Agenda item

Councillor Paul Convery, Executive Member for Community Safety was present and was accompanied by Alva Bailey, Head of Service, Community Safety.

During consideration of the report the following main points were made –

·         In relation to recommendation 1 it was stated that this had been attempted but with limited success

·         Stop and search had reduced by a quarter however arrest rates had risen as a result of more intelligence led stop and search

·         A new strategy was being looked at with regard to dealing with violent youth crime

·         There were 9 dedicated school support officers

·         Reference was made to the fact that one of the recommendations of the Committee had been that there should be more cross border wok and co-operation with neighbouring forces, including the City of London Police. Councillor Convey responded that the City of London had its own separate police force and that there had been instances of co-operation and this had been particularly in the Finsbury Park area

·         Reference was made to the fact that criminals could actually be found not  guilty or that no further action (NFA) be taken. Members expressed the view that those with NFA where it was known that they had connections to criminals or their associates would be kept under review to ensure that active intelligence was gathered

·         A Member stated that their Safer Neighbourhood Panel rarely had a PC present and it was usually the PCSO that attended. In addition whilst stop and search may have decreased there needed to be a breakdown on ethnicity and a number of questions put to young people in the survey appeared to be ‘leading’ questions

·         Residents were urged to report crime given the limited resources of the Police and provide active intelligence

·         The view was expressed that it was for the Police to convene the Safer Neighbourhood Panels and that they needed to be reminded that it was their responsibility to ensure this happened and they operated effectively

·         In addition there was a gap in the services available from the Police and other services to engage young people. It was stated that it was difficult to get young people to attend meetings and there needed to be a different approach taken to youth engagement

·         Reference was made to the fact that some residents were complaining that Police were less visible locally and tending to concentrate on targeting night clubs

·         In response to a question it was stated that information would be circulated as to whether safer schools officers attended the Schools Forum

·         It was stated that local Police officers were now doing investigative work and as a result are more effective

·         In response to a question on crime figures Councillor Convery stated that he would circulate to Members the latest MOPAC 7 crime figures to Members of the Committee

·         It was noted that Islington did not suffer from serious gang violence in comparison to other areas of London

        RESOLVED:

That Members be circulated with information as to the latest MOPAC 7 crime figures for the borough.      

                                                                                              HOCS