To review the work and activity of the Herefordshire community safety partnership.

The Committee reviewed the work and activity of the Herefordshire community safety partnership (CSP).

Councillor Morgan, cabinet member – health and wellbeing, chair of the community safety partnership introduced the report.  A series of presentations were given on various aspects of the Partnership’s work.  A shortened version of the presentations circulated as appendix 1 to the report was delivered to the meeting.

In discussion the following principal points were raised:

Domestic violence and abuse (presentation by Detective Chief Inspector J Roberts - West Mercia Police)

It was suggested that levels of abuse were high compared with the rest of the West Mercia area.  In response Detective Chief Inspector Roberts commented that there were good protocols in place across the west mercia area.  Herefordshire Housing had had a perpetrators programme in place.  The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) had allocated funding for an initiative and the outcome of that was awaited.  A significant proportion of perpetrators were repeat offenders and these were being mapped and tracked.  Overall it was an improving picture but it was recognised that there was a need to target resources better.

·        Councillor Morgan commented that the partnership had improved its recognition of this issue.  The PCC was reviewing approaches across the west mercia area seeking to explore new ideas to address the issue.

·        A member observed that the council needed to consider what it could contribute more as a partner; funding of women’s aid was one element.

·        When people were exposed to abuse this could influence their own behaviour. It was asked whether enough was being done to address the impact on children experiencing abuse.

·        DCI Roberts commented that some 50 children were exposed to abuse.  The risk was recognised. 

He added that in relation to people with a history of abuse the domestic violence disclosure scheme (Clare’s law) was being delivered.

The issue of male victims of domestic abuse was also recognised and following the closure of male domestic abuse services locally support was being provided by Women’s aid.

·        In response to a question as to whether domestic violence was a disproportionate problem in Herefordshire, he commented that whilst he did not have the precise figures to hand the level of domestic abuse had slightly reduced.  Historically Herefordshire had been just above the national average.

Probation Services (presentation by Mr G Branch - Head of Service West Mercia Community Rehabilitation Company)

·        A concern was expressed that the new model for the probation service had created a fragmented system with a duplication of resources. In reply Mr Branch of the Community Rehabilitation Company (CRC) commented that the service was subject to ongoing review with a further report to be made in April, although this would not look at whole system change.

·        Assurance was sought that community rehabilitation staff were being trained to the same level as National Probation key stage 3 probation staff.  In reply it was noted that reducing recidivism was very important.  Concerns had been expressed about comparative terms and conditions of National Probation Service and CRC staff.  It had been agreed not to change these and to ensure the provision of qualified and trained staff.  It was confirmed that CRC staff would receive funding for their training.

Restoratative Justice (presentation by Superintendent S Thomas - West Mercia Police)

·        It was noted that, whilst this aspect was currently police led, the PCC would be funding a commissioned service across Warwickshire and West Mercia from April 2017.

Youth Justice Service (presentation by Mr K Barham -  Head of Service, West Mercia Youth Justice Service)

·        A member suggested that youth offending rates in the county seemed higher than in the family group of authorities. Mr Barham confirmed that the rate for first time entrants was above the national average and the rates for the family group. However, he considered the family group comparison to be less significant than it had once been as no other area was quite like West Mercia.   It was significant that the rates were above the average for England.  It was not clear what the reasons were with very different rates across the West Mercia force area. Some analysis had been done but it was intended to undertake a more detailed piece of work. 

·        The Director of Children’s Services commented that the Youth Justice Management Board had been concerned by the finding.  The Council’s Children and Young people’s Plan had identified the issue as something to target.  Whilst the position was not welcome, the trajectory of first time entrants did appear to be downwards.

·        Previous reports had suggested that first time entrants in Herefordshire tended to be older.  With regard to tracking repeat offending, it was asked how offenders were tracked during the transition from being the responsibility of children’s services to adult services.  Mr Barham commented that if someone reoffended within a 12 month period after the age of 18 this would be counted in the youth offending statistics. Tracking of offending by young people was taking place locally and there were very low rates of reoffending while the service was working with people. The Youth Justice Plan recognised the need to improve transition arrangements. 

RESOLVED:  to recommend that the Community Safety Partnership pay particular attention to recidivism rates of offenders.