The Crime, Environment and Transport Scrutiny Commission of Newham Council was scheduled to discuss a range of topics focused on community safety, youth safety, and operational enforcement models. Key discussions were planned around the annual review of the Newham Safety Partnership, the introduction of a new integrated community enforcement model, and the development of a youth safety strategy.

Annual Review of the Newham Safety Partnership and Serious Violence Duty Plan

The Commission was scheduled to review the Newham Safety Partnership (NSP) arrangements, planning, and performance for 2023/24, including its adherence to the Serious Violence Duty. The report provided an overview of the NSP's plan and priorities for 2022-2025, with a focus on the progress made in the past year. The NSP's priorities include Safety in Public Spaces (addressing women's safety, hate crime, and anti-social behaviour), Violence and Victimisation (combating domestic abuse, serious violence, and modern slavery), and Neighbourhood Crime (reducing crime in identified hotspots like Stratford, East Ham, and Upton Park, and tackling reoffending). The report also detailed planned activities for 2024-2025, such as developing a refreshed action plan for modern slavery and hate crime, and improving public spaces.

A significant portion of the discussion was expected to focus on the Serious Violence Duty (SVD), which requires authorities to work together to combat serious violence. The report outlined the NSP's role in implementing the SVD, including conducting a Strategic Needs Assessment and developing a strategy with local authorities, the Metropolitan Police, London Fire Brigade, Integrated Care Boards, and probation services. The report highlighted the use of grant funding to support these efforts, including test purchase operations and the development of virtual reality anti-knife crime and fire safety programs. The Serious Violence Strategy, published in January 2024, and the associated Violence & Vulnerability Reduction Action Plan (VVRAP) were also to be reviewed.

Additionally, the Commission was scheduled to receive a report from the Metropolitan Police Service regarding the use of stop and search in Newham. This report was expected to detail the volume and trends of stop and searches, the reasons for them, their outcomes, and the demographics of individuals stopped. It was also to cover the impact of stop and search, including the ratio of searches to positive outcomes, public perception, complaints, and the governance and assurance processes in place to ensure appropriate conduct.

Introduction to the Newham Integrated Community Safety Enforcement (NICE) Model

The Commission was scheduled to receive an overview of the new Newham Integrated Community Enforcement (NICE) model and an update on its early implementation. The NICE model aims to drive collaboration, coordination, and communication between relevant Council teams and partners to address identified areas for improvement, such as the lack of a coordinated tasking and coordination process for community safety and enforcement, and the need for data-driven prevention and problem-solving. The model is intended to support the strategic priorities of the Newham Safety Partnership and other safeguarding boards, and to empower Council and partner staff.

The NICE model will primarily drive public facing activity, including high-visibility patrols, targeted joint operations, temporary deployment of mobile CCTV cameras, prevention and reassurance communications, and community engagement. The governance structure includes weekly operational grip calls, monthly tactical tasking and coordination meetings, and annual strategic priority and performance reviews. Initial priorities for NICE from 2024/25 were identified as thematic (e.g., Women & Girls Safety, Youth Violence, Public Space ASB, Dangerous Dogs, Wild Fires), geographical (Stratford Town, East Ham, Upton Park), and seasonal. The report noted that implementation had commenced, with a new NICE Insight & Coordination Unit established and initial operational calls taking place.

The report also referenced the Public Space Safety Delivery Group (PSSDG), which has been established to oversee longer-term problem-solving plans and locality partnerships, complementing the NICE model's focus on dynamic operational activity. The PSSDG aims to coordinate Newham's response to public space safety, with an emphasis on ASB, alcohol-related violence, violence against women and girls (VAWG), and safer locality partnerships.

Youth Safety Strategy

The Commission was scheduled to consider the development of the draft Youth Safety Strategy. The report outlined key findings, success metrics, outcomes, and recommendations from the Mayor of Newham's Youth Safety Board report, along with the proposed objectives and success criteria for the new strategy. The strategy aims to reduce the harm caused by youth violence and exploitation in Newham, with a vision of making Newham one of the safest places for children and young people.

The strategy is built on six key principles: Working in Partnership, Preventing and Intervening Early, Supporting and Protecting, Tackling Racism, Inequality and Disproportionality, Disrupting and Deterring, and Creating Safer Spaces. It aligns with Newham's Corporate Plan, particularly priorities related to an inclusive economy, neighbourhoods, a safer Newham, and supporting young people. The strategy also aligns with national strategies from the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC), the Metropolitan Police, and the Home Office, focusing on reducing violence, increasing trust and confidence, and protecting people from exploitation and harm.

The report detailed the strategy's approach, which is based on a public health model, viewing violence as an infectious disease. It outlined key assumptions, hypotheses, and data sources used in its development, including information from the Youth Safety Board, needs assessments, and partnership intelligence. The strategy aims to address issues such as gang-related county lines, knife and gun crime, and violence against women and girls by pooling resources, intelligence, and activity across partnerships. The report also identified key directorates and Cabinet members responsible for delivery, along with proposed success metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

Work Programme 2024-2025

The Commission was scheduled to review and agree its Work Programme for the municipal year 2024-2025. This programme, developed following a work planning session, outlines the main topics for consideration throughout the year, their purpose and scope, and the timeline for their consideration. The work plan included the topics discussed in this meeting, as well as future items such as the implementation and impact of the Parks Strategy, the Waste and Recycling Strategy, Street Cleansing performance, the new Licensing Policy, dealing with Residential Anti-Social Behaviour, Major Projects and Highways Management, and Sustainable Transport. A reserve item on the Air Quality Strategy 2025 consultation was also noted.