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 feeling that no action was being taken and that they would be willing to discuss their concerns directly.

The staffing structure of the Neighbourhood Police Team was questioned and it was explained that there were 70 patrol officers covering the Keighley constituency.  There were also three Police Community Support Officers per ward.

A local resident addressed the meeting and recalled an incident where she had been attacked in her own home and her concerns that this could be linked to intelligence she had passed to the Police.  She had requested that the Police call to her home to discuss information about drug related crime but no visit had been made.  She referred to a scheme in Middlesbrough which used Diamorphin to assist with drug addiction and reiterated her request that the police discuss drug related issues with her.

A Member reported that residents in his ward were afraid of repercussions should they contact the police but that elected members would be fully cooperative with the police.  In response he was assured that members of the public were communicating issues; Operation Jemlock had seen a number of criminals arrested; more drugs were continuing to be found and the fight was continuing.

A Member representing the Ilkley Ward questioned the increased level of resources required to address anti social behaviour occurring in Ilkley during the summer months.  She was assured that there had already been a number of meetings held to discuss preparations for a repeat of the hot weather which had seen an increase in visitors to the area.  Whilst it had been more straightforward to prepare for planned events such as galas approximately 20 officers had been brought in to the area for a number of days to assist at impromptu gatherings.

Members requested that they be informed of the outcomes of those meetings and invited to attend those planned in the future. 

Whilst discussing planned events in the area a view that the organisers of events such as the Tour de Yorkshire should contribute to the costs of policing those occasions.  

It was questioned if a Rural Crime officer would be recruited to the Keighley NPT and it was explained that the team did not currently have the capacity but this would be considered in the future.  Extra capacity was provided to Operation Steerside with the use of officers working on rest days.

In response to drink driving, seatbelt, speeding and driving whilst using a mobile device both Keighley Town Council and Operation Steerside had invested £10,000 to address those issues.  Members were encouraged to contact Operation Steerside to report hotspot areas of speeding.  

Document “W” referred to criminal behaviour orders and following a request for clarification Members were advised that a process of interventions was instigated in the hope that the behaviour would cease.  If it did not a criminal behaviour order was sought from the courts which put restrictions on people’s movements. 

The necessity for officers to remain with people suffering mental health issues whilst they were being assessed at hospitals was discussed and it was suggested that other measures could be considered to prevent officer time being misused. It was explained that the police did link to the first responder services but could not leave residents unattended in such situations.

The report outlined measures to deliver internet safety sessions in schools and it was questioned which schools were involved.  It was agreed that information would be circulated to Members.

The representative of Keighley NPT thanked Members for their support; explained that he would try to speak to them on a monthly basis and would provide a six weekly update email about issues in their wards.

Resolved –

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. 

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE: Corporate

ACTION: Strategic Director, Place