Agenda item

       i.         North Yorkshire Police Community Safety Annual Report 2024/25

     ii.         Community Safety and CCTV Service Annual Update

Considered (i) North Yorkshire Police Community Safety Annual Report 2024/25 presented by Superintendent Rachel Wood, Senior Operating Commander for the Scarborough coastal area and (ii) Community Safety and CCTV Service Annual Update presented by Paul Romans, Community Safety CCTV Manager.

Cllr William Stuart asked a public question to which officers replied.  See details under Minute 141 above.

North Yorkshire Police Community Safety Annual Report 2024/25

Introducing the report, Superintendent Wood commented that locally crime had followed the national trend for the last financial year, with reductions in recorded crime across most categories with some exceptions such as shoplifting and possession of weapons.  She attributed the significantly higher rate of crime in the Scarborough and Whitby area of 82.44 crimes recorded for every 1000 people to the fact that the figures did not account for the visiting population which could quadruple in summer.  For future reports, she would introduce analysis of crimes according to resident and visitor victims.  Superintendent Wood commended the hard work of local teams and crime prevention initiatives in reducing burglary and robbery, whilst noting that a relaxation of the definition of robbery may lead to an increase in this crime in future reports.  She also applauded the Clear Home Build initiative in Woodlands ward and the extensive multi-agency work done to reduce anti-social behaviour and to address violence against women and girls.

In reply to their questions and comments, members were advised that:

·       The high visitor numbers skewed crime figures in Whitby as they did for Scarborough, but Superintendent Wood was confident the Police had sufficient resources in Whitby to address these challenges

·       The Police and Community Safety Team acknowledged the problems in Whitby caused by youth anti-social behaviour.  The plan was to extend the youth worker provision in Scarborough to Whitby in September, introducing youth diversionary activities too

·       The Police and Community Safety Team recognised the concerns around the Reach project which sought to house individuals with the most complex needs in the community.  Most of these individuals had been housed successfully with no repercussions felt by neighbouring residents

·       The Police commended Rural Watch for the valuable intelligence it provided, which may be a factor in the reduction in crime figures in the Esk Valley

·       Despite the closure of the Safer Streets Fund, there was funding still available towards measures to prevent neighbourhood crime in the area such as the use of video doorbells.

·       In respect of Clear Hold Build, the Clear stage had now ended in Woodlands.  Hold and Build brought initiatives such as outreach work and drop-in sessions to ensure the community safety presence remained, and that residents continued to feel confident to report any crime

·       The Police were very aware of the issues surrounding domestic violence in local holiday parks and trained and supported park staff to deal with this issue

·       The Police had introduced a new online form to make it easier for the public to report crime

Members commended the Police for their work in several areas including tackling quad bikes, drug dealers, and illegal parking, but singled out in particular the excellent work of the dedicated retail crime officer.

Community Safety and CCTV Service Annual Update

Introducing the report, Mr Romans thanked Rhian Buglass, Senior Community Safety Officer and the rest of the Community Safety Team for their excellent work in tackling crime and anti-social behaviour in the local area.  Various elements in the report were highlighted including: the Public Spaces Protection Order in Scarborough town centre reinstated on 14 October 2024 for which data was still being compiled but which had received positive feedback; work to tackle youth anti-social behaviour through Operation BEAT, identifying gaps in provision for youths; greater use of civil enforcement tools such as Community Protection Notices and Closure Orders to reduce anti-social behaviour; supporting wider Strategic Community Safety Partnership work on domestic abuse, serious violence prevention for example knife bins, night time economy and counter-terrorism; the Clear Hold Build initiative in Barrowcliff to tackle serious organised crime; and the continuing success of CCTV operations in Scarborough which in 2024-25 monitored nearly 8000 incidents and led to almost 1000 arrests.

In reply to their questions and comments, members were advised that:

·       The future of CCTV across North Yorkshire was subject to further strategic review and transformation, dependent chiefly on obtaining value for money since NYC bore most of the cost. This entailed a review of existing infrastructure, identifying opportunities, maximising technology and working alongside key partners.

·       The Community Safety Team was aware of anti-social behaviour in the area around Whitby bus station and was using the relevant enforcement tools and powers to address this.

The Chair thanked Superintendent Wood and Mr Romans for their reports.

Resolved that both reports be noted.