Issue - meetings

Inspector Kevin Lister (Wyre Neighbourhood Inspector), Neil Greenwood (Head of Environmental Health & Community Safety) and Councillor Roger Berry (Neighbourhood Services and Community Safety Portfolio Holder) will attend the meeting to provide an update on the Wyre Community Safety Partnership.

The Head of Environmental Health and Community Safety, Neil Greenwood, submitted a report regarding the Wyre Community Safety Partnership.

Mr Greenwood, Councillor Roger Berry and Inspector Kevin Lister addressed the Committee and introduced the report.

Mr Greenwood pointed out that that over the last 12 months there has been a reduction in all crime across the Borough and in particular there had been a seven per cent decrease in Serious Violence Against The Person. He alluded to members that this was as a result of the loss of nightlife due to the pandemic. However, it was explained that unfortunately, there had been an increase in Domestic Violence which had thought to be as a result of the recent and on-going COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns as more people were staying at home. In addition, he explained there had also been an increase in anti-social behaviour reported.

A number of questions were posed by members surrounding the following topics:

-       Crime figures and statistics

-       Reporting of crimes

-       Burglaries in Wyre

-       Crime hotspot areas

-       Drug offences

-       Domestic Violence increases due to the COVID-19 pandemic

-       Anti-social behaviour at the rivers in Garstang

The Chairman proposed that the committee should look at reviewing the Domestic Abuse Task Group in the future.

Councillor Cropper left the meeting during this item (4).

The Chairman give his thanks to Inspector Lister, the Head of Environmental Health and Community and the Neighbourhood Services and Community Safety Portfolio Holder for their participation in this item.