Agenda item

To consider the attached report from the PCC.

Consideration was given to a report of the PCC, which summarised the progress to date (Year 3, 2019/20, quarter 4) on the delivery of the Police and Crime Plan Strategic Priority 4 – Serious Organised Crime and Terrorism.

Questions

(1)       Could the PCC provide details of where improvements needed to be made in relation to the management of organised crime groups and county lines drug gangs and would this involve CSPs?

[The PCC reported that in relation to Serious Organised Crime there had been recent major operations led by the National Crime Agency which produced results. Reference was made to Major Fraud which the National Crime Agency estimated amounted to around £190 Billion; bigger than drug related crime.

Serious Organised Crime gangs were very organised and operated via sophisticated encrypted IT. In relation to county lines, this was ongoing national problem, which during Covid 19, had been easier to deal with. However, since the easing of lockdown with more cars on the road and trains running, this had increased. County lines emanated from major cities and TVP only had the ability to stop once the activity came into the Thames Valley.

The Chief Constable provided details of how the Police nationally and locally dealt with Serious Organised Crime, including county lines. There was lots of Police disruptive work taking place, but the problem was huge. There was lots of casual use of drugs as well as addict use, and a campaign had taken place to highlight the issue. A hostile environment was needed to disrupt the trade, together with a multi-agency approach including CSPs to disrupt the trade in drugs.]                    

(2)       The Member from Reading Borough Council wished to place on record her thanks to the Chief Constable and to Thames Valley Police for the work they had carried out during and post the recent terrorist attack in Reading.

The PCC was asked, with the recent terrorist attack in Forbury Gardens Reading what work is he doing to ensure there is increased vigilance from residents of the threat of terrorism in Thames Valley?

[The PCC acknowledged that it was difficult to get over to the public that there was always the threat of terrorism. The public needed to look into their own communities at times as there were extremists from the far right and far left and from religious groups. From initial investigations the Forbury Gardens attacker was a lone operator. Counter Terrorism Police had information on 30 – 40,000 persons of interest and it was impossible to place all of these on permanent surveillance. It was very difficult for the Police if someone suspected a person of being a terrorist unless there was firm evidence.

The Chief Constable referred to Prevent which was the Government’s counter terrorism strategy which aimed to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting them. The strategy aimed at providing practical help and support to stop individuals being drawn into terrorism. The Police and other agencies worked very closely in an attempt to divert those identified people away from extremism and terrorism.]          

(3)       With the funding the PCC provides to organisations to reduce re-offending and to reduce serious organised crime how does the PCC measure the success of this initiative?

[The PCC reported that officers did monitor the performance of organisations who were funded by the PCC. They had to provide quarterly reports which provided information on how the money was spent. The Victims First Hub monitors the spending on victim services. The PCC agreed to provide a full written answer to this question which would be circulated to Panel Members.]

RESOLVED -    That the report of the PCC and the progress made on the delivery of the Police and Crime key aims in relation to Serious Organised Crime and Terrorism be noted.