The Safer Communities Partnership Board met on Friday 13 March 2026 to discuss a range of updates on crime and community safety across Barnet. Key discussions included performance data from the police and community safety teams, updates on domestic abuse and violence against women and girls strategies, and reports on modern slavery, safeguarding, and drug partnerships. The Board also received updates on ward walks, Barnet Homes' anti-social behaviour initiatives, and the work of the London Fire Brigade.

Community Safety Partnership Performance Update

The Board received a comprehensive update on community safety performance for Quarter 3 (October-December 2025) and the annual overview for 2025-26. Police representatives highlighted trends in various crime categories, noting a decrease in residential burglaries but an increase in commercial burglaries. Shoplifting figures showed a slight rise over the year, with efforts underway to improve reporting mechanisms. While knife crime with injury remained stable, possession of weapons offences saw a significant increase, attributed to proactive policing and increased stop and search activity. Drug trafficking and possession offences also rose, largely due to successful police operations. Domestic abuse figures showed a slight increase in reporting, with a positive outcome rate for prosecutions. Hate crime saw a reduction over the year, though reporting figures remained high, with a notable increase in racially aggravated incidents in the last quarter, potentially linked to global events.

Anti-social behaviour (ASB) cases remained stable, with a consistent use of tools and powers such as Community Protection Notices and Public Space Protection Orders. Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) for offences including fly-tipping and breaches of PSPOs were issued, with a payment rate of approximately 65%. CCTV recorded a 21% increase in incidents compared to the previous year, with begging, fly-tipping, and rough sleeping being the most common issues. Redeployable cameras were also utilised, with a significant portion of incidents related to fly-tipping. The Prevent programme saw a 50% increase in enquiries compared to the previous year, with a notable rise in referrals for individuals susceptible to radicalisation due to underlying vulnerabilities rather than specific extremist ideologies.

Police Update

Inspector Tom Hinson of the Metropolitan Police provided a verbal update, aligning with the performance dashboard. He highlighted that Barnet has one of the highest rates of burglary across London, though perpetrators of a recent spike have been apprehended. Shoplifting has increased, with 20% of cases detected. Vehicle theft remains a concern, though 30% of stolen cars are recovered through partnership work. Knife crime with injury is stable, while drug-related offences have increased due to proactive policing. Domestic abuse prosecutions have seen a positive outcome rate increase, and hate crime has reduced overall, though reporting remains high.

London Fire Brigade Update

Ryan Kerby, Station Commander for Hendon and Mill Hill Fire stations, presented the London Fire Brigade's annual update. He noted that Barnet stations attended 5,127 incidents, a decrease of around 300 from the previous year. Tactical ventilation training and equipment have been rolled out across Barnet stations, enhancing their ability to control fires and prevent property damage. The Brigade has also invested in IT systems, including a restructured Operational Risk Database. A new policy for responding to Automatic Fire Alarms (AFAs) has reduced attendance at false alarms in non-residential commercial buildings during daytime hours, allowing for more focus on operational training and prevention work. Fire protection efforts have increased, with a focus on mixed-use premises and upcoming changes in legislation for high-rise buildings. The Brigade is also planning a Charge Safe campaign to address the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries, following over 200 incidents involving these batteries in the past year. Cross-border exercises with Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service are ongoing, with further in-borough exercises planned.

Family Services Annual Report, including Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG)

John Anthony, Executive Director of Children and Families, introduced the Family Services Annual Report. The Board was informed that significant progress had been made against the 2022-25 strategy, and the new Domestic Abuse and VAWG Strategy 2025-29 was successfully launched. Key achievements included Barnet Homes achieving silver standard DAHA accreditation, the establishment of the Barnet Domestic Abuse Support Hub (BDASH), and expansion of early intervention programmes. Multi-agency safeguarding responses, including MARAC and Operation Encompass, have been strengthened, alongside perpetrator interventions like the CIFA programme. Radlamah Canakiah, VAWG Strategy Manager, provided an update on DAHA accreditation, and Ann Bonner, VAWG Insight Analyst, presented the VAWG and DA Dashboard. Cezar Tan, Youth Justice Services Manager, reported on the low reoffending rate among young people.

Barnet Homes Annual Update

Nd Eboka, Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Manager at Barnet Homes, presented the annual update on ASB. The ASB team managed 148 cases throughout the year, covering a range of issues including drugs, domestic abuse, and harassment. Tenant satisfaction measures showed ASB cases per 1,000 at 4.52%, below the target. The report highlighted successful closure orders on properties linked to drug activity in Grahame Park, Edgware, Colindale, and Muswell Hill, which provided relief to affected residents. Barnet Homes also successfully rehoused four vulnerable residents on the Bell Vue Estate who were being targeted by criminals, improving safety for neighbours. Barnet Council received a 'C1' grading from the Regulator of Social Housing, the highest possible result, indicating strong performance in managing social housing properties, including ASB. Partnership working with the Community Safety Team through MARAC and Task and Finish Groups was noted as effective. Priorities for the upcoming year include improving the approach to noise nuisance and working towards Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA) accreditation.

Combating Drugs Partnership Update

Dr Janet Djomba, Director of Public Health, provided a six-monthly update on Barnet's Combating Drugs Partnership (CDP). The government has confirmed a further three years of substance misuse funding, with Barnet benefiting from a redistribution of the budget, increasing to over £4.7 million by 2028-29. Proposed priorities include enhanced drug-related death surveillance, improved LGBTQ+ and chemsex support, and investment in lived-experience organisations. Operational highlights include improved Drug Test on Arrest compliance, expanded community outreach, a new Women's Drop-In Clinic, and strengthened pathways for prison leavers. Change Grow Live (CGL) has launched an intensive 12-week rehabilitation programme and broadened its creative recovery offer. A digital inclusion programme has also been introduced. CGL received an initial indication of a 'Good' rating from a recent CQC inspection. Work is progressing on improving youth pathways and transitions from children's to adult services.

Modern Slavery Strategy - Annual Update

Ramisa Yazdani Biouki, Strategy Manager, presented the annual update on the Council's Modern Slavery Strategy. The strategy focuses on three priorities: Prevent, Protect, and Prosecute. Since its adoption, a referral pathway has been shared with partners, and a library of case studies on partnership working has been developed. The Council has published its Modern Slavery Act Transparency Statement for 2026-27. Future plans include further staff awareness training, exploring training offers from Middlesex University and the Home Office, and embedding best practices from MHCLG guidance on victim identification. Barnet recorded 142 cases of modern slavery in the previous year, with the highest concentration in the 11-17 age group.

Ward Walks Update

Kimia, coordinator of the Safer Streets Ward Walk programme, provided an update on the ward walks initiative. These walks allow councillors to raise local concerns directly with council officers and partners. Every ward is offered one walk per year, and the programme has seen good engagement and positive outcomes, with actions tracked and followed up. Issues raised include anti-social behaviour, greenspace concerns, police matters, planning enforcement, environmental health issues, street lighting, street cleansing, tree maintenance, highways, CCTV, and fly-tipping. Examples of achievements include increased police patrols, improved street cleansing, repairs to pavements and street lighting, and the removal of abandoned vehicles.

Barnet Safeguarding Adults Board - Annual Update

Lesley Hutchinson, Independent Chair of the Safeguarding Adults Board, presented the draft Strategic Plan for 2026-29. The plan focuses on three key themes: Prevention, Assurance, and Engagement. Under Prevention, priorities include understanding exploitation risks related to AI and modern slavery, safeguarding in relation to sexual safety, and developing a multi-agency safeguarding dashboard. Assurance priorities include oversight of the Right Care, Right Person model and learning from various reviews. Engagement priorities involve communication campaigns on issues like cuckooing, financial abuse, and hate crime. The Board noted the overlap with the Safer Communities Partnership Board's work, particularly on modern slavery, and welcomed the focus on transitional safeguarding. The Board's annual budget of £105,000 covers staffing and operational activities, with contributions from statutory partners.

Comms Update

Johnathan Schroder, Head of Campaigns and Deputy Head of Comms, provided an update on communications efforts. The focus has been on promoting the renewal of the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), including new orders related to no loitering and pigeon feeding. A video explainer and shorter clips have been produced, and the campaign is being promoted across corporate channels and through digital advertising. The campaign has been running for four weeks and is due to end before the pre-election period.

Forward Work Programme

The Board noted the Forward Work Programme.

Any Other Business

No other business was raised.

The next meeting of the Safer Communities Partnership Board was scheduled for Friday 26 June 2026. The Chair concluded by thanking all partners for their work, highlighting the positive impact on residents.