The Strategic Director Place will submit a report (Document “T”) which updates members on key areas of partnership work to build and develop community safety in the Bradford South constituency.

Recommended –

(1)              That Bradford South Area Committee notes the work undertaken by the Bradford South Neighbourhood Policing Team and Community Safety Partners that contributes toward addressing priorities within the Ward Plans for the Bradford South Area.

(2)              That the Bradford South Area Committee notes the positive partnership working that has been established between Bradford South Neighbourhood Policing Team, Safer Bradford ASB Team, Elected Members, Council Officers, Community Organisations, volunteers, and residents within the Bradford South Area.

Overview and Scrutiny Area: Corporate

(Michael Churley - 07582 100367)

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “T”) updated members on key areas of partnership work to build and develop community safety in the Bradford South constituency. The Committee were informed that a Community Safety Partnership plan was a statutory requirement and that the plan was contained at Appendix 1 of the report. The work surrounding early intervention and prevention was detailed, particularly the work with young people in partnership with local schools. Members were advised that some of the data contained within the report was Bradford South specific however in some cases this was not possible, and the data instead reflected district wide.

The Police representative summarised the policing report and highlighted some of the crime statistics as well as the work that had been carried out to reduce crime in each ward. Members were informed that there had been increased early intervention work such as a perpetrator pilot which targeted individuals who were repeatedly arrested, the pilot provided them with intensive support and resulted in a 94.4% reduction in reoffending.

The partnership work with the Council was underlined and Members were told that ward officers were part of the joined-up approach, particularly in regard to engagement and knowledge of the local area. It was added that further training would be provided to wardens.

A Member asked about early intervention in relation to the safety of women and girls, given that they comprised 70% of the victims of domestic abuse, particularly if there was any work to empower people to challenge forms of harassment. In response officers stated that part of the survey asked if people knew where to go for support and it was acknowledged that more information regarding intervention could be beneficial.

A Member sought clarification regarding the organisation Women’s Centre, and it was explained that the current commissioned service to deliver the Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence contract was Survive & Thrive, the service was a consortium of three organisations: Staying Put, Women's Centre and Family Action. Therefore, Women’s Centre worked as part of Survive & Thrive.

The Committee asked about whether hate crime had risen and noted the lack of data. Officers informed the Committee that figures had decreased slightly although issues relating to recording hate crime and therefore the accuracy of crime data was acknowledged. A Member asked if hate crime was recorded by the Council and was told that hate crime was police recorded but figures could be shared.

Members stated that the reduction in anti-social behaviour (ASB) was positive but questioned whether it was due to a decline in reporting crime or police action. Members were informed that reporting of ASB had increased exponentially during the lockdowns and that it had been decreasing ever since. Members stressed that residents should continue to report crime as police resources were deployed according to statistics, increased reporting would help identify areas of need.

Officers were asked about the Holmewood Community Safety Partnership and if there was scope for other areas. It was explained that it would be dependent on resources as they could be diverted away to other issues. The Bradford South Area Coordinator detailed the work that was currently underway in each ward.

Clarification was sought regarding whether harassment of women and girls could be classified as a hate crime and whether it was covered by hate crime legislation. Members were advised that it was not classified as hate crime although it was acknowledged that it was dependent on what the victim perceived the crime to be motivated by.

Resolved –

(1)           That Council officers and the Police be thanked for their work in supporting community safety in the Bradford South constituency.

(2)           That the work undertaken by the Bradford South Neighbourhood Policing Team and Community Safety Partners that contributes toward addressing priorities within the Ward Plans for the Bradford South Area be noted.

(3)           That the positive partnership working that has been established between Bradford South Neighbourhood Policing Team, Safer Bradford ASB Team, Elected Members, Council Officers, Community Organisations, volunteers, and residents within the Bradford South Area be noted.

(4)           That a further progress report be presented in 12 months’ time.

To be actioned by: Strategic Director, Place

Overview and Scrutiny Area: Corporate

(Michael Churley – 07582 100367)