The Bradford South Area Coordinator will submit a report (Document “I”) which gives an update of some of the work undertaken by the Bradford South Area Neighbourhood Policing Team and an overview of the Bradford South Constituency Performance data.

Recommended  -

(1)       That Bradford South Area Committee notes the work undertaken by the Bradford South Neighbourhood Policing Team from April 2017 to July 2017 that contributed to 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 with Elected Members, Council Officers, community organisations, volunteers and residents within the Bradford South Area.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Corporate

                                                                        (Mick Charlton – 01274 431155)

A representative of the Neighbourhood Policing Team for Bradford South and the Chief Inspector for the area addressed the meeting and reported that they wished to redress any perceptions that crime was increasing. They presented analysis of crime data which revealed that significant reductions in crime had been seen in the last three months. 

Members questioned the amount of police hours which had been utilised to secure convictions for three people, under the age of 18 years, who had recently received custodial sentences As the issue involved juveniles it was not possible to name those individuals but it was confirmed that those juveniles had been ring leaders for a significant amount of crime and were motivators of larger groups of offenders.  The number of arrests leading up to the sentencing of those individuals was reported and the number of police hours used was discussed.

A Member referring to the data in the report felt that this did not provide enough information about the crime and requested that statistics be compiled into more meaningful information in future reports.   Retail crime occurring in the Great Horton ward was raised and it was questioned why that was not included in the report.  Members requested that the location, volume and nature of crimes be clarified in future reports.  In response it was explained that the information in Document “I” was an annual summary and more detailed information was presented at the Ward Officer Team meetings which were held every 10 weeks.  The Police also offered to send specific information to Members on request.

The number of Police Community Support Officers supporting each Ward Area was discussed.  It was questioned why Wibsey and Royds shared that resource whilst other areas with lower crime figures had a dedicated team. It was explained that the Tong Ward had been a priority in the previous six months and the Police had endeavoured to provide the most effective personnel in each ward based on their expertise.  A new Ward Officer would be commencing duty in the Wibsey area within the next week.

The Chief Inspector explained that there were 600 new PCSOs in West Yorkshire and that 137 of them were being allocated to Bradford.  The Police force had made a significant investment in Neighbourhood policing but officers would need time to become focussed and trained.  The Ward Officer Team meetings would be advised of individual arrangements for each ward.

A Member referred to negative reporting of crime in the Wibsey Ward.  He stressed that himself and his ward colleagues had accompanied the Member of Parliament for Bradford South when she had been discussing a survey she had conducted with residents in the area.  The main topic of conversation during those discussions had been around the street scene and transport services and crime and not been mentioned by the shopkeepers approached.    He believed that a business watch being promoted would prevent a lot of crime and he was disappointed with the press and social media reports of crime in the area.  He stressed that the reports had not been verified and if approaches had been made to Ward Members more accurate information would have been portrayed.

A Member, whilst welcoming partnership work being undertaken with the Police, was concerned that for the previous 12 months she had been requesting that Ward Officer Team meetings be rescheduled to allow Members to attend.  She felt that she had not experienced the partnership arrangements alluded to. Apologies were provided from the representatives of the police about that issue and it was agreed that officers should be in regular contact with Ward Members.  It was explained that police officers were always available to contact by email, text or telephone.  Whilst acknowledging that Ward Officer Team meetings were arranged around police officer shift patterns Members requested that account be taken of their availability when future meetings were arranged.

A Member recognised the successful police work conducted in the Tong Ward and the efforts undertaken to discover the perpetrators of crime.  She believed that residents were now confident to report issues to the police as they had seen the actions undertaken.  A view that the resources focused on the Tong Ward were detrimental to other wards was expressed by another Member.

The statistics contained in Document “I”, during a period of massive reductions in resources, was discussed.  It was acknowledged that the force was operating at a time of rising demand with reduced resources and the inevitable pressures were recognised.  It was stressed that, at such times, the need to work in partnership was essential to ensure that effective resources were available in the right places.

Members were advised that services not outlined in the report such as support for people missing from home; those experiencing mental health issues or support for other ‘blue light’ services increased the demand on the service. 

Members requested that the low volume of Neighbourhood Watch schemes in the Bradford South Ward be addressed and were assured that the police were looking to increase the number of groups.  It was explained that with social media it was now much easier for people to communicate and that 40% of crimes could be reduced by the use of Neighbourhood Watch.

The Chair thanked the Area Co-ordinator and his ward colleagues for their assistance in compiling the ward plans.

Resolved -

(1)       That the work undertaken by the Bradford South Neighbourhood Policing Team from April 2017 to July 2017 that contributed to addressing priorities within the ward plans for the Bradford South Area be noted.

(2)       That the positive partnership working that has been established with Elected Members, Council Officers, community organisations, volunteers and residents within the Bradford South Area be noted.

ACTION: Strategic Director, Place

Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee