Decision details

The Council received a presentation from Mr David Lloyd (Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner) on Policing Stevenage. Mr Lloyd introduced the item and handed over to Chief Inspector Alicia Shaw (Hertfordshire Constabulary) who gave the presentation.

The Mayor thanked Mr Lloyd and C.I. Shaw for their informative presentation.

A full debate ensued. Points raised included:

·         Need to tackle crime and work with other agencies to address social issues that drive crime

·         Visibility of police and police staffing levels

·         Police funding

·         Public perception of crime and policing

·         The commendable work of Stevenage Against Domestic Abuse (SADA)

·         Crime prevention initiatives including the proposed mentoring programme for young people

·         Street Meets and other forms of community engagement

The Leader of the Opposition and Councillor Robin Parker CC expressed concerns that the Opposition Members did not receive the Main Debate Motion before the meeting. The Leader of the Council apologised for what had been an administrative oversight, and undertook to ensure that this would not happen again.

After the conclusion of the debate, it was moved, seconded and RESOLVED “That Council regrets that the opportunity of consulting with the Council and councillors concerning the scope of the “Policing Stevenage Review” was missed.   Council notes the Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC) commitment to tackling local priorities to reduce crime & anti-social behaviour set out within the key aims outlined within review but wishes to receive further assurance that adequate resources will be made available to tackle those priorities.

Council now seeks assurance from the PCC that he will act decisively to address the very serious concerns of our Stevenage residents regarding violent and knife related crime, issues arising from county lines drug dealing, Modern Slavery, domestic abuse and the other crime classifications by implementing the “Policing Stevenage” recommendations as swiftly as possible.

Whilst the Council recognises the ongoing funding challenges for policing and community safety across Hertfordshire and the rest of the UK due to the considerable cuts in funding imposed by the current government, it calls upon the PCC to ensure that the resources deployed in Stevenage are sufficient to reflect the unique facilities and services which are located in the town including:

•           Stevenage Leisure Park

•           Stevenage Train Station

•           The Lister Hospital

•           Stevenage Police Station

•           Cygnet Hospital

•           A1M and other road links

•           Night Time Economy – particularly in High Street and the Leisure Park

•           Children’s Homes

•           The Magistrates Court”