To receive a verbal update from Hertfordshire Constabulary on their wok in the Hitchin area.
Decision:
A verbal presentation was received from PS Guy Westwood of Hertfordshire Constabulary.
Minutes:
Audio recording – 26 minutes 38 seconds
The Chair invited PS Guy Westwood of Hertfordshire Constabulary to present. PS Westwood thanked the Chair, gave a verbal presentation and advised:
· Hitchin Urban crimes for 2022/23 totalled 1,973 compared to 1,819 in 2021/22.
· North Hertfordshire crimes increased to 6,433 compared to 5,559 previously and County wide crimes totaled 75,459 crimes compared to 73,516 last year.
· Residential burglaries in Hitchin Urban decreased to 51 from 66 previously. North Hertfordshire and County had both seen an increase.
· The OWL system was being used to keep the public informed.
· Business and commercial burglaries had increased to 31 incidents from 27 last year in Hitchin Urban. North Hertfordshire and County had also seen an increase.
· Theft from motor vehicles in Hitchin Urban had increased to 81 incidents from 63 previously, with North Hertfordshire and County overall increasing.
· Motor vehicle thefts mostly comprised of catalytic converters, and the increase was likely caused by the increased prices of precious metals.
· Personal robbery in Hitchin Urban had decreased to 9 from 12 previously. North Hertfordshire had also seen a decrease to 28 from 33 last year.
· County wide had seen an increase in personal robbery and patrols had been increased.
· Violence against persons had decreased in Hitchin Urban to 660 from 664 previously. North Hertfordshire and County had also seen a decrease.
· Criminal damage in Hitchin Urban had increased to 314 incidents compared to 187 previously. Most incidents were in Bearton Ward, with work ongoing in the area and around the town.
· Criminal damage had also increased in North Hertfordshire and county wide.
· Shoplifting in Hitchin Urban had increased to 170 compared to 136 previously. North Hertfordshire and County had also seen an increase.
· Drugs possession incidents in Hitchin Urban had decreased to 67 compared to 85 previously. North Hertfordshire and County incidents had also decreased.
· Public order offences in Hitchin Urban had decreased to 120 from 131 previously. North Hertfordshire and County offences had also decreased.
· Possession of offensive weapons in Hitchin Urban had increased to 16 incidents from 14 last year. North Hertfordshire and County had decreased.
· The priorities were due to be renewed in April. The current priorities were residential burglary, speeding on St. Michael’s and Stotfold Roads and anti-social behaviour in open spaces.
The following Members asked questions:
· Councillor Richard Thake
· Councillor Sam Collins
· Councillor Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg
· Councillor Clare Billing
· Councillor Chris Lucas
· Councillor Val Bryant
In response to questions from Members, PS Westwood advised:
· There were 22 different crime ratings which made it difficult to break down crime data.
· There were no direct links to crimes and residents at the Lord Lister Hotel.
· School years groups were linked to shoplifting, access to alcohol which would fuel anti-social behaviour.
· County lines crimes were not as high as expected.
· One problem that came from Nitrous Oxide canisters was littering. As the effect of Nitrous Oxide was short, it was not expected to contribute anti-social behaviour.
· There were many different categories of theft, therefore figures were categorised into general for the Committee.
· Safety of women was discussed at the Priority Setting Forum. The priorities mentioned previously were set by surveying the County.
Members took part in a discussion around Violence against women in Hitchin and North Hertfordshire. The Chair concluded that this was an important concern, and that it would be taken as an action point for forthcoming meetings.
Members thanked PS Guy Westwood for his work on the Safer Neighbourhood Team, particularly for his work in Hitchin.