Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted by Councillor David Carroll (Buckinghamshire Council – Councillor Richard Newcombe substituting), Councillor Sam Casey-Rerhaye (South Oxfordshire District Council), Councillor Neil Fawcett (Vale of White Horse District Council), Councillor Eddie Reeves (Cherwell District Council), Councillor Geoff Saul (West Oxfordshire District Council) and Councillor Richard Webber (Oxfordshire County Council).

There were none.

To agree the Minutes of the meeting held on 27 January 2023 as a correct record.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 27 January 2023 were agreed as a correct record.

Anyone who works or lives in the Thames Valley can ask a question at meetings of the Police and Crime Panel, at which a 20 minute session will be designated for hearing from the public.

If you’d like to participate, please read the Public Question Time Scheme and submit your questions by email to khalid.ahmed@oxfordshire.gov.uk eat least three working days in advance of the meeting.

There were none.

10.35am

The PCC provides two parts to this report:

·       Outlining the Crimefighters Strategy being implemented in order to build confidence in policing and develop stronger local policing.

·       Providing a summary of the activity that has been ongoing under the Neighbourhood Policing and Citizens in Policing portfolios in Thames Valley Police with a forward look at how Community Policing will be delivered in the future.

The PCC submitted a report which outlined the Crimefighters Strategy being implemented in order to build confidence in policing and develop stronger local policing and provided a summary of the activity that has been ongoing under the Neighbourhood Policing and Citizens in Policing portfolios in Thames Valley Police. Included in this report was a forward look at how Community Policing in Thames Valley would be delivered in the future.

Reference was made to the strategy improving public contact which would involve reducing 101 waiting times, the automation of feedback and enabling better digital contact.

The PCC acknowledged the frustration that residents had with the 101 service and that the £6m cost associated with increasing call handlers was not realistic and technology would improve the service. Timescales were on track and work was taking place with technology partners. There would be improvements on feedback to victims of crimes and technology to be used would include webchat, WhatsApp and social media.

The PCC referred to the need to improve Community Policing and capitalising on the record number of police officers in Thames Valley. Further information on the Crimefighters Strategy and how it would be implemented operationally would be provided to the Panel.

On neighbourhood policing, the PCC referred to the Royal Borough of Windsor Council who had invested in four additional police officers to support community safety. Neighbourhood Policing emphasised a local approach to policing that was accessible to the public and responsive to the needs and priorities of communities.

The visibility of police officers was important in terms of building public confidence and encouraging the compliance with the law.

Members’ Questions

(1)  Reference was made the PCC’s Crime and Justice Plan where a strategic objective was to work together with partners to improve criminal justice. The PCC was asked how was the proposal for the Police to focus on policing rather than dealing with mental health issues going to be implemented?

[The PCC replied that Thames Valley Police covered many areas and that partnerships with mental health partners were complex. There were four Integrated Care Systems which covered the Thames Valley and there were complexities with mental health trusts in Thames Valley. Reference was made to the recent directive from the Department of Health, “Right Care, Right Person”, which was a model designed to ensure that when there were concerns for a person's welfare linked to mental health, medical or social care issues, the right person with the right skills, training and experience would respond. This would enable police officers to deal with policing matters.

In Humberside, conversations had taken place with health bodies who were being encouraged to respond to incidents where mental health was a factor. There were challenges around mental health and more was needed to be done to provide the right care for people.

The PCC referred to children in care who went missing and calls being made to the 101 service for police assistance. The PCC believed, as Corporate Parents, local authorities should be dealing with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 62/21

11.15am

The report of the PCC provides detail of a service plan which has been created to define and focus the priorities and strategies for Thames Valley Police and the Regional Cyber Crime Units (CCU). This plan seeks to align service delivery based on the key strands of the Government’s National Cyber Strategy 2022 and the force priorities for Thames Valley Police as detailed within the Thames Valley Police Strategic Plan 2019/2020.

The PCC submitted a report which provided details on cyber and digital investigation and intelligence.

The PCC explained that there was a significant overlap in this area for TVP and regionally. Reference was made to a service plan which had been created to define and focus the priorities and strategies for Thames Valley Police and the Regional Cyber Crime Units (CCU). The plan sought to align service delivery based on the key strands of the Government’s National Cyber Strategy 2022 and TVP force priorities as detailed within the Thames Valley Police Strategic Plan 2019/2020.

Members’ Questions

(1)  Reference was made to a digital intelligence investigation team and the PCC was asked how was he and the Chief Constable ensuring these specialists were retained within the force and not recruited by other forces or the private sector?

[The PCC replied that this was the same for other areas of the force and it was important that risks of losing staff was mitigated against. It was relatively easier to manage through the discrete regional unit as there were opportunities for career progression.

The PCC also referred to the need to look at other specialists in cybercrime who could help the force. Using volunteers and special constables whose expertise TVP could harness to benefit policing and the Thames Valley.]

(2)  The PCC was asked whether the cyber work which was being carried out by TVP was promoted to residents to offer reassurance and confidence in the work which is being done to prevent cybercrime. Also, what was the PCC doing to advise organisations and educate the community on the cybercrime risks?

[The PCC replied that it was important to get the message out there that policing was not just about police visibility as people were more likely to be victims of cybercrime than for example, robbery. Crimes such as romance scams could be very damaging for the victim; financially and psychologically.

It was important that messages were put out there, including the risks involved and how important it was for people to choose and change passwords which would make it more difficult for scammers.

The Cyber Resilient Centre for the southeast was engaging with businesses and going into businesses, particularly smaller businesses, to test resilience to cyber-attacks.]

(3)  A Member referred to the national alarm which would be sounding on mobile phones on 23 April, 2023 and the risks this posed for domestic abuse victims. The PCC was asked what was TVP doing to allay the fears of people who will not be able to turn off their mobile phones?

[The PCC said that this was an important point and that Victims First would be offering advice, however, it was inevitable that not everyone could be contacted.]

(4)  The PCC was asked what activities were the Dark Web Team looking at?

[The PCC replied there would be a separate team that would do the undercover on-line element, but there was an overlap between this team and the Dark Web Team. Child abuse investigations  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63/21

11.50am

The PCC provides an update on the work of RESTART Thames Valley, a year-long pilot programme that started in May 2022 and which focuses on supporting people leaving prison, including women and those on short-term sentences. This update is very much a working brief that encompasses an overview of the current key issues and challenges of this programme.

The Panel was provided with a report on the work of RESTART Thames Valley, a year-long pilot programme that started in May 2022 and which focused on supporting people leaving prison, including women and those on short-term sentences.

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner secured £613,800 from the second round of the Ministry of Justice Local Leadership and Integration Fund (Prison Leavers Project) to work with partners across the region to develop solutions to key challenges faced by people released from prison. The PCC referred to such challenges which included the provision of and access to support, access to accommodation and work opportunities and engagement with numerous service providers.

This pilot ran from May 2022 to end of April 2023, and this has been extended for a further 12 months, jointly funded by the PCC and the Director of Probation, South Central.

The PCC reported that the objective of the scheme was about crime prevention and stopping the cyclical pattern of people who went to prison. 

Members’ Questions

(1)  The PCC was asked what work was being carried out with female re-offenders?

[The PCC replied that in the first project with Bullingdon and Bronzefield Prisons, there was an initial cohort of female prisoners, there were some nuances on the support they needed, but they needed drug abuse support etc. There were contributory factors such as some previous trauma with females around domestic abuse or sexual assault with them as victims. Close work has taken place with Alana House in Reading who primarily provided support for women in that area.]  

(2)  The PCC was asked why there was no operational police representation on the Executive Board. In addition, there were other pilots taking place where one of the other issues for prison leavers was the universal credit process. DWP work coaches and support officers were being placed in prisons to help with this element. Was this part of RESTART or was this a gap in the provision of the service?

[The PCC referred to the work being carried out which had found for example, that 33% of prison release took place on a Friday afternoon, which caused a particular problem for leavers and for organisations.

The membership of the Executive Board consisted of those organisations and partners who were actively involved with the project when it was MOJ funded. Below the Board level, there were interactions with the Police, DWP and around the Integrated Offender Management. The Board was purely for governance and finance.]

(3)  Reference was made to prolific offenders who after rehabilitation, were then brought back into the criminal justice system, which was counterproductive for the individual who had been on the road to recovery. The PCC was asked for his view on this.

[The PCC said this would depend on the offences but that victims should see justice done. There was of course, an issue of what went on inside prisons, which was not within his remit.

There were challenges around the prison system and police  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64/21

12.20pm

This document provides a high-level overview of the initial implementation of Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hubs (MASH), the current landscape, emerging risks and opportunities for the future.

The PCC submitted a report which provided an overview of the initial implementation of Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hubs (MASH), the current landscape, emerging risks and opportunities for the future and TVP’s involvement in them.

The PCC referred to some of the benefits of robotic automation in relation to safeguarding and that Robotic Process Automation (RPA) was used to relieve demand on 101 (around 600 calls per month) and improve service delivery to partners by eliminating call waiting time. This worked very well as it sped things up and spotted things quicker, which was vital for domestic violence disclosures (Clare’s Law): RPA identified current or expired high-risk DA perpetrators in new or previously unknown intimate relationships to prompt a ‘Right to know’ disclosure to their partner.

Members’ Questions

(1)  There was concern expressed at the fragility of the MASH system in the Thames Valley, particularly with local authority’s changing their financial commitments, and the PCC was asked who was responsible to ensure the provision of the service was maintained?

[The PCC replied that he had the opportunity to bring partners together and on a political level, to make sure there were the right strategic partnerships. It was important that partners held each other to account, and he would be discussing MASHs with Chief Executives and Leaders of Councils. There were statutory duties for partners which had to be met. It was important that the correct rank of officer of the organisation was at meetings to ensure that key strategic decisions could be taken.

The Chief Constable expressed his concern at the situation and referred to the importance of partners working together and sharing information. There were differences across Thames Valley of how MASHs operated, with six MASHs in Berkshire and this was a challenge. It was important that MASHs continued because of the important work they carried out in terms of safeguarding children and adults.]

(2)  A Member referred to the national review which took place into the murders of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes and Star Hobson which recommended that child protection practices are delivered at a local level and are multi-agency end-to-end in dedicated multi-agency child protection units in every LA area. The PCC was asked what were the implications for TVP and the local authorities that Thames Valley was at risk of not fulfilling the national recommendations or meeting partner expectations?

[The PCC replied that this was still an emerging picture, and it would be a challenge, however, he would expect TVP to meet the commitment to ensure there was maximum safeguarding but that discussions were required to address the issues. However, TVP were reliant on other partners to ensure recommendations were complied with. There was a need to know the timescales for meeting those recommendations and look at mitigations. Those recommendations would be monitored by the Deputy Chief Constable.]

(3)   The PCC was asked what arrangements and plans were in place in relation to child refugees who were placed in the Thames Valley area?

[The PCC replied that there was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 65/21

12.50pm

To be provided with updates, if required from the Chairman of the Panel and the PCC.

To consider the Topical Issues Report. 

A Member of the Panel has requested that an update be provided from the Monitoring Officer of the Host Authority to the Panel on the failure of the Panel to hold two Confirmation Hearings for the PCC’s Chief of Staff and Chief Finance Officer.

• Failure of the Panel to hold two Confirmation Hearings for the PCC’s Chief of Staff and Chief Finance Officer

The Chair of the Panel read out the following statement from the Monitoring Officer to the Panel:-

“By way of reminder in Minutes of the Meeting of 27 January 2023, under the matter of Confirmation Hearings - A Member of the Panel raised the issue of the failure of the Panel to hold Confirmation Hearings for the PCC appointed Chief of Staff and Chief Finance Officer and the advice he had received from the Home Office. The PCC replied that he had given the PCP the required three weeks’ notice for each appointment as required under legislation, however, due to the failure of the PCP to appoint a Chair at its annual meeting, the PCP was unable to confirm the appointments.

A Confirmation Hearing for the Chief of Staff was set up immediately after last June’s adjourned Annual meeting on 24^th June 2022. The Panel was asked to appoint a Chair just for this meeting, but the minutes record that the Panel declined this at the adjourned annual meeting.

An email from Anita Bradley, Monitoring Officer on 8 July 2022 to reconvene the Panel meeting dated 29 July 2022, stressed the importance of reconvening the annual meeting, to enable a Chair to be appointed as the Panel had statutory responsibilities (Confirmation Hearings, Annual Reports). 

The legal position of both the PCC and the Panel’s responsibilities is set out in the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011. Paragraph 10, Schedule 1 of the Act, says that once a PCC has notified the relevant PCP of the proposed senior appointment, the Panel must hold a confirmation hearing in public with the proposed candidate, and subsequently produce and publish a report and recommendation for the PCC on whether the Panel supports the proposed senior appointment. The Panel must comply with these scrutiny procedures within 3 weeks of receiving notification from the PCC of the proposed appointment.

Paragraph 12 of the legislation sets out the responsibilities of the PCC once the Panel have responded, so that the PCC does have the option to make appointments if the PCP do not agree with the proposed appointments. And the PCC is also required to notify the Panel if they disagree or agree with the PCP’s recommendations.

The three-week statutory timeline for responding to the PCC expired on the day of the 24 June meeting. 

As the PCC has appointed a Chief of Staff and the Chief Finance Officer to ensure PCC business could be conducted, then I am advised by the Monitoring Officer that there are no further options available to the Panel or further legal responsibilities of the Panel.

There are lessons that can be learned from by both the Panel and the PCC regarding appointments and confirmation hearings and a working relationship between ourselves on these matters.

So based on the advice of the Monitoring Officer, and this learning, my recommendation is that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 66/21

13.05pm

For Panel Members to put forward items for the Work Programme including ideas for themed meetings.

The Chair asked that an update on RESTART be added to the work programme for March 2024.

The PCC asked that a future meeting of the Panel be convened at a TVP establishment such as the Training college. Also, reference was made to a possible Panel site visit to the Contact Management Centres. It was agreed that the Panel at its annual meeting on 23 June 2023 make a decision on this.

Race and BAME representation in TVP work programme item be combined with Race Action Plan work programme item for 13 November 2023.

Violence against Women and Girls, partnership working, education programme could be added as a future work programme item. It was agreed that this would be added to 13 November 2023 meeting.