Agenda item
Continuing to deliver an effective Policing and Crime service to the Public throughout COVID-19
Minutes:
Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner, introduced the report on continuing to deliver an effective policing and crime service to the public throughout Covid 19.
The report set out the importance of ensuring that communities remained safe resilient and connected through the pandemic and highlighted that the Police and Crime Plan intentions remained valid. Working with partners across Devon and Cornwall, Criminal Justice and Policing, and supporting the Chief Constable, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s team had adapted as a result of Covid 19 and a reprioritisation of activity was undertaken to meet new demands. Focus was upon enabling the access of sufficient resources to respond to emergencies, working in partnership to protect the public and a proportionate response to business as usual crimes throughout the current emergency.
The Police and Crime Commissioner highlighted the following key points:
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the collective effort made across the south west to keep the corona virus to a minimum and the leadership role of the police in the Leadership Forum in coordinating and responding to the crisis;
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how the local accountability and guidance from government had affected decision making;
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Devon and Cornwall was in the top 3 police forces in the country to issues fixed penalty notices and the balance required to police people accessing open space and people travelling to second homes;
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the commissioning and introduction of a 24/7 Victim Support helpline and web-chat set up during the pandemic; this would continue post-Covid. |
The Panel discussed:
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the response of the Police in dealing with second home owners travelling to the south west and the impact of some businesses encouraging travel to the south west for short breaks and stays;
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the Street Marshalls concept and their role and responsibilities;
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if the Police and Crime Commissioner was seeking additional guidance or enforcement powers in respect of local lockdown plans;
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the Police and Crime Commissioner’s ‘Anti-Social Behaviour and Policing Protest’ podcast which was considered to discredit Plymouth City Council’s actions in renaming Sir John Hawkins Square, and a request for this podcast to be taken down and for an apology to be provided;
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who would be responsible for funding the 24/7 Victim Support Helpline and web chat post Covid 19;
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how positive steps and good work carried out during the pandemic could be continued in the future;
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the Safer Summer Scheme and how this, specifically regarding Street Marshalls, could be used in areas where it previously wasn’t required;
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fixed penalty notices issued and if there was a likelihood of challenge due to the confusion surrounding what was and wasn’t acceptable in terms of turning away second home owners/ holiday makers;
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how business as usual policing was undertaken during the pandemic and training of call operators;
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if the Police and Crime Commissioner would agree that the only real protectors of statues and monuments should be Devon and Cornwall Police;
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the powers, or lack of, for Street Marshalls. |
The Police and Crime Commissioner clarified that –
1. her comments regarding the change in name of Sir John Hawkins Square was linked to her attempt to move the issue from a political debate; she was of the opinion that the timing of the name change could be viewed negatively and that she was a strong believer in learning from history and supporting better education of issues such as racism.
The Chair proposed and Councillor Peterman seconded that the thanks of the Panel was noted in the minutes with regards to their support of the Police’s response to the pandemic.
The Chair proposed and Councillor Haydon seconded to note the update from the Police and Crime Commissioner and the contents of the report.
Supporting documents:
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