Hampshire Police Authority

Joint Meeting of Performance Panel and Community Affairs Panel

Item: 4

10 December 2003

Objectives and Priorities for the Annual Policing Plan 2004/05

Report of the Clerk

Contact: Mrs Alex Holtby (01962) 871595 [email protected]

1 Introduction

1.1 There is a need to set the Police Authority objectives for the Annual Policing Plan 2004/05. These objectives need to be in line with the outcomes of consultation 2003, the Strategic Plan 2003/05 and the National Policing Plan 2004/07.

2 National Policing Plan

2.1 The National Policing Plan published in November highlighted the need to deliver policing to national standards within a dynamic and increasingly engaged local environment.

2.2 The key priorities are:

(a) Providing a citizen focused service to the public, especially victims and witnesses, which responds to the needs of individuals and communities and inspires confidence in the police particularly amongst minority ethnic communities.

(b) Tackling anti-social behaviour and disorder.

(c) Continuing to reduce burglary, vehicle crime, robbery and drug-related crime in line with the Government's Public Service Agreement targets.

(d) Combating serious and organised crime, both across and within force boundaries.

(e) Narrowing the justice gap by increasing the number of offences brought to justice.

2.3 The Home Secretary's underpinning themes for policing and police planning which apply to the whole country and in which the Government expects all forces to engage as part of the national endeavour:

(a) Community engagement and civil renewal.

(b) Countering terrorism and the threat of terrorism.

2 Results of Consultation 2003 - Local Priorities

3.1 The results of Consultation for 2003 showed that the 10 priorities in order of priority in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are:

(a) Vandalism and graffiti

(b) More officers on the beat/patrol cars

(c) Congregating youths

(d) Anti-social behaviour

(e) Speeding traffic

(f) Underage drinking

(g) Drug issues

(h) Car crime

(i) Cycling/skateboarding on pavements

(j) Litter

3 Objectives and Priorities

4.1 The objectives are set either by the Police Authority (local objectives) or by the Home Office (national priorities). The local objectives apply solely to Hampshire Constabulary, reflecting the results of the Police Authority's consultation with the people of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Local objectives are set to complement the national priorities.

4.2 In light of the Authority's outcomes of consultation, the Annual Policing Plan Joint Working Group propose that the `anti-social behaviour' local objective is amended to focus on reassurance. The revised objective more accurately reflects the concerns of local people i.e. visibility and crime as well as anti-social behaviour. It is suggested that the wording reads:

`Working in partnership to increase public reassurance within Hampshire and the Isle of Wight by reducing crime and anti-social behaviour and ensuring visible and accessible policing.'

3.2 There is also a need to set the Police Authority's Own Objective, which the Authority sets for itself in the Plan. In previous years the Authority has used a single objective: consultation. At a recent Joint Working Group meeting the Members agreed that consultation should remain a high priority for the Authority but recognised that there may be other emerging areas of work the Authority might wish to see included in the Plan as objectives or priorities. A letter was circulated to the Chairman, Vice-chairman and chairs of all Panels seeking their views on areas they felt the Authority should prioritise for itself in the coming year.

4 Recommendations

(a) That the report be noted.

(b) That the Police Authority Local Objectives be agreed.

(c) That the Police Authority Own Objectives be agreed.

Section 100D - Local Government Act 1972 - Background Papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB the list excludes:

1. Published works.

2. Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

TITLE LOCATION

The National Policing Plan 2004/07 Home Office