Agenda item

1.    The Chairman stated that this was an important issue, one which the Panel had had much discussion over in the past.

2.    The Commissioner introduced the report. She said she had spent the past two years explaining the increase in the Force’s performance figures up to July 2014 as a result of the improved accuracy of crime recording.  The report showed that the Force had continued to maintain a very high level of recording accuracy and the Commissioner was pleased to report that, comparing 12 months data at the same high level of accuracy, recorded crime had fallen by 1.5% which equalled 1500 fewer victims of crime.  The only target set by the Home Secretary was to reduce crime, but for Kent it was also about reducing the number of victims of crime.  The Commissioner explained the history of crime recording in Kent, that she had commissioned HMIC to independently review crime recording accuracy and this found a 90% accuracy rate which was not acceptable.  Subsequently, the Force had worked hard to improve the accuracy of crime recording and the Commissioner’s Chief of Staff was previously the Crime Registrar, playing a key role in facilitating this work.  All numerical targets had been removed, officers had to provide a quality service and crime recording was now at 96-97% accuracy.  When HMIC inspected police forces nationally, they found that levels of crime recording accuracy ranged from 60 – 80%. 

3.    The Commissioner explained that July 2014 was the new baseline and provided a like for like comparison with the subsequent year’s data.  Members were referred to the graphs at page 19 of their meeting pack.  Kent’s crime levels initially increased due to the improved accuracy of crime recording, but Kent now had one of the lowest increases in recorded crime.  Kent had been praised nationally for its improvement in crime recording accuracy. 

4.    The most recent data from September 2014 - August 2015 showed that the reduction in crime had been maintained. Whilst some offences had increased, the Commissioner said this reflected victims being more confident to report crimes, most notably domestic abuse and historic sexual offences.  The Commissioner confirmed that she was pleased with the progress but not complacent, stating that this issue was discussed at every Governance Board meeting.  The Commissioner explained the role of Compass House in supporting victims of crime, and said that a number of Panel members were due to visit Compass House in November to see the facilities first hand. 

5.    The Chairman confirmed that there was confidence in Kent’s crime recording figures, recognising that it was extremely difficult to compare forces unless they had similar reporting accuracy rates, and this was putting HMIC in a difficult position when publishing comparative national data.

6.    The Commissioner was congratulated on the report and the improvement in crime recording accuracy.  A Member asked whether fraud and internet crime was included in the crime figures.  The Commissioner explained that the City of London Police had responsibility for fraud and cyber-crime, and that the National Crime survey conducted by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) had not asked the public whether they had been victims of fraud or cyber-crime until 2015.  The ONS estimated that there were 3 million victims of fraud or cyber-crime last year.  The Commissioner offered to provide a report to the Panel on fraud and cyber-crime at a future meeting. 

7.    One Member commented that the focus should be on reducing crime rather than comparing with other forces; the Commissioner agreed and explained that the graphs showed a comparison of year on year data for Kent Police.

8.    In response to a question about crime being properly investigated and detected, the Commissioner explained that this was the responsibility of the Chief Constable.  The Commissioner stated that this was regularly monitored through the Governance Board to which all Members were welcome. 

9.    A concern was raised about members of the public not reporting crime because they did not feel it would be investigated. The Commissioner was asked how she was encouraging the public to report crime. The Commissioner said she reinforced the message that crime should always be reported at all public events.  Rural crime in Kent was reducing, and the Commissioner offered to report back to the Panel on this and the Rural Task Force.

10. In response to a question about the breakdown of violent crime and sexual offences the Commissioner referred to domestic abuse.  The recording of domestic abuse had increased and the Commissioner said this was positive because it meant the public had greater confidence to report to the police.  Within the domestic abuse figures, first-time recording had increased and recording of repeat abuse had reduced due to victims getting the support they needed.  There was on-going work with partners to promote the reporting of domestic abuse, an awareness campaign was run during the previous football World Cup and would likely be run again next year.

11. In response to a question about the 101 and 999 service the Commissioner explained that she had recently spent time in the Force Control Room as there had been concerns about the 101 service.  999 calls were the top priority and if there was a spike in demand for the 101 service then there may be a delay in calls being answered. Cuts to the Force budget had resulted in fewer staff yet the demand had not reduced.  The majority of calls to 101 were not reporting crime, sometimes as low as 20% related to crime.  During July 2015 there were 4000 extra calls to the Force Control Room regarding Operation Stack and whether roads were open. 

12. A Member requested that the crime clear up rate be included in future crime performance reports. 

RESOLVED that the Panel welcome the reduction in victims of crime, particularly burglaries and congratulate the Force on the high level of crime recording accuracy.  Where there were increases, the Panel wishes to keep a watchful eye.  The Panel welcomes the Commissioner’s offer to report back on fraud, cyber-crime and also rural crime in Kent including the Rural Task Force at a future meeting.