Scottish Borders Council

Agenda item

Safer Communities and Key Activities

Safer Communities and Community Justice Manager – Graham Jones.  (Copy attached.)

Minutes:

7.1     There had been circulated copies of the Safer Communities Performance Report covering the period 1 April 2017 to 30 June 2017.  There had been a major effort in the Scottish Borders over the last 5 years to tackle domestic abuse.  The reported incidents of domestic abuse to the Police were still increasing which was to be expected because of the Council project and it was heartening that the number of repeat referrals to the Domestic Abuse Advisory Service was decreasing.  Funding for the domestic abuse service had been secured until 2020 and it would be crucial for the future of the service to secure funding in order for it to survive past 2020.  Mr Graham Jones, Safer Communities and Community Justice Manager, highlighted the key points in the report.

 

7.2     Strategic Policy 1 – While the number of domestic abuse incidents reported to the Police had increased the number of repeat referrals to the Domestic Abuse Advocacy Support (DAAS) Service had been on the downward trend suggesting that clients were receiving the support they required on the first occasion they accessed the service.  While the overall referral number to DAAS had fallen the number of first time users of the service had been fairly consistent over its lifetime.  There had been an increase in referrals to DAAS in part due to the introduction of a direct referral mechanism from the Vulnerable Persons Database (VPD).  Existing clients who are subject to a further domestic abuse incident reported to the Police were referred to the service again so that contact can be made immediately with the client and additional support and advice provided.  DAAS had maintained their target of responding to referrals by the police within 24 hours on 90% of occasions and within 48 hours 100% of the time for referrals from other agencies. The reason for police referrals being at 90% was a consequence of referrals being received over the weekend.  The number of police referrals was twice that of other agencies or individuals referring into the service.  Over 50% of those people referred to the service complete a risk assessment and safety plan. The aim was to increase referrals but the trend for the last 3 years had been downward.

 

7.3     Strategic Policy 2:  The demand for the Best Bar None scheme by licensees had been high with applications up on last year to a total of 33.  Applications closed in September 2017.  Licensed premises apply and are assessed against set criteria and if the required standard was achieved an award was made, bronze, silver or gold and premises can re-apply to be assessed again to receive a higher award.  Safety Advice in relation to finding a used needle and/or syringe had been re-issued through the media.

 

7.4     Strategic Policy 3: There had been a 24.9% increase in the number of group 1 – 5 victims recorded in the year to date when compared to the same time period in 2016/17, this equated to 186 additional victims.   There had been an increase of 730 reported Anti-Social Behaviour incidents compared to the same time period in 2016//17.  There had been an increase in the number of youth related Anti-Social Behaviour incidents in the year 2017/18 when compared to the same time period in 2016/17; 441 persons were being monitored for anti-social behaviour in the year to date which was 28 less when compared to the same time period in 2016/17.

 

7.5     Strategic Policy 4:  In relation to reducing the level and impact of poor driver behaviour through effective working, it was noted that there had been a decrease of 5 road users killed on our roads in the year to date when compared to the same time period in 2016/17; and a decrease of 8 road user seriously injured in the year to date when compared to the same time period in 2016/17.  There had been no children seriously injured or killed.  One  young driver had been killed in the year to date, which was a decrease compared with the same time period in 2016/17.  Two older drivers had been killed or seriously injured in the year to date; this was a decrease on the same time period in 2016/17.  Finally 11 motorcyclists had been killed or seriously injured in the year to date; this was an increase on the same time period in 2016/17.

 

7.6   Strategic Policy 5:  In relation to reducing the level and impact of accidents in the home through effective partnership working, for the time period 1 April 2017 only there had been an increase of 4 accidents in the under 5’s recorded, when compared to the same time period in 2016.   For the time period to 1 April 2017 there had been fewer recorded falls in the over 75s compared to the same time period in 2016.   There had been a significant increase in the number of actioned Fire Service adult and child protection referrals received from Safer Communities.

         

 

          DECISION

          NOTED. 

 

Supporting documents:

 

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