Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour (six monthly update) – Verbal Report from Inspector Nigel Key from Lincolnshire Police
Minutes:
The Chairman introduced Chief Inspector Stuart Brinn and welcomed him again to the meeting. Chief Inspector Brinn thanked the Committee for the invite and explained that if there were any areas of concern he was not able to address, he would find out the relevant information and feedback to Members in the following days.
The Committee heard that overall, the trend lines in regards to crime and antisocial behaviour in West Lindsey were going in the right direction. CI Brinn stated that there had been a lot of work accomplished by neighbourhood policing teams and this was reflected in the level of issues being reported to the police.
CI Brinn acknowledged the concerns that had been raised approximately twelve months ago in relation to drugs and antisocial behaviour issues in two specific areas of West Lindsey. He explained there had been a meeting between the police and West Lindsey District Council and in the time since those concerns were raised, significant work had gone into both areas with a view to improving the neighbourhoods. Committee heard that CCTV installed in the Hemswell Cliff area had made a marked impact. It was acknowledged there were still improvements to be made but the difference already was noticeable.
With regards to concerns raised about the South West Ward in Gainsborough, CI Brinn stated that through proactive police work and work from West Lindsey District Council for example through tenancy schemes, there had been significant changes in the area. CI Brinn explained that through the course of these improvements, there were reduced reports of criminal or antisocial activity and police were able to act swiftly on information that did come through.
The Committee heard that West Lindsey had been hit by reduced staff numbers, either through retirement or transfers out of area, and this meant it was necessary to focus police time for maximum effect. CI Brinn highlighted that there was a focus on recruiting new police officers, or receiving transfers from other forces, but it was necessary to consider where to focus police time. He gave the examples to Committee of the increase in cybercrime, modern day slavery and the focus on child sex exploitation, all of which was very different to the issues being faced by police 10 years previously.
CI Brinn explained to Members that a significant amount of police time was used to assist NHS workers dealing with patients who had mental health issues and were potentially violent. It was acknowledged that the pressures on the NHS meant there were limited resources also however this then had an impact on police resources, for example attending hospital with patients.
There was discussion regarding the impact of such pressures on police officers and how the force supported their officers to avoid burnout or time off work with stress. Committee heard there was an excellent support network available for officers and the importance of maintaining wellbeing was emphasised within the force.
NOTE: Councillor T Smith declared a non-pecuniary interest in that his sister was a police officer in another police force.
Councillor J Milne therefore declared that her son was in the Metropolitan Police.
In response to Members’ questions as to whether WLDC could assist in anyway, CI Brinn stated that there was limited action to be taken as the issues were due to a significant reduction in funding.
A Member of Committee enquired about the focus on rural crime and what could be done to stay on top of it. CI Brinn explained that police staff had visited every farm in Lincolnshire and they were working closely with farmers to develop information systems and alerts to help the community to manage the risks associated with rural crime such as the theft of vehicles and fuel supplies. The issue of hare coursing was discussed and CI Brinn stated that because of measures put in place by the police, those involved with hare coursing were beginning to avoid Lincolnshire. It was acknowledged that the needs of urban areas compared with rural areas were very different.
The Leader of the Council enquired about particular areas with a rural junction where there had been frequent accidents leading to significant road closures. CI Brinn explained he had researched the area the Leader talked about and it would be looked at in greater detail to identify any improvement to be made. CI Brinn also confirmed he was happy to work with the council ion relation to traffic management and planning issues to help reduce incidents in this area.
CI Brinn confirmed to Committee that police forces across the areas were working closely together and that over the coming months Members would see a higher level of collaboration across the counties. It was hoped this would help assist with crimes that have a cross border impact, such as the rural crimes mentioned previously.
The Chairman thanked CI Brinn for his time and thorough responses to the areas of concern presented by the Committee. It was acknowledged that the police are working under straitened measures and support for the council was offered where possible. CI Brinn thanked Committee for their support and agreed that joint working had proved beneficial in areas of West Lindsey and there would no doubt be future collaboration in coming months and years.