Agenda item

5.1  The cabinet member for Community Safety councillor Richard Livingstone updated the sub-committee on the success of work carried out on the reduction of violent crime over the last 3 years in the borough,  it was reported that :-

• Violent crime (violence with and without injury) has been decreasing since 2009/10 and as at 30 September 2013 was down 28%, 2,204 fewer crimes (from 8007 to 5793).
• Violence with injury (most serious violence and assault with injury) has been decreasing since 2009/10. As at 30 September 2013, down 30%, 1070 fewer crimes (down from 3567 to 2497).
• Most serious violence reduced by 40% in 2012/13 compared to 2009/10, 292 fewer offences (down from 726 to 436).

5.2  The sub-committee were informed that this year’s highlights’ was the opening of the new CCTV control centre in June/July 2012 and that officers were halfway through the replacement programme on estates and that the CCTV replacement programme on estates was 50% complete.

CCTV data table:

5.3  Members were informed of the housing update which involved CCTV on estates and the fact that students from Walworth Academy had been invited to the control centre to observe the set up and hopefully to get a sense of safety in their community.

5.4  The cabinet member reported that hate crime awareness week would be taking place week beginning 14/10/2013 and a full schedule of events would be available. Members were also informed that the Stop Hate UK reporting line had funding until the end of the year; 30 calls from Southwark residents were received in 2012/13 and 9 so far in 2013/14.

5.5  The chair asked how CCTV on estates was progressing? The cabinet member reported that in June 2013, control recording and monitoring of CCTV at Draper House was transferred from concierge office at the site to the central CCTV control room. Following a serious incident and a meeting with local residents, it was agreed that concierge staff on site would also continue with a local monitoring role after undertaking appropriate training and licensing. The CCTV unit is in the process of procuring IT and software to facilitate this. 

5.6  The sub-committee were informed that the following estates had been refreshed and had new CCTV installed and brought back to the control room for recording and monitoring Castlemead, Wyndham & Comber, Perronet, Newington, Abbeyfield, Hawkstone, Osprey and Bramcote & Bonamy estates,Brandon, Elmington, Rockingham and Tabard estates.

5.7  CCTV had been deployed to the following areas and brought back to the control room for recording and monitoring were Aylesbury estate, Manor estate, Nunhead Green, Spa Road/Neckinger and Adams Gardens.

5.8  Members were informed that the next phase of refresh projects would involve the following :-

5.9  The Chair asked what were the main areas of concern? The cabinet member reported that theft from persons had been on the increase since 2008/09 and as at 30/09/2013 was up 117%, 1,611 more crimes (from 1381 to 2992).

5.10  Theft from motor vehicle and motor bikes were a concern as these now seemed to be more organised criminal gangs where bikes were lifted off the road and driven away in lorries.

5.11  Domestic violence offences seemed to be on the decrease since 2007/08 and it was unsure if this was due to inceased reporting or actual decrease in crime.

5.12  A member stated that Southwark were still quite high on the table in comparison with other London Boroughs? The cabinet member explained knife crime was getting better and that we were now on the same level as Lambeth. It was also reported that the Police were working very hard to tackle violent crime and gang activities but the figures were still high even though there were reductions of 18%.

5.13  The sub-committee were informed that the Home Office had provided funding to the authority to address gun crime and gangs and this would be used to try and find ways to engauge with these young people. It was also reported that the Ben Kinsella Trust in association with Millwall Football Club and Southwark would be working with young people to address knife crime in the borough.

5.14  The vice-chair asked if there was more local schools could do? The cabinet member explained that initially Foundation and Academy schools did not really want to get involved, but with time were slowly starting to get on board but it had taken a lot of very hard work.

5.15  A member asked could councillors do more to support community safety initiatives? The cabinet member requested that if councillors could raise community safety issues such as knife crimes with head teachers, this could possibly help with officers getting the message into schools for young people.

5.16  The chair asked how the council could protect the policing of the borough? The cabinet member reported that £250,000 funding had been been set aside from savings elsewhere towards the function of a police base, which would be situtated at Seven Islands . Rotherhithe would be closing down in the north east of the borough and the police would be operating out of Southwark Police Station for the time being.

5.17  Members were informed that the council had invested in the Police by providing contact points for the public. There were also 5 victim support units placed within the borough. The cabinet member also reported that the Mayor’s new model for policing divided Southwark into 4 sections covering different areas within the borough. Concerns were raised regarding the Dulwich area so far but no concrete issues have arisen or been reported, members were advised that resources were available if needed for police presence in Dulwich.

5.18  A member of the sub-committee asked how the Community Safety presentation to Walworth Academy go? The cabinet member reported that the headteacher was very supportive and parties worked well together. Officers undertook to invite Faraday councillors to next meeting.

5.19  The member then asked what was being done about known drug addresses on estates? The cabinet member reported that if a address was proved to be supplying drugs, the premises would be reclaimed by the council.

5.20  What is happening regarding policing of Seven Islands? The cabinet member reported that the front counter at Rotherhithe station is closed but police officers were operating out of that building until the move to Seven Islands.

5.21  A member asked if community wardens would be bought back to Rotherhithe? The cabinet member stated that officers can reconfigure warden services to the area for a short time, but not on a permanent basis due to budget cuts.

5.22  A member asked what could be done about anti-social behaviour, drug crime, dog fouling and rubbish left out on the Adams Estate? The cabinet member advised that joint working would probably be the best way forward, this would include housing officers, officers from the public realm, community wardens and the police this would be the most effective means of addressing this problem.

5.23  A member asked how collabrative working was progressing with regards to domestic violence? The cabinet member reported that Solace were performing well and hitting agreed targets, the contract was in its second year, it has been agreed to extend it for a third year into 2014/15.

5.24  The service has expanded considerably in the last few months having now additional counselling and legal advice services, incorporation of the sanctuary scheme as well as a robust programme of services user engagement and peer support groups.

5.25  The cabinet member also assured members of the sub-committee that there was a male officer in place who can assist male victims of domestic violence. Members were also assured that the recommendations contained in the report produced last year were in place and moving forward. He also recommended that all members should attend the domestic abuse awareness course.

5.26  A member asked if the fear of crime had risen or is in decline? The cabinet member stated that was an interesting question, if you look at the police survey it is on the decline, but the council tracker performance would indicate it is on the rise. Members could access this information in the annual performance report.

5.1  A member asked how do we test for minors purchasing alcohol and tobacco? The cabinet member reported that shops were tested by arranging for underage youngsters and younger looking staff being sent to purchase tobacco, statistics on alcohol and tobacco are held on a community council area level.

5.2  A member asked if the alcohol saturation zones were successful? The cabinet member reported that we presently have 3 zones in operation which were working well and officers were looking at 3 new areas Walworth Road, Old Kent Road and Dulwich. Licensing would be in a better position to provide more information.

5.3  The chair thanked councillor Livingstone for providing the sub-committee with the answers to their questions.