Agenda item

To consider the performance regarding the Community Safety Partnership’s priorities between April 2017 and March 2018

The Committee considered the Community Safety Performance Report for April 2017 to March 2018.

Members discussed the issues of homelessness and begging within the town and queried what work was being undertaken to address it, including the scheme for ‘Alternative Giving’. The Committee raised particular concern with instance of professional and aggressive begging, which could deter people from visiting the town centre. Mr Paolo Pertica, Head of Community Safety Strategy, responded that work was being undertaken to raise the profile of ‘Alternative Giving’. Regarding the issue of professional and aggressive begging, Mr Pertica informed the Committee that many of these individuals have complex needs and where possible they were referred to the appropriate help. However, the Council can and has used the tools and powers from the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 and issued numerous Community Protection Warning (CPWs) and Community Protection Notices (CPNs) to those begging aggressively. Those individuals who persisted to beg following a CPW and a CPN were taken to Court and in some cases Criminal Behaviour Orders were issued to them. Councillor Campbell reported that such enforcement had been a significant success for the Council and a number of those who used to regularly beg in the town centre have ceased their activity following the enforcement work referred to above.

Members asked if the management of the fracking site has had an impact on the crime level reported for the 2017/18 period. Mr Pertica stated that he could not speak on behalf of Lancashire Constabulary, but that it would be naïve for anyone to suggest that the management of the fracking site has had no impact at all on the Police’s capacity. Mr Pertica then explained that his understanding was that initially the management of the fracking site was covered by officers from the Western Division only, but that now it is shared by officers from the Constabulary’s whole area. The Committee asked Mr Pertica to raise his concerns about this with senior Police Officers and he agreed to do so at the next available opportunity.

With regards to the overall figures for 2017/18 period, Mr Pertica made reference to the fact that for some crime categories, such as Domestic Abuse and Sexual Offences, an increase is not necessarily negative because it may be due to more victims feeling able to report such offences against them, whereas in the past they may have felt unable to do so. Mr Pertica also explained that another change which could of had an impact on the overall figures for 2017/18 is that in previous years Police Officers had 72 hours to determine if what had been reported to them was a crime, whereas now they have to do so within 24 hours. Therefore, there could be occasions where certain reports which are recorded as a crime then prove not to be, however they still would remain included in the overall figures. Mr Pertica stated that if the crime increases experienced during 2017/18 had only taken place in Blackpool, then it would be a concern, but similar increases have also taken place in the rest of Lancashire and nationally.

Members also asked about the ongoing issues with the 101 telephone number and the difficulties which members of the public are having with having their calls answered. Mr Pertica explained that the 101 line is a Police service, not a Council one and therefore he could not comment on behalf of Lancashire Constabulary. However, Mr Pertica stated that his understanding was that, although there were some issues with accessing the service initially, recently it has improved and callers are getting their calls answered.

The Committee agreed to note the report.