Presentation by Inspector Michael Head of Lincolnshire Police, regarding crime, disorder and the role of Community Policing across West Lindsey.
Minutes:
The Chairman welcomed Inspector Michael Head of Lincolnshire Police to the Committee, who proceeded to present the Lincolnshire Police Annual Update.
Inspector Head gave an overview of his background in the role and explained that the previous year had been difficult due to a force-wide restructure resulting in a reduced number of Police Community Support Officers (PSCOs); alongside issues at Scampton; and other serious issues force-wide that had impacted on staffing in West Lindsey. Despite this, he attributed policing successes in the local area in large part due to the close working partnerships established with Council Officers and Councillors, working closely together to reduce Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB), providing safeguarding education, and partnering on long-term problem solving. Inspector Head detailed how regular updates were sent via email to Parish Councils but explained how he hoped to get more feedback from them in the future. A Member later responded that a closer working relationship may be more of a challenge for some Parish Councils, due to the infrequency of Parish Council meetings.
The Inspector then outlined the Neighbourhood Policing Remodel, which entailed a transition to an evidence-based policing approach, which ensured a better allocation of resources for different areas; he explained how areas which were considered high-risk in terms of crime would be allocated more resources, such as PSCOs, compared with low-risk areas. It was added that PCSOs had been reduced in numbers, with fewer in operation than expected due to funding, meaning fewer were allocated to rural areas as planned.
Members heard there were four different teams working from Gainsborough and Market Rasen; each team consisted of one Sergeant and ten Constables who would respond to 999 and 101 calls. He then gave an overview on the policing model for West Lindsey, highlighting that the district was split into nine separate beat codes, each of which had their own Neighbourhood Policing Team and priorities. Details of the geography of each of the nine areas was then outlined together with the staffing and priorities for each. Detailed crime figures for each beat code were presented to Members, with a summary that the crime figures had generally reduced.
Attention was drawn to the impact of the crime statistics, as the Inspector explained that by using an evidence-based policing model, it was challenging to make the case for additional resources for his team when lower crime figures appeared to reflect less criminal activity. He emphasised that he believed the lower crime figures were impacted by reduced reporting rates, rather than primarily a reduction in criminal activity.
It was explained that Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs) were being considered as one of their main policing tools in neighbouring policing. Inspector Head outlined that such orders could run for a period of two years and recipients could face a custodial sentence should they breach the mandated condition; Members heard there were six CBOs in place in West Lindsey. The increase in use of Closure Orders (COs) was also brought to the attention of the Committee, as the Inspector detailed how these could be used to police anti-social behaviour, as well as drug-related crime. It was explained that a full Closure Order could prevent the residents living at a particular address, or a partial Closure Order, which would stop visitors to a particular address.
The Chairman thanked Inspector Head for his presentation and his dedication in policing the community; this sentiment was reiterated by several Members throughout the discussion.
Cllr S Bunney expressed concern regarding the lack of crime reporting in the local area, and the reduced levels of Police staff. He highlighted the relationship between a lack of Police presence in rural areas and a lack of crime reporting, explaining that people would be less likely to report crime if they felt that the Police did not have the resources to address it. In the event of reporting a crime as a third party, it was enquired how Councillors could support the Police to ensure that reporting figures were as accurate as possible. Inspector Head later clarified that third party reporting was recorded in the statistics, and that it was used to determine what kind of investigation would take place; he gave the example of obtaining intelligence through monitoring local social media groups.
The same Member raised the crime statistics regarding the large rural area of Welton and Hemswell, and other similar large rural areas; he suggested that if Welton and Hemswell had been examined as statistically separate, then more resources may have been allocated to one of the areas under an evidenced-based policing model, due to one area necessitating more resources than the other. The Inspector later agreed with the Member regarding the impact of understaffing and responded that he would raise the possibility of dividing the crime figures of Welton and Hemswell.
Cllr M Snee enquired about the reported increase in sexual offences; she asked whether the increase was explained by an improved Police approach to dealing with domestic violence. Inspector Head responded in agreement, stating that he believes the reported increase was largely due to Officers being better skilled when engaging with victims of crime, as well as increased societal awareness of violence against women and girls.
A question was asked by Cllr P Key regarding the redeployment of resources outside of West Lindsey, and whether the negative impact of redeployment could be mitigated or compensated against under the evidence-based policing model. The response from Inspector Head explained why redeployment occurred, which was often due to crimes outside of West Lindsey requiring a temporary need for more Police staff, which would often inadvertently affect the region by reducing the capacity of other forces to assist in West Lindsey. He explained that the largest current constraint on his team’s time was in making an arrest, which involved extensive travelling amongst other time-consuming processes.
Cllr P Key enquired about the impact of the Government’s early prisoner release scheme on the West Lindsey District. Inspector Head replied that the effects of the scheme had not been felt as much in the district as in bigger cities, such as Lincoln, due to many prisoners being released as homeless, and remaining in the city to access its support services. It was emphasised that despite the scheme, national shoplifting figures appeared to have reduced.
Cllr S Bunney returned to the topic of barriers to reporting crime; he asked whether progress had been made on improving the reporting system. The Member outlined how contacting 101, or reporting via the internet, was off-putting and difficult for some. He cited how excessive waiting times on the phone deterred many from reporting a crime. Inspector Head agreed, explaining he had raised these obstacles with the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC). Questions were asked regarding how dropped calls were reported in the statistics, with more detailed statistics of call handling requested from the Director of Change Management, ICT and Regulatory services. The Housing and Environmental Enforcement Manager then reiterated these issues, adding that he believed there was a general trend in under-reporting which needed addressing, which had affected the Council as well as the Police; he stressed that the public should follow reporting procedures, where accessible, to ensure concerns were appropriately addressed.
The Vice Chairman enquired about the use of police drones in Gainsborough; the Inspector responded that a drone unit was now established in Gainsborough, with a drone-trained operator on each response shift. He added that drones had been used to locate missing people, and to assist in policing anti-social behaviour; this was an asset to the local area, and it was being publicised on social media.
After no further questions, the Chairman thanked Inspector Head for his contribution at Committee, and for the excellent work being carried out by his team. The Chairman concluded that the overarching message was to encourage the reporting of crime.