Minutes:
The Committee considered the verbal presentation given by Inspector Charlotte Ellam in relation to the policing of the night-time economy in Newark Town Centre. She outlined the operational work of Police Officers and how they were deployed. She also outlined some of the working relationships the Police had with licensed venues, door staff, other organisations including Newark & Sherwood DC and Social Services, their involvement with the Pub Watch Scheme and provided an overview of the main areas within Nottinghamshire that required resource to Police the night-time economy. Also detailed were some of the actions taken and work undertaken to help to promote well run licensed venues.
In respect of anti-social behaviour (ASB), Inspector Ellam advised that issues in licensed premises had an impact in the town centre, likewise, ASB had an impact on town centre businesses as people did not feel safe in visiting the area adding that the Police’s ASB Strategy linked into how the Police operated in the night-time economy.
Inspector Ellam advised that a current priority was that of violence against women and girls and that work was ongoing to make the town centre safe and inclusive for all. The Safer Street Initiative also fed into this aspiration, as it would lead to improved street lighting.
In acknowledging the presentation, a Member queried what action the Police were taking in relation to the ASB. Inspector Ellam advised that a strategy had been developed which had several different strands, adding that it was a challenging issue to resolve. The Police targeted individuals, who were generally aged between 13 and 14 years old. Due to the age of the individuals, work was carried out with partner agencies e.g. social services, child protection. It was hoped that by early intervention, the behaviour of the children could be changed, rather than criminalising them. The Police looked at the children’s housing situation and their family life and, where possible, employed diversionary activities. However, Inspector Ellam noted that many did not wish to engage which led to enforcement action being taken, advising that this was done in partnership with Newark & Sherwood DC. As well as individuals, locations were also targeted in an attempt to make them less attractive for groups to congregate in. CCTV coverage also played a part in this. Again, Inspector Ellam reiterated that it was a complex issue and that she would welcome any new suggestions on how the issues could be tackled.
In acknowledging the comment that a Police presence offered comfort to people, Inspector Ellam stated that people needed to be made aware of where they could report incidents to and what account would be taken. She added that she was bidding for additional town centre patrols.
In noting the age of the children involved in ASB, a Member queried whether it was down to alcohol or boredom. Inspector Ellam advised that anecdotal evidence suggested that on occasion there had been alcohol involved and in order to try and combat that, work was ongoing with supermarkets to make their stores more secure. She acknowledged that boredom was also a factor and that for some, their home life was not necessarily good, this being the reason why there was partnership working with social services and child protection agencies.
A Member queried what work was being done in schools to stop the next generation falling into the same pattern of ASB. Inspector Ellam advised that some individuals ‘aged out’ of ASB at around 15 with some falling into criminality or others stopping such behaviour altogether. Unfortunately, they are backfilled by the following generation. She advised that the Police went into primary schools to try and prevent the pattern of behaviour starting. Opportunities to engage in diversionary activities was provided with Inspector Ellam stating that this should be awarded greater emphasis.
A Member of the Committee raised the issue of ASB in Ollerton, noting that should a report be made to this to the Police, then there was a wait for Officers to attend as they had to come from Newark. Noting the aspiration to increase the footfall of Police, the Member queried whether that would just be Newark or the wider area. He also advised that there were issues with shoplifting alcohol and that it was then passed on to children. Inspector Ellam acknowledged the issues, adding that she did not want to see any villages become an area where such behaviour was unchecked but added that the geography of the district presented resource challenges.
In relation to licensing, a Member queried whether there were any known problem venues and how the Police dealt with any issues. Inspector Ellam advised that the Police’s engagement with Pub Watch meant that they were able to deal with such venues. Should a new application be submitted, the Police asked for strong conditions with the applicant being informed that they would be monitored and enforced. She added that ASB was mostly a separate issue.
A non-Committee Member raised the issue of CCTV cameras and whether Inspector Ellam was aware of any that were not working; where they were monitored; and how long it would take an Officer to respond, should an incident be viewed and reported. In response, Inspector Ellam advised that she was not aware of any cameras not working and response times would depend on available resource. In response to the seriousness of the issue in Newark, Inspector Ellam advised that ASB was a complex issue and that any response to resolve it would always be competing with other priorities.
In ending the debate, the Chair thanked Inspector Ellam for attending Committee and answering the Members queries.