Agenda item

Angus Macpherson to present the PCC Diary report.

The PCC Diary report which set out a summary of commitments the Commissioner had undertaken since the last meeting of the Police and Crime Panel on 19 November 2014 was received.

The Commissioner advised that:-

·                He had attended a regional meeting in Bridgwater on 12 November 2014 when updates had been received on the work of the regional programme boards, including the Regional Organised Crime Unit, Major Crime, Digital Evidence Management and Regional ICT Strategy.  He also gave an update on the Community Rehabilitation Company contract which would cover the South West of England and Wales and come into effect on 1 February.  He explained that the primary purpose of this contract was to assist ex offenders in finding work. 

·                The Community Messaging Launch had been continuing with a launch in Melksham on 13 November and in Tidworth on 14 November.  It was anticipated that this exercise would be completed throughout Wiltshire by the second week in February.  One of the objects of this Launch would be to re-energise Neighbourhood Watch schemes.  The Commissioner stressed that there would be a focus on Community Safety.   Reference was made to Neighbourhood Alert and Members were reminded that this was an online, secure community messaging system that allowed authorised administrators to log in and send messages to registered people in the community, members of Neighbourhood Watch and other schemes such as Tenant and Resident Associations, Church Groups, Community contacts and members of Business Watch, who had chosen to receive them.  Messages could be sent by email, telephone or text message by a range of approved Information by providers such as the Police, Neighbourhood Watch administrators, Trading Standards and the Fire Service.  Concern had been expressed that parish notices such as fete publicity and other social events could easily swamp the site and it was acknowledged that this potential danger would need to be watched.

·                A meeting of the Wiltshire Criminal Justice Board (WCJB) had taken place on 26 November, the Board not having met for some time.  It was now chaired by the Chief Constable and the Commissioner had been invited to become a member.  Mr Robert Buckland, MP for Swindon South and a member of the National Criminal Justice Board, had been invited to join.  The work of the WCJB was still being developed but its members were committed to its success.

·                A telephone conference had taken place on 27 November with the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners in respect of the planned police ICT company, discussing in particular its benefits to Wiltshire.  It should bring significant purchasing benefits to its members by designing contracts which would attract substantial savings and lead to the standardisation of equipment.

·                An open meeting of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) had been held on 4 December at which the Commissioner had presented the initial results of the rural crime survey.  The survey was a major consultation with farmers, land owners and others who either live or work in rural Wiltshire.  Members of the Panel questioned why, from the list of rural crimes, there was no mention of arson.  The Commissioner suggested that the reason might well be seasonal.

·                The use of mobile police camera vans was being examined by officers and councillors to help combat speeding offences.  The Commissioner reminded the Panel that although the fixed cameras in Wiltshire were not operational, the equipment had been left in place which in itself could well act as a deterrent.  It was reported that there had been a decrease in accidents in the Swindon area since the deactivation of fixed speed cameras and on balance the Panel considered that mobile police camera vans provided a better deterrent than fixed cameras.

·                The Commissioner had attended a performance of ‘This Secret Life’ at Churchfield Academy in Swindon on 8 December.  This play, which had been performed across Swindon and Wiltshire, was performed by Sixth Sense theatre group and was a very powerful play about domestic abuse and control of a perpetrator over a young female student in her first relationship.  The performance was followed by a very useful debate about the issues raised in the play.  The Commissioner reported that there had been an increase in violence in the last twelve months and stressed the importance of creating a suitable atmosphere where a victim felt comfortable to report domestic violence.  It was noted that there was still plenty to do to foster better education on this subject throughout the schools.    

·                0n 11 December, the Home Secretary announced her proposed reforms to allow directly-elected PCCs to take charge of complaints against their police force.  The Commissioner stated that, as elected Commissioner, he welcomed this announcement as it was important that the public had trust in the police complaints system.  Members of the Panel stressed the importance of the public knowing the outcomes following use of the complaints procedure.  The Commissioner stated that the Wiltshire complaints procedure was being well used and he planned to invest funds into educating young people who were excellent at challenging procedures.

·                The Neighbourhood Policing Unit would be relocating to the Civic Offices at Euclid, Street, Swindon the following week and would be opening towards the end of the month.  It was reported that the former police station at Chippenham had been attracting a certain amount of anti-social behaviour but two bids had so far been received for the purchase of this site; the closing date for receipt of bids was 31 March 2015 after which a decision would have to be made on its future.

Resolved:

To note the Police & Crime Commissioner’s report.