Agenda item

Report of Director of Service Delivery.

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Service Delivery regarding the current performance of the Eastbourne Community Safety Partnership (ECSP) under the updated Eastbourne community safety plan.  The report also outlined issues that might potentially impact future crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB) performance.

Members noted that whilst overall crime had substantially reduced from 2005/06 to 2013/14, due to Sussex Police changing recording procedures in response to national guidelines, a substantial increase in overall crime had been reported in 2014/15 performance year.  However, this increase had now levelled out and performance compared favourably when compared to similar towns.

The current plan (2014/17) had been developed in consultation with key partners including the police and other members of the ECSP.  A copy of the action plan was attached as appendix A,   and the priorities for 2016/17 and measurement criteria were attached as appendix C of the report.  Plan targets were reviewed at the end of each performance year and key performance targets had been incorporated into the relevant sections of the Council’s corporate plan.

With reference to the Home Office iQuanta data, which compared numerous categories of crime with other towns similar to Eastbourne, appendix B of the report, indicated Eastbourne compared favourably.  June 2016 quarterly data showed:

·    3rd lowest – overall crime

·    1st lowest – burglary

·    5th lowest – robbery

·    5th lowest – shoplifting

·    1st lowest – vehicle crime

·    Below median – violent crime

In late 2015 the police and crime commissioner for Sussex had recommended that merging options be investigated to reflect the new policing district boundaries and make efficiency savings.  Eastbourne, Lewes and Wealden CSPs had supported establishing a new strategy group encompassing all three whilst enhancing and maintaining the district joint action groups to deliver a local focus.  A soft merger had taken place within performance year 2016/17 with a business case for full merger to be presented in 2017/18.

The committee was advised that there would be a focus on cyber crime and scams which was expected to become a major part of the partnership’s work in the future with the particular need to protect the elderly and vulnerable.

Members requested further information with regard to the criteria with which authorities were allocated into their Most Similar Group.  The Community Safety Officer agreed to circulate this following the meeting.

With regard to cyber crime the committee discussed methods of informing the public to be more aware of the dangers of online crime, given the majority of cyber crime was usually only detected after the fact.  Members noted that whilst it would be difficult for Community Safety teams to investigate cyber crime the appropriate action was to take preventative measures through continued advice and information.

The committee was advised that of the £26.3K community safety budget, £17k had been spent this year to date.  The Community Safety Officer advised that it would still be possible to make bids for funding to JAG (Joint Action Group).

Councillor Holt expressed his thanks to the team targeting antisocial behaviour in Devonshire Ward, the residents had noticed a vast improvement and appreciated their efforts.

RESOLVED: 1) That the ECSP’s achievements and the future risks and opportunities to performance be noted.

2) That the updated 2014/2017 Community Safety Plan, with continued delegated implementation authority to Director of Service Delivery, be endorsed.