnership to this meeting during discussion of the Annual Report at this Committee in due course.

·         Reference was made to the reported increase in shoplifting within the media recently and retailers are complaining that the Police do not attend any shop-lifting incidents.  Questions were raised as to whether shoplifting is on the increase in Anglesey and across Wales as reported shoplifting is not recorded and whether a Taskforce is going to be established to reduce incidents of shoplifting.   The Community Safety Operational Officer responded that she is aware that retail theft is a priority for North Wales Police and work has been undertaken with supermarket as regards to the layout of shops to make sure that high value items are not place near the exit doors.  She further said that North Wales Police have been targeting key offenders to understand the reasons for shoplifting and to change behavioural patterns.  A Safer Business Action Week was undertaken by the Police recently with supermarkets and to encourage them to contact the Police for advice and support and to address organised and repeated crime. She noted that there is a tendency for increases in shoplifting incidents during the Christmas period and work has been done across the force to prepare for this. 

·         Questions were raised as to whether there is a decrease in reported crime due to victims not reporting the crime as they think that the Police will not attend.  The Deputy Chief Executive said that he was willing to discuss the issue with the Police.

·         Reference was made to incidents of telephone and on-line fraud. Questions were raised as to whether such incidents are increasing on Anglesey as fraudsters are using the Welsh language whilst phoning people. It was noted that the Trading Standards Department are arranging a campaign to raise awareness of telephone and on-line fraud. Facebook and social media platforms can also be a tool to share community alerts of fraudsters telephoning people. The Community Safety Operational Officer responded that incidents of telephone and on-line fraud has increased significantly in the UK and especially targeting elderly a vulnerable persons.  She noted that telephone and on-line fraud is a priority by the Police and training was afforded to the Officers within the Community Safety Partnership last year who deal with incidents and to support victims.  The Chief Executive highlighted that the Authority has an Age Friendly network and sharing information needs to be highlighted as regards to telephone and on-line fraud targeted on the elderly and vulnerable persons.

It was RESOLVED to note the contents of the report and attached documents and to support the priorities and future direction of the work of the Gwynedd and Ynys Môn Community Safety Partnership.

ACTION : As noted above.