Agenda and minutes

(Assistant to the Chief Executive)  To report the appointment of any substitute members for the meeting.

It was reported that Councillor Jon Whitehouse was substituting for Councillor P Spencer and Councillor K Chana was substituting for G Mohindra.

(Assistant to the Chief Executive). To declare interests in any items on the agenda.

In considering whether to declare a personal or a prejudicial interest under the Code of Conduct, Overview & Scrutiny members are asked pay particular attention to paragraph 11 of the Code in addition to the more familiar requirements.

This requires the declaration of a personal and prejudicial interest in any matter before an OS Committee which relates to a decision of or action by another Committee or Sub Committee of the Council, a Joint Committee or Joint Sub Committee in which the Council is involved and of which the Councillor is also a member.

Paragraph 11 does not refer to Cabinet decisions or attendance at an OS meeting purely for the purpose of answering questions or providing information on such a matter.

No declarations of interest were made.

To agree the notes of the last meeting held on 26^th August 2010.

The notes from 26 August 2010 meeting were agreed as a correct record.

Report to follow.

The Chairman of the Safer Cleaner Greener Standing Panel welcomed the members of the Epping Forest Community Safety Partnership (CSP) to the meeting who were there to talk about the cross border initiative.

John Gilbert the lead officer for the CSP introduced the officers attending the meeting on behalf of the CSP and Councillor Mrs Smith who was the Chairman of the Partnership.

He introduced David Eyles, the Cross Border Officer. This post came about after a recently commissioned five year study into offenders responsible for serious acquisitive crime. The research identified that 48% of the offenders resided outside Epping Forest District, with the majority living almost exclusively within the London area. Intelligence suggested that with shared borders with the Metropolitan Police areas and the easy access into the District had a specific impact on acquisitive crime in the District.  In view of this the Safer Communities Team approached Essex County Council to consider funding a West Essex Cross Border Officer, working on behalf of Epping Forest, Harlow and Brentwood CSPs. A six month temporary post was agreed and in May 2010 David Eyles was recruited into the post. He had thirty years of policing experience working at a senior level in the Metropolitan Police.

Mr Eyles commented that it was difficult to target individuals who ‘commuted’ into the district because of the easy transport links. It was very unfortunate that the various police computer systems could not talk to each other and share intelligence across borders. However, there was now a London wide database in operation, which we had recently signed up to. This database was turning up interesting facts such as showing ‘hot-spots’ of criminal activity and that a small number of individuals were carrying out the majority of crime. Targeted cross border squads could now be put together to target cross border offending.

There was also some academic research into why offenders go to a particular area to offend. They found that in such areas as Loughton there are high numbers desirable cars, some of which were being stolen and shipped abroad. There were also a number being driven around the area on false number plates or broken up for spares and sold on (this was easy now with the internet).

A cross border prolific offender scheme was being run with the help of the London Boroughs. A strategic assessment was done yearly and this was used to prioritise the work undertaken.

The relationship between Local Authorities and the Police has been excellent in this area and had been welcomed the local police commanders. A lot of positives were coming out of the cross border work being done and the London Boroughs are now coming on board.

The Safer Communities Manager, Caroline Wiggins, explained that that Mr Eyles’ was engaged for a six month appointment, which had now been extended for a further five months and officers were looking to extend it further as they were keen to build on the work done.

Councillor Boyce was worried  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

To note the forward programme of meeting dates for the Panel. They are:

6^th January 2011;

24^th February 2011(Crime & Disorder meeting); and

7^th April 2011

Mr Gilbert reminded the Panel of the Community Engagement event happening on 25 November this year at Epping Forest College – details would be put in the Member’s Bulletin.

He also noted that the next Crime and Disorder meeting was to be held in February 2011 and asked that members provide him with any ideas that they would wish to discuss at that next meeting. They would also get an update on the progress against the Community Safety Partnership’s strategic assessment.