The Leicestershire and Rutland Safer Communities Strategy Board met on Thursday 26 March 2026 to discuss a range of community safety initiatives and performance updates. Key discussions included contributions to Domestic Homicide Reviews, the implementation of a new anti-social behaviour case management system, and performance data for the Safer Communities team.

Domestic Homicide Review Contributions

The Board considered a proposal to increase funding contributions towards the management of Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHRs). Currently, Leicestershire County Council contributes £30,000 annually, with the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) providing £16,000 and each Community Safety Partnership (CSP) contributing £2,500. Due to an increasing number and complexity of DHRs, it was proposed that each District partner and Rutland County Council should be invoiced £5,000 per annum. Members raised concerns that only CSPs were being asked to increase their contribution, not Leicestershire County Council itself, and requested more detailed financial information. A decision on the funding increase was postponed until a further report with additional data could be presented. The Board did, however, note the update regarding Domestic Homicide Reviews and requested that officers provide more detailed data on the breakdown of work.

Anti-social Behaviour Case Management System (ECINS)

An update was provided on the implementation of ECINS, a new anti-social behaviour (ASB) recording system across Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland, one year after its introduction. While significant progress has been made, with most initial issues resolved, ongoing challenges remain. These include problems with the GENIE system for police colleagues, accessibility issues with the Smartform, and difficulties in extracting sophisticated data for hotspot mapping. Despite these challenges, local authority users are reportedly adapting well to the system, and the partnership continues to work with ECINS to address technical glitches and improve functionality. The Board was recommended to note the report and approve the continuous review of ECINS to ensure it remains the best system for the ASB Partnership.

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service Update

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) presented an update on its protection and prevention activities. In the past year, LFRS conducted 737 targeted fire safety audits, with 137 resulting in unsatisfactory outcomes. The service also completed 7,903 Home Safety Checks (HSCs) and delivered presentations to 4,573 primary school children. Key issues for partnership working were highlighted, including variations in assistive technology provision for residents with hearing impairments across local authority areas, and the need for a coordinated approach to fire safety in Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) and private accommodation, particularly for asylum seekers. The Board was asked to note the report and consider opportunities for closer partnership working.

Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews

An update was given on Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews (DArDRs), formerly known as Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHRs). There are currently eleven DArDRs in progress across Leicestershire. Emerging themes include the link between mental health and domestic abuse, isolation in rural communities, deaths linked to firearms, the impact of adverse childhood experiences on perpetrators, and multi-generational abuse. Challenges were noted regarding significant delays in reports being reviewed by the Home Office's Quality Assurance Panel, which impacts the publication of reports and brings closure to families. Action plans are being progressed while awaiting publication to ensure learning is shared and embedded. The Board was asked to note the report and provide support to the DArDR Support Officer and Safeguarding Partnerships Business Office.

Safer Communities Performance 2025/26 Quarter 3

The Board received an update on Safer Communities performance for the third quarter of 2025/26. Overall crime and violence with injury have improved over the last two years, with burglary and vehicle offences stabilising. The rate of personal anti-social behaviour has seen a significant rise in the previous two quarters. The rate of domestic crime and incidents is higher than the previous year, while domestic violence with injury is lower. The rate of sexual offences has remained stable. Hate crime reports remain low, with a slight increase. The Board was recommended to note the performance dashboard.

Re-offending Rates of Prisoners Following Early Release Scheme

Bob Bearne, Head of the LLR Probation Delivery Unit, provided a verbal update on the re-offending rates of prisoners released under Early Release Schemes. It was noted that a multi-agency approach had been used to manage these schemes, with partners working effectively together. The Board welcomed the focus on containing offenders rather than victims during releases and noted the good communication between Probation and the Police to manage offenders. A report on re-offending rates was to be provided at the next Board meeting.

LRSCSB Action Log

The Board noted the status of actions on the LRSCSB Action Log. It was explained that the Home Office had advised that the full results of the Sub-Threshold Pilot could not be shared publicly, but the learning from the pilot was being implemented locally. Other actions on the log were either on the agenda for the current meeting or would be addressed at the following meeting.

Other Business

Concerns were raised about anti-social behaviour outside the Pinfold Medical Practice in Loughborough, which was thought to be related to the nearby Falcon Centre for homeless people. Reassurance was given that Leicestershire Police and Charnwood District Council were addressing the issue, and it had been escalated to the local MP.