The Safer Communities Partnership Board met on Friday 4 November 2022 to discuss a range of community safety initiatives. Key topics included an update on the Community Safety Strategy, performance data on various crime types, and reports on reducing offending, tackling violence, hate crime, financial abuse, and drug misuse.

Community Safety Strategy 2022-2027 Update and 2022-2023 Action Plan

The Board received an update on the Community Safety Strategy 2022-2027, which had been formally designed and rebranded since its approval in July 2022. The 2022-2023 Action Plan, which supports the strategy's five priorities, was also discussed. The Board noted the progress being made against these priorities and commented on the 2021-2022 annual Strategic Crime Needs Assessment (SCNA).

Community Safety Team Performance Dashboard (up to August 2022)

Matt Leng, Community Safety Manager, presented the performance dashboard, highlighting key data for May to August 2022. Burglaries remain a significant concern, with new initiatives like Operation Goldsmith targeting repeat victims in specific wards. An update on this pilot is expected at the next meeting. Chief Inspector Sean Lynch agreed to collate demographic information on repeat burglary victims for the Adult Safeguarding Team.

The Board noted:

• An increase in robberies of personal property, with a further spike anticipated due to the release of a high-value phone.
• A decrease in domestic abuse incidents reported in the last three months, and a 3.5% decrease in knife crimes over the past 12 months.
• 2,591 calls regarding anti-social behaviour (ASB) between June and August 2022, with a deeper dive into repeat callers planned to identify trends.
• No gun crimes with lethal barrelled discharges reported between June and August 2022, with only one case in the preceding 12 months.
• Despite a decrease in reported incidents, public perception of knife crime and other violent crimes remains a concern. Additional patrols are in place until Christmas, as violence with injury often parallels robbery trends.
• Requests for increased police presence following ward boundary changes have been made.
• Knife Crime Awareness Week was scheduled to run from 14 November 2022.

North West BCU Police Update

Inspector Justin Zitver provided a verbal update, noting continued efforts to tackle robberies and an increase in neighbourhood patrols. School Teams will be visiting schools to provide assurance and education. Anticipating increased robberies during the festive period, with potential test purchases to be undertaken. Seasonal changes, including the festive period, faith-based events, Bonfire Night, and the World Cup, are expected to lead to increased police presence. Chief Inspector Sean Lynch highlighted ongoing work on Offensive Weapon and Homicide Reviews, as well as the Combatting Drugs Partnership.

Family Services Report on Reducing Offending and Tackling Violence

Tina McElligott, Director of Early Help & Children's Social Care, presented an overview of Family Services' work relevant to the Community Safety Strategy.

Key points noted:

• Barnet's Domestic Abuse (DA) and Violence Against Women & Girls (VAWG) Strategy 2022-25 aims to prevent and tackle all forms of violence against women and girls. Barnet has the third-lowest rate of reported DA incidents in London.
• There were 737 Domestic Abuse Violence with Injury offences recorded in Barnet in the 12 months to August 2022, a 2.1% increase.
• 69 multi-agency practitioners attended DA & VAWG training.
• The number of young people identified at risk of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) has declined over the past three years due to increased awareness. However, Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) remains a concern, with 31 young people receiving statutory social work interventions identified as at risk in 2021/22.
• County line destinations are not significantly linked to public transport in Barnet, and collaboration with British Transport Police continues. The charity 'Railway Children' was mentioned for its work in safeguarding children and young adults within the rail industry.
• Integrated Offender Management (IOM) is a new framework for managing persistent and violent offenders. Barnet currently has 102 such offenders, with a reduction in offences from 2,814 to 1,491 following focused IOM intervention.
• The Public Health-funded IRIS programme, which provides domestic abuse training and support to GP surgeries, has 25 fully trained, 8 partially trained, and 8 engaged GP surgeries out of 51 in Barnet. Nine GP surgeries have not engaged with the programme, which was noted as a concern to be raised at the next Health and Wellbeing Board.

The Board considered the progress made in reducing offending, violence, and exploitation, including Domestic Abuse and Violence Against Women & Girls.

Hate Crime Update

The Board acknowledged a successful Hate Crime Awareness Week, with Barnet Mencap reporting on information stands and engagement with over 300 residents. Nationally, hate crimes increased by 26% up to March 2022. In Barnet, between June and September 2022, 539 hate crimes were reported, including 103 antisemitic and 15 Islamophobic incidents. The Barnet Safe Places scheme, which provides safe havens for individuals with learning disabilities, autism, or other healthcare needs, is expanding, with 40 locations registered. The Fire Service suggested contacting fire stations for inclusion as they are manned 24/7.

Financial Abuse Workshop Findings

Fiona Bateman, Independent Chair of the Barnet and Islington Safeguarding Adults Board, presented findings from a workshop on financial abuse. The workshop highlighted an increase in financial abuse, particularly familial abuse, exacerbated by the cost-of-living crisis. Practitioners reported feeling powerless to intervene when victims did not wish to escalate concerns. It was noted that Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) safeguarding practitioners can conduct emergency home visits without consent. Declan Khan, Assistant Director for Counter Fraud, Community Safety & Protection, suggested that local authority fraud investigators could assist, and information on a proposed toolkit could be publicised on Cost-of-Living assistance websites.

Combatting Drugs Partnership Update

Luke Kwamya, Head of Public Health Commissioning, reported on the Combatting Drugs Partnership workshop held on 3 November 2022. The partnership's priorities include decreasing drug use, reducing drug-related crime, and minimising drug-related deaths and harm, as well as disrupting drug dealing and county lines activities. The Terms of Reference for the partnership have been approved.

Forward Work Programme

The Board discussed the Forward Work Programme, with a request made for performance data on drug and alcohol misuse to be presented at the next meeting.

The next meeting is scheduled for 20 January 2023.