The Safer Communities Partnership Board met on Friday 20 September 2024 to discuss a range of issues concerning community safety across Barnet. Key topics included performance updates on crime and anti-social behaviour, domestic abuse and violence against women and girls, serious violence reduction, hate crime, drug combating efforts, and safety in parks. The board noted the progress made in these areas and discussed future plans and challenges.

Performance Update Q1

The meeting began with a performance update for the first quarter of the year, covering crime statistics and anti-social behaviour. Police data indicated a mixed picture, with some crime types showing decreases year-on-year, while others, such as residential burglary and robbery, were identified as emerging issues. Anti-social behaviour was addressed through the use of Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs), with a notable increase in their application in May, linked to intensive enforcement in parks. CCTV usage was highlighted as increasingly proactive, with 87% of its use dedicated to identifying incidents outside of immediate calls, and nearly 1,900 incidents recorded in the three-month period. The data was also broken down by ward, showing variations in recorded incidents, influenced by the number of cameras present in each area. Fly-tipping was identified as a key priority for the community safety team, with captured evidence leading to enforcement action. The board also noted a significant decline in gun crime, while acknowledging a rise in robbery figures, which will be addressed by a new violence reduction unit project.

Family Services Update Q1 (Reducing Offending and VAWG)

The Family Services update focused on reducing offending and tackling Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). In terms of domestic abuse, Barnet reported the fourth lowest rate of incidents in London, with the third highest positive outcome rate. The Domestic Abuse and Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy 2022-2025 is progressing, with consultation underway for a new strategy for 2025-2028. Children's groups are being run to help families overcome experiences of domestic abuse, and training for professionals continues. A challenge remains with engaging some GPs in the IRIS programme, which aims to improve responses to domestic abuse. The Victim and Prisoners Act 2024 now places a statutory responsibility on police to share information with schools about domestic abuse incidents through Operation Encompass. Ofsted inspections recognised the effectiveness of the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) and the understanding of domestic abuse impacts on children by social workers. Referrals to MARAC have seen a significant reduction, mirroring broader reductions in domestic abuse referrals. Workshops are being delivered to raise awareness of hate crime and VAWG, and a fourth Barnet Refuge has opened, providing eight bed spaces for women fleeing domestic abuse. Challenges remain in linking victims with housing and temporary accommodation, and discussions are ongoing regarding perpetrators leaving properties. The CIFA perpetrator programme, which has been successful across ten boroughs, faces potential funding challenges beyond March 2025. The Safe Haven pilot, launched in March, is currently under review.

In reducing offending, the Youth Justice Plan is being updated, with positive performance against first-time entrant, reoffending, and custody rates compared to London and national averages. However, disproportionality in the youth justice cohort, particularly concerning young Black males, was highlighted. While stop and search numbers are decreasing, arrests remain higher, and further work is needed to understand disparities at the charging stage. Efforts to tackle school exclusions for Black boys have shown success, with numbers reduced. Young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET) also show ethnic disproportionality. Transfers to probation also indicate a disproportionate representation of Black and other minority backgrounds. A pan-London Stop and Search pilot is underway to identify vulnerabilities in children subject to stop and search, with Barnet participating in dip sample audits. Discussions also touched upon the need to consider disability and neurodiversity in proportionality assessments. Restorative justice and victim programmes are working well, with young people involved in community reparation and receiving AQA certificates. Challenges remain in the transition for young people from the Youth Justice system to Integrated Offender Management (IOM), with a gap in services post-18. Violence has become the top offence for IOM, overtaking theft.

Update to Serious Violence Duty and Violence Reduction Plan

The Serious Violence Duty Strategy 2024-2027 and its accompanying Violence Reduction Action Plan were discussed. The strategy has seven objectives, and the action plan's progress in Q1 was reported across various areas. Governance arrangements are strong, with regular partnership meetings and information sharing. Analysis and enforcement activities include police-led operations targeting localised needs, with successful closure orders obtained for properties linked to anti-social behaviour and drug use. Project Adder, a police-led initiative to tackle drugs and associated crimes, is launching. Efforts to reduce access to weapons include working with schools to track excluded young people and targeting restorative justice hubs. Outreach programmes have engaged 186 young people, primarily males aged 12-15, with themes from this work feeding into governance arrangements. The 'My Ends' project aims to develop peer mentors and expand outreach. An after-school safety initiative is mobilising to tackle localised robberies, particularly in transport hubs. Contextual training is being delivered to partners, and a victim care hub has seen significant demand, with referrals from various agencies. A key observation was the need to focus on young adults aged 18-25, with discussions on how to promote accessibility to services for this group, including through probation and a community directory. Peer mentoring is being considered for the 18-25 cohort, with a focus on expanding universal offers. Funding for the London Crime Prevention Fund was discussed, with a need for earlier notice and clearer indication of grant amounts for future planning.

Hate Crime Update

The report on hate crime highlighted a significant rise in anti-Semitism in Barnet, with one-third of all anti-Semitism across London occurring in the borough. A 200% increase in anti-Semitic incidents was noted since the October conflict. The council is focusing on community cohesion and tackling hate crime through various initiatives, including Hate Crime Awareness Week, a communications campaign, and a hate crime summit. The community safety team prioritises access to justice for victims, and work with schools focuses on early intervention, resilience, and critical thinking. Funding from the Shared Endeavour Fund is supporting organisations in schools to address anti-discrimination and online resilience. A community capacity project has concluded, and a new video for immigrants and unaccompanied young people has been launched. The Safe and Safety Scheme is being driven by the community, and there is an openness to suggestions for improving reporting. A focus group with rough sleepers highlighted their vulnerability during emergency planning, requesting their inclusion in future planning. The response in Finchley to community cohesion efforts was noted as extraordinary and encouraging. The zero tolerance to hate crime project has refilled vacant posts, aiming to catch up on training and workshops and reinvigorate reporting centres.

Combating Drugs Partnership Update

The Combating Drugs Partnership Board (CDPB) has been established following the national drug strategy, 'From Harm to Hope'. Barnet's CDPB has drafted a needs assessment and a supporting delivery plan. Achievements include a reduction in drug offences and an increase in arrests for drug trafficking, alongside close partnership working between the police and Change Grow Live (CGL) for referrals. Project Adder has launched to tackle drug supply and use. In treatment and recovery, there's a focus on criminal justice pathways, improving prison-to-community transitions, and addressing co-occurring mental health and substance misuse issues. A dental health pilot for rough sleepers is launching, and drug and alcohol-related deaths in Barnet remain lower than London and England averages. Harm reduction initiatives like naloxone distribution are in place, with high uptake among heroin users. There has been a significant increase in young people accessing substance misuse services, with CGL working with schools and co-locating services in Early Help Hubs and MASH. However, adult treatment engagement has not seen similar growth. The CDPB structure is being reviewed to foster collaboration and address challenges such as workplan prioritisation and consistent representation. A new structure and a highlight strategy are proposed for implementation from January 2025.

Safety in Parks – Progress Update

A review of safety in parks and greenspaces was conducted, exploring the council's existing approach, management, operations, investments, partnerships, and communication strategies. The report highlighted that 82% of residents are satisfied with Barnet's parks and open spaces, and 87% of young people feel safe using them. Recommendations include establishing 'Barnet Safer Parks Standards' within the Parks and Open Spaces Strategy, supporting parks patrol services during peak summer periods, and reviewing park locking and delivery models. Further information sharing with key stakeholders like the MPS and LFB for targeted campaigns is supported, as is incorporating safety information into renewed park signage. Opportunities to enhance reporting of environmental crime and safety, linked to partner campaigns, will be reviewed. Work will also be undertaken with Streetscene and Estates services to address graffiti and vandalism on buildings, potentially involving artists. The report noted that while recorded crime in parks is generally low, issues like anti-social behaviour, drug use, and vaping are present in specific locations, which are being addressed through partnership work. The Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) is in place borough-wide, with a significant number of fixed penalty notices issued, particularly in green spaces, for offences like unauthorised vehicle use and barbecues. Park locking arrangements are being reviewed for potential efficiencies. The parks patrol service, currently delivered by CST, is proposed for continuation within the existing budget. CCTV and lighting provision are considered on a case-by-case basis due to infrastructure and cost implications, with a CCTV van being refitted for park patrols. The development of a 'Barnet Safer Parks Standard' is proposed, considering factors like park usage, management, investment, and equality impact. Partnership working with the MPS, LFB, schools, and community groups is crucial for monitoring and responding to safety concerns.

Forward Work Programme

The Forward Work Programme for the Safer Communities Partnership Board was noted, outlining upcoming reports and discussions for future meetings, including performance updates, specific strategy reviews, and partnership reports. The next meeting is scheduled for 29 November 2024.

Any Other Business

Two pieces of good news were shared: MOPAC has agreed to fund an appropriate adult service for adults in custody, starting in January 2025, and there were positive reports about the SDS 40 release earlier in the month, with lessons learned to be discussed. The board will also discuss the first place exercise in the private session. The next meeting is scheduled for 29 November 2024.