MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL

COUNCIL

11 APRIL 2018

REPORT OF THE COMMUNITIES, HOUSING AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE, ACTING AS THE CRIME AND DISORDER COMMITTEE HELD ON 13 FEBRUARY 2018 AND 20 MARCH 2018

 

2013-18 COMMUNITY SAFETY PARTNERSHIP PLAN REFRESH AND
2018-19 STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT

Issue for Decision

To adopt the 2013-18 Community Safety Partnership Plan Refresh and 2018-19 Strategic Assessment to be implemented by the Safer Maidstone Partnership and its priority subgroups.

Recommendation Made

That the Council adopt the 2013-18 Community Safety Partnership Plan Refresh and the 2018-19 Strategic Assessment to be implemented by the Safer Maidstone Partnership and its priority subgroups.

Reasons for Recommendation

The Communities, Housing and Environment Committee, acting as the Crime and Disorder Committee, at its meeting held on 13 February 2018 approved the 2018-19 Strategic Assessment for adoption by Council.  In addition, at its meeting on 20 March 2018 the Committee approved the 2013-18 Community Safety Partnership Plan Refresh for adoption by Council, subject to some minor amendments.  It was noted that:-

·                The priorities from the Strategic Assessment for 2018/19 remain unchanged, although it was agreed at the Safer Maidstone Partnership meeting that ‘Other Violent Crime’ would be removed to allow for a greater focus on tacking domestic abuse, which makes up a significant proportion of all recorded violent crime.  Therefore the priorities are as follows:-

Domestic Abuse
Organised Crime Groups (including Modern Slavery)
Gangs and Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)
Substance Misuse
Mental Health

·                The refreshed plan and its action plans will be delivered under the umbrella of the Safer Maidstone Partnership via the subgroups set up for each priority.

Alternatives Considered and Why Not Recommended

1.           Do nothing.  This is not a recommended option as the Strategic Assessment shows that community safety trends have changed.  Other emerging issues need to be addressed by the partnership and if not picked up would potentially result in more victims of crime and anti-social behaviour, especially amongst the most at risk and vulnerable of society.

2.           By approving the Partnership Plan (refresh) and the identified priorities for 2018/19 would allow for it to be implemented by the SMP and enable the action plans to be delivered by its subgroups.  The priorities have been clearly evidenced within the Strategic Assessment and have been highlighted as priorities by the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner and other Community Safety Partnerships, both in Kent and nationally.

3.           Appendices

Appendix A – SMP Community Safety Partnership Plan Refresh 2013-18 and Combined CSP Action Plan 2018

Appendix B – SMP Community Safety Partnership – Strategic Assessment 2018/19