Agenda item

6.1

The Committee received a presentation given by Chief Inspector Simon Wanless, South Yorkshire Police, which provided an introduction to the new Local Policing Model.  Also in attendance for this item were Adel McGowan (Deputy Head of Communications, South Yorkshire Police), Ryan Swift (Communications Manager, South Yorkshire Police) and Maxine Stavrianakos (Head of Neighbourhood Intervention and Tenant Support).

6.2

Chief Inspector Wanless took the Committee through the circulated presentation, making reference to the financial context, the requirements for the new Local Policing Model, how savings were to be achieved in local policing, headline changes, details of Local Policing Units, Teams and Support Units, specialist support and reducing demand.

6.3

Members made various comments and asked a number of questions, to which responses were provided as follows:-

·                There was a conscious need to maintain a local footprint but the service could not afford to have duplication by Police Officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs).  Each community should have a dedicated PCSO, but there may be capacity issues in relation to them attending local meetings. 

·                Council officers were looking to improve communications to local Members in relation to neighbourhood incidents and events.  Information reported by the public to the Police was collated to senior officers and this was passed on to the Corporate Communications Department, which would put this out through social media.  Much information was made available through social media, with use of the Crimestoppers telephone number also being encouraged.

·                The Local Policing Model went live in September 2015 and was subject to review.

·                Approximately 145 Police Officers would be removed from the local policing structures by disestablishing posts, as officers retired, over a two year period.  There had been no noticeable rise in reported illness amongst Police Officers as a result of the funding challenge, but morale was an issue nationally.  A raft of potential savings had been identified and this included savings on Police Officer posts, but due to natural wastage there would still be a need to recruit over the next three years.  In relation to staff welfare, the service’s Occupational Health Unit managed stress, Police Officers underwent counselling following any major incidents and were also subject to a system of appraisals.  However, there was still a demand for police services and morale was a challenge.  It had been necessary to reduce the number of community teams and the focus was now on the right resource first time, but it should be noted that assessing those reporting incidents for vulnerability and risk did take longer.

·                Each Local Policing Team had a Local Inspector and, in the case of serious incidents, the Critical Incident Manager should inform the Council Leader and the Police and Crime Commissioner, who should then disseminate the information to appropriate members of staff.  It was acknowledged that the Council did get to know about critical incidents, but there was still a need to improve communications.

·                In relation to shared functions, the South Yorkshire Police participated in regional prison intelligence and there were proposals for a shared special operations unit and premises sharing.  In addition, South Yorkshire Police were looking at a collaboration with Humberside Police with regard to call handling, stores and human resources.

·                The Safer Roads Partnership was a service-wide function and not dealt with on a district level.

·                The ‘Confirm a Message’ system was a county-wide one but was not used widely by Police Officers.

·                Any increase in links between the South Yorkshire Police and the South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service was an issue for the office of the Police and Crime Commissioner. 

6.4

The Committee then received the circulated presentation on Community Safety which was given by Maxine Stavrianakos.  She took the Committee through the presentation, making particular reference to the Sheffield Safer and Sustainable Communities Partnership, Community Safety priorities, current performance, meeting structure, the Partner Resource Allocation Meeting (PRAM) and future proposals.

6.5

Members made various comments and asked a number of questions, to which responses were provided as follows:-

·                There had been reductions in burglaries in the last 18 months and the increase in violent crime, whilst reflecting the national trend and a change in recording processes, was still of concern.

·                A change in the recording processes for the reporting of hate crime had caused levels to show an increase, but it was also felt that victims were now more willing to come forward.  It should be noted that reports of hate crime did not come from any particular group.  A tasking meeting was held each morning to assess the previous day’s hate crime reports.

·                The South Yorkshire Police engaged with the private security industry in relation to the night-time economy but, as far as further involvement was concerned, it should be borne in mind that its employees did not have the warrant powers of a Police Officer and that there were vetting and security issues involved.

·                Whilst there was a drive to recruit Special Constables, people finding the time was proving to be an issue.  It also took a long time to get Special Constables fully trained, but in terms of increasing the numbers of Police Officers, PCSOs and Special Constables would get priority.

·                The operation of the national 101 telephone service had experienced a number of challenges but it was felt that the picture was improving with average waiting times being reduced.  Business Continuity Officers were able to assist with any major failings in the system.  Work was being undertaken with Communications staff to ensure that the right result was provided at the first time and incidents were now being risk assessed.  Furthermore, new technology would automatically feed 999 calls to the appropriate people for major incidents and work was being undertaken with partner agencies dealing with mental health and looked after children.  Online reporting was also being encouraged by means of a specific e-mail account and the South Yorkshire Police website contained a section on frequently asked questions.

·                Representatives of the South Yorkshire Police were willing to attend community meetings in Sheffield.

6.6

RESOLVED: That the Committee:-

(a)       thanks those attending for their contribution to the meeting;

(b)       notes the contents of the presentations and responses to questions; and

(c)        requests the Policy and Improvement Officer to circulate the Police e-mail address for reporting incidents to Members of the Committee.