Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone present and went through some general housekeeping arrangements for the meeting.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor B S Beale MBE.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 10 March 2022 (copy enclosed).

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 10 March 2022 be approved.

To disclose the existence and nature of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests, Other Registrable interests and Non-Registrable Interests relating to items of business on the agenda having regard to paragraph 9 and Appendix B of the Code of Conduct for Members.

(Members are reminded that they are also required to disclose any such interests as soon as they become aware should the need arise throughout the meeting).

There were none.

To receive the views of members of the public, of which prior notification in writing has been received (no later than noon on the Tuesday prior to the day of the meeting).

Should you wish to submit a question please complete the online form at: www.maldon.gov.uk/publicparticipation.

There was none.

To consider the report of the Director of Service Delivery, (copy enclosed).

The Committee received the report of the Director of Service Delivery reporting the progress of activities undertaken by Maldon Community Safety Partnership (CSP) since the last meeting held on 10 March 2022.

The most recent Essex Police performance summary (to September 2022) was attached as Appendix 1 to the report. 

Members noted the continued good work of the CSP and the liaison it had with Essex Police and other statutory partners.  The current Maldon CSP ‘Plan on a Page’ for 2022 / 23 was attached as Appendix 2.

The Community Safety Manager took Members through the report and provided additional information and further detail.  A lengthy discussion ensued during which a number of points were raised and in response the following information was provided:

·                 Priority two related to driving down Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) in public places and incorporated improvement to visibility.  Members were advised how some initiatives such as a youth worker around Tollesbury were proving more effective than if were carried out by the Police. 

·                 The Community Safety Partnership was dealing with ASB matters such as young people causing problems, neighbour nuisance etc.  A lot of the recently ASB complaints probably related to Covid breaches.  The Officer advised that this should still be an area of priority but further analysis of the data for this year was required.

·                 In response to questions relating to Rural Crime the Community Safety Manager suggested that Chief Inspector Terry Balding be invited to attend the March meeting of the Committee to provide a presentation on this subject.  It was noted that Officer numbers on the Rural Crime Team had doubled over the last two years which had enabled greater communication with businesses such as farms.

·                 It was acknowledged there had been an increase in Hate Crime, however this could relate to increased reporting following recent promotions.  These figures were monitored and discussed with community groups.  The Officer agreed to undertake further analysis the data and victims.

·                 The decision by Heybridge Parish Council to end their contract with the Community Enforcement Team was mentioned and Members were reassured that this would not impact the Community Safety Partnership.

·                 Safer Essex Partnership were responsible for traffic enforcement and the Community Safety Manager provided details of a recent event that had taken place in Maldon.  He agreed to get further statistics on this and take on board the comments raised regarding speeding specifically in Wickham Bishops.  If local communities were interested in undertaking a community speedwatch the Officer advised this could be raised with him outside of the meeting. 

·                 Sergeant (Sgt) Dalby explained that if there were Members of the Public that wished to become part of a community speedwatch they could sign up to be trained to use the speed unit.  He also reported that during Covid the community speedwatch had been withdrawn.  However, this was now being reintroduced with the training of new operatives being undertaken.

·                 A Member referred to the recent work undertaken in relation to hare coursing and thanks were expressed.  The Officer  ...  view the full minutes text for item 317.

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.