The Healthy and Safe Communities Scrutiny Panel met on Wednesday, 4th February 2026, to discuss substance misuse services, a supervised toothbrushing programme, crime performance, and the Serious Violence Strategy. Key decisions included noting the progress of substance misuse services and the supervised toothbrushing programme, and reviewing the Safer Stronger Communities Performance Report and the Serious Violence Strategy.

Enfield's Substance Misuse Services: Impact and Outcomes of Additional Grant Funding

The panel received an update on the impact and outcomes of additional national grant funding for Enfield's substance misuse services. The funding, primarily from the Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Recovery Improvement Grant (DATRIG), has enhanced treatment capacity, harm reduction, integrated care pathways, and specialist interventions. Improvements have been noted between 2022 and 2025, with positive feedback on the new service site at Windmill Hill. Despite these advancements, significant unmet need persists, and efforts are ongoing to strengthen outreach, raise awareness, and address the rise in drug-related deaths. Funding arrangements are shifting from the Public Health Grant to targeted allocations, with a proposed three-year settlement until 2029. The panel discussed how strengthening the local recovery community involves engaging individuals with lived experience. Support for families affected by substance misuse is provided through hidden harm initiatives and multi-agency work. Self-referral is possible, and services are promoted through workforce training, community engagement, and partnerships with community organisations.

Enfield's Supervised Toothbrushing Programme

An update was provided on Enfield's Supervised Toothbrushing Programme, aimed at children aged 3-5 in the most deprived areas. The programme, funded by the government and delivered in partnership with Whittington Health NHS Trust, seeks to reduce inequalities in tooth decay. Officers highlighted that oral health is strongly linked to deprivation, and Enfield has become more deprived relative to other areas, correlating with poorer oral health outcomes among children. The programme targets specific wards identified through deprivation data and oral health needs. While the current national guidelines limit the programme to early years settings, there is advocacy to widen eligibility. Volunteers can assist within schools, but core delivery remains NHS-led. The programme is designed as a five-year initiative with ongoing reinforcement. Success is measured through participation rates, behavioural changes, and feedback, with best practices shared across boroughs.

Safer Stronger Communities Performance Report - January 2026

The panel reviewed the Safer Stronger Communities Performance Report for January to December 2025. Overall notifiable offences decreased by 3.1%, with reductions in violence against the person, violence with injury, and knife crime with injury. However, robbery increased by 0.7%, and domestic abuse incidents rose by 1.3%, though domestic abuse violence with injury decreased. Drug offences saw a significant 28.4% rise, attributed to proactive enforcement under Operation Pisces. The Clear, Hold, Build Programme has led to over 1,000 arrests and the recovery of numerous weapons. The panel sought clarification on drug lines, which refer to organised networks involved in drug supply, often exploiting young people. The distinction between domestic abuse incidents and domestic violence with injury was explained, with the former encompassing coercive control and harassment. Concerns were raised about police response to cannabis use, with officers confirming that enforcement covers both supply and possession. Theft offences remain a challenge, with efforts focused on identifying and targeting prolific offenders. Retailers are advised to use CCTV and not to physically restrain offenders. The effectiveness of prevention strategies for knife crime was discussed, with emphasis on authentic stories and ongoing educational programmes.

Safer Stronger Communities Board Serious Violence Strategy 2026-30

The panel received an overview of the proposed Safer Stronger Communities Board's Serious Violence Strategy 2026–30. This refresh of the 2024/5 strategy aims to reduce violence affecting young people under 25, address serious organised criminality, and tackle weapon-enabled offences, while aligning with the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy. The strategy adopts a public health approach, focusing on prevention, early intervention, and support for those affected by violence. Key causal factors identified include adverse childhood experiences, trauma, socioeconomic pressures, and issues related to identity and status. The panel discussed how the strategy's success will be measured through reductions in risk determinants and the ultimate aim of reducing victims of serious violence. A framework for aligning interventions with strategic aims will be developed. Data on prosecution outcomes and repeat offenders related to the Clear, Hold, Build Programme was requested. The need for clearer public and councillor awareness of available support programmes was acknowledged. The disproportionality of male victims in serious violence was discussed, with efforts to address systemic issues and reduce unnecessary criminalisation. The strategy is on track for presentation to the Safer Stronger Communities Board in April.

Work Programme

The Healthy & Safe Communities Scrutiny Panel Work Programme for 2025/26 was noted.

Dates of Future Meetings

The dates of future meetings were noted as Wednesday 18 March 2026.