Issue - meetings

To receive a presentation on Police Performance from Chief Inspector Paul Ballard, Essex Police.

The Chairperson introduced Chief Inspector Paul Ballard (CI) from Essex Police.

CI Ballard provided Members with a detailed presentation and in response to questions from the Committee, provided the following information:

·        Ensuring as much intelligence is provide to Essex Police by communities would ensure the most efficient deployment of Officers to those areas effected by speeding motorists. 

·        Mr Adam Pipe, Head of Roads Policing at Essex Police, confirmed that funding had been received from the Home Office for the improvement of ASB roads in the County. Mr Pipe confirmed that within the Maldon District, St Lawrence and Wickham Bishops were on the list of communities that would be looked at and the work would be starting next month.

·        When approving large housing developments, Elected Members played a big part in securing monies from developers to allow for the provision of average speed systems within the communities that are directly affected by the development.

The Chairperson thanked CI Ballard for attending the meeting and for his detailed presentation.

To receive a presentation on Police Performance from Chief Inspector Paul Ballard, Essex Police.

The Chairperson introduced Chief Inspector Paul Ballard (CI) from Essex Police.

CI Ballard provided Members with a detailed presentation and highlighted the following areas:

•           Maldon Performance Summary - In the past rolling month to September 2023, all crime was down by 14.4% meaning 557 less offences. Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) was down by 49.4%, which fell from 478 in 2022 to 242 in 2023 which is a difference of 236 incidents. Residential Burglary was down by 11.9% which equated to 13 less offences. These statistics were against an increase force wide of 5.1%. Other areas of note were violence with injury which was down 7.4%, robbery was down by 20% and theft offences were up by 41.8%

•           How we are enforcing the priorities in Maldon – The following was outlined:

•           More officers are being recruited on a rolling basis which means more visibility on the street.

•           Risk assessing all ASB incidents and grading them with emphasis on personal, nuisance and environmental ASB.

•           Police cars marked with Rural Patrol badges concentrating on our rural areas.

•           Tri Service Officer - Providing a visible presence and making early interventions, focusing on protection, prevention and response to the Maldon and Dengie peninsular area.

•           Community Safety Engagement Officer (CSEO) for Maldon.

•           Maldon has a dedicated Town Centre team.

•           Closer liaison with our Neighbourhood Watch teams.

•           Regular operations in and around Maldon targeting ASB vehicle use and speeding.

•           Community engagement with local children clubs such as Cubs and Scouts to offer help and support.

•           Foot patrols in the Maldon District - Maldon Town Team, The Community Policing Team and the CSEO’s provide a visible presence in the local community, resolving issues by adopting a partnership and problem-solving approach. Essex Police carry out regular foot patrols in the district, so we can speak to members of the public and businesses to discuss any concerns they have. Foot patrol facilitates relationship-building between officers and the community and allows us to identify crime trends and hotspots.  We ensure our patrols cover the 138 square miles of district to keep the public and local businesses safe.

•           Community Engagement - The Maldon Community Policing Team and CSEOs work closely with our community safety partners, which include local councils, fire service, probation and health services to ensure we support our rural and urban communities. Engagement Officers work with partners to reduce crime, anti-social behaviour, and to protect vulnerable people, helping to provide long term solutions to problems. We attend events for older generations to tackle isolation and loneliness, work with children and young adults to discuss issues such as anti-social behaviour, drug use, exploitation, online safety and much more. We hold community events where we discuss crime prevention and personal safety. Our aim within Essex Police is to build better relationships with the communities we work and live in.

•           School and nursery visits - The CSEOs attend many schools and nurseries within the District to talk about emergency services,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 295