No disclosures of interest in matters under consideration were received.

Recommended –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 21January 2020 be signed as a correct record (previously circulated).

(Jane Lythgow – 01274 432270)

Resolved –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 21 January 2020 be signed as a correct record.

There were no appeals submitted by the public to review decisions to restrict documents.

(Access to Information Procedure Rules – Part 3B of the Constitution)

To hear questions from electors within the District on any matter this is the responsibility of the Committee. 

Questions must be received in writing by the City Solicitor in Room 112, City Hall, Bradford, BD1 1HY, by mid-day on Tuesday 25 February 2019.

(Jane Lythgow - 01274 432270)

There were no questions submitted by the public.

The report of the Strategic Director, Place, Document “W” provides an update on work undertaken by the Keighley Neighbourhood Policing Team during 2019.

Recommended –

1.    That the work undertaken by the Keighley Neighbourhood Policing Team during the year 2019 which has contributed to addressing Community Safety priorities within the Ward Plans for the Keighley Area be noted.

2.    That the positive partnership working to address crime and community safety between the Police, Elected Members, Parish and Town Councils, Bradford Council Officers, community organisations, volunteers and residents within the Keighley Area be noted. 

(Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

(Jonathan Hayes – 01535 618008)

The report of the Strategic Director, Place, Document “W” provided an update on work undertaken by the Keighley Neighbourhood Policing (NPT) Team during 2019.

A Police Inspector from the Keighley NPT addressed the meeting and thanked Members for allowing him the opportunity to present the report.

The report revealed that, in line with police force priorities a continuous focus was on reducing crime and ,in addition to working with partners to ensure communities were safe and felt safe, substantial resources had been brought into the area

It was explained that, despite changes in recording processes to include thefts from out buildings in recordings of burglary dwellings, the levels of domestic and commercial burglaries had reduced. 

Serious disorders between rival organised crime groups were reported and reassurances provided that proactive measures were being used to target individuals linked to crime groups and criminality.

It was explained that drugs were a constant blight on communities and that was a continuous priority for the force.  The report revealed the number of cannabis farms across the area; the level of recorded drug crimes and the number of convictions in the district. 

With regard to driving related offences details of multi agency operations conducted in Keighley were provided. 

Issues with anti-social behaviour in the area, surging in periods of hot weather, were reported and measures undertaken by the police and Bradford Council to address those problems were discussed.

Measures undertaken with local schools, particularly year six pupils, to prevent criminality were reported together with initiatives undertaken by cyber officers delivering internet safety sessions to students, parent groups, governors and other relevant organisations.

Following a very detailed presentation Members acknowledged that some categories of crime had fallen but expressed concerns about the increases in drug related crime and questioned the measures being used to address those issues.

In response it was explained that numerous operations had been established including Operation Jemlock and Operation Saucerlake which provided increased resources and improved the confidence of residents that the police would address drug issues.  The importance of intelligence from residents was stressed and work undertaken with national charity Crimestoppers was also discussed.  It was explained that crime figures revealed that the majority of offences were committed by people from outside of the district.

Whilst the police were commended for the reductions in crime outlined in the report a Member expressed concerns about increasing drug related crime.  Incidents of blatant drug dealing in the streets were reported.  Members were also worried that whilst residents were providing intelligence to the police they were not receiving any feedback and it felt to those residents that no action was being taken. 

In response assurances were provided that the problems occurring in the Keighley area were not unique. The police were ensuring that they made the lives of those involved difficult.  Work with communities was undertaken to increase communications and Members were advised that the police attended many public events.  It was suggested that Members contact the police with any reports of residents  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55.