Agenda item

To consider report by Safer Communities & Community Justice Manager, Graham Jones (Copy attached)

5.1       There had been circulated copies of the Safer Communities Performance report covering the period from 1 April 2018 to 30 September 2018.  Mr G Jones, Safer Communities & Community Justice Manager, highlighted the main points:-

5.2       Priority 1 – Reduce the level and Impact of Gender Based Violence through effective partnership working.  Referrals to all the Safer Communities based domestic abuse services had increased in the year to date when compared to last year.  The increase was in part due to all services being fully resourced.  Recent corporate change had created a vacancy for the Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) coordinator post.

5.3       Priority 2 – Reduce the level and impact of Substance Misuse through effective partnership working. It was noted that the SBC funded Community Action Team (CAT) had been active in enforcement activity both in relation to property searches under warrant and on street intelligence led stop and search activity.  The ‘don’t buy it, don’t supply it’ campaign would continue throughout the 2018/19 Festive period in digital form.

5.4       Priority 3 – Reduce the level and impact of crime and antisocial behaviour through effective partnership working.  The year to date trends across crime, ASB and vandalism had all shown an improvement compared to the same period last year.  The decrease shown in referrals to mediation and reduced success rate was in part a reflection of changes in internal operating processes.  Mr Jones added that there may be an improved way of reporting this.

5.5       Priority 4 – Reduce the level and impact of poor driver behaviour through effective partnership working. With the approach of winter advisory material would be circulated through social media relating to vehicle preparation and driving considerations. Part of the Drivewise training covered some of these components. 

5.6       Priority 5 – Reduce the level and impact of incidents in the home through effective partnership work.  This partnership work was led principally by SFRS.  Options had been considered to update Crucial Crew, the annual safety event for P7 pupils.  An online resource had been identified, written by education practitioners with input from subject experts.  The content reflected all the safety subjects that were relevant to local children and aligned to the Curriculum for Excellence.  The next stage was to consider how best to introduce an interactive component to the High School transition visit for P7 pupils.  In a discussion about Crucial Crew Members recognised the impact of the event and lasting impressions for Primary School children when this was held over a day at Springwood Park.  Members hoped the value of that element would not be lost in a revised format.  Mr Jones explained that in looking for a way forward that maintained the spirit of the event consideration also needed to be given to the overall cost, particularly with regard to transport.  There was an opportunity to provide a version of the experience when P7 pupils undertook their visits to the High Schools. In response to a question from Councillor Robson, Mr Jones agreed to provide the cost details for the single day’s Crucial Crew event and also a link to the online digital resource set up by Glasgow City Council which delivered the same material and which was linked to a youth award.

5.7       Members discussed further the impact of the Police CAT in the six month period since its launch.  They recognised that the team was effective in that it was tasked locally and it increased police visibility in communities, particularly in respect of responding to ASB, drug related issues and parking concerns.  Mr Jones reported that, to date, approximately 80 constituency issues had been passed to the CAT from elected Members and the Council’s Safer Communities Team.  Inspector Hodges added that if, following a task set by Members, the team were sent to one area due to a particular issue this created the opportunity to look at other issues that may be causing problems in the area. The response was focused and community based.

DECISION

(a)          NOTED the report.

(b)       AGREED that further information be provided to Members on the cost of the single day’s Crucial Crew event as organised in past years and on the revised format of delivery being considered.