Agenda item

Catherine Briody, Victims Offender and Support Manager, was present for discussion of this item.

Jennie Walsh, Forensic Psychologist, Gangs Team gave witness evidence to the Committee together with Ian Howells Acting Superintendent, Islington Police and Theresa Ikoko Gangs Team Transition Service worker.

During consideration of the witness evidence the following main points were made –

·         It was stated that mobile phone theft did not just take place in Islington but also in other neighbouring boroughs

·         The number of criminal offences had reduced from 444 at the beginning of the year to 225 offences in September, a reduction of 41%

·         The most prolific offenders were being targeted and one person had been arrested 32 times and there will be a dedicated gangs team employing a range of strategies

·         Partnership working and sharing of information was good and the Metropolitan Police had put in a strong presence in the borough in recent months and there had been proactive patrolling

·         There had been more targeted stop and search and more engagement and diversionary activities were being employed towards offenders

·         The view was expressed that there needed to be increased co-ordination with schools, as it was important not to exclude children and also there needed to be liaison with schools from years 5 and 6 to alert agencies to individuals who needed to be assisted to deter them from possibly getting involved in crime

·         Reference was made to the crime figures over the Summer period and it was stated that these would be circulated to Members

·         It was stated that the Gangs Team tried to engage those at risk and offenders and looked at a series of issues such as housing, employment, and mental health and tried to remove these barriers. A number of these individuals had been in Pupil Referral Units and lacked social skills and also converted to crime through family relationships or violence

·         The Gangs Team engaged with partners to share information and is now focusing on outcomes rather than outputs

·         There is also now mental health expertise in the team and focused on young people with multiple risk factors and so far to date 35 young people had been seen

·         Young people were actively engaging with the mental health service who otherwise not meet the threshold for treatment

·         A Member stated that the Children’s Services Scrutiny Committee were carrying out a scrutiny into Alternative Provision and that early intervention was key in preventing children being excluded from school. It was added that there was good work in Camden going on in relation to mental health and the Committee would consider taking witness evidence in this regard

·         Reference was made to the difficulties faced by young people in turning their backs on criminality and the barriers that they faced. Housing was a major issue and it was often difficult to persuade them to have aspirations and go into training, college etc. when they risk losing benefit and their accommodation

·         An evaluation form had also been drawn up which enabled young people to track their progress

·         It was felt that there was pressure on young people to achieve and if they could not do this academically they sometimes turned to criminality and there was also a sense of inclusion in being in a gang and being part of a group

·         Reference was made to the issue of criminal behaviour orders and the view was expressed that this often excluded young people from their family and areas they were familiar with. However it was stated that criminal behaviour orders came into force in October 2014 and there had been 16 applied for and these stopped a criminal from going back into an area engaging in crime however not all the conditions imposed were geographical and they were only granted by the Courts if they were necessary

·         There was a need to identify young people at an early stage and there were schools police officers in named secondary schools and a Police Sergeant who would be working with schools

·         It was stated that often at 14 years of age some young people displayed a pattern of criminal behaviour and the earlier agencies can intervene the outcome was usually more successful

·         In response to a question it was stated In Lambeth there was better provision for youth services and well established community leaders that could link in with parents

·         In certain areas there were gangs that were linked to more organised crime and drug dealing and the new Gangs Team were looking to do more with schools

·         Reference was made to the incidence of mobile phone thefts outside stations, particularly Old Street, and that businesses and TfL should work with the Council to erect public noticeboards and signs to warn of the dangers of mobile phone thefts and that the electronic noticeboards on estates should be used

·         Members expressed the view that children who were excluded from school tended to be labelled  and everything possible should be done to prevent permanent exclusions from school

·         In response to a question it was stated that in relation to criminal behaviour orders that the aim is to protect the community and the individual  is not always excluded from their own area and these orders often related to individuals crossing borough boundaries to commit crimes

·         It was stated that the Police were seeking to work more on youth engagement to break down barriers, however this was difficult  and he stated that he would circulate details of the types of youth engagement that the Police undertook

·         Reference was made to the fact that mental illness amongst young people could be a complicating feature of youth crime

The Chair thanked the witnesses for attending and their evidence