Agenda item

Chief Inspector Chris Hardy has submitted a briefing paper which provides an overview of the policing arrangements in Fylde and Wyre.  Chief Inspector Hardy will attend to introduce the paper and to respond to comments and questions from members of the committee.   

Chief Inspector Chris Hardy submitted a briefing paper providing an overview of the policing arrangements in Fylde and Wyre.

Two questions had been submitted to Chief Inspector Hardy prior to the meeting, to which he had responded as follows:

Q1       Would you please bring the hot-spot map to the meeting? Members have expressed interest in seeing and understanding this.

Ans.    “I will bring the hotspot map they are informative to an extent but often anything more than a handful of crimes appears as one big mark – I will still bring them.”

Q2.      We understand that 156 new police officers are being proposed for Lancashire by the Government. How many of those will be in Wyre?

Ans,    “The uplift and what this looks like is still a work in progress with a team working on this.  All areas, NHP, Rural policing response etc will be looking for an uplift but it is far too early to start assigning numbers.  All areas though should see an increase.”

Chief Inspector Hardy said that he was pleased to have been able to attend this meeting, but he informed members that he was due to start a new role as Chief Inspector for the Lancaster and Morecombe area the following day. He said that the new Chief Inspector for the Fylde and Wyre area was Marie Howarth.

He explained the structure of the new neighbourhood policing arrangements and the restructuring of policing teams, as set out in his briefing paper.

Chief Inspector Hardy and Inspector Hurt also responded to questions from members of the Committee on various policing issues, as follows:

-       With regard to additional resources, 153 more officers had been allocated for Lancashire, but it was not yet known where they would be posted to.

-       Rural crime had been a significant issue locally, including organised criminals coming to the area from other parts of the country. Tackling such crime was much more difficult and resource intensive than the localised, more opportunistic burglaries that had previously been the norm in rural areas. All officers based in Fleetwood and Gartsang received training on rural crime issues. The need to gain the confidence of farmers and rural communities was recognised and plans were being made for a neighbourhood watch scheme for farmers.

-       The national decision making model in place for prioritising calls to the police and allocating resources to respond, based on the assessed level of threat, risk and harm, was explained.

-       Late night policing arrangements in Poulton were explained and initiatives undertaken with Licensees were referred to. It was confirmed that there was a good working relationship in place between the Police and the Council’s Licensing Team.

-       Multi-agency arrangements for dealing with anti-social behaviour were discussed and assurances were given that measures were being taken to ensure that meetings were held regularly and that there were good communication channels in place.

-        A new very well respected third sector project called “The Boathouse” was due to open in premises off Broadway in Fleetwood soon, which would be a very positive initiative providing activities and support for young people in the area.

Chief Inspector Hardy said that, although he was moving on, when the new policing arrangements were fully in place and it was known where the promised additional officers were to be deployed, the Council would be informed.

The Chairman thanked Chief Inspector Hardy and Inspector Hurt for attending and for their frank and comprehensive comments.