Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed the Neighbourhood Watch Coordinators who had accepted the invitation to attend and PC Billy Sargent from the Marine Policing Unit.  She also welcomed Stuart Nevill and Inspector Rhiannon Ivens who would be giving the main presentations and Thomas Edwards, who would demonstrate Twitter to the Group.

Apologies were received from Liz Dewson, Cllr Stephen Speak, Cllr Pamela Fleming, Ben Khosa, Darren Thornton, Roy Notley, Alison Parry, Maurice Press, Mireille Stanton, Wendy Kyrle-Pope, Sgt Michael Boulton, Sgt Ino Lobo, Philip Morgan and Jean Loveland.

a.      Spear’s work on supporting homeless people in Richmond borough by Stuart Nevill, Director of Spear in Richmond

b.      Co-ordination of Neighbourhood watch schemes in Richmond borough and use of social media: Inspector Rhiannon Ivens & Thomas Edwards, MPS Richmond

Questions can be asked by the public about this item as well as members.  The public can next ask questions in item 8.

a.      Spear’s work on supporting homeless people in Richmond borough by Stuart Nevill, Chief Executive of Spear in Richmond

Spear was founded by local resident Penny Wade 25 years ago when two homeless people died while sleeping rough on the bank of the Thames. Spear now delivers a range of services.  One is to go out at least twice a week to talk to rough sleepers and help them get into accommodation.  They also try to minimise the risks of rough sleeping and the length of time.

Spear has flats, hostels, a drug and alcohol service and partners housing associations to secure further accommodation.  The aim is for the move into accommodation to be sustainable and lead to independence.  Many difficult life issues can have led to the initial homelessness which also need to be addressed, so an additional service is to help the homeless to develop personally.  This “Recovery Process” is as important as finding accommodation.

Spear has a good relationship with the Richmond Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs). Weekly meetings are held to jointly address problem behaviour such as drinking and anti-social behaviour (ASB).

Questions on Spear

·         JT asked what the SPEAR acronym means.  It stands for single person’s emergency  accommodation in Richmond.

·         JE asked about joint working with the Police. Stuart said that the weekly meetings with North Richmond and South Richmond SNTs are very important, particularly if the Police have been tasked with moving someone on. Spear’s policy is to take positive risks by admitting people to hostels and also work closely with statutory drug & alcohol services and the Community Mental Health Team.

·         AJ asked how Spear is financed. It has an annual £1.5m budget, of which two thirds is from local authorities and the rest from a range of other donors, charities and via fund-raising.

·         RE asked if there has been a change in the number of service users in the borough.  Stuart said there seems to have been a sharp increase in the first 6 months of 2012 but it is too early to say if this is a long term trend.  There as been greater migration into the borough, possibly as a result of operations in central London for the Olympics. They will continue to monitor and evaluate the trend. Since the housing benefit changes, there has also been a sharp increase in phone calls from under 35 year olds who rent in the private sector and are worried about homelessness.

·         DS asked about hostel arrangements.  Kew Road Hostel is the most well known one and has 14 beds.  It only takes people who have been rough sleeping.  They stay one year on average, some longer or shorter. There is an intensive 24 hour staff presence. The hostel hosts many meetings to help rehabilitation.  After the hostel, the next stage is often shared, supported housing

·         SJ asked about people drinking outside the hostel with a large Alsatian dog, giving rise to intimidation.  Stuart described a problem last year with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.

(a)               To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 25 September 2012  Appendix A

(b)               To receive the Chair’s summary of the CPP Executive Group meeting held on 18^th October 2012 Appendix B

(a)               The minutes of the meeting held on 25 September 2012 were approved subject to correcting item 25, that the penalties were for off-track cycling as opposed to cycling at all.

(b)               The Chair’s summary of the CPP Executive Group meeting held on 18^th October 2012 was received

(a)               Any update on doorstep callers and unwanted phone calls (minute 27)

(b)               Twitter training (minute 35)

(a)               Minute 27: Clive has now talked to Safeguarding Adults about the issue of doorstep callers and unwanted phone calls

(b)               Minute 25: the training in Twitter has started.

To be presented by Chief Superintendent Clive Chalk and circulated separately to members of the CPP.

Chief Superintendent Clive Chalk wished to cover three main things, starting with the murder in Teddington.  He expressed his condolences to Mr Lawless’ family, who are being supported by the police Family Liaison Officer.  Five significant arrests have been made and reassurance patrols have been put in place, primarily on Friday and Saturday nights led by SNT Sgt, Tony Lovegrove. Graham Simpson will attend the PLG.  The Police have used their powers to request an expedited review of the Royal Oak’s license but this does not necessarily mean the pub is to blame in any way.  They have asked for a licensing review in 24 hours, enhanced CCTV, security on the doors, that the pub joins Pubwatch and closes at 12 like the other local pubs.

MK, Chair of Teddington PLG, said he thought that the police response had been impeccable and that this level of community engagement would not have happened outside London. Sharing Sgt Lovegrove with Hampton Wick SNT facilitated a rapid deployment of the second SNT team when this emergency occurred.

CC has spoken previously about the Local Policing Model and he should receive the final figures in the next few weeks, and then will explain it to NHW Coordinators and PLG Chairs.

CC then welcomed Ch/Insp Graham Simpson who has taken over the Safer Neighbourhoods role from Steve Kyte, who has moved to the Response Team.  He recorded thanks to Steve Kyte.  Hannah Wheeler is now back as Richmond Cluster Inspector with additional responsibilities for ASB and Licensing.  RI is Teddington Cluster Inspector with responsibility for NHW and public confidence. Insp Simon Young has the Twickenham Cluster and his other responsibilities are town centre events such as rugby crowds, reinvigorating Community Payback, leading Operation Hawk (drug offending) and Kickz football project.

Thirdly, CC wanted to talk about Operation Hawk. The community is keen for the Police to do more about lower level drug dealing and Operation Hawk is exactly that. One warrant per day is issued on average and the focus is on people causing concern in wards due to drugs or other concerning behaviours, e.g. dangerous dogs.  CC asked that members let people know that the Police can use Operation Hawk to respond quickly to emerging concerns.

Report attached as Appendix C

Report attached as Appendix D

These two reports were tabled and if members have any questions about their content, email Julie and she will obtain a response from the appropriate police force.

It should be noted that after this item, only members of the CPP can ask questions. 

(a)               An opportunity to raise any questions or concerns relating to general and current policing matters, which affect the whole community. 

(b)               Questions raised by email or post to the Administrator.

No further questions were raised

a.      Chairman’s and Deputy Chairman’s Meetings on Behalf of the CPP Appendix E

The Chair’s and Deputy Chair’s lists of meetings were tabled.

This report was tabled and any questions about it should be sent to Julie.

Any questions for Wendy Kyrle-Pope about this report should be sent to Julie in the first instance.

(a)   Partnership Issues including anti-social behaviour, hate crime, domestic violence and offender management Appendix H

(b)        CCTV update Appendix I

This report was tabled.

CA said she thinks she has found a new way to engage youth. She recently met a group of young people from Hampton Academy, who were at the Civic Centre for Youth Takeover Day; and was able to obtain their advice. They have suggested using School Councils and their forum page; and agreed to be used as a pilot group.

(a)               Latest Police Liaison Group meetings

Where available the minutes/notes of recent PLG meetings are available on the Council website at www.richmond.gov.uk/police_liaison_groups_plg . 

The Administrator has produced a summary paper of updated PLG priorities and other points of interest from these minutes as Appendix J.

(b)               4 minute presentation by Police Liaison Group Chair(s)

(a) Latest Police Liaison Group meetings

The Administrator’s report on updated PLG priorities and other points of interest from recent PLG meeting minutes was tabled.

(b) 4 minute presentation by Colin Heath, Chair of Twickenham Riverside Police Liaison Group

CH said there had been only two meetings this year due to the Olympics. They usually meet at York House but are now going to use the Police Station. Around 15 people usually attend and the help of Julie Hill is invaluable; he can’t thank her enough.  He would dearly love to broaden the spectrum of attendees but is not sure how. He can understand that many types of people are too busy to attend, yet they are the majority on the ward.  Better publicity is probably the answer and he will try to Twitter. He commented that the Met’s website cannot advertise PLG meetings by their proper title. Action RI said that PLG meetings can be twittered.

The main concerns in CH’s area are rugby policing, ASB (which seems to have gone down since Sgt Jackson got special constables to work alongside Licensing) and burglary, (which has gone up a little).  Anti-social cyclists are also still a bugbear.

A NHW Coordinator commented that meetings starting at 7pm do not allow commuters to attend.  CA said the CPP may try to do a big PLG publicity campaign before the end of the year.

·         BW said 25^th November was White Ribbon Day and the LBRuT Domestic Abuse Coordinator, Mick Allen, organised campaigning at the England v South Africa rugby match.  11 volunteers helped and got over 500 fans to sign the pledge to end violence against women.  The SNTs are going to distribute domestic abuse advice via stickers for toilet doors in bars, pubs and clubs.  The CPP is going to fund printing of business cards with domestic abuse advice.

·         JB warned about a Council Tax letter which does not come from the local authority, suggesting you may be paying too much.  The company takes 25% of any rebate they obtain for you.

·         LP asked if the new policing model will include revised operating times at Richmond police station, which she has heard may close at weekends.  CC said this question is part of the public access review and no firm decision has been made.  12 to 8pm opening times are one idea being floated.

The meeting closed at 21:04

·                  Tuesday 29^th January 2013 in the Salon

·                  Tuesday 19th March 2013 in the Salon

·                  Tuesday 29^th January 2013 in the Salon

·                  Tuesday 19th March 2013 in the Salon