Chief Inspector
Sharon Adley introduced Inspector Connor (Community Safety Unit
Inspector) and then presented her report:
-
CI Adley explained that the changes in crime
recording processes were continuing to contribute to the increases
in crime across the force. To put this into context, previously if
four people were found fighting outside a nightclub and it was not
clear who was in the right or wrong, one report of affray would
have been recorded whereas now four counter allegations of assault
and one of affray could be recorded.
-
CI Adley stressed that this was a better reflection
of the extent of offences committed against a victim to enable the
appropriate assessment of any safeguarding requirements for both
victims and witnesses. The increase in all crime experienced within
Thanet is in line with the force.
-
As expected there have been seasonal increases in
the summer months particularly in May through to August as the
local economy experienced increased visitor numbers coming to visit
Thanet seaside areas coupled with the hot weather.
-
The crime category that saw the biggest rise was
violence against the person with the biggest rise experienced in
the category of violence without injury;
-
Locally in Thanet, police and partner agencies have
continued to undertake a number of different approaches to prevent
crime; during September, Thanet took part in a week long national
campaign against Knife Crime (Op Sceptre). This operation included
many different strands of activity, a key one being enforcement in
the Night Time Economy but also included preventative work and
engagement with young people.
-
Criminal Damage – this category had
experienced a 5% increase in the period under review;
-
However, a great deal of work had been carried out
by the police in collaboration with other agencies on a number of
areas that included reducing anti-social behaviour and closure of
premises in Margate utilising the Anti-Social Behaviour
legislation. Work had also been undertaken in Ramsgate and Westwood
Cross. Street week was continuing and would be taking place in
Ramsgate.
-
Vehicle Crime – There had been a 5% reduction
in this category between October 2017 and October 2018;
·
Significant amount of work had taken
place in response to a spate of mopeds being stolen in the district
whereby they had been ridden in a dangerous manner and had been
causing anti-social behaviour. This had resulted in some arrests
with stolen mopeds being recovered.
Members then asked
questions and made comments as follows:
·
There appeared to be an increase in the
acceptable levels for crime recording. There should be an increase
in policing resources, instead of increasing the increasing the
acceptable levels;
·
Did the Police breakdown the reporting
categories into serious and minor injuries incidents?
·
Was there a percentage of the high risk
crimes that resulted in prosecutions in the reports compiled by the
police?
·
Was human trafficking also reported in
the district?
·
Did the Police also monitor drug activity
in the district?
·
The Police were doing a great
job;
·
How cooperative were residents in
supporting the work ...
view the full minutes text for item 23