Agenda item

To consider performance regarding the Community Safety Partnership’s priorities between April 2016 and August 2016.

Mr Pertica, Head of Visitors Services, presented the Committee with the Community Safety Performance Report for April – August 2016. The report considered the performance of the Community Safety Partnership’s 2016-2019 priorities during that period. These were detailed as: violence against the person, anti-social behaviour, domestic abuse, sexual offences and rape and child sexual exploitation. The report also made reference to additional ongoing work such as counter terrorism, serious organised crime, hate crime and modern day slavery.

The Committee considered the content of the report and put a number of questions to Mr Pertica in relation to it. He was asked about the Town Centre Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) and its impact, specifically whether there was anything that could be added to it. Mr Pertica explained that work was ongoing to consider whether its coverage and prohibitions could be extended. Upon being asked whether it would be necessary to carry out a further public consultation if that was to be the case, Councillor Campbell confirmed that whilst relevant stakeholders and partner organisations would be consulted, it would not be necessary to carry out a further public consultation. Mr Pertica added that all Alleygates and Dog Control Orders would need to be converted to Public Space Protection Order by October 2017. In connection with that piece of work, the Committee asked whether some of the job roles would become more universal. Mr Pertica advised that a number of officers could enforce Public Space Protection Orders, for example all Public Protection, Community Safety, Street Scene and Civil Enforcement officers all had delegated authority to enforce against the existing prohibitions of the Town Centre Public Space Protection Order. However, Mr Pertica explained that officers were often extremely busy with their core roles and therefore had limited capacity to assist with other duties.

On the subject of the Park Public Space Protection Order, the Committee enquired about the need for relevant signage and were advised that signs were on order, but that in most cases, enforcement action could already be undertaken by the Police as the behaviours covered by the Public Space Protection Order could also be classified as criminal damage. The Committee pointed out that anecdotal evidence had been received that the Police consider such action to be a Council matter and Mr Pertica agreed to pursue the matter further.

The Committee raised questions in relation to progress in relation to the methadone use reduction programme. Mr Pertica explained that commissioners of drug treatment services had made attempts to reduce the number of people on long term methadone use. He advised that ultimately, decisions regarding an individual’s methadone prescription was a clinical decision to be taken by appropriate professionals. Mr Pertica explained the differences between chronic or acute conditions, noting that for some problematic drug users, their addiction was of an acute nature and could therefore be treated accordingly. It was noted that other users may be chronic users and would therefore require different approaches to treatment, which in some cases required long term methadone treatment. Mr Pertica advised that the contract was out to tender for drug and alcohol services and referred to an ideal period for the maximum length methadone prescription.

Referring to the Counter Terrorism section of the report, the Committee asked who the main targets were in terms of prevention measures. Mr Pertica explained that Prevent was part of the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 and any prevention measures were part of the overall strategy to prevent radicalisation and terrorism. Mr Pertica also explained that there were a number of types of terrorist activities that could occur, which included animal welfare and environmental issues, as well as religious and political. However, Mr Pertica explained that one of the main targeted audience were schools and students. He pointed out the changing nature of terrorism risks and how difficult it was to envisage where a risk might arise, particularly due to the use of the internet.

Noting the merger of the sexual offenses and rape BSafe Blackpool working group, with the prostitution BSafe Blackpool working group, the Committee raised questions relating to the membership of the new group. Mr Pertica explained that there had been a substantial amount of cross-membership between the two groups, which had been a key reason for merging the groups. The agencies represented in the group included the local authority, the Police and a number of third sector organisations that operated in the area.

The Committee noted and pointed out that there had been an increase in crimes of violence and theft, both in Blackpool and across Lancashire. Mr Pertica explained that recording procedures for crimes of violence against the person had recently changed which had contributed to the increased figures. He added that the increase in Blackpool had been less than across the County and that although the figures for less serious assault had increased, there had been a reduction in more serious assaults.

The Committee agreed to note the report.

Background papers: None.