North Wales Police and Crime Panel

The Chair on behalf of the North Wales Police and Crime Panel congratulated the Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman on receiving the King’s Police Medal. Congratulations were also extended to the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner on his appointment as Chair of Policing in Wales. Thanks and best wishes were extended to Richard Debicki, Deputy Chief Constable for all the work he had done for North Wales Police, as he would be retiring shortly.

The minutes of the North Wales Police and Crime Panel held on 30 January 2023 were submitted for approval. RESOLVED- That the minutes of the North Wales Police and Crime Panel held on 30 January 2023 be agreed as a correct record.

None.

A number of questions had been submitted to the Police and Crime Commissioner; the responses were attached as an appendix to these minutes. The Chair advised members that he had spoken to the Chief Executive of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) in relation to the Police no longer attending mental health incidents and as further clarification was required in relation to this matter a further question would be submitted to the PCC at an appropriate time.

Delivering Safer Neighbourhoods Champion & Tackle and Prevent Hate Crime Champion The Vice Chair (Pat Astbury) provided an update on the following: • Roads Policing: - The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) was working with BRAKE, the Road Safety Charity to fund a Case Worker to cover the North Wales Police force area. - The PCC was working with local Councillors to improve road safety in areas of concern. • Rural Crime: Glyndwr University had undertaken a review of the Policing of the Hunting Act in North Wales, which included a set of recommendations on how to police hunting across the region. • Hate Crime: A conference was held in May 2023 for the business sector to look at Modern Slavery and how it could be identified and the risks it posed to the local economy. Member Champion - Establish a Victims Panel Councillor Non Dafydd provided an update as follows: • Councillor Dafydd had met with representatives from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner to get an understanding of the Criminal Justice Board and how the process worked. • A visit to the Victims Support Centre would be organised shortly. Member Champion - Professional Standards Councillor Chris Bithell advised the Police and Crime Panel (PCP) that he was reassured that the processes in place to deal with disciplinary matters were robust and transparent. Finance Champion Councillor Louise Emery advised the PCP that she had met with the Chief Finance Officer and that a six-month monitoring report would be presented to the next meeting.

The North Wales Police and Crime Panel (PCP) received a presentation from Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman (North Wales Police – NWP), in relation to ‘Acquisitive Crime’ and advised of the changes to the classification of a residential burglary post April 2023. The presentation highlighted the following: • Burglary had fallen in the past 12 months by 11.8% • North Wales Police (NWP) was ranked third, with the lowest ranking in terms of recorded neighbourhood crime. • NWP had the second lowest rate of robbery in England and Wales (to March 2023). • Public perception survey was conducted between January and February 2023 with 600 responses, which showed that the public had an 86% confidence rate in NWP. Chief Inspector Helen Douglas also provided a presentation on the ‘We Don’t Buy Crime’ initiative, which highlighted the following: • The principles of the initiative, which included; Crime Prevention, Supporting Victims, Community Cohesion, Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour, and Efficient and Effective Service Delivery. • The six unique pillar work streams. • Examples of the support pack for victims of burglary, a prevention pack for cocooned (neighbouring) properties and a Rural Farming Community Prevent Pack. In response to the presentations, the following was noted: • Working with existing Neighbourhood Watch Schemes, and other partners, such as Local Authority Public Protection and Licensing Teams to gather intelligence. • Responses from the public perception survey; whilst the response rate was relatively low considering the size of the population, the survey was carried out on a quarterly basis to monitor the trends and trajectory. • Congratulations were extended for the work undertaken with the farming community in relation to rural crime. • NWP would be happy to attend meetings of Community Councils, etc to provide an update on the initiatives. • The Chief Constable gave assurance that an immediate response would be provided to an active burglary. • The importance of the Victim Support Centre for victims of burglary. • Covert surveillance • The process for perpetrators admitting to similar or associated offences. The PCP thanked the Chief Constable and the Chief Inspector for their informative presentations.

The North Wales Police and Crime Panel (PCP) considered the Police and Crime Commissioner’s (PCC) Annual Report for 2022/2023. The report was the PCC’s second annual report, since being elected in May 2021 and provided an update on overall progress against delivery of the Police and Crime Plan’s strategic priorities. The report highlighted that 2022/2023 was another challenging year, not only for North Wales Police but also for the entire police service in the UK. The PCC was determined to do all that he could to ensure communities in North Wales received the best possible police service and would work with the Chief Constable to ensure that those officers and staff, that do not uphold the highest of standards, were driven out of the organisation as quickly as possible. The PCC recognised that there was much to do to regain the public’s trust and confidence in policing, which was vital to the model of policing by consent. The report provided an overview of the following: • Demand on North Wales Police during the last 12 months • The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) in numbers • Recorded crime in North Wales – overall crime was down 5.9% compared to the previous 12 months • Launch of new OPCC Communications and Engagement Strategy • Accountability and Statutory Duties • Progress on the Police and Crime Plan objectives • Funding and Finance In scrutinising the report, the following was noted: • The PCP welcomed the overall reduction in crime over the last 12 months and was reassured that neighbourhood policing, including tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB) was the foundation upon which all other priorities within the Police and Crime Plan would be delivered. • The use of Safer Streets Funding to fund projects to tackle ASB. • Whilst the statistics within the annual report related to the priorities within the Police and Crime Plan, other statistics were available if required. • The approach to be undertaken to policing of the change to the default speed limit of 30 mph to 20 mph, which was due to be introduced from September 2023. • The challenge and approach to policing the use of electric bikes, electric scooters and petrol engine bikes. • Promoting road safety and Operation EDWARD (every day without a road death). The PCP felt the Annual Report reflected the progress made against the priorities within the Police and Crime Plan. RESOLVED- That the North Wales Police and Crime Panel accepts the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Annual Report for 2022/2023.

The Police and Crime Panel (PCP) was presented with the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner’s (PCC) periodic update for the period of 1 September 2022 to the 1 November 2022. The report provided an overview of the decisions made by the PCC, and other scrutiny activities and actions over the term of the report. The PCC highlighted that the Chief Constable was held to account via the Strategic Executive Board (SEB), when he received comprehensive performance reports from North Wales Police. In addition, the PCC advised that he conducted a ‘deep dive’ of one of the priorities within the Police and Crime Plan at each SEB meeting. In scrutinising the PCC’s report, the following was noted: · An annual update on the Checkpoint Cymru Diversion Scheme would be scheduled on the forward work programme. · Whilst there had been an overall reduction in hate crime for the first time in seven years, there was a need to continue to raise awareness and encourage the reporting of this crime. · The selection process for the recruitment of Young Ambassadors who sit on the Young People’s Advisory Group. · The different ways and processes for liaising with the Crown Prosecution Service. · Further information was requested in relation Operation Soteria, which had been launched as a response the Government’s end-to-end rape review and the Home Office pledge to increase the number of rape cases making it to court. RESOLVED That the Police and Crime Commissioner’s periodic update be noted.

The North Wales Police and Crime Panel (PCP) received a report, which highlighted the complaints scrutiny undertaken by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC). The report included an analysis of the number of cases, the types of complaints, the time taken to deal with them, cases referred to the OPCC and other matters of significance. The number of complaints logged against North Wales Police was less than ‘Most Similar Force’ and national averages. There were also overall fewer complaints for the year than there were for 2021/2022. The PCP thanked the Chief Executive of the OPCC for the report, which provided assurance of the work that was being undertaken by the Professional Standards Department. RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

The North Wales Police and Crime Panel (PCP) was presented with the end of year monitoring report on the use of the PCP grant and the expenses incurred during the period 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 The report provided information on the end of year claim to the Home Office together, with the PCP’s annual report on activities, including the number of meetings held, scrutiny documents and publications produced and engagement with the Police and Crime Commissioner and the public. It was noted that the PCP had not used all the grant, therefore, Conwy County Borough Council as the Host Authority did not have to absorb any overspend this year, as it had done in previous years. RESOLVED: That the Police and Crime Panel is assured that the grant is utilised to undertake the key deliverables as follows: • The PCP is able to carry out its scrutiny functions and responsibilities as set out in the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011. • The PCP continues to fulfil its statutory responsibilities, meeting in public and making necessary reports on the Police and Crime Commissioner’s decisions and actions. • The PCP continues to provide effective scrutiny of the Police and Crime Commissioner and ensuring transparency to the public

Members were presented with the Forward Work Programme (FWP) for the North Wales Police and Crime Panel (PCP). The FWP had been updated to include all the regular and statutory items that need to be presented to the PCP. RESOLVED: That the forward work programme be approved.

The next meeting of the North Wales Police and Crime Panel would take place on Monday 25 September 2023 at 2:00pm