Agenda item

6.1

The Committee received a presentation which outlined the core principles and definition of Neighbourhood Policing in Sheffield.

6.2

In attendance for this item was Superintendent Paul McCurry and Inspector Richard Burgess, South Yorkshire Police and Maxine Stavrianakos (Head of Neighbourhood Intervention and Tenant Support).

6.3

In giving the presentation, Inspector Richard Burgess stated that due to reductions in workforce numbers, it had been necessary to reintroduce neighbourhood structures by creating neighbourhood teams to be fully integrated and collaborate with partner agencies, to share local buildings and be visible to the members of the public.  He said that the aim was to protect the vulnerable and enhance community safety and that local people would be able to identify and know how to access their neighbourhood officers.  Inspector Burgess then outlined the key roles the Neighbourhood Teams would deliver through crime prevention and targeting those who wished to cause harm by maximising visibility and accessibility.  Inspector Burgess then showed where the 10 Teams would be located and the areas they covered.

6.4

Maxine Stavrianakos gave an example of a known prolific offender and how information passed between the Probation Service, the City Council and the Police had been combined to resolve the matter and she felt that, due to resources being reduced in the Police Force and the City Council, there was a need for a good working relationship to bring teams closer together. 

6.5

Members made various comments and asked a number of questions, to which responses were provided as follows:-

·                     The Council has commissioned work on this project which was still in its very early stages, and initially the Teams were put together in Ward-based areas.  The city centre was a good example of complex policing needs, due to the high demand for many reasons, the public were able to easily identify the Neighbourhood Officers working alongside the City Centre Ambassadors.

·                     Neighbourhood Policing was about Teams being able to respond to problems 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to reduce demand in areas that were more resilient and provide flexibility between areas where the need might be greater.

·                     In the past, the Police Force had a “we can sort it” attitude to problems but resources no longer allow for this, thereby the need was greater than ever to work with local partners and agencies.

·                     It was acknowledged that there had been a lack of communication between the Police and local Ward Councillors, with many Councillors finding out what was happening in their Wards through the local media and they felt unable to help their constituents.  However, it was reported that a significant amount of new staff had been employed in the Communications Room and whilst there were some frustrations with the current arrangements, every effort was being made to ensure that weekly updates would be communicated to Members.

·                     It was felt that community activists were key to pulling community groups together, acknowledging that the Police could no longer police areas alone.

·                     The reason for going back to Neighbourhood Policing was down to budget cuts and the need to try and provide a better service in areas and hopefully there would be no further reductions in officers.

·                     Emails had been sent out to Councillors informing them of “who’s who” in the Neighbourhood Teams in their Wards.

·                     It was reported that there was a significant amount of mental health issues in certain areas and it was hoped that a Mental Health Worker would work across all areas by March, 2018.

·                     There was to be regular Partnership Analysis to monitor the effectiveness of the Teams.

6.6

RESOLVED: That the Committee:-

(a)       thanks Superintendent Paul McCurry, Inspector Richard Burgess and Maxine Stavrianakos for their contribution to the  presentation;

(b)       notes the contents of the presentation, comments made and responses to questions;

(c)        requests that arrangements be made for Members to visit the Neighbourhood Team based at Moorfoot;

(d)       requests that arrangements be made for Members to visit the police premises at Atlas Court on a date to be arranged during January/February, 2018, for a briefing on “smart” contact and a demonstration of the new service before it goes live;

(e)       receives better communication informing Members of the transition arrangements for South Yorkshire Police alerts; and

(f)        encourages South Yorkshire Police to work in partnership with community groups as part of the development of the Teams.