Agenda and minutes

The chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and introductions and apologies were made. The chair introduced our new representatives for MOPAC, Kit Weller, CCG Jacqui Himbury and our interim Borough Commander for the LFB, Lee Walker. Fiona Taylor noted that we will having a new representative for Victim Support attend boards going forward. 

Members of the Board are asked to declare any personal or prejudicial interest they may have in any matter which is to be considered at this meeting.

No declarations of interest to note

Minutes from September’s CSP board were review by members and were agreed and confirmed as correct. The chair called for all open actions to be feedback to Jade Hodgson so we can ensure actions are followed up ahead of the next board.

Steve Calder provided a verbal update to the board regarding the London CRC Stakeholder Survey. CRC are calling for partnership board members to complete the survey which is a contract requirement, the survey aims to understand the views of services that currently operate alongside HMPPS providers. This feedback will provide well- rounded views supporting the improvement and shaping of services currently being delivered to service users.  Board members were asked to complete the survey by 22^nd December 2018. Steve Calder agreed to report back to CSP members on the outcome of the survey.

ACTION: Steve Calder to report back to CSP members on the outcome of the London CRC Stakeholder Survey.

Hazel North-Stephens provided a verbal update to board members on the progress of work around Modern Slavery. The Safeguarding Adults Board (SAB) delivered a learning event in Summer 2018 which provided momentum on building a pathway around modern slavery which will be utilised by ComSol and Adult’s Care and Support. Work is happening within Children’s Care and Support on contextual safeguarding and wider exploitation which needs to be built into the Modern Slavery pathway. The MPS have allocated a lead for Modern slavery which will drive forward work and partnership working around these matters.

Rita Chadha asked how the borough is factoring in implications of Brexit in relation to modern slavery. It was highlighted that at present there isn’t a single lead for modern slavery that will lead on these conversations however noted that Brexit has been raised in conversations and is part of discussion however there is not a defined understanding of what that means just yet.

Brian Parrot raised that leads needs to ensure and recognise that modern slavery cannot be led in isolation and this covers aspects across all partnership boards and the work needs to ensure that is representative of all boards. The board agreed and noted that work is being done with other service areas to incorporate modern slavery into funding bids to capacity build the provision to pock this work. The chair noted that there is a lot of work to be done regarding overlaps between boards to ensure there is no duplication, correct level of information sharing and links with shared priorities.

ACTION: Hazel North-Stephen to provide a further update on modern slavery and March CSP board. (Scheduled on the agenda)

Steve Thompson opened discussion on the proposed changes to the East BCU stop and search monitoring meetings. In November there was scope to amalgamate the three stop and search monitoring groups across the East BCU however, this proposal did not build in a proper consultation process. Since the request for this to be disused at the board there has been a meeting held with DS Shabnam Chaudri and the three chairs. This meeting provided a platform for chairs to raise their concerns around the merge of these meetings. The reasons put forward were accepted and at this time the monitoring groups will remain independent.  It was agreed that there will be a review conducted to identify how the stop and searches are running and ensure that the are linking in and picking up same work.

DS Shabman Chaudri highlighted that the intention for the stop and search groups to be amalgamated was a result of the direction of MPS, however there was miscommunication as a consultation was due to start in Dec after return from leave to agree system of process across BCU, as there is currently an inconsistency around how panels are run. It agreed that a regular meeting was held to share good practice, ensure good relationships and listen to partners views.

Rita Chadha noted that she was support of the work Steve Thompson has put in, the board were promised feedback from a review of from tri-borough system which has not taken place. It was also highlighted the importance for MOPAC to feedback into the review. DS Shabman Chaudri noted that consistent reviews are ongoing, and feedback is being shared through SNB, CSP and Ward Panels. DS Shabman Chaudri noted that members will be kept informed going forward.

Steve Thompson raised that he is not aware of any other BCU looking to merge their stop and search monitoring groups, police are amalgamating into BCU’s but not tri-borough stop and search groups. DS Shabman Chaudri noted that views across the board are not merge SNB or IAG. It was highlighted that similar conversations are being picked up through other partnership boards.

ACTION: DS Shabman Chaudri to provide a report to the March CSP board on reviews

of tri-borough plans to include amalgamation of Stop and Searches

ACTION: Kit Weller to liaise with Natasha Plummer and feedback to the board on the review of tri-borough plans. (Complete)

Daniel James presented data on the demographic breakdown of offences committed by children and young people (CYP) in the borough. The latest data used in this report from the annual youth justice statistics covers the 2016/17 period, updates for 2017/18 data will be available in January 2019.

The report outlines the following;

• 222 CYP in B&D received a caution or conviction in 2016/17, this was an increase from the previous year however overall levels are declining.
• The data above shows an increase from the previous year however overall levels have declined and are 24% lower than those in 2010/11.
• The 222 CYP in B&D committed 670 proven offences in 2016/17
• England, Wales and London have seen year on year decreases since 2010/11.
• In 2017/18, 15-17 year olds made up 70% of the offending population
• As seen across England and Wales males continue to make up the majority of those receiving a caution or conviction.
• Top 5 offences committed by CYP in B&D in 2016/17 was violence against the person, theft and handling, drugs, criminal damage and robbery. This is consistent from previous years.
• Largest increase in offences were for Violence Against the Person, unauthorised vehicle taking and sexual offences.
• England, Wales and London have an overrepresentation of BAME receiving a caution or conviction on 2016/17.

Rita Chadha noted that BAME is a broad category, if we wish to input targeted interventions through the trauma informed approach could we have a further breakdown into ethnicity which was agreed by the board and agreed to be provided to board members. It was noted that the Youth Justice Board have a disproportionality tool and currently the YOS offending population is reflective of the local population and there is not an over representation of BAME in this cohort in B and D.

ACTION: Daniel James to provide breakdown into BAME groups and offending rates to CSP board members before March board. 

Neil Matthews updated the board on current data of burglary offences in Barking and Dagenham. The following was highlighted;

·  Robbery offences have seen a significant reduction in offences throughout the year.

·  Knife crime injuries for under 25 years are at 35.4%

·  Data reflects violence with injury offences are on the decline

The chair questions what work is being done with comms to promote the good news stories, we are aware particular wards have a low perception of safety and high levels of fear towards crime however statics reflect a different story. Neil Matthews noted that MPS are aware more work needs to be done with comms to ensure the council and MPS comms work together.

·  B&D saw burglary offences spiked in April 2018

·  The wards with the highest rates of residential burglaries are Village, Albion, Thames, Gascoigne, Whalebone.

·  Daily reviews of burglary reports to identify risk areas.

·  Weekly hotspots and key target reviews undertaken to identify areas for patrolling.

·  Theft from person is averaging at 1 offences per day.

·  In April offences were at 23%, however stats decreased to 9.9%

·  At present offences are back to 13.10% but starting to see a reduction.

Angie Fuller highlighted from an Op Mexico perspective there is concern around where adults are being targeted as a vast amount of young people are being arrested, we are also aware that young people are being pushed towards offending behaviour from older members. This is being reflected in YOS data. MPS noted that they target both adults and young people however the main focus is of those who are high risk to members of the public.

Steve Thompson questions the levels of sanction detection rates on burglary as we are seeing similar stats across the year, with Op Mexico we would expect to see this higher rates. MPS noted that is of concern and work is being done to look into levels of sanction detection rates as they are aware there should be an increase. It was also highlighted that the integrated gang’s unit based in Barking is making work more effective and proving great success. There are 5 MPS officers allocated to the unit and funding available for 2 knife crime prevention workers.

This document is restricted and has been circulated to board members separately.

Angie Fuller provided feedback on the YOS inspection, the feedback was not available via ModGov due to the YOS report being embargoed until 12.01am on 20 December 2018. B&D were the first YOS in the country of receive a full HIMP inspection under the new framework which was undertaken in September. The inspection has two elements, one single inspection (3 week, 1 of those field work) and a full joint inspection (5 week, 2 of those field work). The field work consisted of interviewing practitioners and an in-depth review of 50 cases who are either currently open to the YOS or closed within the past 6 months. The outcomes of the inspection are as followed;

• Overall recommendation requires improvement. This is where the YOS considered themselves to be due to a high turnover of staff within the last 18-24 months.
• Inspectors were surprised by high risk and complex cases in borough.
• Education outcome showed concerned about children of statutory schools age that are in alternative education. An education worker has employed to address this.
• Joint working with social care needed to improve and plans needed to be clear about roles and responsibilities
• YOS identified to be managing the majority of the risk and work which inspectors felt should be multi-agency. Angie Fuller and April Bald are working on links with social workers on practitioner level to increase understanding on roles and responsibilities.
• Requires more understanding of contributing factors to offending.
• Planning to keep young people safe was inadequate
• Delivery of work to keep young people safe required work.
• Staff aware of changes to circumstances of CYP but not reflected in planning.
• Considering the needs and wishes of victims wasn’t evident enough in case records, police have supported with direction around what victim support worker can deliver.
• Governance and leadership of the YOS was strong.  
• Effective working with Police and outstanding health provision.
• Inspectors happy with environment of the YOS
• Please to see strategic change and YOS now sitting under children social care rather than community safety however CSP still have an oversight.

Chair questions what specific work is required from board members to support the YOS in delivering the improvement plan. YOS to review and feed back to board members.

ACTION: Angie Fuller to review improvement plan and email CSP board members for areas requiring board/ subgroup support.

ACTION: CSP members to review improvement plan and return responses by 10^th January 2019.

April Bald highlighted that the council are proud of YOS team, it is difficult being the first YOS to receive a full inspection however to get good leadership outcomes shows we are on a road to achieving improvement plan. Work is being done to develop an exploitation strategy linking in with serious youth violence agenda and violence against women and girls.

The timescale for future assessment as followed;

• Full joint inspection around 10 years
• Single inspection around 2-3 years
• Childrens social care review/Ofsted is imminent, this review will be looking at high risk cases, looked after  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

This document is restricted and has been circulated to board members separately.

Daniel James led a 6 month review of the current Crime and Disorder Strategic Assessment; the assessment was to look at the and review priority areas, current trends and to ensure that the priority areas are still of correct focus.

It was discussed that this was the first time this data had been pulled together into one document for the CSP board. Lee Walker noted that the London Fire Brigade are pleased with the direction of data and trends however it is clear from ranking across London there is still work to be done which will be continuing to be resourced. Data is showing a reduction in fly tipping and abandoned vehicles.

The item was opened to board members where CVS highlighted the requirement to include the impacts of Brexit on each of the priority areas outlined in the assessment and how we will make progress in light of this. This was agreed by members. The MPS are already working on impacts of Brexit on wider issues.

April Bald noted that a focus for CYP would be around violence and domestic abuse looking at adverse childhood experiences (ACE’s) and identifying approaches to current case loads of young people. With the changing demographics of CYP in borough the CYP subgroup will need to keep an eye on what groups are coming into borough and what the impacts of Brexit may be on this cohort. The chair highlighted that chairs will need to feedback to Dan James on the impacts of Brexit for the respective areas. 

ACTION: Subgroup chairs to report back to Dan James on impacts of Brexit on their subgroup areas.

CVS outlined that the Council should be chairing a Tension Monitoring Meeting to highlight any areas where tension may occur and ensure that plans are in place to address these issues.

ACTION: Fiona Taylor to raise with council leads the need for Tension Monitoring Meetings to be reinstated. (Complete)

ACTION: Council to set up future Tension Monitoring Meetings (Complete)

Future assessments

Jade Hodgson asked board members to agree what process the board members would like followed with regards to future assessment. Board members agreed that individual workshops should be held with subgroups of the board, then a half day workshop for all areas to come together to agree the outline for the future assessment.

The current areas for future assessment were put forward for consideration;

• Impacts of crimes on residents
• Expand CSE, exploitation and county lines information from Rescue and Response data
• Impacts on workforce (i.e social workers)
• Counter terrorism and extremism, potential to monitor how many cases are put through channel panel
• Shared priorities across the boards

The board questions whether the MPS have a record of who is taken to court in relation to county lines who are from outside of the local area. MPS advised that they do not receive much intel however the YOS will be notified who is attending court from out of borough. It was highlighted that additional work with the council be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

Fiona Taylor called for members to review the forward plan and send any future agenda items for the board to Jade Hodgson.

The chair reminded board members of the first EAST BCU Serious Violence Summit which is scheduled for January 16 at London East.

Neil Matthews noted that he is being transferred to Croydon and DS Inspector Jamie Piscapo will be covering in the interim. It was agreed that the MPS would co-chair future CSP boards which is still the intention. Neil Matthews put forward that DS Shabnam Chaudri would support responsibilities going forward. 

Community Safety Partnership Board

Wednesday 27 March 2019, 10.00am-1.00pm

Venue:  Conference Room 1, Barking Learning Centre

Community Safety Partnership Board

Wednesday 27 March 2019, 10:00-13:00pm

Barking Learning Centre, Conference Room