Presentation of the Community Safety Coordinator

The scrutiny committee received a presentation from the Community Safety Coordinator updating progress on the 2020/21 plan and proposed objectives for 2021/22.  A summary of the presentation had been sent to members in advance of the meeting.

Providing a short overview, the Community Safety Coordinator highlighted the following issues:

•           Covid 19 had required a reassessment of risks and threats in Watford during the pandemic.

•           Over the year, crime levels had fallen across Hertfordshire.  In Watford there had been a significant 22% reduction in crime, with a 12.3% reduction in reported incidents of anti-social behaviour.  By comparison, East Herts had recorded an 18.3% reduction in criminal activity and Dacorum an 8% increase in anti-social behaviour figures.  Watford’s statistics were largely explained by restrictions placed on the night time economy, day time economy and footfall in the town. 

•           2,485 anti-social behaviour events had been recorded over the last year, down from some 6,400 15 years ago.  This represented a near 60% reduction.  The council’s partners, including Watford Community Housing and Paradigm Housing Group, had picked up many of the complaints reflecting the successful operation of Watford’s Community Protection Group.  This unique model in Hertfordshire enabled issues to be tackled quickly and effectively.

•           Certain crimes had seen an upturn e.g., car crime, specifically the theft of catalytic convertors by organised gangs from outside the area and opportunistic thefts from cars left unlocked. 

•           Although a number of community impacts had been anticipated as a result of Covid, including neighbour disputes, domestic abuse and hate crimes, these had not materialised.  In particular, domestic abuse and violence was down – but now appeared to be increasing – and hate crimes had never become an issue.

•           “Operation out” was focusing on the town centre coming back to life as establishments began to open up.  A steady start back was planned.  It was anticipated that this would result in an increase in anti-social behaviour and crime reports.

•           Strategic objectives for 2021/22 had been assessed in conjunction with the police.  As a highest priority, it had been decided to maintain intervention against youth violent crime because this represented the biggest risk and was linked to a number of related crimes including the supply of drugs and the exploitation of young people.  It was noted that cuckooing was now recognised at county level within the violent crimes strategy.

•           Other priority issues included supporting police priorities in the immediate community e.g., misuse of drugs in public places, electric scooters, anti-social behaviour and vehicle tampering.  Priorities would be monitored throughout the year to test for impact.

•           Two additional emerging areas of concern were the impacts of nitrous oxide misuse and the online blackmailing of young people. 

Following the presentation, the meeting discussed a number of additional issues:

•           Despite early concerns about retail – particularly pharmacies – and warehouse thefts from empty premises during lockdown, this threat had not materialised. 

•           Cuckooing, blackmailing and revenge porn threats should be considered together since they affected similar age groups and could benefit from related education programmes. 

•           Ongoing work was needed in the future with schools to tackle cyber bullying amongst teenagers. 

•           Race hate crimes were expected to increase once the town centre reopened with associated impacts on hospital staff, particularly in the A&E department.

•           Dog theft crimes were rare.

•           Although doorstep fraud was generally low in the town, it was reported that a group of men purporting to be from the council were knocking on doors promoting cavity wall insulations.  The Community Safety Coordinator agreed to investigate doorstep crime via trading standards to get an up to date picture on this type of offence.

•           Council communications should highlight the legitimate doorstep approaches from census workers in the coming weeks.

•           Lists of premises with pavement licenses could be provided to members where requested. 

•           E-scooters were not a legalised form of transport and were therefore not permitted on pavements or roads.  It was noted that a number of e-scooter rental trials were taking place around the country. 

RESOLVED –

that Overview and Scrutiny Committee notes the update on the 2020/21 plan and objectives for 2021/22.

Action: Community Safety Coordinator