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MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL
Council
23 APRIL 2014
REPORT OF THE CABINET HELD ON 9 aPRIL 2014
COMMUNITY SAFETY PARTNERSHIP PLAN 2013-18 - ANNUAL REFRESH 2014-15
Issue for Decision
The Council is asked to approve the refreshed Community Safety Partnership Plan 2014-15.
Recommendation Made
That the refreshed Community Safety Partnership Plan 2014-15, attached as Appendix A to this report, be approved.
Reasons for Recommendation
The Cabinet considered the report of the Head of Housing and Community Services setting out the refreshed Community Safety Partnership Plan 2014-15.
The Plan is based on robust evidence and places us in a strong position to reduce crime and disorder within the Borough.
The Maidstone Community Safety Partnership Plan 2013-18 is the strategic document for the Safer Maidstone Partnership and is being delivered by the Community Partnerships team, which incorporates the Community Safety and Community Development teams, working with Housing, alongside statutory partners, including Kent Police, Kent County Council, Kent Fire and Rescue Service and Kent Probation.
The Maidstone Community Safety Partnership Plan 2013-18 provides a strategic framework to deliver the priorities, which have been reviewed and determined using evidenced based information, including comparative county-wide performance, through the annual Strategic Assessment, a copy of which is attached as Appendix B.
Crime over the last year has reduced by 6.5%, which equates to 577 fewer offences being committed across the Borough. During 2012-13, the biggest reductions were in reported incidents of anti-social behaviour (-9.6%), criminal damage (-8.5%), sexual offences (13.2%) and theft offences (-8.0%) as well as major reductions in both deliberate and accidental fires. Over the past four years 2009-10 to 2012-13 crime in Maidstone has fallen 11.8%, or over 1,000 fewer crimes per year. The Partnership has achieved this by delivering actions contained within last year’s Plan, but also investing time realigning some functions and improving efficiency by integrating services into day to day working practices. A copy of the Strategic Assessment (data and findings) is attached as Appendix D to the report of the Head of Housing and Community Services.
In contrast to the overall fall in crime in 2012-13, the first two quarters of 2013-14 saw an increase of some 24% or 481 additional recorded crimes against the same period in 2012-13. Violent crime in particular rose in the first two quarters by 35% (317 more offences) through increased domestic abuse reporting and incidents reported from the night time economy. Theft (shoplifting) in the town centre also saw an increase in the first two quarters of 2013-14, by 19.8% or 92 additional offences.
The refreshed Plan therefore focuses on the following strategic priorities:
· Anti-social Behaviour
· Reducing Reoffending
· Road Safety (killed or seriously injured)
· Substance Misuse
· Violent Crime (domestic abuse)
· Violent Crime (night-time economy)
The refreshed Plan incorporates an annual action plan, which addresses how partners will jointly address these priorities through targeted early intervention, education, prevention and enforcement.
The Community, Leisure Services and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee has considered the refreshed Plan, and its recommendations have been accepted.
Alternatives Considered and Why Not Recommended
The alternative would be not to approve the refreshed Community Safety Plan 2014-15. However, by completing an annual refresh of the Plan based on the findings of a comprehensive Strategic Assessment, the Council is fulfilling its statutory obligations pursuant to the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.
Background Papers
None