Agenda item

CONSIDERATION OF THE POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONER'S PLANS FOR REFRESHING THE POLICE AND THE CRIME PLAN 2014-17

The Panel will review the Police and Crime Commissioner’s plans for refreshing the Police and Crime Plan 2014-17.

Minutes:

Ross Jago highlighted to the Panel the importance of their obligation to scrutinise any variation or refresh to a Police and Crime Plan, and reminded them this was not what was before them today due to the election in May.  If the Panel decided to make any recommendations, a report detailing these would be sent to the Police and Crime Commissioner.

 

The OPCC Chief Executive advised the Panel that the plan had always been launched in April, however due to the forthcoming election for a new PCC in May and the requirement for the new PCC to produce a plan, this was considered the best way forward.

 

Members were advised that –

 

(a)

the PCC had written to key partners (including this Panel) on 13 January 2016 detailing recent developments, his plans for the forthcoming months and his intentions regarding the Police and Crime Plan;

 

(b)

the most recent Peninsular Strategic Assessment had highlighted areas which needed continued emphasis, which were –

 

·         domestic abuse/sexual violence

·         alcohol related harm

 

(c)

there would be an increased focus on the following areas –

 

·         tackling safeguarding

·         child sexual exploitation

·         cyber crime

 

(d)

there would be an operational and financial emphasis on counter terrorism to ensure the safety of the people of the United Kingdom , particularly the residents of Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

 

In response to questions, Members were advised that –

 

(e)

it was difficult for the Police and Crime Plan to identify all areas of concern and provide the prominence on certain issues that the Panel wanted;

 

(f)

the issue of domestic abuse was a priority and taken seriously although it did not have a headline within the Plan;

 

(g)

there had been recent changes around safeguarding for the victims of domestic abuse which should now see an improvement;

 

(h)

alcohol related crime was linked to a range of other crimes and remained a focus in the Plan;

 

(i)

the PCC commissioned Community Safety Partnerships and they could prioritise funds for issues relevant to their areas.

The Panel noted the report provided and that the Police and Crime Commissioner had not formally refreshed the Police and Crime Plan.

 

The Panel made specific recommendations in relation to this agenda item –

 

(1)

agreed that the Draft Police and Crime Plans of the incoming Commissioner are made available at the first meeting of the Police and Crime Panel in the new municipal year;

 

(2)

agreed that Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence is explicitly mentioned as a priority within any new Police and Crime Plan reflecting the threat identified in the Peninsula Strategic Assessment and highlighted by Community Safety Partnerships in the force area;

 

(3)

agreed that the recommendations resulting from Cornwall Council’s select committee review of the Engagement of the Safer Cornwall Partnership in the Domestic Homicide Review Process be built into police service plans, business plans and policies;

(4)

agreed that the host authority prepare a response to the PCC, with the Chair to sign this on their behalf.

 

Supporting documents: