Agenda item

(To receive a report from Lisa Merriman, Community Safety Strategy Co-ordinator – Safer Communities, which provides the Committee with information on the Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Community Trigger and the countywide process established in Lincolnshire by the Safer Lincolnshire Partnership Anti-Social Behaviour Core Priority Goup)

SITTING AS THE CRIME AND DISORDER SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

Consideration was given to a report from Martyn Parker, Assistant Director Public Protection, Adult Care and Community Wellbeing, which provided the Committee with information relating to the Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Community Trigger and the countywide process established in Lincolnshire by the Safer Lincolnshire Partnership (SLP) Anti-Social Behaviour Core Priority Group (ASB CPG).

The Chairman invited Lisa Merriman, Community Safety Strategy Co-Ordinator – Safer Communities to present the report, which provided the Committee with a better understanding around the Community Trigger as being an effective tool to support victims of persistent anti-social behaviour where a local threshold had been met.

Details of the threshold for Lincolnshire was shown on pages 19 and 20 of the report pack. 

It was noted that the responsible authorities for this provision were police, district councils, registered social housing providers and Integrated Care Boards.  It was noted further that each district council administered the process on behalf of the responsible authorities.

Details of the Community Trigger process were contained on page 19 of the report pack.

In conclusion, it was noted that the Government had recently announced through the Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan, that the Community Trigger would be formally renamed as the Anti-Social Behaviour Case Review.

During consideration of this item, some of the following comments were noted:

·       Members welcomed the report and the clarification of what and how the Community Trigger worked;

·       Clarification was given that the figures shown in Appendix B on Page 22 were for a one-year period (1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023).  It was noted that the previous year figures had been 17 and then 16, and prior to those figures they had been 5 and 6 for a year period.  It was noted further that these figures had been disappointing and that was why steps were being taken to improve the figures;

·       Confirmation was given that publicity was done through district council websites, but there was recognition that there was more to do regarding accessibility, as not everyone had access to online;

·       Some concern was expressed to the lack of knowledge of the Community Trigger in the general population nationally (only 6% of people had heard of it).  A suggestion was made for better communication by way of a paragraph being included in a letter during their complaint advising them about the Community Trigger.  The Committee noted that some professional training was being undertaken to make sure that all agencies were aware and understood the Community Trigger.  Officers agreed raise the issue of including a paragraph in a letter, to ensure that the same message was being delivered with the Core Priority Group.  Some members of the Committee also confirmed that they were unaware of the Community Trigger and that more need to be done to publicise it generally;

·       Unfortunately, Officers presenting were unable to advise of local and national figures in relation to anti-social behaviour, however, the Committee noted that the number of incidents were reducing overall. It was reported that the anti-social behaviour rates were down with in the county last year by 34% compared to the previous year.  The Committee noted further that this year’s situation would continue to be mapped to correlate local Community Triggers to what was happening nationally, and that further information regarding numbers and volumes could be brought back to the Committee at a future meeting;

·       One member enquired if there was to be a sudden influx of reviews, whether there were enough resources available to deal with them.  Reassurance was given that the policy in place would ensure that Community Triggers were dealt with, along with having a dedicated Co-Ordinator and also a group of independent chairs to support the process;

·       Reassurance was given that the needs of the victim were put first, but it was also important to note that expectations were managed, if any actions were set as a result of the trigger;

·       The Committee was advised that the Community Trigger was led by district councils and that they worked very closely with the police;

·       The Committee noted that on an initial report of anti-social behaviour, whilst the review was taking place there was an option to refer to Victim Support services.  It was highlighted that at present due to the Ministry of Justice funding, there was not a dedicated Victim Support Service for anti-social behaviour, which there had been in the past. However, Victim Support Advocates were now being utilised in the high risk, complex cases of unsocial behaviour;

·       A request was made for future reports to provide an explanation where necessary of items that would not be known to a member of the public, an example given was what was a section 21 notice; and

·       A request was made for a progress report to be received in 12 months’ time.

The Chairman on behalf of the Committee extended his thanks to the Community Safety Strategy Co-Ordinator – Safer Communities for her presentation.

RESOLVED

1.      That Community Safety Strategy Co-Ordinator – Safer Communities and the Safer Lincolnshire Partnership team be thanked for their detailed and comprehensive report.

2.      That the comments raised in relation to this item be received.

3.      That the report presented be endorsed, that the Committee’s satisfaction be recorded on the activity undertaken by the Safer Lincolnshire Partnership and the Anti-Social Behaviour Core Priority Group in raising awareness of the Community Trigger.

4.      That a further report be received in 12 months to update the Committee on the progress achieved against set targets and the overall developments on the delivery plan.       

Note: The Crime and Disorder Scrutiny Committee ended at 10:35am.