Agenda item

The Panel received a report summarising of the PCC’s work in relation to rural crime including the development of the Rural Crime Strategy and the outcome of the recent Facebook Live holding to account meeting on rural crime.  It also included an overview of rural crime data and examples of how rural crime issues were being addressed.

A copy of the draft Rural Crime Strategy was circulated to the Panel and comments were welcomed.  The draft Strategy was released for consultation in September and responses would be shared with the Panel at its November meeting.

The PCC’s strategic commitment to address rural crime was contained in the Safer West Mercia Plan.  Contained within the objective, Reassuring West Mercia’s Communities, the PCC stated that he would hold the Chief Constable to account for:

Making sure voices and priorities are heard and acted on from within our rural communities, via the Rural Matters plan to ensure their specific needs are addressed.

The PCC acknowledged that there was more work to do to improve the confidence in rural communities that if crime was reported, action would be taken. The increased numbers of police officers would impact all areas and all areas were policed.  The PCC advised that there needed to be clarity around how improvements were measured.

During the discussion, the following points were made:

·         A Member suggested that as part of improving the confidence of the rural communities, the Rural and Business Officers should meet with local councillors regularly and attend parish and town council meetings.  The PCC responded that this did happen

·         It was suggested speeding was a major problem for rural communities.  The PCC agreed that excess speeding caused harm and was anti-social in nature, but that resolving the issue involved partners working together and that the Police were part of the solution, not all of it. It was confirmed that speed limit reductions were a matter for the Council and the Police were consultees.

·         Almost 40 areas had a Community Speed Watch Scheme in West Mercia.  A Councillor questioned whether a permanent sign notifying that an area had a Community Speed Watch Scheme could be used in place of a mobile sign being used at the time that the Scheme was operating as this may encourage volunteers to participate.  The PCC agreed to look into the matter and report back

·         Speed Indicator Device Signs (SIDS) were very popular and effective at improving behaviour

·         Social media was very good vehicle for sending out messages to the farming community.

It was agreed that:

·         The results from the draft Rural Crime Strategy consultation would be shared with the Panel at its November meeting and the final Strategy would be shared with the Panel at its February 2020 meeting

·         The PCC would look into whether a permanent sign notifying that an area had a Community Speed Watch Scheme could be used in place of a mobile sign being used at the time that the Scheme was operating

·         Panel Members would contact the National Farmers Union (NFU) in their areas to highlight and obtain feedback on the draft Strategy.