Agenda item

To note the Epping Forest Community Safety Partnership Annual Strategic Assessment, Annual Report and Partnership Plan.

The Specialist Technical Services Officer, C Wiggins presented the Epping Forest Community Safety Partnership (CPS) Annual Strategic Assessment, Annual Report and Partnership Plan on a page.

The Community Safety Partnership was required to complete an annual Strategic Assessment which was used to direct and guide their activities, under the requirements as responsible authorities, of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

A strategic assessment included

·         an analysis of the levels and patterns of crime and disorder and substance misuse in the area.

·         an analysis of the changes in those levels and patterns since the previous strategic assessment.

·         an analysis of why those changes had occurred.

·         the matters which the responsible authorities should prioritise when each were exercising their functions to reduce crime and disorder and to combat substance misuse in the area.

·         the matters which the persons living and working in the area consider the responsible authorities should prioritise when each were exercising their functions to reduce crime and disorder and to combat substance misuse in the area.

·         an assessment of the extent to which the partnership plan for the previous year has been implemented.

The CSP had pulled together a review of the major issues facing the district in 2022 and the strategic assessment for 2021-22 which had been included in the agenda.

In preparation for the 2022-23 Strategic Assessment, the CPS had worked with Essex Police and wider Safer Essex partners to agree a common model, which could span across Essex and fulfil the needs of Safer Essex Community Safety Agreements and allow each, district, borough, city, and unitary area, to ensure their documents reflect the local needs and priorities.

The CSP Plan on a Page provided information at a glance on the planned delivery of Epping Forest CSP going forward.

The Committee asked the following questions.

·                     Why were the figures hate crime figures so high? The Specialist Technical Services Officer advised that this had been due to issues at the Bell Hotel in Epping. She would request a break down of the figures and email them to members.

·                     Whether based on the data for the number of fire incidents in Epping Forest, should there be a local campaign for the provision and installation of smoke detectors in common areas within the home and to promote the Government initiative that provided funding for this? The Specialist Technical Services Officer advised that she would be meeting with the Estates Manager from Essex Fire and Rescue to discuss accidental residential fires and supporting the new legislation for the social housing.

·                     Was the information about accident fires in relation to social housing or all properties; and could a break down be provided as social housing were fitted with both smoke and heat detectors? The Specialist Technical Services Officer advised that the data included all properties, and the type of tenure was stated on the profiles.

·                     Could further information be given on the hate crime figures associated with Waltham Abbey? The Specialist Technical Services Officer advised that she would supply the data to the Member directly.

RESOLVED:

1.         That the Community Safety Partnership Annual Strategic Assessment and Annual Report be noted; and

2.         That going forward the Epping Forest Community Safety Partnership Plan on a Page 2021/22 includes a glossary and additional detail on the schemes.