The Scrutiny Committee of Melton Borough Council met on Thursday 17 September 2026 to review the Crime and Disorder Annual Report. The meeting also included discussions on the council's forward plan and work programme.

Crime and Disorder Annual Report

The committee received the Crime and Disorder Annual Report for 2026, which detailed the work of the Safer Communities Team. Aysha Rahman, Assistant Director for Housing and Communities, presented the report, highlighting that community safety arrangements in Melton are strong and effective. The team has managed a significant increase in casework, with 586 cases in 2025-26 compared to 375 in 2022-23. The report noted over 9,700 actions were undertaken in 2025-26, a substantial rise from the previous year.

Key areas of focus for the Safer Communities Team include anti-social behaviour (ASB), environmental crime, and tackling county lines activity. The report detailed the team's proactive approach, including hotspot patrols and problem-solving initiatives. Partnership working was identified as a significant strength, with collaboration between the council and external agencies such as the police, Melton BID, and health partners. Community tensions have reportedly reduced significantly compared to previous years, with no significant emerging tensions currently identified.

The report also outlined specific case studies demonstrating successful interventions, enforcement actions, and safeguarding outcomes. These included multiple closure orders obtained against properties involved in county lines drug dealing and ASB. One case study detailed the successful resolution of a noise and odour nuisance complaint through an incremental enforcement approach, resulting in a significant reduction in the disturbance and an improved quality of life for the complainant. Another case study highlighted the successful prosecution of a resident for fly-tipping, resulting in a Fixed Penalty Notice.

The team's work on the Offender to Recovery initiative, aimed at addressing the root causes of retail theft through support for individuals with substance addiction, was also discussed. Funding from the Safer Melton Partnership and Melton BID has enabled the employment of an officer from Ingeus to work with prolific retail crime offenders.

The report also touched upon the use of CCTV, noting its value in crime prevention and detection, but also highlighting significant maintenance costs. The Bentley Street CCTV installation was cited as an example of a successful intervention to address ASB and drug-related crime in a hotspot area.

The committee was informed that the Safer Communities Team has experienced a significant increase in demand since 2022, with caseloads widening the gap between demand and available resources. Despite this, the team recorded a substantial increase in total actions in 2025-26.

Review of the Forward Plan and Work Programme

Councillor Mike Brown, Chair of the Scrutiny Committee, raised concerns regarding the need to review the council's corporate plan and priorities. He noted that while Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) had been paused, the council's financial position necessitated a review of priorities. He requested that any proposed amendments to the corporate plan, in light of LGR being dropped and current financial challenges, be brought to the scrutiny committee for consideration. Councillor Margaret Glancy, Leader of the Independent Group, commented that the pause in LGR provided more time for delivery, but acknowledged the need to balance this with financial realities.

The committee also reviewed the Scrutiny Work Programme for 2026/27. The agenda indicated that the Crime and Disorder Annual Report was a scheduled item for this meeting, fulfilling the committee's statutory duty as the council's designated crime and disorder committee under the Police and Justice Act 2006.

Other Matters

The meeting began with housekeeping matters, including the confirmation of the minutes from the previous meeting held on 16 July 2026, with a minor amendment to correct a gender reference. Councillor Marilyn Gordon declared an interest as a council flat tenant. Apologies were received from Councillor Simon Orson, and Councillor Sarah Cox was noted as being late. Inspector Rowan Patterson Bell from Leicestershire Police was welcomed to his first scrutiny committee meeting. Guests from Ingeus, including Mark Brown, James Foreman, and Stuart Cameron, were also in attendance.