7th September 2017

Report of the Police & Crime Commissioner

Priority Update: Prevent Crime & Anti-social Behaviour

1. Purpose of the Report

1.1 The purpose of this report is to provide the Police and Crime Panel with a Priority Update: Prevent Crime and Anti-social Behaviour (ASB).

2. Recommendations

2.1 The Panel is asked to consider the report and comment on any aspects of the report.

3. Background

3.1 In 2017 Merseyside’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) refreshed her Police and Crime Plan and renewed her commitment to making prevent crime and ASB a priority. This report provides information on:

how Merseyside Police are working towards this priority; an update on the work to protect vulnerable people; an update on the Commissioner’s activities to ensure crime and

ASB issues are addressed; and how funding is being used to tackle the causes of this issue.

4. Merseyside Police Update

4.1 Merseyside Police have a comprehensive plan in place to tackle and reduce crime and ASB. The plan is based around the four Ps and is readily accessible to Merseyside Police’s front line practitioners.

4.2 Listed below, is a summary of progress by Local Authority area against the 4 Ps.

4.3 Knowsley

4.4 Prevent

In February 2017, Knowsley Local Policing (LP) team began an Early Help pilot seconding four PCSOs who are currently managing 14 open cases. To date they have completed approximately 125 cases to conclusion. The cases consist of mostly Bronze domestic violence cases, however, six further cases have been referred through the Local Policing team, and these cases are high

demand/repeat caller cases. All of the staff involved have now completed in-house training on how to refer high demand generators to appropriate agencies/partners.

The below work is a direct result of the pilot;

Roseheath Drive, Halewood: long standing neighbour dispute over last 2 years, Local Policing team explored problem solving/partnership work. Referred to Early Help team who were successful in arranging mediation and for the first time we have seen dramatic reduction in calls for service.

Bowring Park Avenue: one particular family had been repeat callers/high demand in terms of domestic violence. Partnership referrals including health, family mediation and support were unavailable. As a result, this family is now on the property ladder, with no further reports of domestic violence.

Repeat victim/offender from the Bakers Green area, known for prostitution and anti-social behaviour. Referred by Local Policing Command team who recognised the level of demand being placed on local resources.  Now engaging with Early Help team with no further calls.

Again in the Bakers Green area, following a long term neighbour dispute, mediation took place followed by a referral to the relevant housing trust. The boundary was reassessed for environmental solution with no further calls to date.

Domestic violence victim who, along with her son, needed to be placed into temporary accommodation. The Early Help team housed both with a permanent housing trust placement. The son was referred to the Prince’s Trust and is currently part of a football apprenticeship. With the threat now reduced, the victim was confident enough after the early help intervention to move away from the offender.

4.5 In the June 2017 Performance Scrutiny Group, the Commissioner highlighted current levels of domestic abuse. It was acknowledged that although levels of offending were stable, this crime type was a concern, particularly within the ‘violence against the person’ category, in which domestic abuse accounts for 76% of recorded incidents. It was highlighted that there is a particular need to address repeat offending. As a result Merseyside Police are looking at ways of addressing repeat offending of Domestic Abuse through the Protecting Vulnerable People Strand Lead.

4.6 Pursue

During the months of July and August 2017, Knowsley Local Policing team seized 20 illegal motorcycles and also conducted 13 joint visits with partners to addresses where intelligence suggested off-road motorcycles were being stored. Predominantly, this was as a direct result of community intelligence and the outcomes have been published on social media pages. This will remain a priority for the Local Policing team throughout the summer period and beyond.

4.7 During the September 2016 Performance and Scrutiny Group (PSG), the PCC was provided with an overview of information received via Crimestoppers, including intelligence gathered as a result of public calls to this anonymous crime reporting facility, together with results. As a result Crimestoppers launched a joint campaign with Merseyside Police to encourage the public’s use of Crimestoppers to report any incident associated with scrambler bikes. During the December 2016 PSG the PCC was also provided with an update on the criminal dangers associated with motorcycles.

4.8 In addition, Knowsley Local Policing teams continue to conduct searches of open land when intelligence suggests weapons or stolen property may be concealed at these locations. They will also continue to work with partners to search void and vacant properties in the Knowsley area and, in July, a shotgun was recovered in the Kirkby area at an empty property.

4.9 The PCC enquired and was provided with an update in the December 2016 PSG regarding the numbers of firearms discharges and the strategy that was being implemented to reduce the number of discharges.

4.10 As a result of two long running Force problem solving processes, or Scan Assess Review Analyze (SARAs), anti-social behaviour in Knowsley has reduced in Broad Lane, Kirkby by 29.55% and in the Hillside area of Huyton by 51.47%, based on the same periods in 2016.

4.11 As a result of a policing operation, an individual suspected to be involved in gun crime in Knowsley was arrested in possession of a Section 1 Firearm (handgun). This was a significant arrest and the man was remanded in custody.

4.12 A prolific offender was named as being responsible for burglary in the Knowsley area and, in addition, was wanted on a recall to prison. He proved difficult to locate and when spoken to on the telephone, stated he would not hand himself and officers would not find him. Following intense activity by Knowsley staff, he was located and arrested. During the arrest he threatened officers with a knife and was violent towards them. Currently, he remains in custody.

4.13 In relation to burglary dwelling, which had shown a recent increase, the PCC was informed in the June 2017 PSG that this crime category was subject to seasonal fluctuations, but offences had remained relatively static overall. The recent increase in these offences was largely attributable to car key burglaries (up from 3% to 24%) and frequently linked to organised crime group (OCG) activity. These offences, including cross border offenders, were considered in detail at Senior Responsible Officer (SRO) crime meetings. In comparison with other forces, Merseyside was performing well.

4.14 In Stockbridge Village a number of gang injunctions have been obtained relating to a group of individuals involved in organised criminality. Although resource intensive, the benefits have been clear in that these individuals are no longer permitted into the area and the fact they will be subject to court

proceedings should they associate with each other has been vital in reducing firearms discharges and associated criminality.

4.15 Protect

In a five month period a female living in the Halewood area was the victim of criminal damage to her motor vehicle on six separate occasions. The female lived at her home address with her daughter and felt extremely vulnerable. Through the work of the Community Team, evidence was collated that identified the neighbour responsible for the damage. He has subsequently been charged and convicted at court.

4.16 Prepare

Meetings are now well underway with partners in relation to the anticipated increase in anti-social behaviour throughout the autumn period. A range of target hardening plans, diversionary activity for young people, safeguarding and high visibility patrols have been put in place around the Bonfire night period. In recent times, Knowsley has also seen an increase in the anti-social use of motorcycles and again ongoing work with partners is taking place in order to reduce this issue and make communities safer.

4.17 Liverpool

4.18 Prevent

A programme was launched in Speke primary schools called “Get Away N Get Safe”. This is a school gang prevention programme which the local policing team successfully secured funding for, the aim of the project is to deliver targeted intervention in each of the four primary schools. The head teachers praised this work and have now agreed to fund this themselves for the next school year. This work is proven to help vulnerable young people and offer support by teaching coping mechanisms to avoid criminal exploitation, gun and gang crime. It has been used successfully in other parts of the country. Whilst difficult to demonstrate the impact of this now, it is hoped it will prevent primary school children with options in how to avoid gang related activity and being vulnerable to such in future.

4.19 “Drink Less Enjoy More” is a multi-agency partnership approach (police, council, public health) to reducing levels of alcohol consumed by people before and during the night time economy in Liverpool city centre. This is to reduce vulnerability and chances of being a victim or offender, as well as health benefits. This involves educating the public about the fact it is an offence to purchase alcohol for someone who is drunk and the impact; educating and training bar staff and licensees on the legislation and how to avoid serving someone who is drunk, and then enforcement/advice to bars who do breach the legislation.

4.20 This approach was backed up by independent evaluation from Liverpool John Moores University. They carried out surveys with the public in the night time economy and bar staff which demonstrated increased awareness and some

reduction in consumption. They also used actors who appeared drunk to see who was served. In 2014 nearly 80% were served but in 2015 this reduced to just over 20% and in 2016 just over 30%, which shows the sustainability of the work. It will continue throughout 2017 and beyond and is being expanded across the city centre, and now has agreement from the pan Merseyside local authorities including some in Cheshire for wider consideration and roll out.

4.21 During the June 2017 PSG, the PCC noted that owing to the frequent changes to the methodology of recording crime (on the advice of HMIC) it was often difficult to accurately assess trends in crime, particularly violent crime. The PCC was informed that the Force received an annual ‘high level’ report on hospital A&E data, but not weekly data which would help to corroborate the assertion that there had not been a real increase in violent crime, the increase in figures being a consequence of strict adherence to crime recording standards. The Commissioner was advised that levels of violent crime recorded on Merseyside were broadly in line with regional and national statistics.

4.22 Merseyside Police is one of the key partners in the rehabilitation, education, support and treatment (REST) facility within the city centre. For 5 months of the year the centre at the rear of the old coach station on Norton Street is used for street drinkers to attend during the day. It is open for 10 hrs and provides them with an opportunity to have their drinking controlled and access to other services, including support for accommodation, health and referral to other services who can assist in education and training. On average 19 people a day use the centre and more than 100 have used it since it opened in spring this year. A number have been referred to other agencies and from previous years there are some who are mentoring others now.

4.23 Prevent Early Help update

Ten PCSOs have just started their six week training programme which has been compiled by the workforce development manager for early help in Liverpool council.

4.24 The officers commence their roles on Monday 2nd October in the early help hub at Norris Green library. They will focus on high demand generators across Liverpool and then, in respect of the local work, they will focus providing support and intervention in relation to domestic abuse victims in the north of the city initially. This is because an independent evaluation commissioned by the local authority in 2016 found the largest volumes of domestic abuse in the corridor from Walton, through Everton, Anfield, Kensington and into Fairfield. Females in the age range 21-30yrs and with children will be the main focus, which will also impact positively on acute childhood experiences.

4.25 A funding bid to the Home Office has resulted in £400,000 in funding over three years to support this in the form of domestic abuse workers who will work with the PCSOs, partners in the early help hubs and victims to provide effective support, reduce abuse, and reduce the number of referrals into children’s statutory services

4.26 Pursue

A “Use It, Lose It” scheme was launched in the summer of 2017. This is a social landlord scheme in Liverpool, supported strongly by police and the local authority, and is aimed at those who use or cultivate cannabis in their properties. The work will involve social landlords taking action against tenants found to be in breach of the law in this area.

4.27 Gang injunctions have been extended for five members of an OCG in Speke, preventing associations with other members of the gang and prohibiting them entering large areas of Speke. Gang injunctions have also been obtained for four members of an OCG in Norris Green to prevent them associating together and from engaging in threatening behaviour.

4.28 Closure orders have been executed on premises across Liverpool for gun crime, anti-social behaviour and use of premises as a brothel. This means private residences have been closed and there was also closure of some business premises connected to organised crime and child sexual exploitation (CSE) in the Kirkdale and city centre areas respectively.

4.29 Following community concern from businesses in the city centre in relation to burglaries, an operation was launched with the local authority and the Business Improvement District (BID). This included crime prevention messages, effective use of the media and significant enforcement. Since February of this year there have been 27 people arrested for burglary offences in the city centre, of which 19 have been charged and a significant number receiving custodial sentences. In order to support this, the BID have agreed to pay for a member of staff to support citywatch managing the CCTV of a Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening and the radio link scheme for bars, eateries and bars has again been implemented. Burglaries have reduced considerably.

4.30 Protect

Following significant concerns in relation to levels of ASB in the Speke area, with a proportion of it being in relation to groups of youths hanging around and other relating to criminal and antisocial use of off road bikes, (some of which included members of organised crime groups using scramblers to carry out firearms incidents), a PSPO has now been in place for a year. There has been a significant reduction in the number of calls to police, which have reduced by 32% in relation to overall ASB and 48% in relation to ASB involving scramblers and similar vehicles. There was also wider work carried out as part of the DISARM response in Liverpool with local partners looking at organised crime, with some closure orders put in place and support of vulnerable people.

4.31 Following concerns in February 2017 in relation to ASB directed towards the Polish community in Croxteth, including damage to houses and cars and reporting of such in a Polish newspaper, a partnership response was put in place. This included the Police, Housing Association and the Fire Service. A

community newsletter translated into Polish was delivered for support and advice, including contact numbers. The mobile police station was placed in the community and at places of work on the industrial estate near to the area where the Polish are employed to offer reassurance and glean information. Messages were delivered through schools with the school based officer, a community meeting was held, Citysafe provided mobile CCTV coverage and diversionary activity was carried out by the Fire Service, which still continues in the form of a climbing wall and the street based intervention team. ASB legislation was also used including a dispersal order, Acceptable Behaviour Contracts and Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs). Those key people involved in the ASB were referred to the early help hub for support and intervention. This had a positive impact on the Polish community.

4.32 Prepare

An initiative is in place, led by two PCSOs from the Walton Lane community team (clean sweep) which involves working with school children in the area at primary age cleaning up their community around Everton’s ground before and after match day to ensure the area is well respected. The school children then go and watch the Everton game. It also assists in their learning about the importance of respecting their community and keeping areas clean. School teachers also assist and funding has been obtained for season 2017/18 to allow this to continue.

4.33 Significant training of businesses has continued right across Liverpool, the main focus of attention being placed on city centre businesses and establishments, including the local authority, Liverpool One, BID areas, etc, to prepare people in the event of a large scale criminal or terrorist attack. Officers from Special Branch are pivotal in this training so that people are aware of how to report suspicious activity and how to respond in the event of an attack.

4.34 Local authority officers, including waste management and street scene staff, have been give advice about preservation of any firearms they recover. This is to ensure integrity of such and give best possible chance of recovering forensics from any they find. They have recovered a number during various duties this year and this advice has assisted in increasing the chance of identifying who hid them.

4.35 Sefton

4.36 Prevent

4.37 Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) funding has been secured for a community project in the High Park area. The Phoenix Youth and Community Club will be built on Russell Road. This is the most deprived area of Southport with the strongest Organised Crime Group (OCG) links. The club will have a range of activities to encourage engagement from local youths, including football and boxing. There will also be activities for other age groups and it will be accessible to the whole community. This is an ongoing project at the planning permission stage. (Please see item 10.5 for further information)

4.38 A school anti-scrambler bike project is up and running for the fourth year, targeting primary schools in areas of high ASB use of scrambler bikes. This event has been very successful in the previous two years and will be extended this year after funding was received from the Local Authority and Chief Constable’s Priority Fund. Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) have also joined the team to assist in offering further events into the programme to build bridges between the OCG stronghold areas, prior to the children attending secondary school.

4.39 After a successful POCA bid, a Sergeant has worked with a large number of youth clubs in the South Sefton area to set up a large number of diversionary events throughout the summer holidays. This includes free entrance to the local cinema, party in the parks and leisure activities such as Segway riding. This has been accepted by the local youths and published in the Liverpool Echo.

4.40 Pursue

4.41 The Force has worked closely with Immigration Officers to target individuals from EU countries who have travelled to the area and are committing crime. As part of this ongoing operation seven individuals have been deported back to their countries of origin and two further individuals are currently going through the appeals process. These individuals have been involved in crimes including sexual offences, drugs offences, theft, violent offences and begging.

4.42 As a result of a rise in the number of reports of theft from a shop, two constables were tasked with researching and targeting the main offenders. Following several convictions for theft offences, three Criminal Behaviour Orders were obtained in respect of key individuals. Each of these orders has subsequently been breached and has resulted in a custodial sentence.

4.43 Following ongoing reports of drug dealing in a house of multi-occupancy, officers started to gather community intelligence and evidence. The landlord of the property refused to engage with officers and the situation continued to escalate with reports of violence being received. A drugs warrant was executed which resulted in two males being arrested and charged for possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply. A closure order was then applied for, which was complex due to the number of flats within the building and the evidence required to close them all. This order was subsequently granted and then extended for three months after a further application. All costs for boarding up have since been recovered from the landlord.

4.44 After a rise in ASB in the Marion Square area of Netherton, Police worked closely with the Local Authority to obtain a public space protection order (PSPO) in the area. The Local Police team and Local Authority team have also worked closely to obtain a closure order on an address being used by an OCG in a prime location to deal drugs, store scrambler bikes and commit ASB. Due to the amount of evidence and intelligence obtained, CBO’s have been issued to prime nominals several new gang injunction pending.

4.45 Protect

A PCSO has recently joined the Local Policing team in Southport who speaks Polish as his first language and also other Eastern European languages. He has become the SPOC for the large migrant community in Southport and has been working closely with the Migrant Workers Association. The work includes attending meetings, setting up a drop in at a local school and having police information translated into Polish for the local community. This has seen a positive improvement in relations with this community who it is believed historically under report crime, particularly domestic violence. This should help encourage crime reporting by building trust and understanding with the community.

4.46 Southport has a number of rough sleepers, beggars and street drinkers. We have worked closely with Light for Life in an effort to engage with these people in order to provide a long term solution, including looking at housing options, benefits and health. The Local Policing team started a policy of engagement with these individuals, signposting them towards partner agencies as the first option rather than immediate prosecution, a ‘carrot and stick’ approach was used for those unwilling to engage. Over the past 12 months this had led to 18 people being rehoused and provided with support to prevent the offending behaviour, and 8 people have been assisted to gain paid employment.

4.47 One of the hard to reach groups identified through incidents of crime and ASB last year were people who live, work or socialise in the more rural areas of the Force. An Inspector attended a national meeting looking at rural crime and volunteered to become the force rural crime SPOC, and sought the best way of reaching this community and providing a quality service.

4.48 As the people affected are mainly farmers, park wardens, recreation users and businesses and the offenders are often linked to serious and organised crime and OCGs, the inspector requested that the responsibility remained within Local Policing and obtained a SPOC from each Local Policing area who have received training in a wide range of rural crime and ASB issues. A ‘Farm Watch’ is currently in the process of being introduced with more than 70 farms, equestrian centres and businesses already applying to join. This is also being joined up with Lancashire Police to assist in a borderless approach to emerging issues and is already gaining praise from members of the community.

4.49 Prepare

Southport, along with part of south Sefton, has a designated zone in which drinking alcohol is prohibited. In October 2017 this area will convert to become the subject of a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO). Work is ongoing with the local council to prepare for this change, including ensuring that all mandatory requirements such as signage is amended and is current. All Local Policing staff will be trained to ensure they are ready to use the new legislation when it comes into place.

4.50 Southport has a vibrant night time economy with a large number of pubs and clubs within the town centre. A constable was appointed as the Licensing SPOC and has worked closely with Southport Business Improvement District (BID) to engage with the businesses. A pub watch scheme is currently running which includes administering the ‘banned from one, banned from all’ scheme, in which known troublemakers are excluded from all premises. The constable secured funding from Southport BID to launch a scheme whereby body worn cameras would be purchased for door staff working in the area in a bid to try to reduce violent crime and assist in prosecutions. This is believed to be the first scheme of its kind and is a major part of the application for purple flag status for Southport.

4.51 In south Sefton police continue to train staff on areas of concern. Staff have recently been trained to become ‘dementia friends’ and also receive suicide awareness training. Officers have also been trained in the use of the DNA spray to target ASB use of scrambler bikes and the spray has since been used by a PCSO which resulted in the arrest of an OCG member.

4.52 Due to the high level knowledge and experience in the use of ASB legislation south Sefton neighbourhood have been mentioned as best practice in the NPCC ASB portfolio. As such three officers have been invited to give presentations to force leads on innovative approach to using ASB legislation.

4.53 St Helens

4.54 Prevent

4.55 Funding from the POCA has been match-funded by Heart of Glass, a Community based Arts project and the Local Authority to work together to reduce ASB in the town centre, namely skate-boarders. The project is on-going and design element will be presented to the OPCC in September. The project has engaged skaters and has already seen a massive reduction in the complaints received in the Town centre. (Please see item 10.5 for more information.)

4.56 The Local Policing Team have also engaged young people in the art of parkour (street running) that has been used as a diversionary activity.

4.57 A multi-agency approach has been taken to tackle knife crime, in partnership with St Helens Council and other agencies, after a series of incidents in the borough, some involving young people. The approach aimed to reduce incidents of knife crime, with an emphasis on education for young people. Four local schools have benefitted from visits by Merseyside Police, where Safer Schools Police Officers delivered awareness workshops. The Council’s Youth Offending Service will hold knife crime intervention sessions for the young people it supports. Merseyside Police have also run two week-long operations and open-land searches, in addition to its day-to-day policing.

4.58 Pursue

4.59 The Local Policing Team, Helena Housing, CSP and Torus have worked tirelessly together to obtain at least a dozen closure and eviction notices on persons that have been blighting communities with crime and ASB.

4.60 Quad Bike initiatives have also been held in response to local priorities around Parks and ASB to tackle those committing ASB.

4.61 Operation Greenhall has been run throughout the summer with the aim of addressing under-age drinking and disorder. This involved a PC and PCSO patrolling local parks and hotspot areas, removing alcohol and returning to youths to their home addresses. A follow up statement and a letter to the parents are produced, whilst education work is also carried out with local off-licences.

4.62 Protect

4.63 The Local Policing Team have been involved in numerous diversionary activities in order to keep young people from harm and off the streets. Examples such as Fuzz Fest - run by local PSCO’s in conjunction with Hope Academy has seen the team obtain equipment from various sponsors and has involved sports such as rounders being played with our teams and young people together.

4.64 Work has also been carried out on a homeless initiative in conjunction with local charities, the CSP and cabinet lead/Salvation Army around the Town Centre to try and provide greater support in terms of housing, substance abuse issues. This work was carried out as a result of a number of complaints of local business owners.

4.65 Prepare

4.66 ‘Business for Youth’- the team are involved with a local Youth worker in supporting and assisting young people to get involved in basic skills, this is based at Newton Cricket Club.

4.67 Thatto Heath Crusaders is a scheme starting in the autumn to provide mentors for young people referred through a variety of agencies.

4.68 Men’s Shed - An initiative involving mental health workers ad asylum seekers. Based in Taylor Park, it offers a men only service to support and learn and engage around mental health. The scheme teaches basic tool use and bicycle maintenance and has used a donation of old bikes from the police property system.

4.69 Wirral:

4.70 Prevent

4.71 Wallasey officers teamed up with the UTS Gym in Hoylake to take teenagers who are on the periphery of crime and ASB to weekly training sessions. This 16 week programme of health, well-being and fitness provided an excellent

way to improve the life-chances of young people and break down barriers. Feedback from the young people has been excellent and funding has now been obtained by the UTS to open up a similar scheme in the south of the borough.

4.72 Officers from Birkenhead teamed up with Wirral Sixth Form College to produce a play about the devastating consequences of anti-social behaviour. This play, entitled ‘Bored’ used actors from the college and has been performed at secondary schools around the borough to approximately 1500 young people. The response has been very positive and many young people questioned reported that it opened their eyes to the consequences of what they thought was simple ‘messing around.’

4.73 Simultaneous to this initiative, the new Youth Hub, known as the HIVE, opened in Birkenhead on land donated by the MFRS. This project has taken several years to reach fruition and has involved a great deal of commitment from local councillors, community groups and businesses, Merseyside Police and MFRS. The HIVE opened in April 2017 and over 3,000 young people have registered as members.

4.74 In Birkenhead town centre, work has continued with the local authority to promote the ‘Reducing the Strength’ campaign, which seeks to persuade retailers to not sell super-strength beers and cider. Since January 2017, all but two licensed premises have joined the scheme and one of these is expected to join shortly.

4.75 The above three initiatives in Birkenhead have no doubt contributed to a year on year fall in reports of ASB from 1,687 reports at the end of July 2015 to 1,321 at the end of July 2017.

4.76 Prevent - Early Help

4.77 Wirral launched the Police Early Help Team in July as part of the Safer Wirral Project. Six PCSOs have been specially trained in supporting vulnerable persons in order to prevent them reaching a crisis point and enable them to improve the quality of their lives, thus creating a triple dividend for the community as a whole. This work is supported by the daily intervention of local policing officers who have identified those within the community who are generating the highest levels of demand for a variety of reasons. By adopting a partnership approach, officers have been able to create support systems and solve issues that led to these problems arising.

4.78 Pursue

4.79 Officers from the Wirral Targeted Team have launched a pro-active operation to target street level drug dealing in Rock Ferry and Birkenhead. This drug dealing is linked to organised crime and this operation has so far led to the arrest of several street dealers, their assistants and the seizure of vehicles and class A drugs.

4.80 Working together with the Wirral Anti-Social Behaviour Team, officers from

Wallasey have targeted the activities of a group of criminals from the Woodchurch area, leading to the issue of three Criminal Behaviour Orders which effectively curtail their movements around the estate.

4.81 Protect

4.82 Officers from Wallasey have played a key role in working with Age Concern on the ‘Great Door Knock. ’ This is a pro-active initiative to identify vulnerable elderly residents in our community and ensure that they get the help they need.

4.83 Prepare

Police in Wirral are working closely with the Local Authority, the National Trust and British Transport Police to prevent crime and disorder in the coastal area. This area stretches from New Brighton to West Kirkby and is very popular with tourists. This partnership team will enable the relevant parties to improve the environment and prevent crime and disorder.

4.84 Community Trigger

As part of the community trigger response, local policing staff refer cases to the Local Authority led Neighbourhood Justice Scheme (NJS). The NJS consists of a team of trained volunteers who mediate in low level ASB related disputes and crimes, offering restorative justice based solutions. In this way such problems are dealt with outside court with a view to longer term problem solving and community cohesion

5. Protecting Vulnerable People Update (Child Protection, Rape, Sex Offender Management and Harmful Practices)

5.1 Merseyside Police continue to tackle crimes that affect the most vulnerable in society, putting the victim first with an ethos of providing a response tailored to the victim’s need as much as possible. Merseyside Police continue to invest in a specialist serious sexual offences investigation team ‘Unity’ providing a force-wide victim focussed service of specially trained officers.

5.2 Equally, there remains a clear focus towards targeting the perpetrators of such crimes. The Central Sex Offender Unit, managing registered sex offenders across Merseyside have in 2017 been piloting a partnership approach to Probation and Police integrated management, bringing a joint focus to the highest risk offenders.

5.3 Merseyside Police officers are well trained to identify and tackle the issue of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE). In July 2017 the force hosted a CSE Continuous Professional Development event aimed at staff working in investigative units. The full day of training included how we can effectively tackle online cyber enabled CSE crime, how to use prison intelligence to its best effect, and the use of preventative civil orders. A further event is planned for September 2017 to raise awareness amongst our front line response staff and those working in local communities.

5.4 In March 2017, together with partners from Catch 22, Mersey Travel, British Transport Police and local authority taxi licensing Merseyside Police targeted areas where young people congregate to gather intelligence and deliver key safety messages to these children. Merseyside Police, together with funding provided by the PCC, have enabled Aerial Trust to devise and deliver ‘Safe Skills’ training in over 300 primary schools across Merseyside.

5.5 The Force continues to look forward and identify emerging and hidden crime types and flex our response to meet community needs. To this end it is working with partners pan-Merseyside in Social Care, Health and the voluntary sector to respond to the emerging trend of Child Criminal Exploitation. The use of children in our communities in drug trafficking offences is an emerging trend nationally. Merseyside is working hard in partnership to ensure we are responsive and effective to the changing landscape.

5.6 In relation to rape, the PCC noted in the March 2017 PSG meeting that there had been an upward trend in the reported incidents of rape since July 2016. However numbers fell in December 2016 and January 2017. The increase since July 2016 was attributable to changes to Home Office Counting Rules where a count of rape with more than one offender now created numerous crimes from one incident. A number of measures were in place to reduce the incidence of rape which was considered at the Force’s monthly Senior Responsible Officer (SRO) protecting vulnerable people meetings.

5.7 In addition, the multi-agency strategic group tackling harmful practices, including Forced Marriage, Honour Based Abuse and Female Genital Mutilation continues to raise awareness through single agency training and bespoke multi-agency events. Merseyside Police have taken a lead in utilising the civil orders available to target these harmful practices.

5.8 The Force recently hosted an event to raise awareness of Honour Based Abuse and Forced Marriage, as part of the National Day of Memory for victims of so-called honour killing. The multi- agency event saw the launch of a new leaflet for all officers and staff to assist in the identification, initial investigation and safeguarding of potential victims of honour based abuse and forced marriage, and an investigator’s toolkit, providing investigators with tactical options when investigating such complex crimes. Speakers included a survivor working with the national charity, Karma Nirvana and the founder of Merseyside’s local charity, Savera UK. The event was accompanied by a social media campaign, linking with the national Day of Memory campaign. The force has also been instrumental in raising awareness of FGM at Liverpool John Lennon Airport at key holiday periods. Working in partnership with Savera UK, the force co-delivers multi-agency training across the force area. Recent evaluation of the training has been extremely positive, with the majority of participants agreeing that their knowledge of harmful practices was either excellent or very good as a result of the training. The force also continues to work with Liverpool Community Health by delivering presentations to health staff around the police response to domestic abuse and harmful practices.

6. Protecting Vulnerable People Update (Domestic Abuse, Stalking & Harassment, Hate Crime & Mental Health)

6.1 An electronic Vulnerable Person Referral Form (VPRF) has been developed to identify and respond to vulnerability at the earliest opportunity. Use of this electronic system is improving data quality and improving the force’s ability to recognise signs of vulnerability and share information more effectively with partners to ensure that relevant services are offered. Currently, this system is being used for domestic abuse, children at risk of harm, vulnerable adults. The system continues to be developed across all areas of vulnerability to include hate crime, ASB and early help.

6.2 The mental health triage car is now operating across Merseyside with health partners to improve our service to those exhibiting signs of mental illness.

6.3 Research and the identification of vulnerable adults continues (mental health) with a view to the development and delivery of care plans with mental health specialists to divert vulnerable adults from the need for acute mental health care.

6.4 IT has been developed (Delphi) to provide a harm score for victims and offenders within domestic abuse to improve our ability to target enforcement and prevention activity.

6.5 The use of Domestic Violence Protection Notices/Domestic Violence Protection Orders continues across Merseyside, with some of the highest numbers nationally. The use of such orders provides protection for victims of domestic abuse where criminal prosecutions are not possible.

6.6 At the December 2016 Performance Scrutiny the PCC drew attention to the decline in the number of reported incidents of domestic abuse in September. Also highlighted was a reduction in the domestic abuse solved outcome rate. The PCC was informed that the Force was taking all necessary steps to address this situation and take appropriate action at scenes of domestic violence. The level of solved outcomes was heavily reliant on evidence provided by victims and the Force was looking at ways in which additional evidence could be obtained. This included alternative methods where the Force would not be so reliant on victims’ evidence in future. It was noted that use of restorative justice for domestic abuse was subject of a national pilot in Hampshire

7. Additional area updates

7.1 The PCC has representation in each local policing area from her Community Engagement Team officers. These officers are embedded within the local partnerships and communities and have highlighted the following additional examples from each area regarding the priority to prevent crime and ASB.

7.2 Knowsley

7.3 Over the past year the PCC has met with local Kirkby Councillors, residents as well as other Knowsley councillors and local MP George Howarth several times to discuss ongoing policing concerns across the borough particularly in relation to ASB, visible policing and reassurance relating to the PCC’s Knowsley estates plans. These meetings have seen the PCC, the police and CSP partners reassure local councillors and communities in relation to tackling the likes of ASB and keeping communities up to date with policing in the Knowsley area.

7.4 Liverpool

7.5 In Liverpool, ASB, particularly associated with young people, continues to be an issue for residents and agencies. Joint agency responses and hotspot analysis enable the police and partners to target their resources using an evidence driven approach. The Community Safety Partnership holds a monthly Strategic ASB meeting, which has seen the development of multi-agency work in Everton. This work includes the Anthony Walker Foundation delivering hate crime awareness sessions in schools and youth provision, whilst the Voluntary Organisations Support Services (VOSS) directed youth outreach services to divert young people away from criminal behaviour.

7.6 Several wards have been granted priority status through the Citysafe led DISARM group. Each area has a multi-agency problem solving group to identify and tackle issues and deal with named nominals. Kirkdale, Anfield and Everton, Toxteth and Granby and Speke are engaging in this project. Projects will focus on tackling gun, gang and knife crime with an emphasis on prevention.

7.7 The local policing team for Liverpool hold bi-weekly meetings to identify the ASB hotspots in each Local Policing Area, plan a policing response and monitor the effectiveness of the responses in relation to the issues highlighted.

7.8 Sefton

7.9 Sefton has seen an increase in hate incidents in and around a local school with young people being identified as the perpetrators. The OPCC Community Engagement Officer raised the issue with the PCC. This resulted in the OPCC linking in with Sefton MBC, local police teams and schools to develop a Hate Crime Project to tackle this issue. The project comprises of awareness sessions in schools where the students are given information around hate crime and its effects. Information packs are then left for the schools to design messages to tackle hate crimes. These messages will then be put on benches in the local parks surrounding the schools and catchment areas. The students will have two sessions to prepare and develop the benches.

7.10 St Helens:

7.11 In the summer (2016) residents in the Fingerpost area of the town centre expressed concerns regards low-level drug dealing and ASB in a specific area

– these crimes were blighting the community and some particularly vulnerable communities no longer felt safe. The PCC’s Community Engagement Officer initially met residents with their concerns and the PCC requested a partnership meeting involving police, residents, the local MP and relevant CSP partners.

7.12 The PCC then chaired a partnership meeting in Fingerpost in September 2016 where residents’ concerns were highlighted and solutions discussed. The PCC also completed a walkabout with the local MP Marie Rimmer. Following this meeting police and other CSP partners committed more resources including the use of closure orders which saw a significant reduction in the low-level drug dealing and ASB in this area.

7.13 Wirral

7.14 Wirral Council and Merseyside Police are spear-heading the development of a new integrated delivery model, the ‘Safer Wirral Hub’; designed to lower levels of crime and ASB and make communities feel safer. The new ‘Hub’ will involve co-locating a number of services, including Merseyside Police, the Community Safety Team, the Youth Offending Team, the Anti-Social Behaviour Team, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and Wirral’s Family Safety Unit, and will provide a multi-agency approach for those victims and offenders with the most complex needs. The oversight and development of this Hub will come under the remit of the Safer Wirral Partnership, of which the PCC’s Wirral Engagement Officer is a member. Whilst the Hub is still in its early stages, it has already seen some success in dealing with long-standing cases that agencies have historically dealt with in silos.

7.15 The PCC’s Wirral Community Engagement Officer regularly meets with the Mid-Wirral Crime Prevention Panel, a group made up of members of the public who work closely with Merseyside Police and other partners to identify and tackle issues around crime and ASB in their area. Following some issues with young people causing anti-social behaviour in local parks, the Community Engagement Officer was able to signpost the group to a funding opportunity via the PCC’s Police Property Act Fund, which resulted in members being able to provide a variety of diversionary activities at The Oval Sports Centre in Bebington.

7.16 The PCC’s Wirral Engagement Officer is also a member of the Birkenhead Town Centre Group, established to tackle issues around ASB in Birkenhead. The group consists of local partners including the Police, Council Officers, Councillors, Town Hosts, representatives from Public Health and the Third Sector. Currently, the group is looking at ways to alleviate the problem of streets drinkers causing ASB, including offering places for them to go and access support at any time. They are also using the National Guidance on Tackling Street Drinking, prepared by a consortium of Police and Crime Commissioners and have recently completed the audit accompanying the guidance.

8. Merseyside-wide

8.1 Information from across Merseyside was being given to the Community Engagement team regarding the anti-social use of scrambler bikes. This resulted in the PCC joining forces with Crimestoppers and Merseyside Police to launch a campaign which encourages people to come forward with information about the location of unlicensed and uninsured bikes so they can be seized.

8.2 Campaign leaflets were delivered to 15,000 homes in ‘hotspot’ areas across Merseyside, asking people to give information about the use of nuisance bikes and where they are being stored anonymously to Crimestoppers.

8.3 The campaign also provided a giant ‘ad-van’ featuring the campaign message travelling around areas which have been seriously affected by the misuse of off-road bikes, including Stockbridge Village, Bootle and Litherland, while a radio campaign will also take the message into thousands of households across Merseyside.

8.4 CCTV footage, captured by City Watch, was released to highlight the dangerous way the bikes are being used. The video clip showed a number of examples including a group of riders driving dangerously around the city centre on Christmas day, riders driving through red lights and through Chavasse Park and one rider holding up traffic by using their handbrake to repeatedly spin their bike.

9. Community Trigger

9.1 The Community Trigger, provides victims of ASB with the ability to demand action, starting with a review of their case, subject to satisfying locally defined thresholds. This local authority led process, involves statutory partners coming together to review their actions and identify if anything further could have been done. Once a review has been held a report is shared with the victim.

9.2 Details of the number of Community Triggers on Merseyside for 2016/17 are available below.

Area

Community Trigger

applications received

No. of times the threshold

for review

was not met

Case reviews carried

out

Case reviews that resulted in

recommendations being made

Referral to

PCC’soffice

KNOWSLEY 3 1 2 2 0LIVERPOOL 3 0 3 0 0

SEFTON 9 9 0 0 0ST HELENS 2 1 1 0 0

WIRRAL 0 0 0 0 0TOTAL 17 11 6 2 0

9.3 When this new legislation was launched, the PCC agreed to act as an additional source of review for circumstances were victims who had activated the Trigger and where still not content. Over 2016/17, the PCC’s office received 0 referrals of this nature. Details of the Community Trigger process are publicised on all local authority websites as well as the PCCs.

10. Funding

10.1 Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) Funding

10.2 Background

10.3 The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) sets out the legislative scheme for the recovery of criminal assets, with criminal confiscation being the most commonly used power. Confiscation occurs after a conviction has taken place. Other means of recovering the proceeds of crime which do not require a conviction are provided for in the Act, namely civil recovery, cash seizure and taxation powers. The aim of the Asset Recovery Incentive Scheme (ARIS) in POCA is to deny criminals the use of their assets, recover the proceeds of crime and disrupt and deter criminality.

10.4 Guidance from the Home Office Organised and Financial Crime Unit on the ARIS Scheme states the following in relation to the use of incentive payments:

“7. Use of Incentive PaymentsThis is a matter for each agency but incentive payments should be used to further drive up performance on asset recovery and, where appropriate, to fund local crime fighting priorities for the benefit of the community.”

10.5 The Commissioner created a POCA fund and allocated £0.225m from the POCA reserve to fund initiatives in 2016/17. In conjunction with the Chief Constable, a scheme was developed which was designed to make funding accessible for community projects that aim to support crime prevention initiatives or promote diversionary activities. As a result a ‘Dragons Den’ style event was held and there were six successful applications for funding in 2016/17 which are detailed below:

St Helens Skate Park (awarded £65,000)

A number of concerns were raised by local residents, businesses and the Church within St Helens town centre with regard to the anti-social behaviour of youths and, specifically, the nuisance and dangers related predominately to ‘skateboarders’. This attracted media attention at the time with a proposal for a Public Space Protection Order to ban the use of skateboards in the area being rejected by the Council. This resulted in the Local Policing teams having to re-consider alternative ways to reduce crime and ASB in the area.

In order to address concerns of the community and businesses/retailers whilst also addressing issues raised by the skaters themselves, Merseyside Police in collaboration with the Local Authority and a community based arts projects, Heart of Glass (an agency for collaborative and social arts practice based in

St Helens), engaged with the skaters and proposed that an urban skate-scape be designed and installed. This designed space will provide both a safe area for the skaters, as well as a place for the community to enjoy.

Heart of Glass are co-ordinating the project and have received considerable funding from Arts Council UK. The project is attracting national attention due to the uniqueness of its concept in involving the community and being funded through POCA. The project is currently in design stage.

Speke Gro-Zone Community Garden (awarded £30,000)

The aim of the project is to develop a currently derelict site into a functioning community garden that uses gardening and food as a catalyst to engage the local community and deliver wider social, economic and environmental benefit.

The development of the garden will create a wide range of regular and diverse activities, using horticulture, construction, arts and wildlife to encourage people of all ages, abilities and interests to take part. This project is in its early stages with a clean-up of the area taking place to prepare for the new project.

Viking Centre and Youth Club (awarded £13,500)

The Viking Centre and Youth Club Ltd are a small charity run by volunteers based in Rock Ferry, Wirral. They provide the community with a range of social, educational, welfare and guidance activities within a safe environment.

The ‘Vikes’ will use the funding awarded to provide two youth club sessions per week for juniors and seniors involving them in new activities, sporting or otherwise. They will also work with the Local Policing Community Officers to provide joint educational sessions about the crime issues affecting the local community. The aim of the sessions is to divert children away from crime and anti-social behaviour and teach them to respect their community.

The sessions will start imminently and they will record the number of attendees, invite feedback from attendees and their parents and obtain ASB crime statistics to assess the impact of their project in the community. They will also be relaunching soon in order to encourage older children to attend.

Everton in the Community (EITC) – Kicks Programme (awarded 30,000)

Merseyside Police and Everton in the Community have worked together for a number of years on the Kicks Programme and other diversionary activities. Evaluations have shown that the programme has and continues to reduce anti-social behaviour and crime and reduce calls for service during session times. This new pilot programme provides additional support to those more vulnerable and offers a wrap-around service for people who have been on the Kicks Programme.

Sessions have started in Everton’s Walton Hub and are currently running twice a week. The project is in its early stages and staff are building

relationships with young people in the area.

The Young Persons Opportunity Project (awarded £11,500)

The Young Persons Opportunity Programme is based in Speke and they provide diversionary activities for children/young people aged between 12-20 years, providing them with education regarding how their behaviour affects the local community.

They will use their funding to facilitate a drop in Youth provision in Speke Community Centre three evenings per week to give young people (12-20 year olds) a safe place to meet, socialise and learn informally through activity.

They have appointed a dedicated youth facilitator to cover the weekly sessions, and have called upon the expertise of a group of dedicated volunteers from different professions who will help staff and the provision to support the social and emotional needs of the young people attending.

Phoenix Youth and Community Club (awarded £75,000)

Phoenix are a local football and youth club based in Southport that provide coaching and after schools activities to male and female youths in the local area regardless of their skills or disabilities. They currently operate out of an old porta cabin which does not have disabled access and is currently not ‘fit for purpose’.

They requested funding to build a purpose built structure on the site where they could introduce a number of activities including a regular youth club, sporting activities such as basketball, football (for all ages and disabled children) and for the wider community coffee mornings and bingo evenings. In order to build the permanent structure planning has been submitted to the local council and plans are awaiting approval.

10.6 Governance and Future Funding

10.7 All of the above projects are progressing and a full evaluation report on the outcomes and impact that the projects have made in the local community will be provided upon completion. Assistant Chief Constable Julie Cooke (Local Policing and Criminal Justice), holds quarterly update meetings with project leads so that progress updates are provided and to consider any issues. The next round of funding will commence in autumn 2017.

10.8 PCC Funding and Grants

10.9 Pages 33 to 41inc in the PCC’s Annual Report for 2016/17 outlines the funding delivered by the Commissioner in terms of the Crime and Disorder Reduction Grants, Crime Prevention Fund and the Police Property Act Fund.

Please find below cases studies highlighting some of the work delivered with this funding:

10.10 Crime Prevention Fund

This fund attracted 115 application from community organisations across the region totalling over £1.5 million. The fund awarded £132,000 to 12 projects.

The Ariel Trust was awarded £15,000 and developed an online project ‘Safe Skills’ a new preventative education resource for young people aged 9-12 years. The resource aims to improve the safety of young people in the community in relation to the risks associated with ‘grooming’.

The resource has been developed in partnership with various agencies, such as NSPCC, Liverpool’s ‘Protect’ team and teachers to ensure the resource is age appropriate and that the lessons support both teacher and pupil needs. The resource consists of three modules; ‘motivations and intentions’, ‘talking about your feelings’ and ‘the role of the bystander’. It includes short films and interactive activities designed to promote discussion in a safe space.

Using films and interactive, skill based, activities about ‘grooming’ behaviour and controlling relationships, the resource will develop young people’s resilience, equipping them with the necessary skills to protect themselves against grooming risks. The film themes consist of; ‘gaming’, ‘gifts’, ‘park life’, ‘disclosing personal information online’, ‘communicating feelings’ and ‘the role of the bystander’. ‘Safe Skills’ will be used by teachers and other professionals to empower young people in practical ways. The resource focuses on identifying opportunities for a young person to take positive action or to ask for support.

10.11 Police Property Act Fund

A total of 68 applications were received for grants from this fund, amounting to requests for nearly £250,000. The fund awarded a total of £45,000 to 22 different projects, which over the autumn half term helped more than 12,000 young people to join projects aimed at helping to keep them away from dangerous activities during Halloween and Bonfire Night.

Two case studies supported by this fund are;

Urban Arts Project

Under Construction Crew received a £2,000 grant from the Merseyside Police Property Act Fund (PPA) to provide diversionary activities for 168 children and young people over Halloween and Bonfire Night. Their successful application saw local “Urban Zones” set up across St Helens for young people to participate in and learn about urban arts and sports to discourage anti-social behaviour on the run up to Halloween and Bonfire Night.

The project offered a safe space to learn urban art forms of graffiti art, parkour, breakdance and freestyle football. Participants were taught the basics of urban art forms with a view to pursuing them as a regular hobby, reducing anti-social behaviour, increasing health and wellbeing, increasing employability and providing children young people with access to youth workers.

During the project, the charity witnessed a dramatic change in the attitudes of the young people involved. Almost all of those who took part said they prefer the sessions to walking around on the streets. Parents have also contacted the project, commenting on how they have seen a noticeable difference in behaviour at home and in school.

The Rotunda

The Rotunda, based in Kirkdale, Liverpool, provides good quality education alternatives for those not ready for mainstream provision and offers tailored programmes to suit the needs of the individual. It also runs a community café, a nursery, a counselling service and offers a variety of community activities for all ages.

They received £2,000 from the PPA to hold a Monster Ball event at Halloween for children and their parents and to facilitate a Guy Fawkes building competition.

These events attracted over 250 adults and children into Rotunda to take part in safe activities at Halloween and Bonfire night. The events helped to improve community cohesion across all the age groups. Their engagement with the local primary and secondary schools proved fruitful with many local families attending who had never been to an event at Rotunda before and who then signed up to more of their engagement activities. People travelled from central and southern wards of Liverpool for the event, which was not expected but they were all welcome with many people commenting that there were no organised activities in their own communities and these events were very welcome providing safe and family orientated fun.

11. Equality & Diversity Impact Assessment

11.1 The Commissioner’s office ensures that funding awards meet and where possible exceed the requirements of the various legislative requirements relating to equality and diversity...

12. Conclusion

12.1 This report provides members of Merseyside’s Police and Crime Panel with information on the PCC’s and Merseyside Police’s actions to meet and deliver the Police and Crime Plan priority to prevent crime and ASB.

Rt Hon Jane KennedyPolice & Crime Commissioner for Merseyside

Contact Officer: Clive Howarth, Chief ExecutivePhone No.: 0151 777 5155Email Address: info@merseysidepcc.info