The Communities and Public Protection Scrutiny Committee met to discuss updates on neighbourhood policing, the impending Martyn's Law legislation, and the council's scrutiny report. Key discussions included progress on the Citizens' Assembly recommendations, preparedness for new counter-terrorism security duties, and the committee's future work programme. The committee noted the reports presented.

Citizens' Assembly on the Future of Neighbourhood Policing Update

The committee received an update on the progress of recommendations from the Citizens' Assembly on the Future of Neighbourhood Policing. The action plan, jointly led by Waltham Forest Council and the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), aims to embed inclusive, community-driven approaches to strengthen trust and improve safety. Since the Assembly, trust in the police has increased, aligning with the London average.

Headline actions include a review of ward panels to improve consistency and inclusivity, with a pilot in Tower Hamlets exploring governance and priority setting. Communications have been expanded through newsletters, WhatsApp groups, and webinars, significantly increasing reach and engagement. Traffic to the Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) webpage has doubled, and social media posts routinely achieve over 20,000 views.

To support and empower young people, the two-year Safer Routes pilot, funded by the London Violence Reduction Unit, places youth workers on high-risk routes to provide reassurance and signposting. The Space4All youth programme is now embedded as business-as-usual, offering free youth spaces. A borough-wide 'safe spaces' network designates trusted venues as safe places for vulnerable individuals. Youth representation has been strengthened on steering groups and a borough-wide youth super group has been established.

Police-led actions focus on improving recruitment diversity, enhancing training, and strengthening accountability. Project ADDER initiatives aim to tackle drug-related harm and improve engagement with young people. The 'Stop, Listen, Engage' project empowers young people from marginalised backgrounds to shape policing practices. Officer training includes cultural awareness and inclusion.

A spotlight was placed on the Inclusive Mentoring Pilot, a co-designed scheme where young people mentor police officers. This initiative aims to build understanding, improve relationships, and influence policing culture. The pilot involves 17 young people aged 13-18 and six officers, meeting over six months. Early feedback has been positive, with young people reporting increased confidence and officers valuing the opportunity for direct dialogue. The pilot is funded by the 2024/25 Leader's Fund and will be evaluated to inform future practice.

Martyn's Law (Protect Duty)

The committee was briefed on the implications of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, commonly known as Martyn's Law, which received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025. The Act aims to improve protective security and preparedness across the UK by requiring those responsible for certain premises and events to consider their response to a terrorist attack. An implementation period of at least 24 months is expected, during which statutory guidance will be published.

The law establishes a tiered approach based on the number of individuals present. Standard duty premises, where 200 or more individuals may be present, will need to notify the Security Industry Authority (SIA) and have appropriate public protection procedures. Enhanced duty premises and qualifying events, where 800 or more individuals may be present, will additionally require appropriate public protection measures to reduce vulnerability and the risk of harm, and must document these procedures.

Waltham Forest Council owns numerous premises and hosts events that will fall within the scope of the Act. Initial engagement has taken place with affected service areas, and a mapping exercise is underway to identify qualifying premises and events. The council's Safety Advisory Group (SAG), which includes blue light services, already scrutinises council events and sponsored events.

The council is preparing by reviewing CCTV capacity, delivering a CONTEST board for oversight of counter-terrorism work, increasing staff training, and reviewing contingency plans. The ACT training, available to all council staff, is promoted to raise security awareness. While no direct financial support is provided by the government for businesses, the council's work streams are currently being delivered within existing resources. The council will have a legal duty to ensure compliance, though sanctions for non-compliance are yet to be detailed.

The Scrutiny Report

The committee reviewed its forward plan for the municipal year and discussed future items for scrutiny. The Trading Standards item was deferred to the April meeting.

Future items for discussion include:

• Cross-Borough Partnerships: Exploring collaborations, particularly concerning crime movement from neighbouring boroughs like Stratford and Newham into Leyton.
• Police Involvement: The committee expressed concern about the limited involvement of senior police leadership and advocated for their attendance to present crime statistics, as this committee is the sole public forum for scrutinising police performance.
• Action Log Review: The committee noted several outstanding actions, some due to officers having left the authority.

The committee also reviewed the Action Tracker and Recommendations Tracker, noting outstanding actions and the need for officers to chase them. The Metropolitan Police representatives are to attend a future meeting to present crime statistics.

The committee noted the report.