Minutes:
Paul Brannan and Zoe Wardle attended the meeting to give an update with regard to the Safer Neighbourhood Services. Full contact details and details of the referral process will be provided in due course.
It was explained that the Neighbourhood Policing Offer has been refreshed in order to align resources and capacity between South Yorkshire Police and BMBC primarily to address community safety issues and concerns across the borough. Four locality teams are now coterminous with the Area Council teams and there is an additional bespoke town centre team, based at Churchfields Police Station. A triage and assessment system has been introduced, looking at how to better manage demand. The service is 7 days per week in order to address issues in real time, with a multi-disciplinary team of officers with the skills to investigate higher priority issues and problems referred in to the service.
Issues covered include addressing aspects of antisocial behaviour, tenancy breaches, tenancy and landlord issues, planning breaches, homelessness, welfare advice, environmental crime, direct witness support to victims, unauthorised and/or illegal gypsy and traveller encampments, community cohesion, extremist behaviour hate and harassment, access to services and supporting staff or elected members who may have been assaulted.
The service has a priority inbox, with referrals analysed and allocated. Early action is crucial, as prevention in the first place prevents escalation. Up to December the service was involved in issuing 450 warnings, 103 community protection written warnings, 44 community protection notices, S215 notices for environmental blighting, 2000 FPNs for littering and dog fouling, 8 notices seeking possession, 8 closure orders (higher than previously), and 17 civil injunctions. Environmental crime is particularly challenging – of the 470 incidences of fly tipping, only a small number will lead to prosecution. Formal action is being pursued against 8 of the ‘top 10’ but there is a need to manage expectations. It was pointed out that the Council is not responsible for cleaning up on private land and can only do this when the property belongs to BMBC. The service works with landowners and landlords but often it is not their fault.
In the ensuing discussion, and in response to detailed questioning, the following matters were highlighted:
Members expressed concern regarding the lack of a visible police presence and were informed that a successful recruitment drive had taken place recently, although how and where officers will be allocated across Barnsley is not yet known. Special (Volunteer) Constables are used where appropriate.
Members were advised that Paul Brannan could be contacted directly regarding significant issues if Members felt that it was not appropriate to email the generic email inbox.
RESOLVED that: Paul and Zoe be thanked for their attendance and contribution and the update report be noted.