Agenda and minutes

No declarations were made.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 8 December 2021 were an accurate record and that they be signed by the Chairman.

1.    The Chair introduced the item and set out the intention to scrutinise the draft Police and Crime Plan and Precept Proposal in two separate parts.

Police and Crime Plan

2.    The Commissioner provided a verbal overview of the draft ‘Making Kent Safer’ Police and Crime Plan, which included his seven priorities for Kent Police over the next three years. He paid tribute to his staff for their support developing the plan and facilitating public consultation. The Panel were reminded that Police and Crime Plans were a statutory requirement under the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011. Regarding the public consultation carried out in advance of the Plan’s formulation, the Commissioner informed Members that residents and local business owners were asked for their policing priorities and issues of strategic importance. It was noted that the consultation survey ran simultaneously with the Violence against Women and Girls survey. He confirmed that sexual offences were highlighted by the public as a key priority and stressed the need to tackle the issue. In addition to online responses, which formed the majority of responses, he affirmed that consultation at Police open days and community group meetings had taken place. Concerning delivery, he confirmed that the Chief Constable had been consulted and endorsed the Plan. The Plan’s seven priorities were detailed: working with residents, communities and businesses to fight crime and antisocial behaviour; tackling violence against women and girls; protecting people from exploitation and abuse; combating organised crime and county lines; being visible and responsive to the needs of communities; preventing road danger and supporting Vision Zero; and protecting young people and providing opportunities. He emphasised that the priorities were of equal importance.

3.    The Commissioner compared the proposed priorities with those of his previous ‘Safer in Kent’ Plan. The importance of supporting businesses as well as residents was stressed. He verified that tackling violence against women and girls would be its own priority for the first time, having previously formed part of other priorities. In relation to combatting organised crime and county lines, he recognised that whilst the number of county lines gangs operating in Kent had halved, there was further work required. He confirmed that road safety was another new priority and reflected his commitment to support Kent County Council’s Vision Zero Road Safety Strategy. The importance of protecting young people, especially from Domestic Abuse, and providing them with opportunities was highlighted, with the work of the Police cadets and mini-cadets programmes mentioned as part of the continued commitment.

4.    Members asked a range of questions in relation to the draft Police and Crime Plan. Key issues raised by the Panel and responded to by the Commissioner included the following:

a.    In relation to crime escalation, a Member asked that anti-social behaviour be tackled in order to prevent future serious crime and threats to community safety. The Commissioner acknowledged the issue and stressed that tackling crime was important regardless of its severity. He recognised the impact of anti-social behaviour on communities and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

Question 1

Can the Commissioner provide the numbers of warranted police officers serving in Kent per 100 thousand of Kent’s population on the following dates:

31 December 2009

31 December 2021

(Cllr Richard Palmer, Swale Borough Council)

1.    The Commissioner advised that the data he had available from the Office of National Statistics related to March and for some years was based on population estimates. He confirmed police officer strength as of March 2010 was 3787, equating to 221 officers per 100,000 population; March 2016 officer strength fell to 3182, or 175 per 100,000 population; and March 2022 officer strength was 3970, or 213 per 100,000 population.  He added that the projection for March 2023, following the completion of the police uplift programme, was 4145 officers or approximately 222 per 100,000 based on the current population estimate.

Question 2

The Commissioner will be aware that Kent is a large and diverse County with many localised needs so does he share and agree with me and will he take steps to ensure Kent Police are resourced and structured to support such true, local and equal partnership working based on that meets these local needs as long as it meets statutory requirements and that strategic direction is set as local as possible by those that are able to set strategic direction rather than a one size fits all and wholly County wide approach.

(Cllr Shane Mochrie-Cox, Gravesham Borough Council)

2.    The Commissioner reminded the Panel of his responsibilities for countywide policing priorities and the Chief Constable’s role in allocating policing resources appropriately in response to the priorities. He explained the local policing structure on a division and district level. A pledge was made to hold the Chief Constable to account on local performance and outcomes.

RESOLVED that the answers provided by the Commissioner be noted.

RESOLVED that the report be approved.

RESOLVED that the work programme be noted.

RESOLVED that the future meeting date be noted.