Members will receive a presentation from the District Commander, Sussex Police regarding the emerging Local Policing Plan.
Minutes:
Members received a presentation on the Sussex Police Local Policing Plan as requested at their meeting on 7 September 2015. The presentation was provided by Emma Brice, District Commander, Sussex Police, and was followed by a question and answer session.
The committee noted that the financial challenge for Sussex was considerable with 70% of the total budget for local policing coming from the government grant. Whilst significant savings had already been achieved, a further £57m within the next four years. 80% of the force budget related to pay and people so the workforce and roles would change. The Local Policing Programme was expected to save £29m annually by 2019 the structure of local policing was still being designed and no model was available as yet.
The Budget announcement on 14 December 2015 was unlikely to affect current identified savings as it was anticipated that part of the police budget would be allocated to increased firearms capability, cyber-crime, terrorism and communications systems. Sussex was the 4th lowest precept in the country and therefore more vulnerable to changes in the government grant. 2020 would see a very different organisation.
With regard to the Local Policing Programme key headlines were as follows:
Prevention:
Members were advised that the number of PCSO’s was likely to reduce, consultation would commence on 14 December 2015, and exact numbers could not be stated until the consultation was complete.
Response:
• Prioritising emergency calls, working across organisational boundaries
• Creation of a ‘Resolution Centre’
• Introduction of mobile technology
• Improving service by reducing handovers between teams
It was anticipated that the Resolution Centres would be able to assist with incidents such as harassment on social media, shoplifting and parking disputes, freeing up officer time through the use of better technology and allowing a better response to ‘absolute’ emergencies. It was estimated that the Resolution Centre would be able to deal with approximately 61% of incidents did not require immediate response.
Investigation:
• Investigations based on threat, risk and harm
• Introduction of Investigation Framework
• One investigation team in each Local Policing Area
• Improving online self service, for example Face Watch
Members were advised that Eastbourne, Wealden and Lewes would merge with five districts across East Sussex reducing to two. A number of workshops were being held to allow consultees to put their views forward. There would also be wider consultation with the community.
Members discussed the following:
Reduction of Crime – To date 4300 crimes had been recorded, including burglaries, vehicle crime and criminal damage. Sussex Police had a team working with repeat offenders - 20% of offenders committed 80% of crimes – offender management was a key part of the team’s work. When compared with the Force, Sussex detection rates were considered good.
Joint working and the potential reduction of PCSO’s – It was hoped that demand would be reduced with the introduction of the Resolution Centres, and better technology, allowing Police more time to be visible. PCSO’s would still be required; however they may cover a bigger area. There were currently five PCSO vacancies, which may mean there would not be an overall reduction in the numbers in Eastbourne, this was dependant on the consultation previously referenced.
Terrorism – It was recognised that PCSO’s played a key role in getting to know their communities and gathering intelligence, however many other organisations had a duty of care to their community. The Community Safety Co-ordinator advised that a Prevent Plan had been written to help reduce / prevent radicalisation and included input from Eastbourne Borough Council, Sussex Police, local Schools and Community organisations, and training had been provided for Neighbourhood and Customer First Teams at Eastbourne Borough Council on the key issues to consider.
Roles of PCSO’s – PCSO’s would be upskilled to allow a better level of investigation without warranted powers. Changes would be implemented mid 2016.
PCC (Police Crime Commissioner) – Members queried the level of influence of the Police and Crime Commissioner on policing priorities. Priorities of the PCC cascade through from the Police and Crime Plan through to the Sussex Police Operational Delivery Plan. There were certain national aims set by the Home Secretary within the Strategic Policing Requirement such as maintaining capacity to deal with Civil Contingency plans. The PCC was briefed by the Chief Constable on the change programme.
Night time Economy Police presence – Police resources were allocated according to threat, harm and risk however, Eastbourne would have the ability to request resources from across Sussex if an incident required this.
Collection of data – Members were advised that individual agencies were responsible for the collection of data.
CCTV – The committee was advised that there were a number of mobile CCTV units within Eastbourne that had proved very effective. Members noted that the Community Safety Partnership had approved the purchase of two body cameras to be used in licenced premises.
The committee noted the excellent working relationship between Eastbourne Borough Council’s Neighbourhood First Team and the Policing Unit at 1 Grove Road – a relationship which had been acknowledged by the Police Crime Commissioner.
Members agreed to conduct a review into the financial impact and impact on joint working following the introduction of the emerging Local Policing Programme. The timescale would be agreed in consultation with the District Commander and Local Democracy Officer.
The committee thanked the District Commander for the presentation and her attendance at the committee meeting.
RESOLVED: That the Scrutiny committee conduct a review of the financial impact and implications joint working following the introduction of the emerging Local Policing Programme.