Agenda item

Question 1:

Can the PCC advise the Panel whether he is taking any specific action to hold the Chief Constable to account on Kent Police’s response to Modern Slavery and Sexual Exploitation, particularly regarding vulnerable children? Also, can the Commissioner advise whether this holding to account, includes consideration of whether Kent Police are collaborating effectively with relevant partner agencies, such as Border Force and HMRC?

(Richard Palmer – Swale Borough Council)

1.      The Commissioner advised that he held the Chief Constable to account on these and other key issues via the Performance & Delivery Board meetings.  He had received relevant reassurances from the Chief Constable and reports at the Performance & Delivery Board had shown the significant efforts made by Kent Police to tackle these issues.  These included the investment in the Misper and Child Sexual Exploitation teams, working with partners and communities and making numerous arrests and referrals. 

2.      The Commissioner advised that he was assured that Kent Police did collaborate with the Border Force, HMRC and the National Crime Agency.  He also commented that the OPCC were committed to working with suppliers to ensure that his office is not investing in any organisations with links to modern slavery or other organised crime.

Questions 2

Over the past two years, this Panel has supported the Commissioner’s request for additional resources, in particular for the recruitment of more Police Constables. Can the Commissioner please confirm (a) where this additional capacity has been allocated both in terms of activity and District, and (b) give evidence of the difference this additional resource has made in reducing crime and improving visible community policing? And can the answer to (b) please be supported by a document (info graphic) which can be easily shared with residents who ultimately pay and want to see where their money is being spent?

(MJ Holloway – Dover District Council)

3.      The Commissioner provided a note on the recent allocations of Officers.  He advised that geography was a difficult point to capture as the resources have been provided at a Divisional level rather District.  This meant that there would not be an even spread of extra officers in each District but he explained that the resources had been deployed based on demand.  The Commissioner accepted that this would not please all residents but he was satisfied that this deployment based on demand was appropriate.

4.      The Commissioner commented that crime was down in areas with new Town Beat Officers but also highlighted some other positive operational activity such as Operation Eminent which sought to tackle knife crime and had led to 1152 arrests, 292 warrants, 1247 stop and searches and 127 cash seizures.  He advised that such operations would not have been possible with reduced resources, so evidenced the benefits of the increased Officer numbers he had supported.

5.      In terms of sharing more information about the deployment, he advised that he would engage with Kent Police about improved communication and infographics to assist.

Question 3:

At a recent meeting of the Gravesham Borough Council Crime and Disorder Scrutiny Committee, Town Centre Policing was discussed with praise given for the two police officers assigned. Given the positive impact of this initiative so far and the expected additional resources made possible within the updated Police and Crime Plan and associated Budget, can the Commissioner advise the Panel if and how he plans to work with the Chief Constable to develop this scheme, so that the success and benefits may be expanded further to include 24/7 coverage and increased visible policing dealing with the night time economy across all Districts in Kent?

(Shane Mochrie-Cox – Gravesham Borough Council)

6.      The Commissioner welcomed the positive feedback about the Town Police Officers from Gravesham Borough Council.  He advised that the deployment continued to be based on demand but that a 6-month review was planned.  If this review was positive, then consideration would be given to expanding the scheme further.  In terms of the hour coverage, the Commissioner explained that working patterns would be looked at but that depended on considering a range of different available resources.

RESOLVED that the Commissioner’s answers to questions from Panel Members be noted.