Agenda item

The Chair motioned for item four on the agenda – update on the Serious Violence Strategy – be re-tabled to agenda item three  Members agreed to this motion. 

The Chair then invited Dan Greaves, Crime Director, the Home Office to give his presentation.  Dan thanked the Chair and delivered his presentation to Members, which included the following information:

·         The strategy doesn’t cover all crime, but covers knife crime, gun crime, acid attacks and homicide. 

·         The strategy does not cover domestic violence or night-time crime; Dan stated that whist these were deemed serious, they were covered under different government/Home Office strategies. 

·         Dan also discussed the significant increase in recorded gun and knife crime and homicide since 2016, along with robbery – which has been on the rise since, in a reversal of the previous long term downward trend. While some of this is attributable to changes in police recording, it is clear that there has been a genuine   national increase, although disproportionately in urban areas.  Dan also stated that there was a global component to the trend. 

·         Dan discussed the significant role drugs play in serious violence as a dominant driving factor, including gang violence, fuelling addiction and the effects of drug misuse. 

·         Dan also discussed the prevalence of county lines as a driving factor and distinct issue. 

·         Dan touched on the use of social media being used both to glamourise but also as a tool in serious violence; increasing numbers of at risk groups, such as looked after children, excluded children and homeless people, as well as the pressures on police forces. 

·         Dan outlined the four main pillars of the strategy as:

o   Action against county lines and the misuse of drugs; the Home Office will be reaching out to taxi drivers on awareness raising measures as a next step.

o   Early intervention and prevention, including with Pupil Referral Units, looked after children etc.

o   Supporting communities and local partnerships to tackle violence.

o   Law enforcement and criminal justice response, for example on knife sales and acids. A trading standards prosecution fund will launch in Autumn 2018.

·         Dan emphasised the importance of working in partnership with local government during the delivery phase of the strategy, noting that Cllr Blackburn was sitting on the Serious Violence Task force. He sought the Board’s view on galvanising partnerships and any potential quick wins.

The Chair thanked Dan for his presentation, and invited Members to comment and put questions to Dan:

·         Members welcomed the focus on County Lines, , but raised concerns over the terminology of ‘County Lines’ and the lack of public understanding surrounding this. 

o   Dan stated that there is a plan in place, led by the National County Lines Group (which Dan Chairs), which aims to provide further guidance for stakeholders regarding the concept and risks of county lines. 

o   Dan also stated the Group is focusing on the brand – what ‘County Lines’ means, as well as targeting families and public, spreading the word regarding county lines. 

·         Members expressed concerns over the reduction in early intervention work as a result of cuts in funding to  youth services and targeted youth services. While additional money was welcome it did not replace what had been cut. Consideration also needed to be given to the role of public health funding for treatment services, and members argued that the solution to these issues was not to allocate money to PCCs. 

·         Members discussed the serious violence strategy in relation to the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).  Some members stated that their PCC had made it clear that funding and resources for the Serious Violence Strategy was not a priority. 

·         Members discussed the use of licensing – for example, only being able to buy sulphuric acid with a licence – as is the same with firearms. 

o   Dan highlighted the Offensives Weapons Bill, and how the bill will introduce age restrictions and possession offences. 

·         Members queried whether match funding would be required for the Early Intervention Youth Fund, and whether councils could bid, raising concerns at the possibility it may be routed through PCCs.

o   Dan recognised overall funding challenges. He stated that resources would be targeted given we know where violence is concentrated, Currently Dan’s office is working on the criteria and delivery of this, and will discuss this with the LGA. 

·         Members raised concerns about the impact of school exclusions, and lack of democratic oversight on policies about exclusions.

o   Dan noted that this was a know risk factor which DfE had been looking at, and encouraged the LGA to respond to its consultation on this.

·         Members discussed Public Health engagement and funding. 

o   Dan stated that the strategy is engaging with Public Health and Community Wellbeing teams and organisations. 

·         Members discussed the increase in drugs bought and used recreationally, and questioned whether the strategy was looking at the fundamental issue of the supply of drugs.

o   Dan broadly agreed with members comments and referred to the National Drug Strategy, and recognised the issue of middle class drug users who don’t realise or choose to ignore the wider ramifications of their drug use. 

·         Members discussed the possibility of decriminalising drugs, and used the Portugal model as an example.

o   Dan stated that the consequences of this would need to be looked at in significant detail.

o   Dan also disagreed with comparing different models that have different driving factors, as the variables are significantly different. 

·         Members requested more information in relation to the funding being made available as part of the Strategy. 

o   Dan stated that he will circulate this after the Board. 

The Chair thanked Dan for his time, and members for the discussion.  The Chair stated that Dan would be welcome to attend a future Board meeting. 

Action

·         Members noted the presentation. 

·         Circulation of the presentation to members after the Board.

·         Dan Greaves to provide further information regarding funding available under the Strategy.