At the request of the Committee the Sector Inspector for Mid Devon, Inspector Steve Bradford, from the Devon and Cornwall Police, will be in attendance to answer questions.
Minutes:
The Chairman welcomed Sector Inspector Steve Bradford and Sergeant Mike Warriner to the meeting. The following questions were asked:
How can the Force continue to defend their woeful front line officer levels when a burglary in progress, 50 yards from Tiverton Police Station was not attended, resulting in the offenders returning a second time to remove more property, even though reported on both occasions by the public?
Inspector Bradford informed Members that the force had been going through a restructure and reduction in officer numbers for a number of years. He could not defend the fact that the burglary was not attended but confirmed that his officers had been committed to other incidents at the time. He had reviewed the incident and was using it in order to improve future service. He confirmed that the crime was now being investigated. With regard to numbers Inspector Bradford informed the Committee that numbers of officers had fallen, that funding cuts had to be dealt with and that restructuring had taken place. He was therefore looking at how best to deploy the resources he had and was considering the use of different types of response. Specialist resources would be drawn on and going forward he would be considering how best to deal with situations and how to make best use of resources available.
What is your view of the night time Economy in the three towns -Tiverton, Cullompton and Crediton? Are there problems?
Inspector Bradford informed the Committee that he had spoken to the Licensing Officer who confirmed that problems regarding the night time economy within the main towns had lessened. He reported that there were the expected alcohol and alcohol related incidents but that the numbers of incidents had reduced. Officers were deployed as and when incidents occurred and at times of high demand, such as bank holidays, officers were on patrol. Cullompton and Crediton did not have nightclubs but Tiverton did and officers worked with the Licensee and Licensing Officers regarding this.
Is MDDC proactive enough?
The Inspector considered that they were and that there was a good relationship between the Police Licensing Officers and Mid Devon’s Licensing Officers. Joint visits to premises were undertaken. Police Officers also worked in partnership with officers from the Housing Service regarding anti-social behaviour.
What are your policing priorities?
Inspector Bradford responded that he had to be able to deal with incidents as they happened so there was an element of reaction but there was also an understanding of what was happening and where it was necessary to put patrols or work with partners or preventative work. Priorities had changed over the last few years and issues such as organised crime and safeguarding children had become priorities. Officers were dealing with issues such as child sexual exploitation and modern day slavery. There was a change in emphasis but policing was still about looking after people.
The Inspector was asked how the removal of the Police Community Safety Officer would affect the service provided and he replied that his neighbourhood teams were working on safeguarding and long term problem solving. He outlined the resources available in the district and explained that there was a need to maintain a visibility but also to deal with ongoing incidents.
Many express concern about the absence of community policing, particularly in rural areas, and the poor response from 101 when situations are reported. Do you share those concerns?
The Inspector said that policing had changed and that resources were drawn towards the centre. Officer time was better spent carrying out duties rather than attending Parish Council meetings, to which a report could be sent, freeing up officer time. The urban areas had more issues.
Tiverton Station was a very intimidating place. Many police officers were often present but offered no access for the public except for a very public and exposed external telephone to report concerns. The PCC said that she would look into making access more "customer friendly" Is there likely to be any action on this?
The Inspector informed Members that methods of contacting the force were changing. The public were urged to use the 101 line and email. The Force was considering office-sharing in some areas, with local councils, but this was not currently planned for Tiverton, he did however agree that the Authority needed to listen to concerns.
Please could Parish Councils have a direct line number to report crime, when there is an emergency, rather than going through the 101 service?
The Inspector informed the Committee that this was not something that he would be considering and he explained that it was better for callers to use the Force system so that calls were registered and prioritised.
Discussion took place regarding:
· The recent burglary near to the Police Station and an explanation from Sergeant Warriner regarding the allocation of resources at the time of the incident;
· The reporting of parking issues and the need for the Police to prioritise their workload;
· The suggestion that Councillors provide photographic evidence of parking issues that could then be taken up by Police officers;
· The fact that officers were dealing with higher profile incidents that were not visible to the public in the way that parking issues were but were higher priority due to their seriousness;
· The increase in cybercrime and identity theft and the work that was being undertaken to combat this by prevention;
· The constant review of back office functions and the move towards mobile data working;
· Specials, and what was being done to recruit them in the District;
· The recent high profile resignation of a female officer in the area and programmes that were in place to look after the welfare of officers.
The Chairman thanked Inspector Bradford and Sergeant Warriner for their attendance.