Decision

The Joint Committee
was provided with an update on the three priorities of the
Community Safety Strategy 2023-26, the serious violence duty, areas
of focus, successful initiatives, performance of the partnership,
crime, anti-social behaviour and fire statistics, and current
challenges. Representatives of Leicestershire Police were in
attendance to answer questions.
 
During discussion and
in response to questions, the following points were raised:
 
·        
Working with perpetrators  of domestic
violence – funding for this initiative has now ended.
·        
The remit of Martyn’s Law (which is currently in draft bill
stage).
·        
Crime statistics and the changes in the way some crimes are
recorded.
·        
Fire and safety checks – which have risen to 5th
nationally on the number of checks completed.
·        
Street-vibe and how it is assessed on where the groups will be
held. They are currently being held in Hinckley, but can moved to
where the need is.
·        
2022/23 and this year has seen a period of community tensions
including the unrest in East Leicester, war in Ukraine and
pro-Palestine protests at sites in Blaby District. As shown earlier
in the report, whilst hate crimes have significantly decreased in
2023/24, the ongoing Hamas/Israel conflict has led to a rise in
anti-Semitic and Islamophobic incidents
nationally and it is expected that this will be reflected in
continued tension and rise in hate crimes locally.
·        
Engagement with schools regarding child sexual exploitation.
·        
Fraud and the number of incidents that target older, vulnerable
people. There are lots of preventative initiatives which are
carried out all year round, working with Trading Standards and
other agencies highlighting how to keep safe.

 
The Police Inspectors
also provided an update to changes in the local service. For the
Hinckley and Blaby Neighbourhood Policing Area (NPA) this means
that there is now one Inspector for Blaby District (Inspector Mat
Allingham) and one Inspector for Hinckley and Bosworth Borough
Inspector Neil Whittle). The NPA remains as one NPA with both
Inspectors covering for each other for leave and absence.
 
Members thanked
Officers and representatives from the Police for attending the
meeting.