Agenda item

This report sets out progress of the Safer Arun Partnership (SAP) during 2018-19 in delivering the strategic priorities contained in its Partnership Plan (2018-2022).  It provides information to enable Members to understand performance to date and provides a summary assessment of the future challenges and opportunities for SAP.

            The Community Manager introduced Inspector Steve Turner from the Arun Prevention Team at West Sussex Police to the Working Group and explained that there was a statutory requirement for all districts to ensure they tackled and reduced anti-social behaviour and crime in the local area. There continued to be a long-standing partnership with the anti-social behaviour team at Arun District Council and the prevention neighbourhood team who jointly work together to tackle an array of persistent anti-social behaviour and crime issues.

            It was explained that the team had recognised and taken action on county line issues and it is known as a significant problem nationally. Littlehampton, Worthing and Brighton are key seaside areas where young and vulnerable individuals had and continue to be targeted. County drug lines can change in circumstances quickly so safeguarding and enforcement action was vital in the management of these specific circumstances. Arun was the first area in Sussex to obtain a criminal behaviour order against a known perpetrator involved in the sale and distribution of drugs linked to county lines activity; the order proscribes tight conditions restricting the activity of the offender including an exclusion zone that prevents them residing in West Sussex.

            Strong emphasis was placed by the Community Manager on the importance of continued partnership working across the board was vital to keeping the community safe.

            The Woking Group participated in a full discussion and the key points raised were:

§  Confirmation was obtained that the Glenlogie night shelter that was operated through Stone Pillow would be running again this year and negotiations to ensure all plans are in place in the event of severe weather conditions are ongoing.

§  A query was raised in relation to figures stated at point 8.3 in the report. It was advised that a written response would be provided for this question

§  Concern raised over the increase in violent crime reports. It was confirmed that while the figures for this type of crime are high, it does also include targeted violent crime reports and links to drug and county line reports. The recruitment for more PCSO’s that had taken place would help significantly with this area.

§  Suggestion for the team to work more closely with Parish Councils was made.

§  Concern for rural areas across the district was raised as it was understood that a lot of the work that had been completed was focused on Town areas. Reassurance was provided by the Arun Prevention Inspector that rural areas had the focus of the teams working in partnership and that consideration and risk analysis was always be taken in relation to these individuals considering a change in location when targeting behaviour in Towns and that more PCSO’s would also assist on a larger more detailed scale.

The Chairman thanked the Community Manager and the Arun Prevention Officer for their detailed update.

The Working Group then

RECOMMEND TO CABINET – That

1)    The work of the Safer Arun Partnership be endorsed and the importance of partnership working in contributing to reducing anti-social behaviour and addressing crime and disorder in Arun be recognised.

2)    Recognition be given to the work of the Safer Arun Partnership in contributing to the delivery of the Councils strategic priority “supporting you if you need help”.