Agenda item

1.    The Commissioner introduced his report which provided examples of how recent published expenditure supported delivery of the ‘Safer in Kent’ priorities. 

2.    The Amelix ‘Is it worth it’ tour was engaging and an alternative to traditional lectures. 

3.    Magnate Generation focussed on providing business opportunities with an aim of empowering young people and giving them opportunities in life.

4.    The Commissioner referred to Shepway Chariots.  This was not directly associated with crime diversion but was an example of where money raised from seized and auctioned property belonging to offenders, often vehicles used to commit crime, was being invested back into communities. 

5.    Alongside these projects the Commissioner said he had protected funding for Community Safety Partnerships, and this was due to continue for 2018/19.  The victims fund had also been protected for the past 2 years and would be protected next year. 

6.    Next year there would be further work on hate crime.  The Commissioner reported that the Communities Together fund was currently closed due to its popularity and this would reopen next year.

7.    In response to a question about Magnate Generation the Commissioner would report back to the Member on which school in Folkestone would be involved in the initial project.   A member asked if £500 was sufficient funding for Shepway Chariots, and the Commissioner confirmed that Shepway Chariots were entitled to apply for more funding in the future if necessary.

8.    Regarding Amelix Ltd a member asked if there were any action points regarding digital sunset activities.  The Commissioner explained that he was keen to listen to young people about their experiences in relation to cyber-crime.  The digital sunset project aimed to discourage the use of electronic devices in the evening.  The Commissioner was exploring youth engagement to ensure that those who don’t have a vote do have a voice.  The related data would be published in due course.

9.    In relation to membership of the National Rural Crime Network a member said that Kent ranked in the top 5 for rural crime.  The Commissioner said that the intention of the funding was to share best practice and the Commissioner was asked what he had gained from the network given the enormity of rural crime.  The Commissioner regularly engaged with groups and the NFU/countryside land owners to ensure that he understood the challenges that they faced.  Rural crime was a priority, there was a focus on raising awareness of the challenges, learning from others good practice and bringing this good practice to Kent. 

10. In response to a comment about engaging with young people who were at risk of entering the criminal justice system, the Commissioner explained that the Police Cadet Scheme would be expanding over the next couple of years.  The national target was 25% of police cadets to be from ‘vulnerable’ backgrounds but over 30% of Kent’s cadets were considered vulnerable.  Work was also underway focussing on domestic violence in rural communities where there was evidence to suggest that there were problems in isolated communities. 

11. A Member concurred that rural crime was increasing, he referred to problems in Thanet.  The Commissioner acknowledged the issue and confirmed that the Chief Constable did have a dedicated rural policing team and dedicated PCSOs attached to local communities, including rural areas. 

12. A member asked what criteria was being used to gauge the success of the Amelix Ltd tours?  The Commissioner commented that when work was done to raise awareness there was then a challenge with increased crime reporting.  The Commissioner was working to ensure that there were clear referral pathways and that young people were protected.  Ways of measuring included feedback from schools, clear referral pathways, the monitoring of information coming from schools and numbers increasing.  There was a low base line so crime statistics would show whether the impact had been successful. 

RESOLVED that Members note the update on expenditure to support the Police and Crime Plan.