Neighbourhood Watch Police Steering Group for Watch Issues Hertfordshire Constabulary Headquarters 23 rd June Part 1 - Open

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1 Neighbourhood Watch Police Steering Group for Watch Issues Hertfordshire Constabulary Headquarters 23 rd June 2009 Part 1 - Open Attendance: Attendee Force Region Represented Frank Whiteley Chief Constable, Hertfordshire Chair Mark Custerson Project Manager to Chair Gillian Fleet Lincolnshire East Midlands Andrew Bayes MPS MPS Chris Joyce West Yorks Yorks & Humber Steve Brown Lancashire North West Tim Blades Cleveland North East Elaine Ryan Dorset South West Paul Ormenod Suffolk Eastern Mark Rendall Sussex South East Donna Lavender ACPO Citizen Focus Business Area Lee Davidson Home Office Stephanie Harrison Hertfordshire Minutes Apologies: Ben Cook Suffolk Eastern Mick Wright Kent South East Bob Scott Leicestershire East Midlands Alex Chadd South Wales Wales 1. Minutes The previous minutes of the 11 December 2008 were agreed as an accurate record. 2. Matters Arising Action (Reference from previous minutes) 7.1. Public Liability Insurance (PLI) Regional members to feedback on the current PLI insurance policy to be passed to the Home Office National Steer on Street Patrols Frank Whiteley to check with ACPO lead on whether there is a national policy regarding street patrols. 10. Linking Neighbourhood Watch into the Neighbourhood Policing Programme Outstanding Actions from Meeting on 13 th December 2008 Owner FW FW Current Position Comments were fed back. To be considered again in autumn 2008 ahead of the policy s renewal in early Main Agenda item Discharged. A consultation around street patrols has been postponed to autumn 2008 while the White Paper and Casey Review are considered CC Spence will be taking a paper to ACPO cabinet. Some movement at the end of January 09 is expected. Carry Forward. 5/06/09 National Police Improvement Agency(NPIA) are taking this forward now Discharged. FW made contact with HMIC. Some information is expected. The HMIC report is due out shortly The report was published on 28/11/08. 1

2 Frank Whiteley to discuss with Clare Simon, HMIC to seek inclusion in the HMIC Inspection. 3.7 Bob Scott to provide information to Mark Custerson on the region s set up Flood Wardens in their emergency planning processes. 3.8 George Osborne to forward the guidance (when produced) on counter terrorism to Mark Custerson for further dissemination. 3.8 George Osborne to identify a volunteer lead for Northumbria. 5.1 Lorna to circulate the final revised Purpose Statement to Force Leads and Chief Constables once completed BS TB LT It is being viewed for areas around NHW. It will be sent out with the minutes displaying any cross references to NHW. Discharged. Information received and held, pending a Home Office conference on the subject in Feb Mark Custerson to attend. Discharged Tim Blades to chase up. Carry Forward Not Produced. Discharged Ann Howard is the volunteer lead for Northumbria. Discharged. Awaiting approval from the Association of Police Authorities (APA). Carry Forward Now produced. Discharged 3. Situational Reports from Regions Each Region was given the opportunity to provide a brief update on their situation and to share good practice and any issues of concern. 3.1 Eastern It was established that the new chair for the Eastern Region Meeting is Bob Gooch. Cambridgshire are looking to revamp NHW as their current County structure is weak. Subsequently they will elect leads for each sector. It was noted that the Eastern region will be holding a NHW action planning Awayday for NHW regional representatives to identify the way forward for NHW. Communication has been an issue. Got partnership funding to employ admin ass for NHW. Cambridgshire ran a NHW drop in centre in Peterborough to discuss NHW issues and there is potential to extend this and go out with mobile police stations in the future. Cambridgshire have an auto response set up which adheres to the 24hr timescale as required by the Policing Pledge, however, there are checks in place to ensure that responses are followed up. ACTION: Mark Custerson to liaise with Gary Fenton regarding the Policing Pledge and the automated response for OWL. 3.2 MPS An action plan has been drawn up in order to move Neighbourhood Watch forward including ensuring that they have leads appointed in every borough to link in with their Neighbourhood Watch Teams. ACTION: Andy Bayes to send the NHW action plan through to Mark Custerson The Met is currently working on a bid for the Home Office Funding. There are issues around confidence and satisfaction targets as well as borough partnerships. It was highlighted that there is a need for Neighbourhood Watch signage and literature to be badged with the Neighbourhood Watch logo to raise awareness that Neighbourhood Watch is linked with the Police. 2

3 It was noted that the Met use the Meercat logo in the majority of their boroughs. 3.3 Yorks and Humber There are concerns around the internal structure for Neighbourhood Watch in South Yorks, however, this is being reviewed as they are trying to appoint a force lead. The region is currently looking for additional funding amid concerns that funding may be lost. It was advised that South Yorks may have to look at alternative ways of doing business, if this funding is lost. In West Yorks, the NHW policy doc SOI and SLA are in draft locally. Yorks and Humber Region are pushing forward on e-learning provisions for NHW coordinators. ACTION: Yorks and Humber Region to advise Mark Custerson of any developments regarding e-learning provisions for NHW coordinators. Marketing campaigns are being put together in preparation for the 25 th Anniversary of NHW with assistance from the Youth Member of NHW. ACTION: Yorks and Humber to ensure Mark Custerson is sighted on the Marketing Campaigns for the 25 th Anniversary of NHW The inaugural meeting of Volunteers on a West Yorks Force basis took place recently and from this they now have 3 members per division The Home Office Minister launched NHW in the Region North Yorks has now formed a NHW association. 3.4 North East Durham has Initiatives in place around empty retail places. Briefing cards have been produced for officers to carry outlining details for liaison officers and promoting the benefits of NHW. Fleet vehicle window stickers have been rolled out across Cleveland promoting NHW on the back window. It was confirmed that this was rolled out at no extra cost and the county has seen the number of NHW members rise as a result. The Junior NHW scheme in Stockton is working well and linking in with Schools. ACTION: Mark Custerson to liaise with North East around the Junior NHW scheme as part of national work and work on a model that can be extended across all regions. Middlesborough and Durham will both be putting in bids for Home Office funding. 3.4 South West Dorset have introduced their Community Messaging Service and the Neighbourhood Teams are being trained to use this. There have been problems in applications for Grass Roots funding. They have linked in with their Emergency Planning Officer and will be present at a Flood Fair event in October. Numerous events took place across the county to mark National Neighbourhood Watch Week. A force wide review of the Neighbourhood Watch Structure has just taken place. Problems have been experienced with Ringmaster. 3

4 Avon and Somerset have no district wide associations left. Devon and Cornwall are engaged in a force wide programme of NHW reinvigoration and development. Devon and Cornwall have signed off the ISA, SOI, NHW Policy, SLA and NHW Good Practice Guide The Statement of Intent has been agreed between Police and the County Watch Association in Gloucestershire They are using and assisting in the operation of a new life Skills Centre for the County which is being led by Fire and Rescue Wiltshire have implemented a database of NHW coordinators but do not have a messaging system. 3.6 North West Lancashire and Cumbria are currently working on their SLAs. GMP have now appointed a force lead. Merseyside are looking to reappoint their NHW volunteer lead. Good Practice is being showcased in the North West regional meetings. There is an issue around NHW not being seen as a voluntary organization. It was advised that this needs to be worked on but without necessarily distancing NHW from the Police Service 3.7 Wales There was no representative, therefore no update was given. 3.7 East Midlands East Midlands currently looking to change their messaging system The system they are looking at can work on translation base. However, there is a need to obtain user requirements for both the Police and Neighbourhood Watch so that they are able to communicate using the same services. Rutland have now established their NHW association. Mark Custerson is currently working with the NPIA and Home Office reviewing ideas obtained from regional visits. 3.9 West Midlands There was no representative, therefore no update was given 3.10 South East Surrey have a new communication system Sussex are rolling out their communication system over their districts during the next few months as a result, Neighbourhood Policing Teams are being trained in how to use the system effectively and work is taking place around the protocol on the types of messages to what is produced and acceptable as part of the SLA. There is focus on the cohesion between Neighbourhood Watch and PCSOs and how communication/rapport between them can be strengthened. No reply system is currently in place on the communication system but a communication message area will be a specialist item which will enable members of the public to be involved without making them part of a group. Sussex are rolling out mobile phones to Neighbourhood Policing Teams and have put plans in place to divert calls when officers are on Rest Days Volunteer manager is in place and they are looking at the possibilities of obtaining qualifications in relation to Neighbourhood Watch 4

5 ACTION: South East to ensure that Mark Custerson is kept informed with any development concerning qualifications around Neighbourhood Watch. 2. Presentation A presentation was given on the NHW fund by Lee Davidson (Home Office). A Safer Homes fund was launched in April 2009 around securing action against burglary. This initiative includes funding of 6million for securing homes across 93 areas. The Neighbourhood Watch and Home Watch fund is 500,000 and grants are available between 1000 and 50,000 for the identified 93 priority areas for burglary. It was explained that the grants will only be focused on the priority areas and the money cannot be used to incorporate neighboring areas. Further details can be obtained from the below website: The following points arose in discussion: There is a particular focus to establish which groups (eg Students OAPs) are affected by what type of crime. Multiple bids may not be submitted for the same area, although multiple bids can occur in the same county for separate areas, and a letter of support is required by the Grants application Board from the area Neighbourhood Policing Team and the County representative for Neighbourhood Watch. The closing date is 12pm on 31 st July. ACTION: Steph Harrison to send out the list of 93 priority areas with the minutes. It was noted that Mark Custerson is happy to offer any advice on this matter. 5. Report on regional Visits Mark Custerson gave a brief update on the regional visits. The issues he encountered concerned the following: Communication Financial Support Training Opportunities Raising the profile of NHW Developing Junior NHW Mark Custerson will follow up with the NPIA on the potential for a business case for a Neighbourhood Watch communication system. Additionally, it was noted that there is a requirement for NHW and the Police to use the same communication system. 6. Research Document Mark gave a brief outline of what was included in the report. It was noted that the Research Document on the Effectiveness of Neighbourhood Watch originated as a result of the debate on does NHW help reduce crime? Richard Slatter found from looking at research that in 79% of research projects examined, statistics proved that NHW could assist in reducing crime. The research document has been approved by NSGWI and will be sent to all Chief Constables and to the Home Office. It will be cascaded to CDRP level in forces via the Home Office. 5

6 It was noted that NHW should be seen in the wider context of community and cohesion and public reassurance. The meeting was then advised to highlight key messages around how NHW reduces crime and what areas work best and put them into practice through liaison with their Corp communications departments. Regional and Force Representatives are asked to circulate the research as widely as they can. It is not restricted in any way. 7. Emergency Planning and Civil Contingencies The Emergency Planning and Civil Contingencies document was tabled at NSGWI and has been accepted. The meeting was advised to ask relevant staff in force such as the emergency planning officers to view the document and see how NHW could be involved. Once developed this document will go onto the NHW toolkit element of the Neighbourhood Watch Website, 8. Scoping report Mark Custerson updated the meeting that he is now seconded to the Neighbourhood and Home Watch network for four days a week. He gave a brief outline of what funding opportunities are available for NHW. Funding: 6m for 93 areas 500,000 for 93 areas for securing homes specifically to NHW 500,000 available as of the 31 st March around developing infrastructure for NHW and building capacity around NHW. This is part of the Home Office s support for NHW. Further points were noted in relation to training, website development and the NHW business case: It was acknowledged that there is work to be done around training at both local and national levels. Money has been allocated for Website development and there is a need to look at how to promote NHW into harder to reach areas. Mark Custerson will put together a business plan regarding the sustainability of Neighbourhood Watch from 2010 onwards. It was established that there will be a need for further conferences later in the year but the format will be determined from the consultation event on the 11 th July. 9. PLI There has been a delay in PLI insurance renewal, as the policy has been extended to cover more. It is advised that the key clauses are looked at closely. 10. Regional Government Office It was raised that a Government Office representative used to attend regional meetings in the South West but no longer did. It was, therefore, advised that this query should be submitted to Dorset police where there is a police secondee who could make contact with the Home Office regarding funding. 11. Feedback from NHWN Mark Custerson has sent s regarding electronic newsletters and this item was covered elsewhere in the meeting. All other matters are contained within the business of this meeting 12. Feedback from NSGWI The NSGWI Work Program primarily sits now with Mark Custerson and it was noted that the Minutes have not yet been circulated. 6

7 13. AOB Hallmark Document ACTION: Donna Lavender to send Mark Custerson the hallmark document and include 5 points that are necessary to communicate to the movement. ACTION: Mark Custerson to ensure the document is circulated. Marketing It was noted that Mark Rendall will raise ideas around Junior NHW to involve all regions on the 11 th July. 14. Date of Future Meetings Thursday 3 December, 11:00 14:30, Hertfordshire Constabulary Headquarters. 7