Public Forum (Q & A):
Q: Neighbourhood Watch Representative from SheptonMallet – Congratulations to the PCC on being elected. There are mixed feelings towards the concept of a PCC but it is good to see the PCC/Police presence in the community. The reduction in funding across the public sector is of concern to the community given that the need of service users does not reduce. Peacekeeping is most effective in the long term but there is concern that law enforcement is the easiest solution when cuts are required so what will be done in Avon and Somerset?
A: Sensible ways of reducing spend will be considered to keep focus on delivering frontline services e.g. Weston-Super-Mare had 9 enquiry offices but now has just 1. The focus will be on setting a high standard for those providing frontline services ensuring that officers are not worrying about the financial pressures the organisation faces.
Q: Ashley Reay, Frome Community Speedwatch – Why can PCSOs not have extended powers to assist at the roadside to stop, caution, etc. as this would utilise PCSOs at no extra cost?
A: All PCSOs have certain powers but each Chief Constable has the power to give or withhold certain powers. The Chief Constable has tasked a member of his team with investigating what other forces are doing and consulting with regards to giving other powers to the PCSOs in Avon and Somerset, however the powers being queried are not within the remit of the Chief Constable to give. Questions regarding PCSO powers were recently raised in parliament. The PCC has asked the Chief Constable to look at the issues of speed enforcement in general. For example, the Road Safety Unit could be more resilient with the collaboration of other forces and more mobile speed cameras, perhaps with the use of motorbikes could be helpful. Fixed cameras are also being discussed.
Q: Paul Wynne, Town Clerk – Thanks for coming. The local ambition is to build relationships, partnerships and joined up thinking in terms of finances. If Frome Police Station is sold where would it go? It is also rumoured that the County Council Social Services building is for sale which maybe ideal for a Frome hub promoting joined up working?
A: Frome Police Station is too big and in the wrong location. The Chief Constable is happy that a meeting should be arranged to discuss the hub idea which sounds similar to the solution which was implanted in Weston-Super-Mare. It might be that a two centre solution is the most appropriate for Frome with an enquiry services based in the town and a response base out of the town.
Q: Colin McNeemee – Local elections are coming up and one party has promised 100 PCSOs but what is the annual cost of this?
A: £4m
Q: Graham Livings – The PCC has brought a breath of fresh air. There are a lot of ASB victims and it affects people in many different ways. As a victim of ASB Graham was visited by a civilian officer as a follow up and it took a number of weeks to respond again with the officer explaining that they had been on sick leave and had hundreds of e-mails on their return.
A: Very helpful feedback and the District Commander will follow up the individual case after the meeting to ensure that any further action is taken as required.
Q: Tom Verriman, Retired Officer – Used to deal with all the same issues identified today and does not appreciate the implication that he did not do anything.
Q: Mr Franks, Ex Special Constable – Used to patrol with local officers but now don’t see police on the streets. Why could Specials not go with Community Speedwatch to give out tickets? Are CID no longer going to be in Frome? Felt the need to write to David Cameron to say that the money spent on PCCs would have been better off spent on more Police Officers. There used to also be a lot of Specials in Frome.
A: The PCC has requested that the number of Specials be increased to 700. Today’s meeting is one of the many ways that the PCC demonstrates her commitment to getting out in the community listening to residents rather than just sitting behind a desk. The Chief Constable talked about his respect for the legacy of policing and has learned that many problems are not new. However, public expectation of the police has changed e.g. specialist units to deal with Hate Crime, Serious and Organised Crime etc. all of these aspects of police business are important although not all public facing. Saving have to be made in a sensible way and whilst this is complicated the savings will not be made on the frontline if possible.
Q: Tony Blackberry – The policing costs are high but could be eased if the decision to put more criminals away was made?
A: The law has to be well written and unfortunately when it is not then lawyers can find a way around it. The average delay of five months in many cases coming to court is not acceptable and the CPS could be more effective with the digitalising of evidence. It is critical that an independent judicial system is supported rather than a policed state.
Q: Jane Wood, Police Post Volunteer – The forum is a great idea but better notice and publicity is required in future. The PCSOs in the local areas are doing a brilliant job. Untaxed cars in car parks have been reported to the police but the police have said that they are unable to issue tickets so what can be done to improve the situation?
A: This is the first of these public forums so lessons will be learned but apologies for the short notice. The District Commander stated that the police can only work within legislation but that if the public can keep reporting the vehicles then the police can look for them on the road.
Q: Robin Bradbury, Ex Parish Councillor – Wrote an e-mail to the commissioner with some questions. Mr Bradbury is critical of the District Commander regarding the allocation of PCSOs to rural villages and feels that there has been a reduction of 50% which is unfair.
A: There has been a 17% reduction in PCSOs overall across the organisation. The savings the organisation is having to make are huge and Chief Officers cannot micro-manage and individuals have to be moved in response to the need e.g. if colleagues were in danger or the burglary issue in Frome. The District Commander confirmed that the number of PCSOs in the area has not reduced from 9 in three years but that they have to move around according to demand and are a mobile workforce. Some Local Authorities have elected to support community safety and contribute towards some PCSO posts.
Q: Mike Adams, Hope Charity – Thanks to the District Commander for supporting Hope Charity. In being supportive of community groups what are the ideas to take forward the joining up working?
A: Volunteers are the way forward as they are very effective and looking at the skillset they have to offer will be helpful. There are a number of ways that people can volunteer and the District Commander encouraged people to come forward. The District Commander Presentation on Volunteering was not given but can be viewed by clicking on the following link
Q: Terry Drake, Mendip Community Speedwatch Organiser – Please for more volunteers. Can people please call into Frome Police Station. The more teams that can be put out the more crime that can be prevented.
Q: Charles Wood – The spending reduction is tailored to the surrent situation with policing in Avon and Somerset but what if crime goes up with such things as changes to welfare and increased immigration?
A: At the time of the last general election Chief Constables discussed the level of funding reduction that policing could withstand, some felt that the service could take a reduction in funding of 125 but some felt nothing at all but in the end there has been a 20% reduction in the central government funding. Crime has continued to fall which demonstrates that there were some sensible efficiencies to be made. However, the strain is beginning to show and how much is enough is unknown. The force will continue to look at collaborations and other ways of making efficiency savings and the Chief Constable will be honest with the PCC regarding the financial strains for her to consider in setting the precept level.
Q: Is it right that Wells and Yeovil are the only two places where you can make an appointment to see an officer? With the centralisation of custody suites the potential impact is taking two officers away from a rural area for a time?
A: The appointment system is new but as far as the District Commander is concerned if you need an officer to come to you then they will. Custody is expensive so fewer custody suites that are bigger and more efficient will save millions over time which protects that saving having to be made from the frontline. Also the officers do not have to stay once they have dropped the detainee off which is a further benefit. Where an officer is busy it might be feasible to investigate the possibility of having a private contractor to download information from the officer and take the detainee to custody ensuring that the officer can stay on the street. The solution is designed to have a positive impact on performance. It was confirmed that Yeovil custody is staying open.
The PCC closed the meeting but invited anyone who still had questions to see a member of her team. If anyone has e-mailed then she confirmed that they will received a response in due course. The public forum will take place every two months in a different part of the force area. Thanks to the OPCC, the Constabulary, all those in Frome involved in supporting the meeting and to the public for attending.
Emailed Questions and Answers
Q: Would it be possible to have information on the number of accidents inside Frome town, i.e. injuries and deaths resulting from pedestrians being struck by vehicles as well as injuries and deaths resulting from vehicle on vehicle collisions over the past 5 years?
A: The Collision Investigation Unit of the Constabulary confirmed that there were no fatalities in Frome during the period involving pedestrians vs. cars, or car vs. car. However fatalities recorded involved motorcyclists and pedal cyclists were as follows:
Serious Injury Accident
2008 / 2009 / 2010 / 2011 / 2012Accidents Frome / 3 / 0 / 3 / 3 / 3
Pedestrian Accidents / 2 / 0 / 2 / 1 / 1
Vehicle Accidents / 1 / 0 / 0 / 1 / 1