To receive an update from the Council’s representative on matters considered at the last meeting (4 November 2022). 

59.1          Attention was drawn to the report from the Council’s representative on the Gloucestershire Police and Crime Panel, circulated at Pages No. 27-30, which gave an update on matters considered at the meeting held on 4 November 2022.

59.2          The Council’s representative on the Gloucestershire Police and Crime Panel advised that Gloucestershire had applied for Government funding and had been successful in securing £2m for its Safer Streets programme – this was the highest award per capita of any of the 43 forces in England and Wales which reflected the efforts invested.  There were a number of other bids pending so hopefully further funding would also be received.  The Police and Crime Commissioner had discussed a number of ways the money would be spent including tacking anti-social behaviour and rural crime.  A presentation had been delivered to the Panel in relation to the operation of the police complaints function within the Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office.  It was noted that a lot of calls received were not Police matters and required signposting people to the right locations.  The Council’s representative reminded Members of the PEEL (Police Effectiveness, Efficiency and Legitimacy) review which had been carried out in early 2021 and had assessed the Constabulary in 13 areas of policing with four of those being graded ‘good’, one ‘adequate’, six ‘inadequate’ and the remaining two being ungraded.  At the time, he had reported that Gloucestershire had been subject to a new form of review which was a more granular system then the previous one which had consequences for how matters were recorded and reported.  A new regime had subsequently been introduced by the Police to address the key issues around the recording of crimes and the operation of the control room in terms of how quickly calls were being answered.  It was noted that the number of recorded crimes was increasing as people were able to get through more quickly so it was possible that the amount of crime may look to be increasing because it was being captured more effectively.  He explained that, as with all public services, there was a lot of pressure on the Police budget and further details were awaited in relation to Government funding.  He pointed out that two independent Members had joined the Panel – they were classed as independent as they did not represent local authorities in Gloucestershire – and they were a welcome addition in terms of the diversity and new perspectives they would bring.

59.3          A Member indicated that he had received complaints from members of the public who had called 101 to report anti-social behaviour but had not been able to get through; he had a direct number for the Police and was not able to get through on that either which meant that, by the time an incident had been reported and Police despatched, the offenders had left the scene.  The Council’s representative agreed this was an area for focus in terms of improving the speed calls were answered and he undertook to raise this again; however, he pointed out that the Police and Crime Commissioner had promised several hundred extra Officers across Gloucestershire which would give greater visibility and access to the Police and act as a deterrent to anti-social behaviour.  He went on to explain that there was a national trend towards increased reporting of crime so the Police were aware of these types of concerns and he made particular reference to the facilities available to report crimes online.  A Member advised that, from his experience of working in the retail industry, only 2% of crimes were reported due to the difficulties associated with that and he suggested that it would be useful to have access to a simple online form which people could use to report incidents so that the Police could gain a better idea of the number of crimes being committed and their location.  The Council’s representative undertook to feed that comment back.

59.4          In response to a query regarding recruitment and staffing, the Council’s representative explained that the Police and Crime Commissioner was lobbying Government about the recruitment profile, for instance, it was recognised that a stipulation that all Police Officers must have a degree meant that people with other valuable skills were being excluded.  There was also a case that the Police needed to better reflect the local community and be able to communicate more effectively with them.  The Police and Crime Commissioner had taken a lot of criticism for the promotion of Special Constables in order to meet targets but the reality was that Special Constables could bring a lot in terms of community interaction.  In response to a further query regarding complaints of corruption within the Police, the Council’s representative recognised that the disturbing cases of corrupt and misogynistic behaviour within the Metropolitan Police had attracted a lot of media attention, and had tragic consequences, but Gloucestershire Police was not one of the six Police Forces identified in the recent review about the problems with Police vetting.  The Police and Crime Commissioner had made the point that vetting processes could not be compromised even if that meant that recruitment targets were missed.  As a Panel Member, his view was that, due to the nature of the failings in the Police, and the societal changes in terms of the cost of living situation and the impact that would have on behaviour, things were likely to look worse before they looked better.  Gloucestershire Police was generally in a better place – it was attracting government funding and was being honest about levels of policing and the Police and Crime Commissioner was holding the Police accountable – but the results of a further PEEL review were awaited.  The Member indicated that she believed the vetting process within Gloucestershire was good but she would like some assurance that incidents of whistleblowing were appropriately dealt with and the Council’s representative undertook to raise this.

59.5          A Member explained that, as a Councillor, he was regularly asked by residents to help with a range of issues which were the responsibility of various bodies including the Council and the Police and he suggested it would be beneficial to look at a one-stop shop where people could receive guidance as to who was most appropriate to deal with their specific matter as a lot of time was being wasted when people contacted the wrong authorities.  The Council’s representative confirmed that conversations were taking place around this and there had previously been discussions around the role the Police had to play as a result of the lack of capacity in the NHS/social services which meant that people called them for help.  A lot of Police time was taken up dealing with matters which were nothing to do with illegality or criminality, for instance, missing persons.  This topic was raised frequently and the Police and Crime Commissioner was well-aware that better working relationships, particularly with the NHS and social services, were key.

59.6          A Member asked if there was any update on the future of the Police horses and the Council’s representative advised that he had not heard anything which suggested there was no change but he would check following the meeting.

59.7          A Member suggested it may be beneficial for the Police and Crime Commissioner to attend a future meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Council’s representative indicated that he was sure he would be happy to do that.  It was

RESOLVED          That the Gloucestershire Police and Crime Panel update be NOTED.