PAPER E

SUMMARY/PURPOSE

To advise the Committee as to how it currently delivers its duty under Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, and to ask Members to consider what more can be done.

BACKGROUND

Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 imposes a duty on the Council :

“without prejudice to any other obligation placed upon it to exercise its various functions with due regard to the likely effect of those functions on, and the need to do all it reasonably can to prevent crime and disorder”.

In plain English this means that the Council should consider the possible crime and disorder implications in every decision Officers and Members make and in every action taken.

PROGRESS TO DATE

Since July 2001, the Council has made major strides in mainstreaming Section 17 and includes the following :

•          All reports to Committee to include crime and disorder implications.

•          Section 17 training delivered to Elected Members and Service Managers.

•          Presentations made to Directors, Senior Management Teams and staff team meetings.

•          Service Plans to include crime and disorder implications.

•          Best Value Reviews include crime and disorder implications.

•          Council strategies and plans include crime and disorder implications.

•          Contracts and Service Level Agreements with other agencies and organisations include crime and disorder implications.

•          Budget holders now monitor the cost of crime and disorder .

•          Examples have been provided to Service Managers as to how to mainstream in their area.

These achievements have sown the seeds of a cultural change within the Council, particularly with Elected Members, who are recognising the importance of the Council’s role in reducing crime and the impact it has on the Island as a whole.

The evidence of this cultural change is demonstrated in the Community Plan, where crime and disorder is a key theme and the Corporate Plan where ‘Creating a safe and crime free community’ is a key objective.

This cultural change is a vital step to mainstreaming Section 17 as it shifts responsibility away from the Crime and Disorder Team and becomes an organisational responsibility.

WHAT MORE CAN WE DO?

The progress outlined above now needs to be consistent across the Council, building on the best practice already being undertaken. This will take time to achieve and resources to deliver. The Council can also encourage further mainstreaming by introducing any or all of the following:

a)        Include crime and disorder implications in job descriptions for all new appointments and amend existing ones.

b)        Include the duty to consider crime and disorder implications in the Induction Course.

c)        Service Managers to set specific performance management targets for crime and disorder reduction.

d)        Undertake further training sessions for mainstreaming Section 17 to further enhance knowledge base and understanding of implications.

e)        Select Committees to identify Champions within their Committee to assist the Committee with its duty .

f)         Heads of Service to identify Champions within their area to audit crime and disorder activities and costs and develop action plans to enhance the process.

g)        The Council may consider targeting existing and new services to those at greatest risk.

The risks of offending are greatest for those :

           •          In families with inadequate parental supervision.

           •          Without a stable family home.

           •          Who truant or are excluded from school.

           •          Who mix with others who offend.

           •          Who are not in training or employment.

The risk of being a victim is greater for :

           •          Young men in relation to violence.

           •          Ethnic minorities for racial harassment.

           •          Women and children for domestic violence.

           •          Those living in areas of greatest deprivation.

CONSULTATION

Crime and disorder continues to feature as one of the top issues that concern Islanders. Although the majority of Islanders and visitors do feel safe, they want to know that the Council and the Police are committed to reducing crime and disorder further still.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

There are no implications as a result of writing this report.

LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

Under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, Section 17, the Council has a statutory duty to consider the crime and disorder implications in all its decisions and in all that it does. This report outlines how that duty is being discharged and what more the Council can do to further the duty.

RECOMMENDATION

1.        That the Directors Group be asked to advise on implementing any or all of the additional items detailed in A to G above, and that the Crime & Disorder Partnership Manager be asked to bring a further report back to the Select Committee before Christmas.

2.        That an annual report on mainstreaming Section 17 is presented to this Committee.

BACKGROUND PAPERS

Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

Crime and Disorder Best Value Review.

Section 17 File.

Contact Point :           Niki Haytack ☎ 01983 822696

JOHN BENTLEY

Head of Corporate Policy and Communications