Agenda item

4.1       Police

There had been circulated copies of the Police Progress report covering the period April 2015 to June 2015. Supt Angus MacInnes advised that the report was in a new format based on feedback received from partners.   The report detailed the figures for the six Priority areas to date and compared them to the figures for the same period in 2014/15.   In relation to Priority 1 – Protecting People figures showed only a slight reduction with 3 fewer referrals made in the number of adult at risk referrals made to partner agencies.  There was a decrease in performance on the same time last year in relation to domestic abuse initial checks being conducted within 24 hours, but 2.1% better than target.   Priority 2 – showed a positive picture with a 10.8% reduction in common assaults in the first quarter of 2015/16 compared to the same period in 2014/15, equating to 21 fewer victims and there had been a 12.7 reduction (185 incidents) in the number of anti-social behaviour incidents compared to the same period last year.  A slight increase had been made in the number of recorded victims of hate crime.  In relation to Priority 3, Police Scotland was undergoing a test phase on a new stop and search database which went online on 1 June 2015.  Validation and testing of the data was ongoing and data collected would appear in future reports.  There had been a 6.1 decrease in the number of visits to licensed premises, which equated to 29 fewer visits.   Priority 4, Making our Roads Safer – showed a 50% reduction (15 fewer casualties) in the first quarter of 2015/16.  The number of people killed in the first quarter of 2015/16 was 3, the same as for the first quarter of 2014/15.  The number of serious injuries was significantly reduced, there had been 15 fewer seriously injured casualties compared to the same point last year, no children were killed or seriously injured in the first quarter, which  as positive.   Priority 5 – Tackling Serious and Organised Crime – there had been a promising start to the year with £105,025 in assets referred for restraint in the first quarter. It was positive to see there had been a 9.1% increase in the detections for drug supply with 12 detected offences for drug supply. Priority 6 - Tackling Acquisitive Crime (housebreakings to dwelling houses)  – there had been a decrease in the number of housebreaking to dwellings which led to 3 fewer victims of this type of crime in the first quarter of 2015/16 when compared to the same time period in 2014/15.    Tackling Acquisitive Crime (theft of motor vehicles) – there had been a 23.8% reduction in theft of motor vehicles in the first quarter of 2015/16 which equated to 5 fewer victims of this type of crime.   In relation to overall crime it was noted that there had been a 1.7% increase in the detection rate in this quarter compared to the same quarter in 2014, which was positive. Mr Higgs referred to priority 1 relating to domestic abuse and asked why the achievement percent was not 100%.   Chief Inspector  Mclean advised that 100% was aimed for but explained that people did not want Police to be actively involved when domestic abuse crimes happened.  In response to queries from Mr Higgs about the lack of publicity covering national campaigns in particular hate crime month, Chief Inspector apologised and he would feed back this information to Officers responsible for the campaigns.   Chief Inspector Clark advised that figures relating to statistics regarding older people being involved in accidents were available.  A general discussion took place relating to older drivers and it was noted that complete reliance was made in doctors writing to the DVLA regarding people who they considered were not fit to drive.    The Communities & Partnership Manager advised that she would make enquiries regarding the provision of driver courses for older people although it was noted that by contacting the Institute of Advanced Motorists people could put themselves through an assessment.    The Communities & Partnership Manager advised that figures were available relating to the attendance of elderly people at Accident and Emergency but this did not give a breakdown of why they were admitted.  Discussions then took place over foreign drivers driving on the wrong side of the road and a suggestion was made that the Council install signs at Car Parks asking drivers to ensure they were driving on the correct side of the road.     It was agreed that Councillor Stewart would take this up with David Mallin.   A request was made that the speed limit on the A698 be reduced and an explanation was given advising that Police Officers worked with the local authority to ensure the right speed limits were in place for roads.   Amending traffic regulations took some time and unless the Police felt there was a problem it was difficult to progress matters   In response to a question raised, Supt. MacInnes advised he would look into the target for Priority 5 because the target would be difficult to reach because of the exceptionally large amount of cash seizure made within the same quarter last year.

DECISION

(a)     NOTED the report.

(b)     AGREED that

(i)     Councillor Stewart would liaise with David Mallin relating to the installation of road signs in car parks asking drivers to ensure they were driving on the correct side of the road;

(ii)    Supt. MacInness would look into the target figure for Priority 5.

4.2       Fire and Rescue Service

There had been circulated copies of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Performance Report covering the period 1 April to 30 June 2015.  In summarising the report, Group Manager Girrity advised that with regard to Priority 1: Reduction of Dwelling Fires, the SFRS had attended 32 dwelling fires in comparison to 24 for the same YTD reporting period last year, this represented a 33% increase.  Four dwelling fires had been started deliberately.    Priority 2: Reduction in Fire Fatalities and Casualties, the report noted that there had been seven fire related casualties in this reporting period, and this was in comparison to five for the same period last year.  There had been one fire fatality with a 62 year old male who had been helping renovate the old village hall near Nenthorn and the cause of the fire continued to be subject to investigation.  There were a further six fire casualties for this reporting period with the most seriously injured being the occupier of a flat at Galalaw Road Hawick.   Priority 3: Reduction of Deliberate Fire Setting indicated an increase of twelve from the previous year and it was noted that the trend line per 10,000 head of population regarding this type of incident continued to be well below that of the East Service Delivery area and Scotland as a whole.    The ward areas of Galashiels and District and Tweeddale East had showed significant increases for this period.    Further analysis showed that woodland fires and camping accounted for the majority of fires in the Tweeddale East ward and most fires in the Galashiels District ward occurred over a five-day period with probably one or a group of individuals responsible for all.  These fires in Galashiels had resulted in a high profile campaign by the SFRS and the Safer Communities team via local radio and social media.  Local crews also carried out reassurance visits to affected areas.  Priority 4: Reduction in Road Traffic Collisions (RTCs) indicated that the SFRS attended 18 Road Traffic Collisions and this was in comparison to 24 in the same period last year.  There had been 11 RTC related casualties in this YTD period with two fatalities.  One fatality was an 18 year old girl on the A6105 at Chirnside, the other was a 47 year old male on the Lauder to Stow Road.   Priority 5 related to the Reduction of Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals and it was noted that there had been 198 Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals (UFAS) during this quarter, representing a decrease of 12 incidents compared to Quarter 4 in 2014.    Discussions took place in relation to farm safety and the important of students working on farms being aware of the dangers and a suggestion was submitted that the Fire and Rescue Service might consider attending local agricultural shows to enable them to engage with farmers.   In relating to forthcoming events Members were advised of an exercise taking place at Floors Castle on 27 September 2015 from 11.00 a.m. until 1.00 p.m.   Mr Higgs thanked the Fire and Rescue Service for their attendance at the Gypsy Fair in the Borders when free smoke detectors were distributed.  

DECISION

(a)     NOTED the report.

(b)     AGREED that LSO Perry would feed back to the partnership about the request to engage with farmers at local agricultural shows.

4.3       Safer Communities

There had been circulated copies of the Safer Communities Performance Report covering the period 1 April 2015 to 30 June 2015.  Chief Inspector Paula Clark highlighted the key points in the report and it was noted that, in respect of domestic abuse, there had been a decrease of 22.2% in the number of reported incidents.  The report also explained that the percentage of self-referrals to specialist support services had increased compared to the same period the previous year.             The report also identified an increase of 11 / 16% in the total number / percentage of children on the CPR where a domestic abuse had been identified as a risk factor.   There was a decrease of 7 / 4% In relation to the homeless prevention service,  in the number / percentage of Homeless Assessment Presentations due to dispute within households: violent or abusive.   New services were being established relating to (a)  the number of cases on exit from specialist service which had a reduced risk; and (b) service user satisfaction on exit from a specialist service.     The report noted that there had been a significant reduction in the number of calls received in the first quarter in respect of the number of calls to national domestic abuse helpline (female).  Total call numbers to the National helpline had been declining over the past 3 years, therefore the reduction might also be attributed to the general national shift from the centralised helpline support.  There was one less call to national domestic abuse helpline (male). There was a small increase of 1.7 in the number of recorded ASB incidents per 1,000 population.    Members were advised that the new report format was easier to understand.  In relation to tackling Domestic Abuse members considered that it was important a report was prepared for the Council on the Future of the Pathway Project. Members of the Safer Communities Team were thanked for attending schools events and the Kelso Show.  With regards to the promotion of the young drivers initiative a request was made for information to be sent to Councillors and Community Councils and Officers  undertook to put together a communications plan to ensure all avenues of communication were covered.    Mr Higgs requested that he also be included in the circulation list.

DECISION

*   AGREED TO RECOMMEND to Council that a report be  prepared for the Council on the Future of the Pathways Project and that Officers would promote the young drivers initiative and a communications plan would be put together to ensure all avenues of communication were covered. 

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 10.50 a.m. and reconvened at 11.00 a.m.