Tonbridge and Malling Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership

Tonbridge and Malling Crime and DisorderReduction Partnership Strategy 2005-08

Foreword 1

Statement of purpose/vision 2

Purpose of strategy 2

Profile of borough 3

Partnership structure and links to other partnerships and strategies 5

Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership Strategic Group 6

Audit summary 7

Consultation 8

Strategy – priorities and targets 9

Delivering the strategy 12

Appendices

1. Anti-social behaviour policy 13

2. Graph of reported crime in Tonbridge & Malling by type 2001/2 – 2003/4 17

3. Graph of reported crime in Tonbridge & Malling by Ward 2001/2 – 2003/4 18

4. Table showing crime comparison with other Kent Districts – 2003/4 19

Contact details 20

Glossary 21

Contents

Tonbridge and Malling Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership Strategy 2005-08

1Foreword

Since the preparation of the last

Strategy in 2002 the Borough

Council, County Council and the

Police have been joined as statutory

partners in the Partnership by the

Kent Police Authority, the Primary

Health Care Trusts serving the

Borough, Probation Service and Kent

Fire and Rescue Service. The

Partnership is also required to work

together with the Kent Drug and

Alcohol Action Team in co-

ordinating plans and actions relating

to tackling Substance Misuse.

These developments coupled with

the Government’s approach of

increasingly placing the focus on

CDRPs to tackle crime and disorder

at the local level, has raised the

profile of the Partnership

significantly over the last three years.

With the additional responsibilities

has also come some Government

funding, accompanied in turn by

additional monitoring and reporting

requirements. New Government

initiatives such as the Anti-Social

Behaviour ‘Together’ Campaign and

the Identified Prolific and Priority

Offenders Scheme have been

absorbed and delivered by the

Partnership. Accordingly the burdens

on the Partnership and its

management and administration

have increased considerably.

The Partnership has risen to the

challenges, has grown in strength

and achieved significant success in

addressing crime and disorder and

its causes in the Borough over the

last three years.

Tonbridge and Malling, partly due to

the Partnership’s previous Strategy

and Actions, continues to be a low

crime area when compared to other

districts in Kent and other similar

areas in the country. This is what the

residents of the Borough expect and

the Partnership is determined to

maintain that situation and meet

those expectations.

As the responsibilities on the

Partnership have increased so too

has its accountability not only to

Government, but also to the

residents of the Borough.

Accordingly elected representatives

from the Borough Council and the

Kent Police Authority are now

members of the Partnership’s

Strategic Group. This has enhanced

even further the Partnership’s

appreciation of the concerns of the

public in relation to crime and

disorder as well as providing greater

opportunities for engagement with

the public in the planning and

delivery of actions to address issues

in local communities.

We confidently believe that by

continuing to work together in

partnership and by engaging with

the wider community of the Borough,

crime and disorder can be further

reduced and the quality of life for

residents improved.

We will therefore strive over the next

three years to work towards achieving

our vision to make Tonbridge and

Malling a safe community free from

the fear of crime.

Supt. Mark Salisbury

Area Commander

Maidstone & Malling Police

Chairman 2005/6

Supt Jeremy Price

Area Commander

West Kent Police

Chairman 2006/7

David Hughes

Chief Executive

Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council

Chairman 2007/8

2

Pursuant to the requirements of the

Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and

subsequent legislation Tonbridge and

Malling Borough Council, Kent

County Council, Kent Police, Kent

Police Authority and the Primary

Health Care Trusts for Maidstone and

the Weald and South West Kent,

Probation Service, Kent Fire and

Rescue Service, are committed to

working together and with others

within the Tonbridge and Malling

Crime Reduction Partnership to

reduce crime and disorder in the

Borough. This will be undertaken by

identifying trends and patterns of

crime and disorder and their root

causes, consulting with the wider

community, developing and delivering

co-ordinated planned actions aimed

at reducing all identified crime and

disorder issues of concern. The

Partnership will also work to reduce

the public’s fear of crime.

The Partnership’s Vision is –

Tonbridge and Malling: A safe

community free from the fear of crime.

Statement of purpose andvision

Section 5 of the Crime and

Disorder Act 1998, as amended by

Sections 97 and 98 of the Police

Reform Act 2002 places an

obligation on Crime and Disorder

Reduction Partnerships to publish a

three year Strategy for tackling and

reducing crime and disorder in its

area. The Strategy must take

account of the audit undertaken

and the views of the local

community. It should also include a

policy for tackling anti-social

behaviour and incorporate a

strategy for addressing drug issues.

This Strategy sets out the

Partnership’s priorities, aims and

objectives against which it can be

judged in tackling crime and disorder

over the period April 2005 – March

2008. It intends to do this by

maximising and co-ordinating the

resources of the principal partner

agencies as well as other

organisations in the public, private

and voluntary sectors.

Purpose of the strategy


3Profile of the borough

The Borough of Tonbridge and

Malling, with a population of 107,561

in 2001, covers an area of 24,013

hectares and is located in West Kent.

The Borough does not have a single

urban focus but comprises a number

of diverse, contrasting settlements

and neighbourhoods.

Overall Tonbridge and Malling is a

relatively affluent Borough with high

levels of home ownership (over 76%

compared to 69% nationally), high

levels of car ownership (over 43% of

households own two cars or more

compared with 29% nationally) and

virtually full employment with an

unemployment rate of c1.2%. On the

Index of Deprivation, the Borough

ranks as the least deprived overall in

Kent and ranks 300th out of 354

districts nationally. There are

considerable variations between and

within the Borough wards, however.

Two of our wards, East Malling and

Snodland East, stand out as

particular areas of disadvantage. East

Malling ranks as the third worst ward

in West Kent and Snodland East, the

fourth worst.

The Borough stretches north, beyond

the M2 motorway, encompassing

parts of Walderslade, on top of the

North Downs. To the south of the

M2 is an area of the Borough known

locally as the ‘Medway Gap’. This

comprises a number of former

industrial villages on the east and

west banks of the River Medway

which are based on a history of

cement and papermaking. The urban

area immediately to the south,

comprising the parishes of

Leybourne, East Malling and

Larkfield, Ditton and Aylesford, looks

predominantly eastwards to

Maidstone for anything over and

above day-to-day services. At Kings

Hill, near West Malling, the Borough

contains a fast-growing new mixed

business and residential community.

Commenced in the late 1980s, on the

site of a former World War II airfield,

the community currently comprises

some 1180 homes and 52,050 sqm of

business floor space along with a

growing range of community and

retail facilities. On completion, the

site will accommodate a total of

2900 homes and some 185,800 sqm

of business space. The community

has its own parish council and is a

Borough ward in its own right. Kings

Hill along with two other sites i.e.

Leybourne Grange and Holborough

at Snodland have been identified as

strategic sites for future housing

development.

The market town of Tonbridge, with a

population of 35,000 people, is

located to the south six miles from

the larger urban centre of Tunbridge

Wells. The remainder of the Borough

is predominantly rural in character,

with villages and small towns of

varying size and character. The main

rural settlements are West Malling,

Borough Green, Wrotham, Hadlow,

Hildenborough and East Peckham.

The Borough lies on the outer edge

of the Metropolitan Green Belt

where there is strict constraint on

new development. The Borough also

contains some sites of importance

for their nature conservation value.

The Borough has excellent road and

rail links with London and the

South-East coast including Hastings,

Dover and the Channel Tunnel,

which makes it vulnerable to

travelling criminals.

Demographic informationand housing tenure

Population

• The 2001 Census recorded the

Borough’s population as 107, 561 at

April 2001 – the 7th highest in

Kent. The Borough has a growing

population with a rise of 5.7%

since 1991 (101,709).

4

• The population density (number of

people per hectare) is 4.5. This

reflects the predominantly rural

nature of the borough.

• Population projections in the Kent

Structure Plan Review suggest an

above average increase in

population in Tonbridge and

Malling to 2021 of 11.8% which is

higher than the anticipated

national average of 8.1%.

• The average household size in the

borough is 2.49 persons.

The continued population expansion

could have a detrimental affect on the

housing market in Tonbridge and

Malling. The large areas of green belt

within the Borough means that there

is a limited capacity to meet an

increasing demand through the

further development of new housing.

This could result in an upward

pressure on house prices exacerbating

the existing affordability problems

within the Borough.

Age Structure (Census2001)

• Nearly 22% of the Borough’s

population is aged 15 or under, an

increase of 2% from 1991.

• 72% of the borough’s population is

aged between 16 – 74, which

represents a decrease of nearly 2%

since 1991.

• Those aged over 75 years of age

represent 6.6% of the Borough’s

population. This is a decrease of

1% since 1991 and is 1% below the

national average for England and

Wales.

• Of the total population of the

borough 24.4% are one-person

households, an increase of 3%

since 1991.

With the exception of those over 75

years of age there is a general rise in

population across the age range.

Notably the rise in those aged 15 or

under is higher than that recorded

nationally.

Ethnicity

At the time of the 2001 Census the

overall percentage of people

belonging to white ethnic groups

stood at 98.3%, the highest in Kent.

The single largest ethnic group in

the Borough is Asian or Asian British

who represent 0.5% of the

population. This compares with

90.9% and 4.6% nationally for the

same groups.

There is a perception that the largest

ethnic groups are travellers and

gypsies. However, this Black and

Minority Ethnic (BME) group is not

recorded by the Census and

empirical data is difficult to obtain.

Minority Ethnic Community Advisory

Groups for both policing areas,

Maidstone and Malling and West

Kent meet regularly and consider the

actions and outcomes, following each

racially motivated crime.

Housing Tenure

According to the 2001 Census, the

population of the Borough comprises

42,735 households with residents. Of

these 76% are owner-occupiers. A

further 7.8% rent from private

landlords or live rent-free and the

remaining 16.2% occupy social

rented housing.


5Partnership structure

Composition andStructure of the CDRP

The composition and structure of

the Partnership is shown on page 6

although this may be subject to

change during the life of the Strategy

so as to most effectively deliver the

strategy and the annual Action Plans.

Links to OtherPartnerships andStrategies

Local Strategic Partnership -

Community Strategy

Kent Policing Plan

West Kent Policing Plan

Maidstone and Malling Policing Plan

Kent Probation Plan

Tonbridge and Malling Childrens

Consortia – Prevention Strategy

Kent Youth Service Plan

Kent Drug and Alcohol Action Team

– Young People and Drugs in Kent;

Adult Treatment Services Action Plan

Public Service Agreement for Kent

Local Area Agreement for Kent

Youth Justice Plan

MAPS

Health Policy Board

Tonbridge and Malling Housing

Strategy

Health Improvement Modernisation

Programme

Tonbridge and Malling Borough

Leisure Strategy


Cultural Strategy

Local Transport Plan

Parking Action Plan

Kent Fire & Rescue Service

Performance Plan

6 Crime and DisorderReduction PartnershipStructure

Strategic Group

Joint Chairs: Chief Executive TMBC and Police Area Commanders

Membership consists of:

Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council Maidstone & Malling Police

West Kent Police Kent County Council

Russet Homes (formally known as Probation Service

Tonbridge & Malling Housing Association) Kent Drug and Alcohol Action Team

Kent Fire & Rescue Service South West Kent Primary Care Trust

Maidstone Weald Primary Care Trust Kent Police Authority

Crime ReductionSub-Group

Membershipconsists of:

Tonbridge &Malling BoroughCouncil

Maidstone &Malling Police

West Kent Police

Russet Homes(formally known as Tonbridge &Malling HousingAssociation)

Victim Support

Other agencies asappropriate

Drugs and AlcoholSub-Group




West Kent Police

Kent Drug &Alcohol ActionTeam

Primary Care Trust

KCC Education

Kenward Trust

KCA

Policy Sub-Group


Joint Chairmen ofthe CDRP

Lead Officer forKCC

Lead Officer forKent Fire & RescueService

Lead Officer forPCT

Anti-SocialBehaviour Sub-Group*



KCC SocialServices

KCC Youth &Community

KCC YouthOffending Service

KCC Education


West Kent Police


Kent Fire & RescueService

South West KentPCT

Maidstone WealdPCT

Disorder Sub-Groups+

There are two sub-groups for thenorth of theborough and onefor the south.


West Kent Police




KCC SocialServices

KCC YouthOffending Service

Moat Housing

Hyde HousingAssociation

Sanctuary Housing Assoc.

Other agencies asappropriate

* The ASB Sub-Group considers policy matters and recommends on

the implementation of the Strategy and Policy.

+ The Disorder Sub-Groups consider individual cases of ASB and

decide on appropriate action in each case.


7Audit summary

The process of preparing this

Strategy commenced in the summer

of 2004 with the undertaking of an

Audit of crime and disorder in the

Borough. The process involved the

collection of statistical crime and

demographic data. It also involved an

analysis of the data collated to assess

trends and patterns of crime over the

previous three years. This enabled an

assessment to be undertaken on the

effectiveness of the Partnership’s

previous Strategy and Action Plans.

The Audit particularly focussed on

the three Themes of the previous

Strategy i.e. crime reduction (overall,

in specific categories and in specific

geographical areas), Drugs, Alcohol

and Substance Abuse and Anti-Social

Behaviour.

Full details of the Audit findings can

be found in the ‘Tonbridge and

Malling Crime and Disorder

Reduction Partnership Audit 2004’

document, which is available on the

Partnership’s website at

www.tmcrimereduction.org.uk

The following is a summary of the

findings –

• National, regional and county

comparisons indicated that

Tonbridge and Malling is a low

crime area.

• Criminal Damage is increasing. It

accounted for 23% of all recorded

crime in 2003/4 and is linked to

and a constituent of disorder/anti-

social behaviour.

• Violent crime (particularly

domestic violence) has increased.

• Theft offences continue to increase.

• Vehicle crime is decreasing.

• Robbery is decreasing to a very low

level.

• Burglary of dwellings is decreasing

and is at a very low level. The

Government’s national reduction

target has been achieved in the

Borough.

• Drug and alcohol misuse, including

binge drinking, and drug driven

crime are high on the public’s

agenda, although recorded drug

offences in the Borough are low.

• The electoral wards of Medway,

Aylesford, East Malling and Castle

have the highest levels of reported

crime.

• National, County and Borough

surveys all indicate that a reduction

of Anti-Social Behaviour/Disorder

is one of the public’s highest

priorities.

A number of issues emerged from the

Audit for the consideration of the

Partnership in formulating its new

Strategy including –

• Three categories of crime had

increased over the previous three

years, these being criminal damage,

theft offences and violence against

the person.

• Criminal damage offending is

spread across the Borough and it is

difficult to identify any particular

patterns in terms of times of

offending or property types

targeted. The Borough wards of

Castle, East Malling, Trench,

Medway and Aylesford suffer the

highest levels of criminal damage.

• Further analysis of theft offences

may be necessary to identify the

causes of the rise in these offences,

particularly in the wards of

Medway, Castle, Aylesford, Borough

Green and Larkfield North.

• Drug offences are low and the

actions of the CDRP appear to have

been effective. Drug and alcohol

abuse contributes to other crime

and disorder activities, therefore

the CDRP should continue to focus

on

education/enforcement/treatment

projects to ensure drug and alcohol

abuse is controlled and further

reduced.

• Anti-Social Behaviour is an issue

which affects many residents and

continues to be of concern. It also

contributes to the public’s fear of

crime.

• Domestic violence, which tends to

involve repeat

offending/victimisation accounted

for 62% of all violence against the

person in 2003/4 and should be

considered for particular attention.

• Percentage increases in crime levels

have occurred in the growth ward

of Kings Hill as well as in Higham

Ward, therefore further analysis

should be undertaken to identify

the causes.

• The wards of Medway, Aylesford,

East Malling and Castle have

emerged as having higher levels of

specific crimes so it may be

appropriate for the CDRP to

designate these as areas for

particular attention.

The Partnership has carefully

considered all the findings and issues

which emerged from the Audit process

in its deliberations in formulating it’s

Strategy for 2005-2008.

8

Consultation was undertaken

between November 2004 and

January 2005 on the content and

findings of the Audit as well as the

emerging Priorities for the Strategy.

The consultation was undertaken

using the following three separate

methods –

• Over 200 organisations/community

groups and individuals were written

to and supplied with the Audit

Report and the emerging Priorities

for the Strategy.

• The findings of the Audit and the

emerging Priorities for the Strategy

were published in the Borough

Council’s newspaper, ‘Here and Now,’

and readers were invited to comment

(below is a copy of this page).

• The Borough Council’s Citizens

Panel were provided with the

findings from the Audit and the

emerging Priorities for the Strategy

and requested to complete a survey

questionnaire (747 questionnaires

were completed and returned).

The results of the consultation were

considered by the CDRP prior to

reaching conclusions on the Priority

areas to be focussed on by the

Strategy. Generally, however, the

consultation revealed support for the

emerging Priorities identified by the

Partnership.

A detailed analysis of the Citizens

Panel survey results greatly assisted

the Partnership and individual

partners to appreciate public

perceptions and concerns in relation

to a range of crime related subjects.

Such a survey will be repeated during

the life of the Strategy.

Consultation

Recently released crime figures showthat the borough has the third lowestlevel of all crime in Kent, that Kent isthe second safest county in the SouthEast and that the South East has thelowest level of all crime in England andWales. Crime in the borough ishighest in town centres, retail andbusiness parks. The table above rightshows how crime levels have changedsince April 2002.

New Crime and Disorder Strategy takes shapeYour opinion counts – please tell us what you think What do the

crime figures

show?

Tonbridge and Malling’s Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) is inviting all local residents and organisations tocomment on its proposals for four key priorities, which will form the basis of its new three-year Crime and DisorderStrategy for 2005 – 2008.The new priorities have been proposed as a result of an extensive audit of levels and patterns of crime and disorder in theborough, which was carried out by the CDRP, to find out how successful the partnership has been in reducing crime anddisorder over the last three years and highlight areas where more work still needs to be done.The audit, which was based mainly on police crime statistics, showed that the CDRP has been successful in reducingburglary, robbery, vehicle crime and drug offences in the borough but that instances of criminal damage and violent crimeshave increased. The audit also highlighted that the four most common causes of fear, alarm and distress to local people are:

1. Anti-social behaviour

2. Criminal damage (vandalism)

3. Violent crime (in particular domestic violence)

4. Drug and alcohol abuse

The CDRP therefore proposes that, while continuing to tackle all categories of crime and disorder, it will focus particulareffort on preventing anti-social behaviour, criminal damage, domestic violence (which accounts for 62 per cent of all violentcrimes recorded in the borough) and drug and alcohol abuse as well as stepping up enforcement action and offering supportand treatment for those affected by these issues.David Hughes, Chief Executive of the borough council and joint Chairman of the CDRP, says:“One of the council’s keypriorities is to reduce crime in the borough and, through our work as part of the CDRP, much has already been achievedsince 2002.We will continue to build on these successes over the next three years. The Partnership is committed toproducing a strategy that will reflect the concerns and views of local people and would like to hear what residents thinkabout the four key priorities that have been identified through the audit process.”

What has the CDRP achieved over the last three years?The CDRP has launched many initiatives to tackle crime and disorderbut has also provided many educational, activity and supportprogrammes. Here are some examples:● Anti-social behaviour has been high on the partnership’s agenda

over the last three years and much has already been done to tacklethose who behave in an unacceptable way through the use of Anti-social Behaviour Orders,Acceptable Behaviour Agreements and other measures

● Drug awareness education for young people● Operation Cubit – an ongoing initiative to remove untaxed and

and abandoned vehicles from the streets● CCTV – with fixed and mobile cameras to detect and deter crime● Police Community Support Officers and Community Wardens –

appointed to provide local contact with communities● Operations to tackle graffiti and fly-tipping● Drug enforcement operations● Drug support and treatment services● Seminars to raise awareness of drug and alcohol abuse in the workplace● SNAP music events (Say No And Phone)● A variety of activities for young people

Teamwork – From left, PCSOs, Julie Turner and Chris Hay share information with Senior

Community Warden, Neil Howlett

Tonbridge & Malling Crime andDisorder Reduction Partnership wasformed in 1998 and is made up of tenorganisations:Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council,Kent Police, Kent Police Authority, KentCounty Council,Tonbridge & MallingHousing Association, Kent Fire &Rescue Service, Kent Drug & AlcoholAction Team, National ProbationService, South West Kent PrimaryHealth Care Trust and Maidstone &Weald Primary Health Care Trust.Together these organisations tackle avariety of crime and disorder issues:

Anti-social Behaviour

The CDRP receives calls every day from concerned residents who have witnessed or suffered anti-social behaviour.Anti-social behaviour is ‘behaviour which causes alarm and distress to one or more people’ and can cause seriousdisruption to people’s lives and spread fear among communities. The CDRP has pledged to tackle such behaviour andaddress its root causes.Criminal Damage (vandalism)

Recorded incidents of criminal damage to property have increased faster than any other crime and now account for 25per cent of all crime in the borough.The audit revealed that criminal damage can be linked more and more toreported instances of anti-social behaviour and that both increase the fear of crime in local communities and degradethe appearance of the areas affected. The CDRP proposes to take action to tackle criminal damage particularly in theareas that are worst affected.Violent Crime/Domestic Violence

The reporting of violent crime has increased not only locally but also nationally. This is partly due to changes in theway in which these crimes are recorded as well as an increase in the willingness of people to report incidents. Seriousassaults are rare in the borough but domestic violence accounted for more than 62 per cent of violent crimesreported last year. The CDRP is proposing to tackle domestic violence and promote support services for victims.Drug and Alcohol Abuse

Although the number of drug offences is lower that last year, the CDRP believes that tackling drug and alcohol abuseshould remain a key priority as the audit shows that it contributes to other criminal and anti-social activities includingcriminal damage and violence. The CDRP also proposes to continue to focus on educational and support programmesto help prevent drug and alcohol abuse and help both victims and those with addictions.

How you can have your say…If you would like to make a comment on whether or not you agree thatparticular focus should be given to anti-social behaviour, criminal damage,domestic violence and drug & alcohol abuse in the 2005 – 2008 Crime andDisorder Strategy, you can obtain a full copy of the Crime and DisorderAudit 2004 from the council’s website at www.tmbc.gov.uk or by callingDavid Williams, Crime Reduction Co-ordinator, on 01732 876132 or emailing:[email protected] submit your comments in writing to: David Williams, Crime ReductionCo-ordinator,Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council, Gibson Building, GibsonDrive, Kings Hill,West Malling, Kent ME19 4LZ or email:[email protected] by the deadline, Friday 31 December 2004.

Theatre ADAD, performing its drug awareness drama “Wasted”

A police sniffer dog searches for drugs

Levels of crime in the borough 2002/03 to 2003/04

What does the CDRP do?

Summarised below are the main reasons why the CDRP has proposed Anti-social Behaviour, Criminal Damage,Domestic Violence and Drug & Alcohol Abuse as the four key priorities for the 2005 – 2008 strategy.

Operation Cubit in action

Removing graffiti with the Grimebuster

CCTV camera

Hadlow youngsters enjoy a team

building day with the Kent Fire &

Rescue Service

Violence

(including

Domestic

Violence)

Anti-social

Behaviour

Abandoned

Vehicles

Untaxed

Vehicles Fly-tipping

Burglary

Tonbridge & Malling

Crime and Disorder

Reduction Partnership

FraudShoplifting

Drugs &

Alcohol

Abuse

Vehicle

Crime

Criminal

Damage

Arson

GraffitiStreet

Robbery

Why has the CDRP proposed these

four key priorities?

Crime Number Number Crime % up or

of crimes of crimes level up down

2002/3 2003/4 or down

Level of all crime 7,397 7,457 Up 1%

Domestic burglary 409 313 Down 23%

Shop, office, shed etc burglary 871 775 Down 11%

Drug offences 183 130 Down 29%

Violent crimes (including domestic 997 1,109 Up 17%

violence)

Robbery 48 26 Down 46%

Theft of and from motor vehicles 1,117 1,093 Down 2%

Criminal damage (vandalism) 1,529 1,961 Up 23%


9Strategy – priorities andtargets

Priorities

The Partnership, having considered

the findings and issues identified in

the Audit and the comments received

in response to consultation thereon,

as well as all other national, regional,

county and local issues, has decided

to focus its efforts during the period

April 2005-March 2008 on

improving the QUALITY OF LIFE for

residents and visitors to the Borough

by addressing a number of Priority

Areas. These Priority Areas are

identified below and include a

variety of categories of crime and

disorder, some of which may fall into

more than a single Priority Area. The

intention of the Partnership is to

tackle those issues which cause the

most concern to the community by

addressing offences and their root

causes –

• Criminal damage

• Offences against the person

• Substance misuse

• Environmental crime

• Anti-social behaviour

As well as paying particular attention

to the Priority Areas the Partnership

will continue to monitor all

categories of crime and disorder,

where appropriate undertake further

studies and respond as necessary to

address any specific increases or

concerns that emerge during the life

of the Strategy.

Other issues that the Partnership will

be addressing will include –

• The public’s fear of crime

• The further study of specific

categories of crime and disorder

and those in geographic areas

where the levels of crimes are

higher than the average for the

borough

• The targeting of identified priority

and prolific offenders

The following paragraphs outline the

reasons why the Partnership has

decided to pursue the above Priority

Areas.

Anti-Social Behaviour

The fundamental aim of the

Partnership is, through reducing

crime and disorder and tackling its

root causes, to improve the quality of

life for residents and visitors to the

Borough. The area where it can have

the most impact in achieving this

aim is by working together to reduce

anti-social behaviour in its many

guises. For these reasons the

Partnership has adopted this as its

over-arching theme for the period

2005-2008. The priority issues

identified all contribute to anti-

social behaviour and affect the

quality of life in the Borough.

A policy for addressing anti-social

behaviour has been adopted by the

Partnership and appears as an

Appendix to this Strategy. The policy

is supplemented by an operational

plan, which may be subject to

amendment during the life of the

strategy to accommodate changed

circumstances. Partner agencies have

agreed and signed a protocol for the

sharing and exchange of information

to enable them to work together in

tackling individual cases of such

behaviour. The Partnership’s Disorder

Sub-Groups will co-ordinate

investigations and actions undertaken

by the Partnership in dealing with

specific cases. In dealing with cases of

anti-social behaviour the Partnership,

whilst wishing to take action to cease

the behaviour in the short term, will

also seek, wherever possible, to

prevent a recurrence of the behaviour

in the longer term. It will also seek to

implement measures to address the

root causes of such behaviour and

limit the opportunities for it to occur.

Criminal damage

Although a crime category in its own

right, criminal damage is a

significant ingredient of anti-social

behaviour. Between 2002/3 and

2003/4 criminal damage increased

by 22%, (faster than any other crime)

and in 2003/4 it accounted for 23%

of all recorded crime in the Borough.

A survey of residents showed that it

was of the highest concern for them.

Criminal damage includes wilful

damage and defacement to property,

including buildings, walls, fences,

street furniture and vehicles. This

will also include graffiti.

The Partnership believes that it can

have a significant impact in reducing

offences of criminal damage. It is

imperative, however, that adequate

research of the subject is undertaken

to clearly identify trends, patterns

and causes so that appropriate and

effective measures can be brought

forward for implementation. This

research may include the way in

which offences are reported and

recorded.

Offences against theperson

Offences against the person includes–

• Domestic Violence

• Violence against the person

• Homophobic offences

• Racist offences

• Sexual offences

Offences within this priority area

that are of concern are Domestic

Violence and Violence Against the

Person.

10

Research has shown that the level of

domestic violence within the

Borough is relatively high, but it

remains an under reported offence.

The Partnership has commissioned a

support service for victims and has

embarked on a campaign to

encourage the reporting of incidents

of domestic violence. In the short

term therefore the number of

recorded offences may increase,

although the long term aim is to

achieve a reduction.

Violence against the person is very

often related to other priority areas,

such as anti-social behaviour and

substance misuse, therefore by

tackling those activities and their

causes the Partnership believes that

there will be a resultant reduction in

violent offences.

The level of reported homophobic,

racist and sexual offences is very low

in the Borough and this was

supported by the results of the

Citizens Panel survey. These offences

will be closely monitored, however,

and actions to address them will be

considered if warranted.

Substance misuse

The Partnership is conscious that

Tonbridge and Malling is in a

vulnerable geographical position in

relation to drug dealing networks

given its location near to London

and the coast with good

communication links to both

crossing the Borough. Drug crime

per head of population in Tonbridge

and Malling is, however, low in

comparison with most other areas in

Kent and is below that of the County

and the South East. This, in part, is

due to the effort and resources that

the Partnership has dedicated to

tackling the subject over the periods

of its previous strategies.

It is also conscious that drug taking

and dealing has significant

implications for many other

categories of crime and disorder

such as acquisitive crimes, violence

and anti-social behaviour.

It therefore intends to continue its

efforts to address drug related issues

during the life of this Strategy by

being proactive in disrupting drug

markets and dealing networks

through a variety of preventative and

enforcement actions and by applying

various detection and surveillance

technology. It will also deliver a

programme of educational and

supportive measures to encourage

vulnerable people away from drugs.

Encouragement and support will also

continue to be given to those

statutory and voluntary agencies

engaged in delivering treatment

services for those in need.

All the actions delivered will be

undertaken within a framework

agreed by the Kent Drug and Alcohol

Action Team with whom the CDRP

works very closely.

The CDRP will, during the life of this

Strategy, develop and implement

measures to address alcohol abuse,

including binge and underage

drinking. Alcohol abuse is a major

contribution to anti-social

behaviour, criminal damage and

violence in particular and therefore

impacts on three of the other

priority areas identified within this

Strategy.

Environmental crime

Many of the categories within this

theme can also be regarded as anti-

social behaviour e.g. fly-tipping, fly-

posting, litter, abandoned vehicles

etc. The Partnership decided to

include this as one of the priority

areas in its Strategy as the public

identified the above categories and

others as being of particular concern

to them. These issues directly affect

the quality of life of residents.

Additional statutory powers have

recently been made available to

partner agencies to address and

enforce against such activities and the

Partnership intends to ensure that

they are used to tackle the issues.

Other issues

Fear of Crime

The Partnership is conscious that very

often the public’s perception of the

level of crime and disorder in the

Borough is not borne out in reality

and crime levels are much lower than

believed. The perception is often

influenced by media reports and

stories from other areas of the country.

The Partnership will take all possible

opportunities to make the public

aware of crime levels, actions being

taken to tackle issues and successes

that are achieved. A variety of

sources will be used to communicate

with the public, including the local

media, a Partnership newsletter, the

Partnership’s website and the

Borough Council’s newspaper.

Targeting of Identified Priority and

Prolific Offenders

Reducing crime is a top priority for

the Government and the reason for

the existence of CDRPs. A small

proportion of offenders are known to

commit a disproportionately high

number of offences. Some offenders

are engaged in a cycle of offending,

conviction, prison and immediate

return to offending. The Identified

Persistent and Prolific Offender (IPPO)

strategy is designed to tackle

individuals identified as IPPOs or

potential IPPOs and to break the cycle.


11

The Strategy has three strands:

1. Prevent and Deter

The principle aim is to prevent

young offenders who are on the cusp

of prolific offending from becoming

such and to stop young people

entering the pool of prolific

offenders.

The CDRP will provide

• Identification of individuals most

at risk of becoming IPPOs.

• Interventions that are appropriate

• Outcomes which prevent continued

offending.

A countywide group has been

established to assist CDRPs to

achieve the above.

Through its annual Action Plans the

Partnership will implement

appropriate interventions to support

this strand of the IPPO Scheme.

2. Catch and Convict

The aim of this strand is to actively

tackle those who are already prolific or

persistent offenders. All partners will

focus on the same group of offenders.

This CDRP has between 15 and 20

offenders targeted as IPPOs at any one

time. These are the individuals who

cause most harm to their communities

through crime or anti-social

behaviour. Considerable effort will be

directed at catching the offenders and

the Crown Prosecution Service will fast

track the cases to the courts.

3. Rehabilitate and Resettle

The aim of this strand of the Scheme

is to confront the IPPOs with a

simple choice – reform or if not face

a speedy return to prison or court.

IPPOs may be in custody or the

community, both will receive support

and priority access to services

It should be noted that schemes

similar to each of the three strands

have been operating in Kent for

some years and are well established.

These schemes have now become

part of a coherent national

approach. The IPPO programme has

already achieved closer working

between partner agencies and an

expansion of the number of agencies

involved. Offenders have been

caught, convicted and imprisoned.

IPPOs will be tracked as they journey

through the three strands of the

programme by a national case

tracking system. The CDRP is

responsible for local recording

and reporting as well as local

co-ordination of the programme.

Other crime categories

Burglary

Burglary in the Borough has been

reducing year on year and is at a

very low level. On average

approximately one burglary a day

occurs in the Borough. It is a crime

which has a direct emotional

impact on victims and is therefore

of particular concern to residents.

Whilst the Partnership will

continue to carefully monitor

burglary levels and patterns and

take appropriate actions where

necessary it does not intend to

include the crime within its

Priorities for particular attention.

Vehicle Crime

The theft of vehicles has over the last

few years been reducing and theft

from vehicles has remained at a

relatively low level. The Partnership

will continue to set targets to reduce

vehicle crime as required by

Government and it will do all it can

to achieve reductions, but it has not

included this crime as one of its

Priorities for particular attention.

Theft

Theft offences have been consistently

increasing during the period 2001/2

– 2003/4. The Partnership has

identified this as a subject for

further detailed investigation and

analysis of data to ascertain the

nature of the offences and any trends

and patterns. This further work will

enable effective and focussed

measures to tackle the crime to be

brought forward for implementation

within the annual Action Plans.

Targets

The Partnership has carefully

considered the setting of crime

reduction targets for the period of

the Strategy and has attempted to be

realistic as to the level of reduction

that can be achieved given the low

levels of crime within the Borough.

Indeed the Government Office for

the South East (GOSE) has

acknowledged that reduction targets

for Tonbridge and Malling should be

set lower than most other areas in

the South East.

The Partnership considers that the

following targets are in the

circumstances realistic, but also

sufficiently challenging to require it

to continue to work hard to achieve –

Reduction Target for

Government Defined

Comparator Crime Overall = 10%

Reduction Target for Theft

of Vehicles = 9 %

Reduction Target for Theft

from Vehicles = 6%

Reduction Target for Assault = 10%


Woundings = 10%


Criminal Damage = 15%

12

Action Plans

The Partnership will produce annual

Action Plans containing specific

actions aimed at addressing its

stated Strategic Priorities. The Action

Plans will identify targets and

outcomes for each action which will

be monitored and evaluated to

ensure their effectiveness.

All actions will be focussed on at

least one of the Strategic Priorities

and where appropriate will be

supported by the allocation of an

appropriate level of funds within the

control of the CDRP. Annual

expenditure plans will be produced

in support of the Action Plans

identifying the level of financial

commitment by the Partnership to

individual actions. Cost effectiveness

will accordingly form part of the

evaluation of each action financially

supported.

The ExtendedPartnership Family

The Partnership will deploy 9 Police

Community Support Officers

(PCSOs), funded jointly by the Home

Office, Kent Police, Tonbridge and

Malling Borough Council, Kent

County Council, Russet Homes and

appropriate Parish and Town

Councils. Kent County Council has

also allocated 8 of its Community

Wardens to locations in the Borough.

The deployment and funding of

these posts has demonstrated the

level of partnership that exists locally

and the willingness for agencies to

contribute to the overall effort.

These officers will assist the

Partnership by providing links with

local communities as well as

providing a visible and reassuring

presence on the street.

CCTV and OtherTechnology

Both the Borough Council and the

Police have invested heavily in the

provision of CCTV, both fixed and

mobile, over recent years. The

Partnership intends to use this and

other technologies e.g. Automatic

Number Plate Readers (ANPR) and

Ion Track drug detection equipment,

to assist its efforts in respect of

preventing and detecting crime and

disorder.

Young People

The Partnership recognises that

much of its efforts in addressing

crime and disorder issues will involve

young people whether as victims,

offenders or in terms of their

vulnerability to moving into crime

and disorder in their formative years.

It intends therefore to provide

guidance and opportunities to young

people to encourage them into

positive activities and good

citizenship practices.

Through the further development of

the Borough’s Youth Forum and

other means it will engage with

young people by involving them in

the decision making processes and

the development of projects and

initiatives.

Involving the WiderCommunity

The Partnership will seek to involve

the wider community in its efforts to

reduce crime and disorder. This will

include increasing its engagement,

involvement and support of

community groups. It will encourage

and enable voluntary community

groups and organisations to

contribute towards the Partnership’s

aims and objectives to reduce crime

and disorder and address their root

causes.

Delivering the strategy


13Appendix 1Anti-Social Behaviour policy

Introduction

The purpose of establishing an Anti-

Social Behaviour (ASB) policy is to

clearly identify, for the benefit of all

Partners and other stakeholders,

including the public, what the CDRP

defines as ASB, the priorities it has

identified to be tackled in the

Borough, the methods, powers and

measures that will be used to tackle

the problems and the agencies who

will be involved and their role within

the process.

The Policy will form an Appendix to

the CDRP’s Crime and Disorder

Reduction Strategy 2005-2008.

Definition of ASB

The overall definition which the

CDRP will apply in addressing ASB is

the definition contained in the

Crime and Disorder Act 1998 –

‘Acting in a manner that causes or is

likely to cause harassment, alarm or

distress to one or more persons not

of the same household.’

The CDRP acknowledges that other

definitions have appeared in other

documents and publications, which

endeavour to provide greater

detailed definitions of types of

behaviour to be regarded as ASB. It

notes the typology of ASB contained

in the Home Office Development and

Practice Report – “Defining and

Measuring ASB” as a practical

framework and guide to the main

categories of ASB, but equally notes

the advice that each CDRP should

identify those categories which are

having a detrimental impact on the

local population and therefore

require tackling. A list of those

categories can be found on page 15.

Agencies Involved inTackling ASB and theirRoles

It is important to identify all the

agencies involved in tackling ASB

in the Borough. A list appears on

page 16.

Powers and Measures

The principal legal powers available

to the CDRP in tackling ASB are

contained within the Crime and

Disorder Act 1998 and the Anti

Social Behaviour Act 2003. There is

however numerous powers available

to agencies within the CDRP to

tackle many of the causes of ASB,

which the relevant agencies will

apply where appropriate in

individual cases.

The principal measures which the

CDRP will apply when and where it

considers appropriate are –

• Warning letters

• Acceptable Behaviour Agreements

(ABAs)

• Anti Social Behaviour Orders

(ASBOs)

Methods of Tackling ASB

The CDRP will agree and adopt

Operating Procedures for tackling

ASB. Such procedures will clearly

identify in detail the procedures to

be adopted by all agencies involved

in the process of tackling cases of

ASB. These procedures will be

contained in a separate document to

form an appendix to this Policy and

will be reviewed periodically by the

CDRP in the light of operational

experience and changes occurring.

The CDRP will tackle ASB and its

root causes through the delivery of a

range of initiatives and interventions

which will include the following –

• Prevention – the provision of

diversionary activities, education

and behavioural guidance for

young people and parents

• Interventions – such as multi-

agency case conferencing,

14

mediation services, family group

conferencing, community

consultation and involvement,

ABAs, Parenting Contracts

• Enforcement – such as injunctions,

possession proceedings, ASBOs

Details of initiatives and

interventions will be included in the

CDRP’s annual Action Plans.

Protocol of Data Sharingand Information Exchange

All agencies that participate in data

sharing and exchange will have

agreed and be signatories to the

CDRP’s adopted ‘Protocol of Data

Sharing and Information Exchange’

in respect of personal information.

In sharing and storing information

they will also satisfy the requirements

of all appropriate legislation, relating

to Human Rights, Freedom of

Information and Data Protection.

Confidentiality

Where complaints are received

relating to the behaviour of

individuals or groups, the CDRP will

operate within strict guidelines of

confidentiality. We recognise that by

disclosing the identity of

complainants, even unintentionally,

creates difficulties and in serious

cases even exposes them to danger.

Staff therefore adopt measures that, as

far as possible, protect the anonymity

of complainants. Where the legal

process requires the identification of

complainants, the prior consent of

the complainant will be sought.

Witness Support

Sometimes people are not prepared

to act as witnesses to anti-social

behaviour because they are

concerned about possible reprisals.

On some occasions therefore the

services of professional third party

witnesses may be engaged. The CDRP

values the importance of witnesses in

tackling anti-social behaviour and it

will support them and keep them

informed of progress in cases with

which they are involved as far as

possible. Where appropriate legal and

court processes will be explained and

reassurance provided to witnesses.

Central Database ofASB incidents

The CDRP will establish and

maintain a central database of ASB

incidents to be accessed only by

specifically authorised officers

employed by the CDRP or its partner

agencies. The database will be used

to prepare documentation in order

to process cases of ASB, to monitor

individual cases or patterns and

trends by location and/or category.

Methods of DataCollection

There exist many sources and

methods of data collection in

relation to ASB particularly bearing

in mind its diversity, complexity and

inter-relationship with other criminal

and social activities.

The CDRP will therefore collect data

from a variety of sources, including

the following –

• Police crime reports (STORM

reports)

• Reports to the Borough Council’s

Crime Reduction Unit

• The Borough Council’s Streetline

reporting service

• Databases held by individual

agencies

• IQuanta/CADDIE databases

• Survey material

• Information from direct

investigations

• Children’s Consortia

Resourcing the Tacklingof ASB

The CDRP will consider the most

effective, efficient and economic

methods of resourcing the tackling of

ASB in the Borough. This will include

the staffing, equipping and funding

of its efforts to successfully tackle

ASB in the Borough to the benefit of

residents, workers and visitors.

Training

The CDRP recognises the

importance of regular and specialist

training for staff involved in

countering anti-social behaviour and

will commit the appropriate

resources to ensure staff knowledge

and skills remain up to date and

adequate for the task.

Identified Prolific &Priority Offenders (IPPO)

A close relationship will be developed

and maintained between cases dealt

with by the CDRP in relation to ASB

and its IPPO Scheme as some

individuals may be included within

that Scheme from time to time.

Complaints

Any complaints received relating to

the content or application of this

Policy or the adopted ASB

operational procedures will be

referred to the Chairman of the

CDRP for investigation and response.

Monitoring

The CDRP will regularly monitor the

implementation, operation and

effectiveness of this Policy and

operational procedures and conduct

an annual review, which may result in

amendments being made.


15

Misuse of public space

• Taking drugs

• Discarding needles/drug

paraphernalia

• Street drinking

• Abandoned cars

• Vehicle related nuisance &

inappropriate vehicle use

• Inconvenient/illegal parking

• Car repairs on the street/in

gardens

• Setting vehicles alight

• Joyriding

• Off road motorcycling

Disregard forcommunity/personal wellbeing

• Noise

• Noisy neighbours

• Noisy cars/motorbikes

• Loud music

• Alarms (persistent

ringing/malfunction)

• Noise from pubs/clubs

• Noise from business/industry

• Persistent rowdy behaviour

• Persistent shouting and swearing

• Fighting

• Drunken behaviour

• Hooliganism/loutish behaviour

• Nuisance behaviour

– Urinating in public

– Setting fires

– Inappropriate use of fireworks

– Throwing missiles

– Climbing on buildings

– Impeding access to communal

areas

– Games in

restricted/inappropriate areas

– Misuse of air guns

– Letting down tyres

• Hoax calls

• Deliberate fires

• Persistent animal related problems

• Uncontrolled animals

Acts directed at people

• Persistent intimidation/harassment

– Groups or individuals making

threats

– Verbal abuse

– Bullying

– Following people

– Pestering people

– Voyeurism

(Can be on the grounds of: Race,

Sexual orientation, Gender, Religion,

Disability, Age)

Environmental damage

• Criminal damage/vandalism

– Graffiti

– Damage to bus shelters

– Damage to phone kiosks

– Damage to street furniture

– Damage to buildings

– Damage to trees/plants/hedges

• Litter/rubbish

• Fly-tipping

• Fly posting

Definitions of Anti-Social Behaviour inTonbridge & Malling

16

Kent Police

Maidstone & Malling BCU

West Kent BCU


Council

Crime Reduction Unit

Health & Housing Services

Leisure Services

Planning & Engineering Services

Kent County Council

Social Services

Youth Offending Service

Youth & Community

Trading Standards

Education

Social Housing Providers

Russet Homes (formerly known as

Tonbridge and Malling Housing

Association)

Moat Housing Group

Sanctuary Housing Association

Hyde Housing Association

Housing 21

English Churches Housing Group

London & Quadrant Housing Trust

Southern Housing Group

Kent Fire & Rescue Service

Probation Service

Primary Health Care Trusts

Maidstone Weald

South West Kent

Kent Drug and Alcohol Action Team

Neighbourhood Watch

Parish/Town Councils

Courts

Crown Prosecution Service

Voluntary Sector –

Neighbourhood Watch

Victim Support

Mediation Services

Agencies involved in tacklingASB in Tonbridge & Malling


17Appendix 2Reported crime forTonbridge & Malling bytype/year 2001-2004

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

2000

BURGLARY DWELLI

NG

BURGLARY OTHER

CRIMINAL D

AMAGE OFFENCES

DRUG OFFENCES

FRAUD AND FORGERY

OTHER OFFENCES

ROBBERY

SEXUAL OFFENCES

SHOPLIFTING

THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE

THEFT OF M

OTOR VEHICLE

THEFT OF PEDAL C

YCLE

THEFT OFFENCES

VEHICLE INTERFERENCE

VIOLENCE AGAINST THE PERSON

Type

Co

un

t

18 Appendix 3Reported crime in Tonbridge & Malling by wardfor 2001-2004

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

Aylesford

Ward

Co

un

t

Blue Bell Hill a

nd Waldersla

de

Borough Green and Long M

ill

Burham

Cage GreenCast

le

DittonDowns

East M

alling

East Peckh

am and Golden Green

HadlowHigham

Hildenborough

Ightham Judd

Kings Hill

Larkfield North

Larkfield South

Medway

Snodland East

Snodland West

Trench

Vauxhall

Waterin

gbury

West Mallin

g and Leybourne

Wrotham


19Appendix 4 Comparison with other districts in Kent

The table below gives a comparison of the total crime per 1,000 population between Tonbridge and Malling and the

other 12 districts of Kent. From this table it can be seen that Tonbridge and Malling ranks 10th overall.

Comparison with Kent Districts 2003/4

Source: Kent Police BIU

Area Total population (2001 census) Total recorded crime per 1,000 population

Gravesham 95,717 125.8

Dartford 85,911 117.5

Thanet 126,702 100.0

Swale 122,801 91.3

Shepway 96,238 83.9

Maidstone 138,948 80.7

Canterbury 135,278 77.3

Dover 104,566 76.5

Ashford 102,661 76

Tonbridge & Malling 107,561 69.3

Sevenoaks 109,305 66.1

Tunbridge Wells 104,030 64.4

20

Co-chairs of Tonbridge & MallingCrime and DisorderReduction Partnership

Maidstone & Malling Police Area

Commander

Superintendent Mark Salisbury

Police Station

Palace Avenue

Maidstone

Kent ME15 6NF

Tel: 01622 608100

Tonbridge & Malling Borough

Council Chief Executive

David Hughes

Gibson Building, Gibson Drive

Kings Hill

West Malling

Kent ME19 4LZ

Tel: 01732 844522

West Kent Police Area Commander

Superintendent Jeremy Price

Police Station

1 Pembury Road

Tonbridge

Kent TN9 2HS

Tel: 01732 370700

Other Partners

Area Youth and Community Officer

Mid Kent Education Office

Bishops Terrace

Bishops Way

Maidstone

Kent ME14 1AF

Tel: 01622 605159

Area Children and Families Officer

Social Services Area Office

Croft House

East Street

Tonbridge

Kent TN9 1HP

Tel: 01732 362442

Manager, Youth Offending Team

Joynes House

New Road

Gravesend

DA11 0AT

Tel: 01474 454529

Area Education Officer

Kroner House

Eurogate Business Park

Ashford

Kent TN24 8XU

Tel: 01233 898560

Head of Community Nursing

Maidstone Weald PCT

Preston Hall, London Road

Aylesford

Kent ME20 7NJ

Tel: 01622 711250

Locality Manager

South West Kent PCT

Wharf House

Medway Wharf Road

Tonbridge

Kent TN9 1RE

Tel: 01732 375200

Kent Fire and Rescue Service

Partnership Manager, South Division

South Division Headquarters

Loose Road, Maidstone

Tel: 01622 774500

Probation Service

Senior Probation Officer

56 College Road

Maidstone

Kent ME15 6SJ

Tel: 01622 687521

Russet Homes

Chief Executive

Basted House, Harrison Road

Borough Green

Sevenoaks

Kent TN15 8PB

Tel: 01732 780999

Drug and Alcohol Action Team

Commissioning Manager, Kent DAAT

Stoneborough House

Chequers Centre, Kings Street

Maidstone

Kent ME15 6AW

Tel: 01622 669007

Kent Police Authority

1st Floor, Gail House

Lower Stone Street

Maidstone

Kent ME15 6NB

Tel: 01622 677055

Contact details


21Glossary

ABA

Acceptable Behaviour Agreement.

This is a voluntary agreement given

to someone who is causing anti-

social behaviour. It sets out agreed

parameters of behaviour.

Action Plan

An annual plan that contains specific

actions aimed at addressing the

CDRPs strategic aims.

ASB

Anti-Social Behaviour – The

definition of anti-social behaviour is

“anyone acting in a manner that

causes or is likely to cause

harassment, alarm or distress to one

or more persons not of the same

household.”

ASBO

Anti-Social Behaviour Order – this

prohibits certain actions from being

carried out e.g. playing loud music.

A breach of the ASBO could lead to

prosecution.

ANPR

Automatic Number Plate

Recognition. The equipment reads

the number plates and checks the

information against databases. If the

number plate is matched, for

example, with a stolen car, the ANPR

equipment will sound an alert so the

car can be stopped.

BCU

Basic Command Unit (policing area)

Burglary of Dwellings

Burglary of a person’s home or where

people reside.

CCTV

Closed Circuit Television

CDRP

Crime and Disorder Reduction

Partnership

Criminal Damage

Willful damage and defacement to

property belonging to someone else.

This includes walls, fences, street

furniture and vehicles.

Domestic Violence

Any incident of threatening

behaviour, violence or abuse

(psychological, physical, sexual,

financial or emotional) between

adults who are or have been intimate

partners or are family members

regardless of gender.

Environmental Crime

This covers those activities which are

against the law and which are

detrimental to our environment and

our quality of life. Issues such as

litter, fly tipping, graffiti and fly

posting.

Fear of Crime

The public’s perception of the level

of crime and disorder, which may be

different to the reality of crime levels.

GOSE

Government Office of the South East

IPPO Strategy

Identified Prolific and Priority

Offenders Strategy. There are three

strands to the Strategy – Prevent and

Deter, Catch and Convict and

Rehabilitate and Resettle.

KDAAT

Kent Drug & Alcohol Action Team

PCSO

Police Community Support Officers

PCT

Primary Care Trust

Quality of Life

The term used to describe an

individual’s satisfaction with his or

her life and general sense of well-

being

Reported crime

Number of crimes reported to the

police.

Robbery

Robbery is the term used to describe

the theft of goods or property by

force or threat of force.

Substance Misuse

Is a term that refers to the harmful

use of any substance, such as

alcohol, a street drug or misuse of a

prescribed drug.

Theft Offences

Theft offences are the wrongful

taking of someone else's property

without that person's willful consent.

Theft offences include theft from

handbags, theft of mobile phones,

purses and wallets and theft from

staff areas of shops.

Vehicle Crime

Theft of and theft from vehicles.

Violent Crime

A violent crime or crime of violence

is a crime in which the offender uses

or threatens violent force upon the

victim. Violent crime includes

robbery, sexual offences and

‘Violence against the person’

offences, such as assault and murder.

Violence against the Person

This includes a number of offences,

including common assault. It also

includes homophobic and racist

offences.

Gibson Building, Gibson Drive, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent ME19 4LZTelephone: 01732 844522

www.tmcrimereduction.org.uk

Documents

Tonbridge and Malling Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership