Item 8 A - WDC LPP Qtr 3 2022-23
West Dunbartonshire Council · 22 February 2023
Back to Housing & Communities Committee — 22 February 2023 and its agenda
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL Figures recorded at the end of Qtr. 3 show a 5.9% increase (+8) in Group 1 crimes of violence compared to the PYTD. In addition, the current figure of 143 remains above the previous 5 year average (120.4). While serious assaults have reduced by 9.5% from 63 to 57, this has been offset by a slight increase in robberies which have risen from 14 to 19 (+5). Crimes relating to Human Trafficking and Abduction have also both increased by 5 crimes each. Five of the 6 abduction crimes occurred in private space with 3 being domestic-related. Across Argyll & West Dunbartonshire 17 persons linked to serious and organised crime have been arrestedand £124,825seizedunder POCA. Compared to the same period last year, the total number of bogus crimes recorded within West Dunbartonshire has decreased from 51 to 48 crimes. 79% (n=38) of all bogus crimes recorded YTD related to social engineering frauds involving scam phone calls/emails. 10 crimes related to bogus workmen/callers. At the end of Qtr. 3 acquisitive crimes show a 7.1% increase compared to the same period last year (+74), although the current figure (1114) remains below the previous 5 year average (1187). Housebreaking crimes have increased slightly by 3.7% (+4) due to a rise in domestic HB’s from 68 to 76 (+8) and a rise in HB’s at commercial properties from 22 to 25 (+3). The increase in Housebreaking may be as a result of a reduction in those working from home. Fraud crimes have increased by 25.7% from 152 to 191 with the current figure remaining considerably above the previous 5 year average (n=113.4). The cost of living crisis may explain why online market frauds have seen the highest increase from 24 to 37 crimes (+13) year on year, followed by frauds involving unpaid taxi fares (+12) and identity frauds (+9). Common thefts and shopliftings have also increased by 11.3% (n=34) and 11% (n=33) respectively. Much of the increase in common thefts is due to a rise in thefts of fuel. At the end of Qtr. 3, drugs supply charges had reduced by 18.9% from 74 to 60. Drug possession charges had also reduced by 7.9% from 504 to 464. Both figures remain below the previous 5 year average. At the end of Qtr. 3, figures show a 30.8% increase in the total number of road traffic offences recorded within West Dunbartonshire from 1652 to 2160. The current figure also remains 23.8% above the previous 5 year average (1745). Speeding offences have seen the highest increase from 240 to 524 crimes (+284), while using a motor vehicle without a test certificate and seat belt offences have also risen from 272 to 350 (+78) and 30 to 77 (+47) respectively. Insurance, mobile phone and careless driving offences have seen a reduction year on year. Set against figures recorded at the end of Qtr. 3 last year, Group 2 sexual crimes have seen a 19.2% reduction with 135 crimes recorded compared to 167 last year (-32). Rape crimes have reduced from 34 to 24 (-10), while sexual assaults have also decreased by 34.8% from 66 to 43 year on year. Approx. two thirds of all sexual assaults occurred within a private space, half of which related to non- recent reports and 13% domestic-related. Crimes relating to indecent images/communications have also reduced from 51 to 45 crimes with 62% being committed by strangers to the victim. The overall detection rate for Group 2 sexual crime has seen a notable increase from 49.7% to 69.6% compared to the PYTD and is currently above the previous 5 year average (50.3%). The detection rate for indecent/sexual assault has increased significantly from 37.9% to 95.3% (+16 crimes), largely due to improved forensic opportunities and returns. The detection rate for rape crime has also increased from 44.1% to 50%. At the end of Qtr 3, 263 missing person reports had been recorded which is an increase of 32.2% from 199 in the PYTD period. The increase is due to a rise in the number of MP reports relating to children, from 80 to 160 year on year. Figures recorded at the end of Qtr. 3 show a reduction of 12.1% in domestic abuse incidents from 1070 to 940 (-130) which is 8.2% below the previous 5 year average. Domestic abuse crimes have also seen a reduction of 10% from 663 to 597 (-66) however, the current figure remains marginally above the previous 5 year average (n=588.4). In total 74 cyber-crimes had been recorded within West Dunbartonshire at the end of Qtr. 3, which is a significant reduction from 183 in the same period last year. Cyber-Enabled frauds account for 59% of all crimes recorded (n=44) YTD, whilst 14 crimes related to threatening and abusive messages on social media and 8 to indecent images or communication. User Satisfaction results show that Ease of contact: 49% of service-users agreed it was very easy. This is above the national average: 68.78% agreed they were provided with the appropriate response which is above the national average. Overall satisfaction 52.76% of service-users were very above the national average. At the end of Qtr. 3, 89 complaints against the police had been recorded within West Dunbartonshire which is a marginal change from 91 last year. The number of allegations against officers has also seen marginal change year on year from 165 to 163. Compared to the PYTD, the detection rate for Group 1 crime has reduced slightly from 68.9% to 60.8% (-6 crimes) and is below the previous 5 year average (74.3%). The detection rate for serious assaults has reduced from 71.4% last year to 66.7% (-7 crimes) and for robbery from 78.6% to 68.4%, albeit 2 more crimes have been detected YTD. The detection rate for common assault remains higher than last year at 71.2% and is slightly above the previous 5 year average (67.2%). Overall public reported ASB incidents continue to show a noticeable downward trend, largely due to a decrease in public nuisance incidents. Complaints relating to disorder have also reduced by 24.8% (-975). ASB related crimes have seen a decrease of 4.6% (-94) while the current figure is also 8.1% below the previous 5 year average. Common assaults continue to show a slight increase of 2.6%. Assaults resulting from family disputes have seen the highest increase YTD from 43 to 57 (+14), whilst assaults on police and emergency workers have also risen from 118 to 131 (+13) year on year. There was 1 fatal road traffic collision within West Dunbartonshire during Qtr. 3. Overall road casualties have seen a marginal change from 44 to 42 compared to the PYTD. Fatalities remain unchanged from PYTD (n=2), serious injuries have reduced marginally from 17 to 13 and slight injuries have increased from 25 to 27. The end of the Covid lockdown appears to have impacted on the number of incidents recorded in West Dunbartonshire where an adult concern has been raised has reduced by 14.6% from 1403 to 1198 compared to figures recorded at the end of Qtr 3 last year. Child concerns have also shown a reduction of 7.7% from 2987 to 2757. ITEM 8 A
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL Empowered Residents Safe (Communities) Nurtured (Children & Young People Flourishing Local Economy Independent (Older People) Violent Crime and Antisocial Behaviour Crimes were largely split equally between public and private space. In approximately 72% of crimes occurring within private space the offender was known to the victim, while 35% of all public space crimes were committed by persons known to the victim. Our CID officers continue to focus on the most serious crimes ensuring that all investigative opportunities are considered and explored as part of their investigations. Through analytical review and speaking with local communities we focused our festive safety campaign on our town centres and night time economy. With additional Night Zone West funding we were able to provide an increased policing presence during peak times. We engaged with local licensees and ensured a proactive presence across all licensed premises during peak times. We increased our visibility in town centres and other hot spot areas reducing disorder. We continue to work closely with West Dunbartonshire Council ASB teams and other registered social landlords providing support and information to identify and target problematic tenants and locations. Our Youth Engagement officers have undertaken joint emergency services days within all secondary schools which was primary focused on ASB/ Knife crime and safety in the lead up to Guy Fawkes Night. During Q3, 8 persons were charged for multiple fire raisings and vandalisms to local schools, relevant information was shared with partners and appropriate intervention programmes identified. There was only one significant incident linked to Guy Fawkes Night which was proportionately managed, all other reported ASB was down on previous years. Public Protection Local policing continues to promote the multiple award winning “That Guy” campaign, its positive approach in changing and challenging unacceptable male behaviours, not the actions of victims. It is clear that there is an increased confidence in reporting sexual crime to Police. We continue to work together to raise awareness of reporting mechanisms, support measures and to encourage survivors of abuse to come forward and engage with services. Our officers work proactively to highlight reporting mechanisms and danger signs from those who wish to cause them sexual harm. Our Youth Engagement team had a Joint action plan with Trading Standards regarding premises selling Vape products to school children. Acquisitive Crime The cost of living crisis will undoubtedly impact on acquisitive crime but we will continue to engage with partners seeking opportunities to signpost and support our community. The majority of recorded crimes appear to be both spontaneous and opportunistic. Analytical work is ongoing to support a renewed focus and governance around the issue to improve detection rates which have increased during quarter 3. All housebreaking reports are subject to rigorous review to identify all evidential opportunities. It is anticipated that when forensic updates are received a number of other opportunities to apprehend offenders will be available. Our Preventions team proactively seek out vulnerable premises and offer crime prevention advice. This team also contacts victims of acquisitive crime offering support. They have installed numerous call blockers and work closely with partners to share good practice and identify local trends. We maximise the use of our social media to promote targeted local community advice. Vulnerable Persons Our Partnership team have engaged with third sector organisations to collate a list of local support services and voluntary organisations. We have used this information to provide additional training to our officers in order that we can signpost the most vulnerable in our communities. We have robustly policed domestic Bail conditions ensuring they are being adhered to and where necessary arresting and reporting repeat offenders. We continue to engage with partners to ensure the safety of victims of domestic violence. We have maximised the use of social media to promote our campaign on violence against women, signposting victims of Domestic Abuse. We have also introduced a new Domestic Abuse Safeguarding Team to ensure the best services to victims. We are delivering in our role as corporate parents in line with the Scottish Government’s ‘Promise’ working with our Care homes to ensure Looked After and Accommodated young people are not stigmatised or treated differently to those not in care. We have introduced a new missing person’s protocol specifically to support care experienced young persons. In November we had a rise in suspected drug related deaths. Recognising this we engaged regularly with various internal and external partners to ensure that an effective and proportionate response was adopted and that our front line officers were equipped with the skills and knowledge to support and signpost those struggling with addictions. Serious and Organised Crime West Dunbartonshire benefits from a dedicated Proactive Crime Team (PACT). These specialist officers are supported by dedicated intelligence officers in tackling serious and organised crime in our communities. West Dunbartonshire has benefitted from a focussed approach in tackling Serious and Organised Crime (SAOC), where national specialist resources and officers will assist local officers in the detection and arrest of those involved in the top echelons of serious criminality One such example in December 2022 was the seizure of a 20 tonne hydraulic press along with 224g of unknown white powder, suspected to be a ‘cutting’ agent during a planned search at a property. This direct proactivity is having a real impact on serious and organised criminality within our community. Numerous other targeted drugs searches have taken place across our community resulting in significant seizures of drugs, property and money. Our specialist officers are utilising all available legislation and investigative opportunities to target SAOC. Road Safety and Road Crime Road safety remains a priority. Road Policing officers carry out both high visibility and unmarked patrols concentrating on the five main contributory factors that cause serious road traffic collision, these are Careless Driving, Drink and Drug Driving, Not wearing a seatbelt, using a mobile phone and speeding. Drug driving detections are up 10.5% and Drink driving detections are up 8.7% YTD. Forward Planning New Dementia Safeguarding initiative Improved MATAC Domestic Abuse process Not at Home process and Corporate Parenting improvements Operation Ballaton and Water safety initiatives New Town centre Community Officers