Councillors Martins was elected as chair.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Crout and Mills.

There were no disclosures of interest.

The minutes of the meeting held on 5 November 2018 to be submitted and signed.

The minutes of the meeting held on 5 November 2018 were submitted and signed.

The Community Safety Coordinator to update the task group with the closing developments with the 2018/19 CSP plan.

The Community Safety Coordinator gave a presentation updating the panel on the closing developments with the four priorities contained in the annual CSP plan 2018/19.

Child sexual exploitation

This priority was linked to drug supply and youth violence issues with a review being undertaken in the last year.  Watford did not suffer from the serious issues as experienced elsewhere in the UK.  There were no specific problematical groups; matters related predominantly to peer on peer issues and to cohesion.  It was concluded that there was no specific threat to the borough but monitoring of the situation would continue.

Homelessness and begging

The rough sleeping cohort in the town had been reduced although there were still underlying issues that had a negative impact in respect of drug misuse, anti-social behaviour and begging.  Consequently, rough sleeping would continue to be a priority in 2019/20.

Acquisitive crimes including burglary and theft from motor vehicles

Acquisitive crime had reduced in north Watford during the year and with more predominance in the town centre.  A range of police projects to deter offending, including the use of Smart Water and ring cameras, had proved successful - with Watford now improved to the seventh highest level of offending (where previously the first) in the ten local authorities across Hertfordshire. 

Serious youth crime

This was dealt with in detail in item 17, and would continue to be a priority in 2019/20.

In response to questions from members Inspector Mason:

•          Advised that there was no trend in aggravated burglary offences and that a recent case was not as severe as first thought.

•          Provided reassurance that the police were vigilant in tackling street drug dealing and an increase in resources on the town centre team would help in this regard.  He advised on the legality of nitrous oxide and how the use of the substance provided an indicator of anti-social behaviour.

•          Explained how he would examine the police patrol plan should members raise issues to him.

RESOLVED  -

•          that the presentation be noted.

The Chair to move: that, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business as it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the public were present during consideration of the item there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in Section 100(1) of the Act for the reasons stated below in terms of Schedule 12A.

NOTE: if approved, the Chair will ask members of the press and public to leave the meeting at this point.

RESOLVED –

that, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business as it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the public were present during consideration of the item there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in Section 100(1) of the Act for the reasons stated on the agenda in terms of Schedule 12A.

This item is considered Part B in accordance with Paragraph 7 of Part 1 Schedule 12A as it may contain information relating to any action or to be action in connection with the prevention, investigation or prosecution of crime.

Inspector Simon Mason, Hertfordshire Constabulary, and Ms Sue Howe, head teacher from Chessbrook School, to discuss youth related crime issues.

Inspector Mason and Ms Howe provided information to the panel on youth related crime.  Members discussed a range of issues and Inspector Mason and Ms Howe responded to questions and comments.

The chair asked that consideration be given to a briefing being provided to all members and relevant county councillors on youth related crime pertinent to south west Hertfordshire.

RESOLVED –

•          that the action requested be undertaken.

This item is considered Part B in accordance with Paragraph 7 of Part 1 Schedule 12A as it may contain information relating to any action or to be action in connection with the prevention, investigation or prosecution of crime.

The Community Safety Coordinator to advise members on the CSP priorities for 2019/20.

The panel received a presentation from the Community Safety Coordinator on the CSP risk register and how this would help determine the partnership priorities for 2019/20.

Members discussed the register and the officer responded to questions and comments.   The chair felt that the resourcing of community safety within the council should be reviewed.

RESOLVED  –

•          that the presentation be noted