Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that the notes of the meeting held on 21 March 2023 were correctly recorded and be signed by the Chairman.

1.    Ms S Brinson (Community Safety Team Leader, KCC) gave an overview of the eight priorities within the Community Safety Agreement (CSA) and highlighted that the action plan has been refreshed. The action plan includes the key pieces of work that are being delivered by community safety partners across the county linking in with other multi-agency groups and strategies where possible and includes projects being funded through the Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC) Crime Reduction Grant. It is a living document meaning that it can be updated and amended in-year should the need arise.

2.    One priority within the CSA is tackling domestic abuse and includes actions to deliver and coordinate Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHRs) as well as the DHR lessons identified seminars; improve the functionality of the Kent and Medway Domestic Abuse Services website; and produce bitesize videos about the signs of domestic abuse and safety planning. The other priorities are Road Safety; Substance Misuse; Preventing Neighbourhood Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour; Serious Violence and Organised Crime; Safeguarding Vulnerable People; Preventing Extremism and Hate and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) have had their actions refreshed. There was also a miscellaneous category which includes improving the strategic assessment process, producing videos from training sessions, and delivering training on other aspects of the KCSPs work.

3.    Mr S Peerbux (Head of Community Safety, KCC) added that following comments from the Crime and Disorder Scrutiny Committee last year, the action plan regarding safeguarding vulnerable people was also being developed to include a focus on scams.

4.    The Chair thanked officers for the comprehensive report.

5.    A Partnership Member raised a concern regarding the work of the Violence Reduction Unit and the governance aspect over the specified authorities who cover the county, highlighted on page five of the appendix. It was confirmed that the PCC had oversight of the Violence Reduction Unit and the word governance could be replaced with the word oversight.

6.    A Partnership Member commented that the substance misuse priority needed to link in with partners who worked to tackle these crimes, particularly regarding the issue of supply. The Partnership Member asked if the safeguarding vulnerable people priority could liaise with Kent Police regarding the Local Drug Information System (LDIS).

7.    A Partnership Member noted that Kent was the only PREVENT priority area in the Southeast of England, so PREVENT needed to remain a priority for the KCSP and needed to work closely with partners.

8.    The Chair raised the issue of illegal vapes and asked if this would be included within the action plan. Ms Brinson confirmed that illegal vapes were being tackled from a trading standards and public health viewpoint, and the KCSP would continue to share information regarding the new duties surrounding illegal vapes. Ms Mookherjee (Public Health, KCC) added that illegal vaping was an emerging issue in public health and was being linked to the smoking cessation team. Mr Wilkinson (Assistant Director Contest and Serious Organised Crime, KCC) confirmed that illegal vaping also had the potential  ...  view the full minutes text for item 90.

1.    Mr Peerbux introduced the update and outlined the projects that had been funded the previous financial year using PCC grant funding. These included: the trauma awareness programme and training pack which had delivered training to sixty professionals over four sessions, including professionals who worked directly with children and young people; a gaming and online awareness session on extremism which was available to approximately 900 school pupils. A VAWG Conference had also been delivered on 28 March 2023 which had been a hybrid event for 250 people, including many different agencies and partners. The event had included speakers on forensic psychology, misogyny and incel culture, and active bystanders and received positive feedback from delegates. A resource pack had been provided for delegates after the conference on the services available, and a video and PowerPoint had been uploaded to the Safer Communities Portal.

2.    The KCSP has been allocated just under £40,000 from the PCC for the 2023/24 financial year to deliver projects, of which one third was being retained for in-year project spending. The Working Group had been presented with 15 scoping ideas, of which they then had chosen to shortlist seven for detailed project proposals. Six of these projects had since been approved by the KCSP and the PCC including domestic abuse training videos, tackling abusive behaviour, online library resources, tackling victim blaming language and continued professional development (CPD) event focused on hate and extremism and another focused on Anti-Social Behaviour.

3.    The Kent Community Safety Team (KCST) held its first Community Safety Information Session (CSIS) in the new shorter format in June 2023, which outlined the new neighbourhood policing structure in Kent and had 60 attendees. The next CSIS was being held on 25 July 2023 with a focus on scams and dangerous dogs.

4.    The Chair thanked the KCST for coordinating a successful VAWG Conference, which had included many interesting speakers and another member praised the market place which provided information on services but also an opportunity for networking.

5.    It was noted that there was decision outstanding regarding funding for the online library joint project with the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU).

6.    It was noted that the next KCSP conference would be in February 2024 and a working group are exploring this further.  

RESOLVED that the KCSP:

1.    Noted the progress and actions undertaken by the Working Group and the work of the KCST.

1.    Mr Peerbux provided his annual review of the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the KCSP and its sub-groups. He highlighted the government consultation on CSPs and explained that a response to this consultation had been completed through the Chair, however, there have been no updates since.

2.    It was noted that there were few changes to the ToRs, mostly in relation to the membership to reflect the Clinical Commissioning Groups changing to Integrated Care Boards (ICB). The Serious Violence Duty and Domestic Abuse Act updates had also be added to the Terms of Reference following changes to legislation.

3.    It was noted that the KCSP Working Group was currently without a Chair, and the DHR Steering Group was without a Vice-Chair. Mr Peerbux encouraged nominations from the KCSP group to these roles.

RESOLVED that the KCSP:

1.    Agreed the Terms of Reference for the KCSP and approved the Terms of Reference for the KCSPs two subgroups (KCSP Working Group and the DHR Steering Group).

2.    Noted that the KCSP Working Group and the DHR Steering Group currently requires a Chair and a Vice-Chair respectively.

3.    All KCSP member organisations shown in the Terms of Reference should ensure that they are signed up to the latest version of the Kent and Medway Information Sharing Agreement.

4.    Noted that the Terms of Reference for the KCSP and its subgroups will be reviewed annually and included as an agenda item at least once a year.

1.    Ms Agyepong (Assistant Director, Adult Social Care, KCC) introduced the update. The new Domestic Abuse Strategy would begin the consultation process on 24 July and would help to strengthen partnership working and how local authorities responded to domestic abuse situations, to ensure that victims of domestic abuse received support quickly and with a holistic approach.

2.    Ms Hunter-Whitehouse (Senior Project Officer for Domestic Abuse, KCC) outlined the three key themes of the strategy which were intervention and prevention; immediate needs; and recovery; and the work that had been undertaken to develop these themes and the subsequent outcomes and actions. The Domestic Abuse Research team had conducted eleven interviews and fifty surveys with victims to ensure direct experience was included in the strategy.

3.    It was noted the consultation would run from 14 July to 16 October to encourage as much feedback on the strategy as possible. The consultation would be promoted through videos and social media as well as more formal consultation methods and would be available in easy-read version.

4.    The Chair questioned what would happen after the consultation and how the strategy would be embedded. Ms Hunter-Whitehouse confirmed that the strategy outlined 27 commitments which would be embedded through a detailed delivery plan, alongside sub-groups who would help to take forward actions and would include members of the KCSP. Ms Agyepong added that the strategy would also link to partner agencies such as the PCC, Department of Work and Pensions, and the Fire and Rescue Service.

5.    A Partnership Member commented that it was good to see both Adults Social Care and Children’s Social Care being included in the strategy at the intervention and prevention stage.

6.    The Chair asked for an update on the report be presented to Committee once the consultation had concluded so KCSP Members could discuss how the strategy would be embedded.

7.    A Partnership Member raised a concern as a definition for prevention was not included within the strategy. A concern was also raised regarding the clarity of who owned the strategy and the governance structures that would surround it, in accordance with legislation.

RESOLVED that the KCSP:

1.    Noted the development of the strategy.

2.    Considered the progress made report.

3.    Considered the draft executive summary, and draft strategy.

1.    Mr Harper (Chief Executive Officer, Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner) introduced the update and provided an overview of the local and national mental health police response. The number of S136 detentions undertaken by police in Kent has been reducing year on year which has resulted in the lowest figure since records began for 2022/23. This was now in line with the national figure for S136 detentions. This positively impacted the person suffering from a mental health crisis as it meant they were being seen by the right person, and positively impacted the police as they had more time to focus on other issues, as well as giving more time to mental health specialists. The mental health police team in Kent had introduced new working practices such as an investigative process and consistent partnership approach, which focussed on the right patient intervention at the right time by the right partner. A new advice line, staffed by partners, had also been introduced in Kent which provided the police with direct clinical advice from professionals and resulted in fewer S136 detentions.

2.    Mr Harper provided an update on the national mental health policing picture, as approximately 20-40% of a police officer’s time was spent on mental health incidents. There were new mental health ambulances and increased mental health infrastructure systems in place nationwide, which included specialised S136 centres and new mental health cafes. There was also a National Partnership Agreement which introduced the Right Care, Right Person model across the country, although this was not mandated.

3.    Superintendent Steenhuis (Kent Police) added that the S136 partnership approach focussed on ensuring the right care with the right partner, whether that be the police, KCC, or the Integrated Care Board. There were numerous projects across Kent and Medway including a new mental health safe haven in Medway, new mental health ambulances, and increased access to crisis care.

4.    It was noted that there would be an annual update on Kent Police’s response to mental health, as well as ad-hoc verbal updates when necessary.

RESOLVED that the Kent Police and Crime Commissioners response to Mental Health: Verbal Update be noted.

1.    Superintendent Steenhuis (Kent Police) introduced the update and explained that the restructure had begun to be rolled out on 7 June 2023, and this hoped to streamline processes and increase community engagement through ward-based beat police officers. The new restructure also included Child Centred Policing Team, a Neighbourhood Task Force, a Rural Task Force, and Prevention Hubs. 50 ward-based police officers were now in post, with the rollout expected to be complete in September 2024 at the latest through a phased approach.

2.    The Chair raised a concern regarding the loss of Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), who had been successful at engaging with their communities and engaging with disadvantaged children and young people.

3.    A Partnership Member echoed the Chair’s comments and felt that PCSOs had provided good continuity in their communities. A concern was raised regarding the new ward-based police officers being redistributed outside of their communities. Superintendent Steenhuis confirmed that a robust extraction policy was being implemented to ensure that neighbourhood police officers were last to be extracted for events or issues that occurred across the borough.

4.    A Partnership Member raised a concern regarding the definition of a ward, and if each ward in a district would receive one ward-based police officer. Superintendent Steenhuis stated that Kent Police had considered the volume of demand and level of harm when determining how many ward-based police officers to deploy. For example, one neighbourhood police officer might cover three to four wards depending on the demand and level of harm in an area. A map was available on the Kent Police website to show the area covered by a neighbourhood police officer.

5.    Mr Peerbux highlighted that the KCC budget saving proposals in February 2023 had agreed to reduce the Kent Community Warden Service (KCWS) budget by £1million over two years, which equated to almost half of the overall budget. A consultation was being undertaken on the KCWS and the team would be looking to retain support for elderly residents in the community and community development projects. A community base would be retained, but the team would need to consider where community wardens were deployed, and relevant partners would be included in these conversations.

RESOLVED that the Neighbourhood Policing Restructure Update be noted.

1.    Mr M Powell introduced the report and provided a brief summary of the new Act and how it related to specified authorities. A new Serious Violence Prevention Partnership (SVPP) had been established, which would be chaired by the Police and Crime Commissioner, and they had already agreed the definition of serious violence, including public place violence, and violence linked to domestic and sexual abuse.

2.    It was noted that the Violence Reduction Unit was focusing on young people aged 10-24, as they were disproportionately involved in serious violence as either perpetrators or victims, particularly regarding knife crime injury and robbery.

3.    The SVPP Board had outlined their priorities which were commissioning a strategic needs assessment; developing a data sharing platform; and commissioning a report to understand multiagency links to ensure no duplication of work.

4.    It was noted that the strategic needs assessment would be completed in January and would then be presented to KCSP Members.

RESOLVED that the KCSP note the contents of the report and support the actions from the Serious Violence Prevention Partnership Board.

·       16 November 2023

·       14 March 2024

RESOLVED that the KCSP noted the dates of the next meetings.

1.    Mr Peerbux provided an update on the Kent and Medway Domestic Homicide Review (DHR) cases as well as case briefings on the most recently published cases for Kitty and Leanne which can be found on the KCC website using the link below.

https://www.kent.gov.uk/about-the-council/partnerships/kent-communitysafety-

RESOLVED that the KCSP note the update on the Domestic Homicide Reviews.

1.    Mr Wilkinson (Assistant Director Contest and Serious Organised Crime, KCC) KCC) provided an update on the PREVENT Duty Delivery Board.

RESOLVED that the KCSP note the update on the PREVENT Duty Delivery Board.