Agenda item

To receive an update of progress against the Police and Crime Plan Q4 2021/22, to enable Panel members to scrutinise performance, seek assurance and assess outcomes achieved in the reporting period.

The PCC’s statement is at appendix 2 to these minutes.

 

Prior to introducing the Q4 Monitoring Report the PCC gave the panel a summary of the contents of his response following Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) report into Dorset Police which had taken place in April this year.  He highlighted the areas he would be looking into with the Chief Constable.

 

Moving to the quarterly report the PCC gave an overview and highlighted areas of progress within the six priority areas of the PCC’s Plan.

 

Priority 1 – Cut Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour. (00:22:00 On recording)

 

In relation to road safety concerns in rural areas and the creation of a National Collision Investigation Branch, Panel members were interested to hear more of how the new branch would dovetail into Dorset, and how this would be financed, the PCC advised that he would give an update as soon as he had more information and re-affirm how this was being funded to ensure transparency for residents.

 

(00:28:50 on the recording) The PCC responded to questions from the Panel regarding:

Road safety, support for young people, tangible targets and how partnership working ensured maximum impact, value for money and delivery when working with young people.

 

Actions: Regarding crime recording leading to investigations and positive outcomes and/or diversion rates it was suggested that an item for scrutiny be added to the Forward Workplan in 9 months+.

and

Feedback on the National Collision Investigation Branch, funding/top slicing.

and

Benchmarking in relation to positive outcomes for young people to be included in the PCC’s annual report next year.

 

Additional questions and responses in relation to vehicle thefts, domestic abuse, sexual harassment and stalking can be found at appendix 2 to these minutes. (00:51:00 on recording).

Supplementary questions from the panel can be found at (00:59:07 on recording).

 

Priority 2 – Make Policing More Visible and Connected. (01:03:35 on recording).

 

The PCC gave an update on 999 league tables appendix 2.

 

The Priority Lead for this area Mr Iain McVie put forward 3 questions (01:10:37 on the recording).  For clarity in relation to the question from the member of the public about the precept survey figures, he sought assurance that 1662 responses to the survey was enough to meet the standards set around the value of a survey. He also sought confirmation that the minutes from the Police Power Scrutiny Board were available to the public on the PCC’s website.

 

In response to 101 calls and information from the government advising that there would be a new contract which would divert calls that were non-police matters.  The PCC did not have an update on where this contract was.

 

Action: reflection on where the contact is, even if the government have forgotten about it.

 

Priority 3 – Fight Violent Crime and High Harm. (01:17:02 on recording)

 

The PCC focussed on the issues of addiction and substance misuse. 5 PCCs had come together to fight cross county drug supply in the Southwest.  More information can be found at appendix 2.

 

The PCC responded to an earlier question of “what are we specifically doing in Dorset?” in relation to drug crime (01:22:15 on recording).

 

Priority 4 – Fight Rural Crime. (01:25:05 on recording)

 

There had been a sizeable increase in the rural crime team’s numbers from 3 to 10 officers and they would be supported by more officers coming forward.  There was a rural crime reduction board in place with stakeholder partners which was looking at issues around rural crime and how rates could be driven down.  Discussions had taken place regarding a rural crime van in order to reach harder to reach areas. The PCC had also been speaking to colleagues and partner agencies to investigation further ways of reducing fly tipping in rural Dorset

 

Panel members questions and PCC’s responses (01:28:40 on recording)

These focussed on rural resources, officers, equipment and markers for success.

 

Action: the PCC will try to get answers regarding the rural van operation as this was operational.

 

The Chief Executive of the OPCC explained that the rural crime team was actually the rural heritage and wildlife crime team.  There were specific crime types for each of these areas which gave a good indication of what the rural team was looking at and the relevant benchmarking.

 

Priority 5 – Put Victims and Communities First (01:34:37 on recording)

 

The PCC raised a number of issues – the criminal justice system was recovering from Covid.  In Dorset the crown court had recovered well, but the magistrates court had had some challenges.

 

With regard to rape and sexual offences there were a number of concerns around the number of rapes that were brought to conviction.  Some mapping work was being carried out from the instance of the assault to the point of going to court to ascertain at what stage people had dropped out.

 

The PCC talked about tolerance, vulnerability, the dangers of drugs and business and retail crime.

 

The PCC responded to a question regarding the criminal justice system and regional alliances, he highlighted the good relationships that had been formed with neighbouring counties and the joint working that had been taking place.  As Chairman of the Dorset Criminal Justice Board the PCC’s four priorities were to improve efficiency across the criminal justice system, make certain that victims and witnesses get justice, improve disproportionality and reduce re-offending.

 

Priority 6 - Make Every Penny Count. (01:50:11 on recording)

 

The PCC highlighted the 3 elements of making every penny count, internally making sure Dorset Police use every penny as effectively as possible, lobbying upwards to get more national funding and thirdly the precept. 

 

The PCC highlighted the rollout of the Pronto system which could increase officer efficiency (officers could record information while out and about in the community without having to return to the office).

 

The PCC and Chief Finance Officer responded to finance questions (01:59:40 on recording)