Review of Violent Crime
Resources and Sustainable Communities Scrutiny Panel
Service Improvement Performance Monitoring of the Community Safety Improvement Plan - Review of Violent Crime
1. Introduction by the Chair
This is the second scrutiny review that has been undertaken in relation to crime and disorder following the Best Value Review of Community Safety in April 2004.
The Improvement Plan produced at the time of the review contained the following Improvement Actions in relation to town centre violence and domestic violence:
- Review service provision in terms of CCTV operation.
- Implement “a think safe, drink safe” campaign in all town centres.
- Implement the actions contained within the domestic violence strategy.
- Increase accessibility of information about local services in relation to domestic violence.
The Scrutiny Panel has considered the progress made towards implementing the above, together with a wider review of measures introduced to tackle violent crime and domestic violence in Tameside.
Tackling town centre violence is high on the Government's agenda as shown by the recent introduction of the Violent Crime Reduction Act. Creating a safe environment is also one of the Council's priorities in the Tameside Community Strategy and the Council's Corporate Plan has an objective to reduce violent crime, including domestic violence. The Panel recognises that the level of town centre violence is generally speaking rising through out Greater Manchester although this problem in Tameside is confined to a relatively small number of areas. Much of it is alcohol related and occurs not in pubs and clubs but outside away from the security measures and initiatives that have been implemented in our town centre venues. The review has looked at ways that the same safety initiatives that are proving so successful in pubs and clubs can be extended to catering establishments. The review has considered some of the affects of the new licensing regime.
Domestic Violence had been identified in the 2004 Best Value Review as an area of weakness. Since then a number of improvements have been implemented with a full time co-ordinator appointed, a multi disciplinary Domestic Violence Forum has been established chaired by a Cabinet Secretary and the Forum has produced an action plan to raise awareness of this crime and increase prosecution.
The Panel has met with key service providers and also commissioned an extensive consultation exercise with victims of domestic violence.
In common with all scrutiny reviews reports, this report is a snapshot in time looking at the services in question knowing that situations change and develop. For the review to be practical, it has to have limits to what it considers and there is other work ongoing, particularly work aimed at dealing with the underlying causes of violence such as alcohol misuse and work to tackle hate crime, that is outside the scope of this review.
The overall conclusion of this review is that significant improvements in tacking violent crime have been introduced since the Best Value Review, especially in relation to domestic violence which now has a dedicated officer and an active partnership in the Domestic Violence Forum which is developing proactive multi-agency support.
I would like to thank all those who have contributed to and supported this review, which I commend to the Council.
Councillor Michael Smith
Chair of Resources and Sustainable Communities Scrutiny Panel
2. Summary
The report reviews the progress of the implementation of Improvement Plan following the Best Value Review of Community Safety published in April 2004, insofar as it applies to town centre and domestic violence. The Panel selected these issues because the Best Value Report concluded that the Council's approach to tackling violent crime and domestic violence needed to be more focussed.
In undertaking these reviews, the Scrutiny Panel canvassed a range of opinions and received considerable information from the Community Safety Unit and the Council's partners.
The Panel has considered the Council's approach to violent crime both in town centres and domestic, together with the role of partners in the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership. The Panel has considered the licensing affects of the Licensing Act and the need to review licences when circumstances require. The Council has made significant efforts to reduce violent crime, although the trends indicate rising levels across the whole of Greater Manchester. A number of initiatives are grant funded and where possible mainstreaming of funding should be considered. There are also police shift patterns that do not appear to take account of the new licensing hours and need to be reviewed. The Council has installed very sophisticated CCTV systems and the best use of these needs to be made by improving communication with police operations. There are very effective schemes to reduce violence in pubs and clubs, but problems can occur at fast food outlets and in taxis. These need to be included in these schemes. There are good examples of multi agency working but they often concentrate upon crime prevention rather than considering the underlining causes of offending behaviour.
With regard to domestic violence it is clear that the Council has taken considerable steps since the criticism in the original Best Value Report. The Domestic Violence Forum provides a good example of multi agency working but this is only as good as the commitment of the respective partners and the Panel is pleased to a note a recent more effective input form the police. The local NHS trusts also play a significant role in combating this often hidden crime and the development of a standardised approach and further training would be welcomed. Tameside Refuge provides secure support for victims of domestic violence and should continue to be supported. The development of schemes to protect victims in their own homes is an important and welcome improvement as domestic violence is one of the major causes of homelessness. The Sanctuary Housing Scheme is a good example of these schemes and how effectively victims can be supported.
3. Membership of Panel
2005/06
Councillor Walsh (Chair), Councillors Grundy, P Harrison, Hill, Holland , M J Smith, Wareing, Welsh and K Wright
2006/07
Councillor M J Smith (Chair), Councillors Dickinson, Sidebottom, Travis, Walsh, Wareing, White, Whitley and K Wright
4. Terms of Reference
The following Terms of Reference for the Review were agreed at a meeting of the Scrutiny Panel held on 7th July 2005. A copy of the Project Plan for the review is appended to this report as Appendix 1.
Aim of the Scrutiny Review
To review the impact of current measures to tackle violent crime in Tameside and to consider future plans, in order to inform policy development and help ensure targets are met.
Objectives
To produce accurate and comprehensive information about the level of violent crime in Tameside and to consider its effects on the community.
To evaluate the impact of current policies and procedures to;
- Tackle and reduce violent crime in town centres;
- Reduce youth involvement in violent crime;
- Tackle domestic violence and provide support to victims;
- Deal with offenders;
- Tackle the underlying causes of violent crime, including alcohol misuse and hate crime
To consider future plans for tackling violent crime in Tameside.
To assess measures for tackling violent crime in relation to value for money.
To identify examples of best practice in Tameside and other Local Authorities and make any recommendations for improvement.
The report is divided into two sections: