Verbal Update
Minutes:
The Chief Superintendent provided an update on the key issues within Newport.
Key Points
· There has been a rise in acquisitive crime, but this is not unique to Newport and other forces are seeing an increase. Shoplifting makes up most of these crimes and this is related to drug use as high value items are usually targeted. Collaborating with retailers to mitigate shoplifting incidents such as installing superior quality CCTV.
· An update was provided on the convictions and prosecutions in recent management of these issues.
· The Chief Superintendent provided assurances concerning robbery and knife crime and stated that the strongest possible action using specialist officers is taken to bring offenders to justice and prevent further offences.
· The Chief Superintendent advised that e-bikes and off-road bikes are a perpetual problem but not specific to Newport and the Gwent area. Community intelligence is key in the management of this challenge.
· The Chief Superintendent informed the Committee that their residents can report any use of e-bikes anonymously through Crimestoppers and assured Committee that the information provided and the person providing the information cannot be seen together, even by the Police. Any reports made through Crimestoppers are passed through to the Police for them to take immediate action.
· The Chief Superintendent assured Committee that this is their major focus currently as it is in the public interest, and they are committed to acting against those who are using these bikes for criminal purposes.
· The Chief Superintendent informed the Committee that there is currently legislation that give the Police powers to stop and confiscate these bikes, but that more legislation is needed around the sale of these bikes.
Questions
A Community Councillor raised their concerns that no Police Surgeries have been taking place in their ward. The Chief Superintendent advised the Committee that he was concerned that no surgeries had been taking place and would find out why. A Neighbourhood Policing Performance Framework will be put together that will make it clear when there will be police attendance at future surgeries and the Chief Superintendent assured the Committee that there will be a presence at upcoming meetings.
A Community Councillor stated that they used to receive Police Reports, but these seem to have stopped and enquired whether these can be reinstated and provided either to the Community Councillor or Ward Councillor to be circulated. The Community Councillor stated that they have seen on social media a post from Gwent Police about e-scooters and enquired what has been done about use of these on public roads. The Chief Superintendent assured the Committee that they will make it clear what report they will be receiving, when and from whom. The update on e-bikes also applies to e-scooters as they are illegal to use on public roads.
A Community Councillor stated that the reports they receive are not user-friendly and enquired whether these could be presented differently to show trends. The Chief Superintendent informed the Committee that they will share a draft report to Community Councils for feedback on the format and content.
A Community Councillor enquired whether it is possible to get reports with current information rather than in a retrospective format and can this information be broken down to a village level, rather than the ward. The Chief Superintendent informed the Committee that they can pinpoint data down to individual households, but this is not possible to report on due to the sensitive nature of the data in the reports and the potential risk of identification.