Agenda item

This report provides PAC with an update following the previous meeting focusing on work of the Law Enforcement Team between July and September 2022.

This was a standing item and Mo Basith provided an update with data and completed actions arising from previous meeting held on July 2022, highlighting key areas of performance in undertaking frontline and visible community support.  Key highlights were provided in the main report which included performance figures and the high visibility and engagement of Law Enforcement Team (LET) officers and their care and regard for the safety of H&F residents.  During quarter two, the LET conducted over 23,806 patrols, an average of over 250 per day at hot spots and areas of concern, received 1433 service requests from residents and businesses were investigated and resolved. LET officers issued 505 fixed penalty notices for issues such as fly tipping littering and highways obstruction.  Over five and a half thousand Patrols had been undertaken on housing land and in addition approximately 4000 hours of reassurance patrols were conducted on highways and in district centres with particular emphasis on the Shepherd's Bush and Hammersmith Broadway areas.  The LET had also conducted 1154 weapons sweep during their patrols the from July 2022 to September 2022.

Areas of growing demand stemmed from anti-social behaviour (ASB) in parks (appendix 1), much of which was diffused on the scene with LET officers actively engaging with residents in ward areas such as White City and Shepherds Bush.  Some of the highlighted completed actions included:

·        LET had reached out to every ward councillor and offered site visits, and most had taken up the offer to meet with their local ward LET officer, local meetings, engagement, attending the tenants and residents association meetings;

·        LET contact details had been posted at the Monk Street housing office, as requested; and

·        LET had engaged with the youth council to explore concerns and identify areas for improvement.

Neil Thurlow commended the work of the LET which had supported several high profile events such as the Queens cortege as it passed through Hammersmith, bank holiday weekend, and Remembrance Day weekend.  The two way communication and dialogue between LET officers and residents was essential.

Councillor Omid Miri welcomed the performance update, actions and commended the work undertaken.  With reference to Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), a breakdown of LET officers by gender was requested, and information about specific training has been given in relation to VAWG, as with mental health training.  Mo Basith explained that the were few female LET officers however support had been sought from the council’s equalities leads to actively tackle the underrepresentation of women in the team and a new female recruit would be joining the team shortly.  It was confirmed that all LET officers had undertaken VAWG training.

Councillor Miri asked how officers sought to identify and engage with women and girls in fear of violence and who might need assistance, noting that there were many in the meeting who could offer advice and guidance about this.  Mo Basith described an incident where LET officers had supported a drunk female and remained with her until a family member arrived.  LET patrols were highly targeted, recognising areas of need and how this correlated to specific events such as the end of a Fulham football club training session, or entertainment areas in the evening.

Councillor Andrew Dinsmore referred to paragraph 8 of the report and the weapons sweep which had recovered 1154 weapons including 5 knives. He welcomed this and further asked about the efficiency of the sweeps and how this could be improved. Mo Basith responded that weapons sweeps were part of patrolling and although more weapons had recently been found it would be good to see this improved.  Every weapon recovered amplified the level of safety that residents would benefit from.  A gathering at Bishops Park recently had been dispersed and hidden weapons had later been found in the park so this was regarded as a positive result.  Referring to paragraph 15 of the report, Councillor Dinsmore sought clarification about the 1089 ASB patrols, of which 60% required no further action.  Mo Basith explained that the 60% figure covered incidents were LET officers had arrived on the scene to find that there was no ASB taking place, or that it had ceased. However, the patrols continued to return to the site and monitor.  With regards to paragraph 15b, up to 33% of requests indicated engagement with an individual or group, with 16% classified as no action required. Mo Basith clarified that the remaining 7% may be a dispersal or another task following an engagement with a resident. 

Highlighting an issue raised at the July meeting of the committee, it was recognised that there were increased rates of violent crime in London and that part of the LET officers role was to corroborate the finding of weapons or mugging incidents as professional witnesses. Councillor Dinsmore enquired if the LET would benefit from more police support or if officers felt that they were sufficiently well equipped with resources and training to undertake these roles.  Mo Basith believed that support from the police and the training were adequate and given that LET officers also operated as a deterrent, a continuous uniformed presence was a benefit to residents who could feel safer.  Timing and locating patrols in high footfall areas meant that officers were well placed to actively respond.

Councillor Nikos Souslous referred to paragraph 19 of the report on LET surgeries and sought further information about how these were delivered.  Mo Basith explained that the surgeries would be held at Shepherds Bush and Fulham libraries on the first, second and third Monday of each month and attended by local ward LET officers.  The surgeries would be advertised on social media, in the libraries, and on the council website.  It was noted that some ward councillor surgeries had sought the support of LET officers to ensure the safety of members. Councillor Souslous encouraged the LET officers to reach out to members with the offer of walkabouts and site visits, and potentially attend surgeries where that would be appropriate. Officers welcomed this, subject to the availability of ward LET officers and shift patterns. The local ward knowledge of LET officers would be an invaluable support to members.

An ongoing consultation on responsible dog ownership was referred to by Councillor Souslous who sought further information.  Neil Thurlow explained that this related to public space protection orders (PSPO) similar to the borough wide restrictions on street drinking.  There was also an option to implement localised amplification of important space protection orders and one that was currently being consulted on was a borough wide dog control order.  This was launched around 18 November and would run until mid-January 2023 and the engagement aimed to include a range of views. Work was being undertaken with the communications team to promote the consultation and to highlight what a PSPO consisted of in terms of the range of prohibitions and what this would mean for dog owners.  An analysis of the data and community responses would then be evaluated to inform a range of recommendations for Councillor Rebecca Harvey to consider.  To date, about 150 responses had been received, and subject to the level of support, work would then begin to apply for and implement the PSPO.

ACTION

LET Enforcement Manager to provide a figure for the number of female LET officers.

RESOLVED

That the LET performance updated was noted.