The Cabinet Member for
Adult and Community Services, Public Health and Inequalities,
Councillor Tranter introduced the overview report for Safer Torbay
(Community Safety Partnership). Sarah
Omell, Community Safety Partnership Manager, presented key findings
from the strategic assessment and outlined priorities and
challenges of Safer Torbay, which included:
·
Reduction in reported antisocial behaviour and rape; increase in
other sexual offences and shoplifting.
·
Need for improved data contextualisation and integration of wider
sources of intelligence.
·
Focus on Prevent Duty, safeguarding, and community tension
monitoring.
·
A commendation from Home Office for the Channel programme.
·
Emphasis on community engagement and resilience.
·
Development of a performance framework and assurance
mechanisms.
·
Updates on modern slavery, serious violence duty, and violence
against women and girls.
·
The Strategy for next three years including a new Antisocial
behaviour (ASB) priority and broader societal challenges.
Members raised the
following Questions:
·
Why was the Safer Torbay report not presented to the Adult Social
Care and Health Sub-Board?
·
The data related to 2023/2024, when will Members receive updated
data?
·
How do we interpret the rising figures—are they due to
increased reporting?
·
Is antisocial behaviour as prevalent as it is perceived?
·
How can Councillors be informed about rising community
tensions?
·
Is there a mechanism for community members to report concerns, such
as rumours about individuals?
·
How is community intelligence gathered and used?
·
What is the main source of referrals under Prevent
Duty? Are schools actively
involved?
·
Why are there few referrals from Adult Social Care?
·
Who contributed to the Council’s modern slavery
statement?
·
Is there feedback on the Mentors in Violence programme?
·
What is SWAN (Safety of Women at Night Charter) and how does it
work in practice?
·
How can women be made more aware of their own safety?
·
Will the Safer Travel App be downloadable via QR code? Is there a communications plan for the App?
·
What is the current staffing situation for Town Centre
Officers?
·
Are Street Marshalls still operating?
·
Will the new analyst look at hate crime data?
·
Are there plans to expand CCTV coverage, especially around the
harbourside?
·
Is online extremism monitored?
The following
responses were provided:
·
The Safer Torbay report is a cross-cutting partnership report, not
specific to one service area which was why it goes annually to the
main Overview and Scrutiny Board. The
Adult Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Board was
considering specific topics for example domestic abuse.
·
A refreshed dataset will be available by November 2025 and will be
circulated to all Members once it is available.
·
The rising figures may be due to increased reporting, especially
for shoplifting and sexual offences.
Reporting mechanisms have changed, and confidence in reporting may
vary particularly in respect of sexual offences. ASB data from the Council can show trends, but
multiple datasets are needed for full understanding.
·
Recorded crime isn’t always a reliable indicator. Lived experience and victim feedback are more
insightful. Fear of crime also plays a
role in perception.
·
Councillors should contact the Safer Communities Team for advice if
they have any concerns around …
view the full minutes text for item 22.
