The Bradford South Area Coordinator will submit a report (Document “G”) 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 2018 to July 2018 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)

The Bradford South Area Coordinator submitted a report (Document “G”) which gave 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.

The Chair stated that a meeting was planned with the Police in October to discuss in detail the issues affecting Bradford South.

Representatives from West Yorkshire Police were present at the meeting to give an overview and an analysis of the crime figures in the Bradford South area, particular mention was made of the upsurge in the number of violent crimes recorded, attributable to an increase in the reporting of domestic violence cases and the confidence of victims to come forward, as well as initiatives nationally to raise awareness of the issue.  The efforts made to reduce crime rates and the notable successes were alluded to, including the installation of CCTV and improving the accessibility of the Police contact point in Wyke.  Initiatives around tackling business crime and knife crime was also mentioned which would be rolled out to other areas and the success of Operation Steerside in tackling dangerous driving was also alluded to, with notable success in the Wyke and Great Horton areas of Bradford South.  It was stressed that the aim to reduce crime, fear of crime and improve public safety was still at the forefront of Police work.

During the discussion a Member commended the good liaison work taking place between Councillors and the Police and the excellent work done in tackling domestic violence and the success of Operation Steerside.  In addition he queried what work was being done to tackle street begging as the problem seemed to have migrated from the city centre to the ward level, with a propensity to beg near to road junctions.  In response the representative from West Yorkshire Police stated that in relation to street begging there had been some notable successes in the City Centre, however a graduated approach was being taken through education, referrals and enforcement work.

In response to a question on detection and conviction rates, it was pointed out that independent advisors accompanied Police officers to support victims of crime; however some victims were too frightened to go to Court and in the sphere of domestic violence, the victim had recourse to other avenues in order to deal with the perpetrator.

A Queensbury Ward Councillor and Member of the Committee commended the work of the Police in his ward, in particular he stressed that having the same officers working in the patch was both reassuring and effective.

A Great Horton Ward Councillor and Member of the Committee expressed her concerns at the high incidence of crime in the ward, particularly incidents relating to arson and criminal damage.  In response the Police representative stated that she was happy to meet with the Councillor and give a breakdown of the crime figures in her ward.  In relation to criminal damage work was on-going to address the issue directly with the schools concerned.

The Member also expressed concerns at the high levels of anti social behaviour incidents in her ward and that some issues were referred to the Council as a noise nuisance issue, adding that no specific data was available regarding where the particular issues were within the Ward.  In response the Police representative explained that she was again happy to share the detailed statistics with the Ward Councillor, however it was stressed that warning letters regarding anti social behaviour were effective in a number of incidents and stopped the issue from escalating.

In relation to a number of questions regarding the Holme Wood area, it was stated that a Home Office pilot would be particularly addressing the issue of organised crime groups and youth offending in this area.

A Member stated that there were a raft of issues affecting Bradford South and that the crime statistics were high overall, and he questioned how the Neighbourhood Policing Structure had embedded and was it now fully staffed to tackle these issues.  In response it was stated that the NPT structure was now fully operational and that staffing was nearly up to full capacity and that a number of initiatives to tackle crime were paying dividend, however the Police were not complacent and clearly work would continue to address issues across the Bradford South area.

The Chair stated that in terms of the issue of domestic violence, GP surgeries and hospitals were in particular first points of contacts for victims and he ascertained what work was going on to strengthen this referral route to the Police.  In response the representative from West Yorkshire Police acknowledged the vital work done by the NHS in this area, and that they were looking at developing a common referral pathway in conjunction with the NHS.

Resolved–

(1)       That the work undertaken by the Bradford South Neighbourhood Policing Team from April 2018 to July 2018 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.

(3)       That officers from West Yorkshire Police be thanked for submitting the report,  attending the meeting and providing detailed responses to Members’ questions.

ACTION:       No Action

(Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Corporate)