Agenda item

Update by the Community Safety Coordinator.

The Task Group received presentations from Inspector Lillitou and the Community Safety Coordinator.

Inspector Lillitou provided the Task Group with an update on crime figures in the Borough.  He advised that crime levels in Watford had increased by 10.7% which was a smaller increase than across the force when taken as a whole.  He further noted that the detection rate was higher than across the force when taken as a whole and unlike much of the rest of Hertfordshire, Watford had seen a reduction in burglaries.

There had been an increase in the levels of criminal damage and Inspector Lillitou drew a link with antisocial behaviour (ASB).  The Police would be running Operation Catapan with officers from the Safer Neighbourhood Team dedicated to patrolling criminal damage and ASB hotspots. 

Levels of domestic abuse had risen by 40% and Inspector Lillitou advised that as more victim support was now available the Police were seeing higher levels of reporting.  There was a dedicated team at Hatfield dealing with these cases and an officer from Watford acted as the liaison.

There had been a spate of thefts from motor vehicles particularly involving electronic devices and number plates.  Additional patrols were being undertaken and prolific offenders targeted.

Violence against the person had seen an increase of 35% and Inspector Lillitou underlined that this was not entirely due to the night time economy.  He highlighted issues that were being faced at the hospital with some patients which had an impact on the figures. 

There had also been a noticeable rise in incidents in houses of multiple occupation (HMOs).  He reassured the Task Group that the vast majority of the 1834 recorded incidents were the lowest forms of assault.  As well as the night time economy, Inspector Lillitou outlined other factors such as the growing population.

Inspector Lillitou advised that for the forthcoming year they would continue to report crime levels to One Watford.  However violence against the person would no longer be reported to that group.  The focus of the Safer Neighbourhood Team would be the CSP Protection Plan and in particular engaging with the different communities within the Borough.

The Chair invited questions from Members.

Councillor Bolton asked about the recent event encouraging people to have their number plates re-fixed to prevent theft.  The Community Safety Coordinator responded that it had been very successful with 101 residents attending.

Councillor Martins expressed his concern about the rises in the crime figures.  He asked whether the Community Safety Partnership was looking at causes.  He noted the changing demographics of the town and the potential for new tensions.  He questioned whether there was a case for a task group to look at this relationship.

Inspector Lillitou underlined that Hertfordshire was a wealthy area and was therefore a target for burglary by organised crime. The Police were also aware of the antisocial behaviour and criminal damage hotspots and were focused on tackling these.

Councillor Martins asked about the reporting of violence against the person and Inspector Lillitou advised that it would still be monitored but not reported to One Watford.  The Community Safety Coordinator suggested that an update be brought to a future meeting.

ACTION - Community Safety Coordinator

Inspector Lillitou underlined the importance of providing context to the crime figures.  He noted, for example, that the Police could do little to prevent incidents involving dementia patients at the hospital.  He reported that Scan Net had been a significant deterrent for crimes in the night time economy.

The Chair referred to the incidents in HMOs and questioned what the root of this spike was.  The Head of Community and Customer Services reported that he had

been tasked to do some work around these issues.  It was agreed that he would report back to the next Task Group meeting in the new municipal year on the outcome of this piece of work.  Once the councillors had received this report, they could consider whether a further Task Group would be beneficial.

ACTION –  Head of Community and Customer Services

RESOLVED –

That the update be noted.