Minutes:
Councillor Wright asked for feedback on any community tensions in Derby and Derbyshire with regard to the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict?
The Commissioner responded by saying that she was in contact with the Chief Constable on a regular basis about this issue and that Police Forces across the country were on high alert. There had been protests in Derby within the last week with more expected. There had been increased activity from the force in Derby City with conversations taking place in communities with both council and community leaders and whilst there was a right to protest and express opinions peacefully swift action would be taken as necessary in the event of any escalation in these protests. All local leaders had an important role to play in reassuring the public.
Councillor Wright mentioned that there was a Derby City Council Licensing Committee taking place shortly to discuss a 12 week consultation on the proposed provision of CCTV in Taxis. He asked the PCC for her comments on this matter as last time the matter was considered, there was insufficient evidence for CCTV to be provided.
The PCC responded by saying she believed that the provision of CCTV in taxis was crucial for both the drivers and the users. The Department for Transport advised that CCTV should be provided in all taxis to protect all passengers using taxis.
CCTV in taxis had been successfully introduced in NE Derbyshire and the PCC had written to all Councils in Derbyshire with her views on this matter.
Councillor Davies referred to the recent flooding in Chesterfield which had led to the tragic death of an elderly lady and given the increasing likelihood of severe wet weather events in the future he would welcome an assessment of how the Police had supported the situation in terms of what went well and what didn’t ?
There had also been reports of looting during the flooding and a comment would be appreciated on how that had been responded to.
The Commissioner responded by acknowledging the tragic circumstances of the elderly resident death. She had asked the questions of the Force and they had also referred themselves to the IOPC.
There was always assessments by the Police after such events about what went well and what didn’t and whilst a lot of communities had been positive about how the police helped there was always room for improvement.
Any form of looting was very distressing and it would be dealt with appropriately like any other recorded crime with attendance by the police to those affected.
Councillor Gillott commented that there had been a lot of publicity recently, regarding the pressures on Local Authority finances but there had been little in the media regarding Police budgets and he wondered how this was impacting on Policing in the County ?
The PCC replied by saying that inflation would inevitably impact on the cost of policing and whilst there were no immediate pressures this financial year, preparations were being made very carefully for next year, with the biggest impact being felt on the Estate plan. The recruitment of Police officers was fine for this year and that budgets were being closely scrutinised and the level of vacancies monitored.
As was always the case budget setting was very difficult and had to plan ahead until the central government settlement was known.
As last year PCP Members had been invited to a meeting at Police HQ on 15 December where they would receive information on the budget setting process.
Councillor Wain asked if there was an update following the question raised at the previous meeting by Councillor Potter about Police officers attending fires and RTA’s where there were hazardous substances present and what actions were the Police are taking to ensure their staff are safe from contamination at such incidents.
The Commissioner had asked the Force to brief her on this matter and would provide a response in due course.
Councillor Wain commented than in his opinion the published figures on number of stop and searches were low and wondered it the PCC had a view?
The PCC felt personally that she would like to see more and acknowledged that the figures for Derbyshire were low in comparison to other forces but with a lot of officers new to the force they all required the appropriate training. The ongoing ASB patrols were being successful in helping to prevent anti social behaviour.
Councillor Muller asked the PCC to pass on his thanks to the Force on behalf of the residents of South Derbyshire for the Police response to the recent floods in the area.
In answer to a question raised by Councillor Moesby the PCC confirmed that if there was a decrease in ASB in a hotspot area it wasn’t possible to just move the funding to another hotspot area that needed it more