The Joint Crime and Disorder Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Basingstoke/Hart/Rushmoor) is scheduled to meet on Wednesday 24 June 2026. The meeting's agenda includes a review of the Safer North Hampshire Community Safety Partnership's performance for the 2025-26 period.

Performance Review of the Safer North Hampshire Community Safety Partnership

A key item for discussion will be the performance review of the Safer North Hampshire Community Safety Partnership (CSP) for the 2025-26 period. This review will examine the partnership's effectiveness in fulfilling its statutory duties, as defined by Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998¹. The report details the priorities for 2025-26, which include improving feelings of safety and health outcomes, addressing serious violence, tackling antisocial behaviour (ASB), combating domestic abuse, and reducing town centre crime and ASB.

The report highlights that across Safer North Hampshire, 23,359 crimes were recorded in 2025/26, representing a 3% reduction compared to the previous year. While there were decreases in theft offences, criminal damage, and violence with injury, there were increases in sexual offences, robbery, drug offences, and possession of weapon offences. Incidents of antisocial behaviour saw a 19% increase.

The partnership's work is informed by an annual Strategic Assessment, which identifies crime and community safety priorities. The report notes that the 2025/26 Strategic Assessment was still being produced at the time of writing, with publication expected in Q2 2026/27. The partnership plan for 2025-26 aligns with the Police and Crime Plan 2024-28, which includes priorities such as police visibility, business and retail crime, crime in rural areas, road safety, serious violence, and antisocial behaviour.

The report also outlines the legal implications of the CSP's work, including the statutory requirement for local authorities to consider crime and disorder implications under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, and the requirement for a joint overview and scrutiny committee under the Police and Justice Act 2006. Financial implications include the joint administration and coordination of the CSP by Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council, Hart District Council, and Rushmoor Borough Council, with each contributing to the cost of analysts.

The discussion is expected to cover achievements in relation to the CSP's priorities. For Improving feelings of safety and health outcomes, efforts have included engagement in various partnerships, referrals to support services, home fire safety visits, and community engagement activities. Regarding Serious Violence, the partnership has worked with the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) and established local subgroups. The report indicates a 15% reduction in serious violence offences across Safer North Hampshire in 2024/25, though knife and blade crime saw no significant change.

In the area of Domestic Abuse, the partnership maintains strong links with the Hampshire-wide Domestic Abuse Partnership and local forums. The police have systems to manage repeat victims and offenders, supported by the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) process. The report mentions three Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews (DARDRs) in progress.

For Antisocial Behaviour, the CSP continues to deliver coordinated action through Partnership Action Groups (PAGs) and has strengthened links with housing associations. The report notes a 3% increase in reported ASB incidents, with key issues including vehicle nuisance, youth-related incidents, and neighbour nuisance.

Finally, concerning Town Centre related Crime and Antisocial Behaviour, the partnership has adopted a proactive approach, engaging with town centre businesses and managing persistent offenders. Shoplifting offences increased by 23% across the CSP in the past year.

The report also identifies future risks and considerations for the partnership, including funding and resource challenges, the potential impact of Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation, and the need for further engagement with non-statutory partners. Access to consistent, high-quality data, particularly health data, is highlighted as essential, alongside awareness of the impact of poverty and disadvantage on crime and safety issues.