Apologies for absence had been received from Councillor Martins.

There were no disclosures of interest.

The minutes of the meeting held on 22 July 2014 to be submitted and signed.

Copies of the minutes of this meeting are usually available seven working days following the meeting.

(All minutes are available on the Council’s website.)

The minutes of the meeting held on 22 July 2014 were submitted and signed.

The Task Group will have had a tour of the new CCTV control room at the Police Station. Members to discuss any conclusions and learning points.

The Chair said that the visit was very interesting and the number of CCTV cameras in the town was impressive.  She explained that a business case had been made for CCTV for the past 10 to 12 years and each camera was evaluated as to need and usefulness every year.  She added that people may request new cameras, and that demand for these had increased every year – although not every request was accepted.  Furthermore, usage of the cameras was also on the rise demonstrating the value of the control room.  She concluded by saying that the police requested assistance with CCTV on criminal investigations as did insurance companies and victims (using freedom of information requests).

In response to a question from Councillor Aron about funding for heat sensoring devices, Inspector Lillitou confirmed that the equipment was used to help discover evidence of cannabis factories.  He said that where necessary he could seek partnership funding for the purchase of the equipment.  Councillor Williams asked how the devices worked in this context. Inspector Lillitou explained that when pointed towards an object they gave a reading showing any increase in temperature indicating the possible existence of a cannabis factory (where temperatures tended to be higher for cultivation purposes).  This information could then be used with other intelligence as part of the search warrant application process.

The Chair asked whether the Task Group could help the police with funding around the purchase of CCTV – perhaps through the Town Centre Partnership.

Inspector Lillitou explained that he had been looking in to the purchase of portable cameras and this had been discussed at the Joint Agency Group; as the equipment had been used elsewhere in Hertfordshire.  He explained how the portable cameras operated and said that he was monitoring developments in technology, so as to ensure equipment was purchased at the most appropriate time.  Again, he could seek partnership funding where necessary.

Councillor Mills asked whether signs indicating CCTV was in operation could help resolve problems in localities.  Inspector Lillitou confirmed that these could act as a deterrent and were useful in the town centre - but would not be suitable for covert operations.  He further explained that he was looking at systems where images could be transmitted directly in to the police station. 

In response to a further question from Councillor Mills, Inspector Lillitou said he would be more than happy for Members to approach him direct if they considered portable CCTV would help deal with a problem in their area.  The Chair asked that Inspector Lillitou’s details be circulated to all council Members, together with the briefing paper provided to the Group by the Transport and Projects Officer in advance of the visit to the CCTV Control Room.

ACTION – Committee and Scrutiny Support Officer

The Chair asked whether there was a protocol for the use of portable cameras.  Inspector Lillitou explained that prior to deployment of CCTV equipment, various processes had to be completed to ensure compliance with legislation around privacy,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

Members will receive an update presentation by Hertfordshire Constabulary.

Inspector Lillitou introduced a paper outlining crime trends in Watford and the activities being undertaken to address the issues.  He outlined the historical context in that crime has reduced each year of the last 5 years.  As a result it would be challenging for these to be maintained.  He explained that there had been a rise in overall crime this year, and that this may be partly due to new crime recording rules introduced by the Home Office.  These now required that each victim of an incident be recorded as an individual crime; whereas, previously, an occurrence with multiple victims would have been recorded as one crime.  He then gave a presentation on the paper inviting Members to ask any questions.

Councillor Aron asked whether crime prevention messages relating to domestic burglary would be promulgated on the Community Messaging system leading up to Christmas.  Inspector Lillitou said that leaflets with crime prevention advice had been provided to commuters at all three of Watford’s railway stations on a number of mornings providing further information.

Councillor Mills asked what the Safer Streets campaign involved.  Inspector Lillitou explained that was an operation where the Watford Neighbourhood Team would visit a single ward on a particular day to provide domestic burglary prevention advice to residents.  This focused activity enabled a large number of people to be approached; with an average of 800 residents visited every month.

In response to a further question from Councillor Mills about the Community Messaging system, Inspector Lillitou explained that people were asked to join during Safer Streets operations, where full details were taken and the resident was then provided with information by e-mail.  As a result, all the individual would have to do to join would be to click on a link.  Inspector Lillitou said that it was not possible to join the system by telephone – although this could still be done with regard to joining Neighbourhood Watch.  Councillor Mills commented that she was a Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator and had not received information from the police of late.  Inspector Lillitou undertook to investigate the matter and report back to her.

ACTION – Inspector Lillitou

The Chair asked how else people were encouraged to join the Community Messaging system; as this was seen as a very effective means of communication.  Inspector Lillitou provided an example of where a series of burglary offences had been reported, his staff would carry out ‘cocooning’ methodology; where homes in the locality would be visited and inquires conducted and crime prevention advice given.  During this process, residents would be encouraged to join Community Messaging.

Councillor Mills asked what the acronym ‘PPO’ meant.  Inspector Lillitou said this related to ‘Prolific or Other Priority Offenders’; i.e. those most likely to re-offend on release from prison.  He explained that prior to release, an action plan was developed to monitor their activities to help prevent and detect any further offending – that could result in their return to prison.

In response to a further question from Councillor  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

The Task Group is asked to review the attached list of actions and sign off for those which are complete.

The Task Group received a report of the Committee and Scrutiny Support Officer updating members on outstanding actions from previous meetings.

It was agreed that a number of actions could be signed off.

The Chair requested that the invitation to all Members to attend the Task Group meeting in February, in relation to the presentation by the Probation Service, be sent before Christmas.

ACTION - Committee and Scrutiny Support Officer

Councillor Aron commented that she had replied to the police as to whether there were any gaps in the list of care homes.

The Chair asked whether a response had been received from Hertfordshire Community Meals.  The Committee and Scrutiny Support Officer explained that a response was still awaited.  Councillor Williams suggested that PCSO’s be invited on visits.  Councillor Aron commented that this might be difficult having regard to the size of vehicles used by Hertfordshire Community Meals.  The Chair requested that Inspector Lillitou be asked whether it was viable for PCSO’s to accompany during the visits.

ACTION - Committee and Scrutiny Support Officer

RESOLVED -

That the update report be noted and the completed actions signed off.

The Task Group to discuss how councillors can promote these community safety communication tools.

Councillor Aron discussed a presentation given by the Hertfordshire Coordinator for Neighbourhood Watch, at a recent Safer Neighbourhoods meeting, in relation to Neighbourhood Watch, Crimestoppers and Community Messaging.  She considered that the information provided would be useful to all Council Members.  The Community Safety Manager said that this was a good idea and would provide an update on current practices.  The Chair asked that the Hertfordshire Coordinator for Neighbourhood Watch be asked to prepare a briefing paper for Members and be invited to give a short presentation to Council.

ACTION - Committee and Scrutiny Support Officer to contact the Hertfordshire Coordinator for Neighbourhood Watch requesting the briefing paper, circulating this to Members and arranging for the presentation to be held - similar to the last briefing and prior to Full Council if possible. 

The Chair asked if there were any further issues for discussion - none were raised.