The Safer Communities Partnership Board met on Friday 19 September 2025 to discuss a range of critical issues affecting community safety in Barnet. Key discussions included updates on domestic abuse and violence against women and girls (VAWG) strategies, efforts to reduce offending, and performance data from the Metropolitan Police. The Board endorsed the new Domestic Abuse and VAWG Strategy 2025-2029, which aims to enhance prevention, support, perpetrator accountability, and community safety.

Family Services Update

The meeting received an update on family services, focusing on the domestic abuse and VAWG strategy and the reduction of offending. Significant progress was noted in the domestic abuse and VAWG strategy, with strong progress across partnership objectives including early intervention, victim support, and perpetrator engagement. Operation Encompass, which aims to improve information sharing between police and schools regarding domestic abuse incidents, has seen most schools sign up. The Step In campaign, targeting men and boys to challenge abusive behaviours, has been developed and is set to launch. While 15 measures in the strategy did not progress, primarily due to data gaps and programme changes, these are being reviewed for inclusion in the refreshed strategy.

Anne Bonner, a data analyst, presented the VAWG dashboard, highlighting that domestic abuse offences per 1,000 population remained at 7.3 in the 12 months up to June 2025. Barnet has moved from fourth to third among boroughs due to reporting changes elsewhere. MARAC (Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference) safeguarded 99 victim survivors in Q1, with safeguarding actions extended to 74 children. Commissioned domestic abuse services supported 36% of victim survivors, a decrease from the previous quarter. Refuge occupancy rates remained high at 93% and 96%. Perpetrator programmes saw 64 adult perpetrators referred and 21% complete their programme, with similar figures for children. The IRIS programme, which trains GPs to identify and support victims of domestic abuse, has trained 30 GP surgeries, with 15 victim survivors accessing IDVA support from 28 referrals.

Chris presented an update on reducing offending and the serious violence plan. Barnet has chosen to revise and renew its action plan for partner activity over the next year, carrying over items related to governance, information sharing, and stop practices. New activity includes strengthening terms of reference for MACE (Multi-Agency Child Exploitation) and strategic MACE, with a greater emphasis on data and impact assessment of services. Joint facilitated training webinars will continue to ensure themes around violence are understood by the workforce. Transitional arrangements between children and adult services are being strengthened, with a focus on understanding violence and exploitation. New LCPF (Local Community Policing Fund) projects have been included, such as Change for You, the After School Safety Initiative (Secure My Stuff), the Victims Hub, and clinical support for young victims of domestic abuse and violence.

In Q1, six serious incidents involving young people and adults were recorded, a decrease from the previous quarter. Violence is often knife-enabled, and reports of gang activity in historically affected areas have declined. Violence in Q1 was concentrated in residential areas and high streets. All individuals subject to serious incident response meetings were victims, and all received support through the Victims' Hub. Victims were primarily male, aged 16-19. The Adults at Risk Panel consulted on 15 adults, 80% under 25, with referrals primarily from leaving care and probation services. 100% of this cohort had some form of vulnerability, and 40% were linked to group or gang activity. The Victim Care Hub saw 38 referrals, resulting in 20 consultations and seven care plans.

Community Safety Partnership Update

Maggie Higton-Brown, Head of Community Safety, presented the Community Safety Partnership (CSP) performance update for Q1 2025-26. The report detailed crime and performance data for Barnet, comparing it with Harrow and Brent. Data was collected from the Metropolitan Police, CCTV, and Prevent initiatives.

Chief Inspector Paul Condren provided an update on crime figures. Domestic burglary saw a 0.6% increase year-on-year up to June, though the most recent quarter (April-June) showed a 23% drop, equating to approximately 100 fewer victims. Barnet ranks 19th out of 32 London boroughs for burglary. Business burglary also saw a 13.9% decrease year-to-date. Personal robbery figures showed a 36% decrease year-to-date, with 250 fewer victims. Violence without injury saw a 0.6% increase year-to-date, while violence with injury decreased by 12.5%. Knife crime with injury also decreased by 17.9%. Possession of weapons offences increased by 15.2% year-to-date, which was welcomed as an indicator of proactive policing. Drug trafficking and supply offences saw a significant 125% increase, with a 268% increase in the last quarter. Possession of drugs offences increased by 11.4% year-to-date. Domestic abuse incidents saw a 0.2% increase year-to-date, with a 12% increase in the most recent quarter. Hate crime figures showed a 25.4% decrease year-to-date, though a 5% increase in the last four weeks was noted, potentially influenced by global events. Gunshots (lethal barrel discharges) saw a 150% increase year-on-year, with five incidents in the last 12 months. Stop and search figures showed a 21% decrease year-on-year, attributed to a previous spike related to specific estate work, but a 25% increase on the previous quarter. Drug testing in custody compliance rates were noted as low at 52% in Barnet, though the positive test rate was higher than the London average.

Nicholas Licardo, Senior Manager for Community Safety, CCTV & Intelligence, provided an update on CCTV. In Q1 2025-26, 1,893 incidents were recorded, a slight increase from the previous year. Begging accounted for 22% of incidents, followed by fly-tipping (14%) and obstruction of pathways (12%). Burnt Oak ward had the highest number of incidents (23%), followed by Cricklewood (11%) and Hendon (11%). 73% of incidents were proactively identified by CCTV.

Combating Drugs Partnership Update

Councillor Moore, Chair of the Combating Drugs Partnership Board, presented the annual update. The Board, established in November 2022, has restructured into three subgroups: Enforcement, Treatment and Recovery, and Prevention, aligned with the national drug strategy. Key achievements include increased arrests for drug trafficking, recommissioning of adult and youth services to Change, Grow Live (CGL), and a 325% increase in engagement with the DrinkCoach service. The service has also seen a 140% increase in young people accessing treatment. A new opiate substitute medication, Buvidal, has been introduced, and a dental pilot for rough sleepers has been adopted by the North Central London Integrated Care Board.

Domestic Abuse and VAWG Strategy 2025-2029

Councillor Sara Conway, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, presented the refreshed Domestic Abuse and VAWG Strategy 2025-2029. The strategy, informed by survivor voices and local data, outlines four key objectives: prevention and early intervention, support for victims and survivors, accountability for perpetrators, and safer environments. The strategy has been endorsed by the committee. The Step In campaign, targeting men and boys to challenge VAWG, was highlighted, along with the expansion of the Culturally Integrated Family Approach (CIFA) perpetrator programme to 13 London boroughs. The strategy also includes a focus on supporting children affected by domestic abuse and strengthening partnerships with schools and community groups.

Barnet Homes Update

Nd Eboka, Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Manager at Barnet Homes, provided an update on ASB cases. In Q1, 27 new ASB cases were opened, with harassment being the most common issue. There has been an increase in drug and domestic abuse cases. Barnet Homes worked with the police on two closure orders for properties linked to county lines drug activity and drug use. The organisation is focusing on increasing reporting of ASB through QR codes and online systems, which has led to a 142% increase in reports compared to the same period last year. Noise nuisance cases have also increased, with work underway to improve noise insulation in properties and develop a noise app for residents. Community roadshow events have been held to engage with residents and gather information on ASB issues.

Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Update

Lesley Hutchinson, Independent Chair of the Barnet Safeguarding Adults Board, presented the annual report. The Board noted a 12.5% increase in individuals involved in safeguarding concerns, with neglect and acts of omission being the most common type of risk. Own home remains the most frequent location for abuse. The report highlighted the importance of the multi-agency risk panel and the Access to Justice Group. The Board also discussed the implications of the Casey Report and the introduction of a new appropriate adult service across London. The report detailed achievements in addressing recommendations from Safeguarding Adults Reviews, particularly concerning multi-exclusion homelessness.

The meeting concluded with a review of the forward work programme and the date of the next meeting, scheduled for 21 November 2025.