Agenda item

How successful are the Council and its partners in tackling anti-social behaviour and the fear of crime in Huntingdonshire?

The debate to be opened by Chief Superintendent M Gipp, Cambridgeshire Constabulary and Councillor K J Churchill, Executive Councillor for Housing and Public Health.

The Chairman requested Councillor K J Churchill, Executive Councillor for Housing and Public Health and Chief Superintendent M Gipp to open the debate on -

"How successful is the Council and its partners in tackling anti-social behaviour and the fear of crime in Huntingdonshire ?".

In his opening remarks, Chief Superintendent Gipp drew the Council's attention to the percentage of Huntingdonshire residents (11%) who considered that anti-social behaviour was a problem in their local area in comparison with the national average (20%).  He also referred to the statutory responsibility of the Police Authority to co-operate in the formulation and implementation of crime and disorder reduction partnership strategies and their duty to consider the crime and disorder implications of those strategies in partnership with other agencies/authorities. 

Chief Superintendent Gipp highlighted the issues perceived by the public to present the biggest problems in the Huntingdonshire area as being "noisy neighbours, people who were drunk or rowdy, teenagers hanging around, and abandoned cars", but he contended that this was largely a matter of perception with evidence suggesting for example that there are now fewer abandoned cars in the streets.

Councillor Churchill drew the Council's attention to the Huntingdonshire Community Safety Plan 2008 - 2011 and the achievements of the community safety partnership during the period.  He referred, in particular, to a joint project with Cambridgeshire Constabulary, the County Council and Yaxley Parish Council which had resulted in the installation of three CCTV cameras and the re-opening of the youth centre in Yaxley and to the establishment of "Night Watch" to address issues associated with the night time economy in St. Ives.  Councillor Churchill described the new and developing activities under the 2009 - 2012 plan which would seek to address anti-social behaviour including criminal damage in Huntingdon and the intention to seek, in partnership, to reduce criminal damage by 10% by 2011.  In closing his address, Councillor Churchill highlighted other initiatives such as safer car park awards, CCTV in town centres and the results of the Place Survey which had demonstrated how the District Council was working with partners to combat anti-social behaviour.

Councillor J J Dutton informed the Council that he had worked in partnership with different agencies in Huntingdon North to reduce crime rates and make the area a better and safer place to live.  Much had been achieved by encouraging residents to participate in community days, promoting interest in community activities and supporting parents in taking responsibility for their children.

Councillor G S E Thorpe underlined the importance of engaging young people in sport, voluntary organisations, scouts and guides etc. but accepted that these community activities might not appeal to all youngsters.  He considered that careful planning of development could create safe play and meeting areas on new estates for instance.  Recent anti-social behaviour surrounding a trim trail in St. Neots had occurred, because of its unsuitable location.  He regretted the discontinuation of a youth coffee shop project which had been supported by grant aid from the Town Council and he urged all agencies to work in partnership to re-dress the lack of facilities for young people.

As Chairman of the Licensing Committee, Councillor J M Sadler advised Members that since the District Council had taken over responsibility for licensing from the courts, the Licensing Section had worked closely with the Police and other relevant authorities to tackle complaints of under-age drinking and to remind licensees of their responsibilities not to sell alcohol to young people.  He went on to describe other action taken by the Licensing Section to deal with anti-social behaviour and endorsed the comments already made about the success of the pub watch schemes in the market towns. 

Although pleased with the support received from the Police over incidents in Brampton, Councillor M F Shellens pointed out a number of cases where action had not been taken and drew attention to issues such as speeding, litter, dog and horse fouling which appeared not to be addressed at all.

Having thanked Chief Superintendent Gipp for police support for action being taken to reduce anti-social behaviour in Ramsey and welcoming the partnership work he had witnessed over recent weeks, Councillor D P Reeve questioned the funding position of the CCTV Mobile Unit and challenged the assertion that there was a lower crime rate by suggesting that the public were reluctant to report criminal incidents.

Councillor Bucknell also welcomed the support received from the Police which had addressed issues arising in Warboys and praised the working relationship he had enjoyed at the Neighbourhood Policing Panel.

In terms of the contribution of the CCTV Mobile Unit, Councillor C R Hyams reported that it was one of six in the County and together with the Council's 120 CCTV cameras had resulted in the resolution of a number of crimes.  He added that the CCTV Team had recently been awarded "Supporter of the Year" for the third year in succession from Huntingdon Business Against Crime.

Referring to the results of the "Place Survey" in comparison with the national average and other districts in Cambridgeshire, the Leader of the Council, Councillor I C Bates highlighted statistics relating to perception of anti-social behaviour, individuals' perceptions of safety in their local area and after dark and how the public considered the District Council were dealing with anti-social behaviour.  In welcoming the statistics presented, the Leader of the Opposition, Councillor P J Downes considered that it would be of greater assistance if the figures could be reproduced at ward level as they might reflect a different picture to that of the District overall.  He also urged agencies to be pro-active in involving young people in constructive activities and he questioned the effectiveness and desirability, in the long term, of the use of anti-social behaviour orders.

Chief Superintendent Gipp thanked all speakers for their support adding that the Police would only make use of an ASBO as a measure of last resort.  He further reported that the Constabulary had agreed to the siting of a satellite receiver on the Police headquarters mast to help enhance the quality of image received by the CCTV Mobile Unit.  Above all, he considered that it was essential to maintain quality of life and increase and maintain public confidence in the communities in which they lived.

Although welcoming the statistics presented, Councillor P A Swales expressed a wish to see more policemen, particularly in rural areas to combat the fear of crime on farm properties. 

Councillor R J West urged Members to consider carefully the stereotypical views they might hold about young people, illustrating his point by contrasting the impression given by a group of youths around a public bench in a village and the different view which would be held by the public if that group were pensioners.

Councillor J A Gray questioned what action was being taken to dispel the fear of crime particularly in rural areas and urged agencies to continue existing good work, underlining the importance of engaging with the public in debate on these issues at the new Neighbourhood Forums. 

Having received further comments regarding the drinking culture, the targeting of individual families by youths and the consequences of ball games on estate greens from Councillors J M Sadler and J E Garner, Councillor Churchill thanked all Members for their contribution to the debate and hoped that the Council and Cambridgeshire Constabulary would continue to work together to reduce anti-social behaviour in Huntingdonshire.  He undertook to report the issues raised during the debate to the HSP Thematic Group for Inclusive, Safe and Cohesive Communities.