The Mayor introduced the Police Fire and Crime Commissioner, Roger Hirst, Assistant Director for Communications and Engagement, Darren Horsman and West Local Police Area Commander Chief/Superintendent Andy Mariner to the meeting of Council and asked that they deliver their presentation which would then be followed by questions by Members.

Roger Hirst stated that the role of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner included:

•           Setting of the priorities for policing, fire and rescue

•           Setting budgets for Essex Police and Essex County Fire and Rescue Service

•           Setting the council tax precepts for each service

•           Appointing, dismissing and holding the Chief Constable and Chief Fire Officer to account

•           Actively monitors and scrutinises fire and rescue services

•           Regularly engage with the public and local communities

•           Allocating grants through the Community safety Development Fund and Commissioning local services

•           Have a duty to bring the community together to reduce crime and support victims of crime across Essex

That the seven Policing priorities to protect Essex were:

•           More local, visible and accessible policing

•           Crack down on anti-social behaviour

•           Breaking the cycle of domestic abuse

•           Reverse the trend in serious violence

•           Tackle gangs and organised crime

•           Protecting children and vulnerable people

•           Improve safety on our roads

Roger Hirst outlined the changes in nature of crime with crime rates and that the complexity of crimes was on the increase. That money had to be raised for Policing in Essex by increasing council tax bills by £1 per month per band D property to raise £7.5 million per year. That local Policing would benefit from investments with 150 new officers being invested into three quarters of the local Policing teams.

That technology will be used to allow Police officers to be visible in the community for longer with reinvestment into the front line Policing by rationalising the Police estates.

Roger Hirst stated that to make it easier to contact the Police a front control room improvement plan was in place and had started to show improvement in call handling times and quality. That 9 per cent of all crime being reported was undertaken through “Do It Online”. That the number of Special Constables would be doubled with a £3 million investment into the special programme over the next 3 years. The diversion of people from a life of crime through early intervention would be addressed and work would continue with the community to identify and tackle the underlying causes of ongoing anti-social behaviour.

Members raised the following questions:

Councillor Ojetola: Raised concern of boy racers around the Lakeside area. Andy Mariner stated that Operation Wagtail was now in place and a decline in the number of racers had been reported. That work would continue with Highways England on changes to the road lay out and with the introduction of visible central barriers.

Councillor Gledhill: Whether the Police can increase the number of issued enforcements when using the Section 61 powers to move on large travellers’ camps in Thurrock. Roger Hirst stated that the Police in Thurrock were being consistent with the Section 61 powers working alongside the Essex Travel Unit, with Police Officers being up to speed with the protocols.

Councillor Gerrish: Presented a petition to Roger Hirst with 1276 resident signatures calling for more action on crime and anti-social behaviour in Thurrock. Roger Hirst thanked Councillor Gerrish for the petition and would take away to digest the content properly. Roger Hirst stated that it was recognised that more needed to be done against anti-social behaviour. That cuts made to Essex Police had resulted in local Police having to be used for high level incidents. Roger Hirst stated that although Thurrock was a priority he could not neglect all the other areas of Essex. Roger Hirst agreed to come back to Members with detailed plans.

Councillor Halden: Stated that the £9.6 million investment for an additional 150 Police officers was extremely welcome, the Council would be spending several thousand pounds extra on tackling anti-social behaviour.  Councillor Halden asked would the extra money be good enough and that there was a need to look at ways the Police and the Council could work together. That Thurrock had rated Youth Offending services in England for reducing reoffending and asked Roger Hirst that when Essex Police are looking for a borough partner to lead the county on anti-gang activity surely Thurrock should be at top. Roger Hirst stated that it was good that this money was going to tackle anti-social behaviour, it was also vital that Youth Offending services are represented and will continue to have contact with them in Thurrock and Southend. Roger Hirst would welcome any suggestions on how this could be tackled and agreed to provide a follow up on this question.

Councillor Redsell: With the blight of motor cycles in the borough, with reported accidents in parks and on roads, what are the Police doing to tackle this. Roger Hirst stated that this was a live issue which had been disturbing and disruptive for residents of Thurrock and had been working with the Safety Board and the Metropolitan Police on new tactics. Andy Mariner asked for residents to come forward with photographs of perpetrators so that profiles could be matched up by the Police. The “Stinger” was now being used by the Police to burst tyres of bikes.

Councillor Pothecary: What are the long term plans for the Police to address street fights and brawls that occur in Grays town centre. Roger Hirst stated that criminals had become clever, agile and street wise and having local Police on the streets would not necessarily be the best place for them. Roger Hirst gave his reassurance to residents that this was being addressed with intervention from local Police being most successful. Andy Mariner stated that there was a Public Space Protection Order in Grays town centre with Police also patrolling that area. That work continued with the Community Safety Partnership on future plans.

Councillor Kerin: What was the long term strategy to make Grays High Street safe for residents. Andy Mariner stated that there was a commitment to have a Police presence in this area and will use this resource to solve these problems.

Councillor Watkins: Could Police enforcements be used on lorries parking on the verges on the Manorway in Corringham. Roger Hirst stated that a meeting had been scheduled to look at plans on how to improve this. Andy Mariner stated that whilst DP World extend their car park the lorries had no place to park and this was unacceptable. Work continued with DP World and the Council on how enforcement can be issued.

Councillor C Kent: Would the Police Fire and Crime Commissioner state that physical assault should be classed as a serious assault following a resident being told otherwise. Roger Hirst stated that physical assault was a hard crime and should have been assessed by the control room when the incident was made and should fall within the policy. Roger Hirst requested that further details be sent to him after the meeting.

Councillor Jones: Requested an update on the 2400 signed petition requesting shared Police services. Roger Hirst stated that this was still on the agenda and that he was optimistic this would take place this financial year.

Councillor S Little: Could the method “bump off” currently used by the Metropolitan Police be used in Thurrock to stop nuisance bikers. Roger Hirst stated that this would put danger to life and would not be recommended. Andy Mariner stated that incidents would be risk based and this method could cause considerable harm. The Stinger method was a good tool.

Councillor V Holloway: With the increase in anti-social behaviour and with the engagement of the Police and plans put in place there appeared to be no obvious changes. Councillor V Holloway asked what the long term plan would be for hate crime. Roger Hirst stated that there had been an increase in the number of recorded hate crime incidents since June 2016. The Police were reacting to these crimes whilst working alongside partnerships and local authorities. Roger Hirst stated that when the Police were dealing with hate crime on Facebook they were tasked with trying to identify, understand and when to intervene. The Police were again reliant on members of the public to report incidents.

Councillor Allen: With the lack of Police presence some areas are becoming lawless as crimes are not being tackled, therefore as a result of this crimes are getting worse. Roger Hirst reassured Members there are no-go areas in this county. That a small crime could turn into a bigger crime which in turn could then turn into a serious crime so Police have to analyse backwards and the plan would be to deploy more resources onto the streets to prevent crimes happening and to break the cycle early on.

Councillor Spillman: Residents reporting fraud crimes are being presented with a poor customer service and not getting the results they think they deserve. Roger Hirst and Andy Mariner were unaware of this issue and were confident that the team were doing a good job. Roger Hirst would be happy to take the concern away.

Councillor Collins: Concerns with heavy good vehicles breaking weight restrictions and blocking of roads and how the Council can enforce their powers. Councillor Collins asked whether Thurrock could be included in any trials undertaken by the Police. Roger Hirst stated that any assistance from local authorities on how enforcements could be made would be welcomed.

Councillor Smith: With a rise in high value car thefts in Aveley what measures are the Police taking in advising vehicle owners. Roger Hirst stated that this was a real time issue across the county. That residents need to protect themselves by double locking cars; keep car keys out of sight and using locking steering wheel devices.

Councillor C Baker: It seems in Thurrock we have more and more drug crime and violent crime than ever before would you say it maybe something to do with more and more London people moving into the borough in which case does the met link up with Essex police to try and resolve these crimes that we have to face. Roger Hirst stated that county lines are being monitored and that work continued with partnerships and relied on help from residents. Andy Mariner stated that the Essex Police had good links with the Metropolitan Police with work continuing with gang teams in the area and working alongside Kent Council.

Roger Hirst thanked Members for their time this evening and that a number of local issues had been raised. Roger Hirst gave Members his assurances that work would continue to ensure that Thurrock gets their fair share of services. That Thurrock Council played a big part in the collaboration with partnerships and will continue to work together in the future.

The Mayor thanked the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Roger Hirst, Assistant Director for Communications and Engagement, Darren Horsman and West Local Police Area Commander Chief/Superintendent Andy Mariner for their time this evening.

At 8.17pm, the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Roger Hirst, Assistant Director for Communications and Engagement, Darren Horsman and West Local Police Area Commander Chief/Superintendent Andy Mariner left the Council Chamber.