Issue - meetings

To receive a verbal update on Police performance from Sergeant Matt Dalby, Essex Police.

The Chairman introduced Acting Chief Inspector (ACI) Kelly Thurston and Sergeant (Sgt) Matt Dalby, from Essex Police.

Sgt Dalby advised Members’ that he was the new Maldon Town team Sergeant and addressed the Committee drawing Members’ attention to the Essex Police Performance Summary report, appended to Agenda Item 6 – Maldon District Community Safety Partnership Update.  He then provided Members with a detailed presentation and highlighted the following areas:

·                 Crime – There had been an increase in crime across the Maldon District of 5.2% overall with an increase of 7.7% in victim crime and reduction in state crime of 6.2%.  There were a number of areas that had seen a reduction in crime with Anti-Social Behaviour being down by 61.8%.

·                 TRI Service Officer – The Maldon District was supported by a TRI Services Officer who visited rural communities offering advice on crime prevention, fire prevention and was also a trained first responder and working alongside the Police Rural Engagement Team.  The Officer had acquired some great intelligence through his visits to local communities resulting in the successful executive of search warrants along with reductions in hare coursing and unauthorised encampments.

·                 Dedicated Schools Operation – Members were advised how Community Policing Teams were engaging with local Primary and Secondary schools which included dealing with any local parking or driving issues.  The new Maldon Town Team were also jointly working with the Community Engagement Team and Enforcement Operations Manager on this issue.

·                 The Maldon Town Team was now operating from the Maldon Police Station and expected to be at full strength by December 2022 with a team of one sergeant and five constables. 

Following the update and in response to questions from the Committee, ACI Thurston and Sgt Dalby provided the following information:

·                 Crime – In response to comments regarding the increase in crime rate, Members were advised how crime could only be solved if the evidence was there to support it.  The Police did experience a lot of cases where crime was reported but people were then not wanting to engage it the process / provide evidence meaning that the particular case was not marked as a solved crime.  Further examples were given, and it was highlighted how some cases of reported crime may have a positive outcome but would not show in the solved rate because the crime was not solved e.g. a crime committed by a child was directed to another service such as the Youth Offending Team.  It was reported that a further rise in crime was expected because of the cost-of-living crisis.  In response to a request for data around positive outcomes, ACI Thurston advised that she would see if it was something they were able to produce.

·                 Essex Police policy was for all burglaries to be attended by a Police Constable.

·                 Staffing – Members were reminded of the uplift in staff to the Maldon Town Centre team and that the levels for response teams was not changing.  The Community Policing Team worked out of Chelmsford and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 318