Agenda and draft minutes

The Chairperson welcomed everyone to the meeting and outlined the general housekeeping arrangements.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor V J Bell.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 9 October 2025 (copy enclosed).                                                                                            

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 9 October 2025 be approved and confirmed.

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.                                                                                            

The Chairperson advised that in accordance with the Council’s Public Speaking Protocol, one request to speak had been received from Mr Ian Wardrop, who wished to address the Committee on behalf of Wickham Bishops Parish Council.

Mr Wardrop highlighted the Parish Council’s concerns regarding the procedures for letters sent out by Essex Police to drivers identified speeding through the Parish’s Speedwatch campaign, particularly why drivers registered out of the County were not receiving letters. Chief Inspector Aaron Homatopoulos and Sergeant Matt Dalby from Essex Police both responded to the concerns raised, highlighting that, due to resource constraints, priority was being given to speeding offences within the County. Incorrect vehicle registrations were also identified as a factor contributing to increased resource demands, as further research was often required, creating a backlog for the team.

During the discussion that ensued, it was clarified that where a person queried a letter for reasons such as an incorrect vehicle registration plate or because the vehicle had not been in Essex at that time, this required further investigation, as there were concerns regarding the possibility of cloned vehicles.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive, (copy enclosed).

The Committee received the report of the Chief Executive reporting the progress of activities undertaken by Maldon Community Safety Partnership (CSP) since the last meeting held on 9 October 2025.

The Chairperson introduced Mr Clarke, Community Safety Manager (CSM), and Ms Syder, Community Engagement Team Leader and Mr Rayner, a member of the Community Engagement Team.

The most recent Essex Police performance summary (to January 2026) was attached as Appendix 1 to the report.

The Community Safety Manager (CSM) took Members through the report and gave a short presentation, advising that the proposed priorities for the year 2026 / 27 had not yet been confirmed. The Officer made particular note of the proposed priority “Promoting road safety and challenging irresponsible driving” and the possibility of receiving more resources for this as the police had adopted this priority under their strategic assessment. The Council had received funding from the Police and Fire Commissioner for public safety, and the resulting consultation had been used on a number of projects including safety for girls, skatepark procurement in Maldon, the West Maldon Community Centre, Riverside and Promenade Parks and the design of the Secret Garden. The Officer then went on to describe the projects that had been undertaken in the District.

Members then discussed the report, asking questions on the projects, to which Officers provided responses, including:

·                How the sites were selected for TruCam: There were already some specific areas that had been identified. Trained to look at areas through vision zero which is a partnership with Billericay. However, Officers had free rein to operate where required, provided it was safe to do so. 

·                On water safety: They had been looking at delivering a campaign in partnership with Essex County Fire and Rescue Service and the Safer Essex Road Partnership focusing on water safety.

·                On if suicide by young men was being addressed: A lot of the work that had been done focused on the farming community. Additionally, the public living room work that had been done was more focused on women and dog walking, and work had been undertaken around suicide prevention which it was hoped would continue. It was acknowledged that it was a big public health risk and there was a need to target and put resources into that area.

·                On the clarity of the resolution from public cameras: The Officer stated that the resolution was very good and they were very pleased with the performance of the cameras.

·                On the lighting in Promenade park: There was a big project in the coming financial year to replace lighting in Promenade Park. As part of the work they were looking at areas that needed additional lighting.

·                How businesses could get involved in sponsorship: Campaigns would be launched in the spring, contacting businesses and community groups, for example leisure centres, parks and public houses. If a business had indicated that it wished to sign up, it would be supported as there was a shared interest in keeping customers and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 518.

To receive a verbal update on Police performance from Grant Fryatt, Chelmsford and Maldon Acting Chief Inspector                                                                                  

Chief Inspector (CI) Aaron Homatopoulos, Chelmsford and Maldon District Commander from Essex Police introduced himself. 

CI Homatopoulos drew Members’ attention to the Essex Police Performance Summary report, appended to Agenda Item 7 – Maldon District Community Safety Partnership Update. He reminded Members of the current Local Community Policing structure and highlighted the Force Plan 2024 – 2026. He provided a detailed presentation and highlighted the following areas: 

·                Maldon Performance Summary - Over a twelve-month period to January 2026, the Maldon district had seen a decrease in all crimes. However, there had been a slight increase in Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) reporting. The solved rate for all offences had increased. Burglary dwelling and burglary non-dwelling had seen a big reduction in crime?. Looking at the statistics Maldon was the lowest crime district in all of Essex.

·                Public Perception survey - The CI stated that confidence in the Police had been surveyed at the lowest it had been in a long time in the Maldon District, and they were looking at ways to improve that perception.

·                Tackling community issues - The Police alongside Community Safety Partners and Maldon District Council had worked on various community issues including; ASB, drug dealing, community engagement and vehicle crime. The CI highlighted a joint operation between Maldon District Council and the Police to combat speeding in the district.

·                Application of Priorities in Maldon - Priorities were being applied to ASB with a review about how it was being managed across the force. ASB risk assessments and gradings were undertaken with an emphasis on personal nuisance and environmental ASB. The Police were targeting vehicle theft and identifying perpetrators and ASB vehicle use and speeding. Community engagement with local primary and secondary schools, colleges and youth clubs was taking place, including the delivery of weapons awareness presentations explaining the dangers of knife crime and possession of offensive weapons. The Police continued to develop new initiatives to support mental health and wellbeing.

·                Successes in Maldon - Arrests in the district over the past 12 months were highlighted, with a breakdown of the numbers for all the different related offences excluding arrests from specialist departments such as investigatory teams.

·                Community Engagement - The CI highlighted a number of events that the Police had been involved in and the benefit to the District. The Policing team were actively encouraging the community to report matters to build intelligence around what is happening in the community to allow the team to respond to concerns.

·       Burglaries reduced in 2025 - The last 12 months had seen a reduction in reported Residential Burglary offences with 11 less offences recorded. This underlined the close work done by the Policing team with partners, Neighbourhood Watch and the community to educate the public around prevention and property security.

·                Vehicle Crime - Theft from motor vehicles had seen a reduction of 77 offences and theft of motor vehicles a decrease of 14 offences from the previous year.

·                Tackling Speeding - The focus had been to drive  ...  view the full minutes text for item 519.