The Strategic Director, Place will submit a report (Document “E”) which provides an update on key policing and anti-social behaviour issues in the Bradford East Constituency.

Recommended:

That the work undertaken by the Bradford East Neighbourhood Policing Team and partners be noted.

(Louise Williams - 01274 431066)

POLICING BRADFORD EAST

The Strategic Director, Place submitted a report (Document “E”) which provided an update on key policing and anti-social behaviour issues in the Bradford East Constituency. The report detailed the issues around anti-social behaviour and drug use.

Inspector Paul Riley (Bradford East Neighbourhood Policing Team) introduced the report, by doing so, Members’ attention was drawn to appendix 1, which showed the breakdown of crime figures for January to July 2022, compared to the same period in 2019.  It was reported that there had been a 10% rise in crime.

However, it was noted that whilst there was a reduction in crimes, such as burglaries, robberies and theft of motor vehicle, the number of drug related crimes had risen by 20% since 2019.

There had also been a significant increase in incidents relating to anti-social behaviour. In order to tackle the issues, multi-agency response worked hard with partners from the Police, Council, Anti-social Behaviour Teams, Youth Service, social housing landlords and schools. Services were also working together to ensure the relevant support was in place and early intervention work was ongoing.

To help to engage with young people, Police had been visiting primary schools across the Bradford East to offer support and guidance and focusing on three priority areas (knife crime, anti-social behaviour and healthy relationships). This also provided an opportunity for the Police and Council to hold joint contact points at local primary schools during parents’ evenings.

 Arising from the discussion, Members raised the following points:

·         Funding cuts to Youth Services had played a key part in youth engagement as it was a proven way of engaging with young people in a positive way and helping to divert them away from crime.

·         It was also prudent that the Police reached out to secondary schools to provide support and issues, including knife crimes and drugs. Inspector Paul Riley reported on the collaborative work through ‘Safer Schools Partnership’ between schools, Police and Fire Services to ensure young people are safe, reduce crimes and improving behaviour in schools and their communities.

·         Public expectations were so low that people were not reporting on some of the crimes. It was recognised that the Police had to do more to help build trust and confidence between people and the Police.

·         There was a worrying trend of people considering drugs to be socially acceptable, in particular, young people using soft drugs, including the use of Nitrous Oxide. Inspector Paul Riley acknowledged drug crime was a massive problem and tackling drugs was a priority for the Police. Inspector Riley pledged for the communities to work with the Police to help people resist drug misuse and to protect communities.

·         Problem with knife crime were overwhelmingly. It was worrying that more people, in particular, the young people, were carrying knives. Inspector Riley stressed that engagement work with services and communities was important to safeguard people in education from knife crime.

·         Concerns around bonfire and misuse of fireworks, Inspector Riley added that firework misuse was dangerous and should be reported and to work with communities to tackle the problem.

The Committee fully supported the work by the Police Teams and Partners. Furthermore, it was requested the ‘Community Safety Plan’ to be shared with Members.

Resolved:

That the work undertaken by the Bradford East Neighbourhood Policing Team and partners be noted.

(Louise Williams - 01274 431066)