Ian Edwards, Chief Superintendent

Having moved beyond the mid year point it is appropriate for me to report our performance since the start of the financial and performance year (April 2004) which coincides with my appointment to the borough.

CRIME REDUCTION
Total crime - The overall level of crime on the borough has increased by 1.1% compared to an average reduction for the MPS of 2.4%. The displacement of offences from neighbouring boroughs is a continual challenge and the deployment of additional police resources in Hammersmith and Wandsworth has not been helpful in this regard.

Robbery - there has been an increase of 80 crimes (58%) compared to the same period last year and we are not on course to achieve our target of reducing this offence by 5%. This growth has now been stopped and October had the second lowest number of robberies since before April 2002.

Burglary (residential) - There has been a reduction of 18 crimes (3%) compared to the same period last year and we are on course to achieve our target of no increase in the level of this crime.

Motor vehicle crime - There has been a reduction of 140 crimes (12%) compared to the same period last year and we are on course to achieve our target of no increase in the level of this crime.

Crime detection
The number of offences detected has increased by more than a third compared to the same period last year and for the last two months it has comfortably been exceeding the overall detection rate target. This reflects a renewed emphasis on solving crime and of particular note is the doubling of the detection rate for burglary. However, the borough is presently on course to achieve only 2 of its 8 detection targets and it is marginally missing on two more. Even with the recent improvement is unlikely that we will reach all the targets by the end of the year.

Antisocial Behaviour
The Borough Liaison Officer's report describes the present position and whilst we are not on target to meet the reduction in anti social behaviour we have made substantial progress that puts us in a very strong position for the remainder of the year. The following are just some of the achievements in the first 6 months of the year:

• 3 Safer Neighbourhood Teams set up and operational
• Designated Dispersal Area established in Richmond & Twickenham town centres
• Involvement in the summer Misuse of Alcohol Campaign
• PCSO hours changed to allow working until 2am
• Increased use of ASBOs which are publicised with 4 being secured against graffiti artists
• Pilot Safer Schools Partnership established with Hampton Community College

Telephone Answering
Our performance in answering the telephone is commonly subject of criticism. This is most challenging in the control room where we are only answering just over 30% of calls within the charter time placing us 24th out of 56 control rooms in the MPS. The fact that we achieve mid-table position with such a poor record is indicative of the weakness in corporate systems being addressed with the C3i project that has started to role out across the Met. Unfortunately, Richmond is one of the last boroughs to be incorporated within the new system and we will not see the benefits until late 2006. In the meantime we are looking at ways to improve our performance but we shall not be able to meet the charter standard with the present infrastructure and resource constraints.

Emergency Response
Police response times to emergency calls has been broadly constant with about 70% of calls being attended within the charter standard of 12 minutes. Particular attention has been given to calls in Ham as that community had a noticeably slower response time than the borough average. This has been corrected and they received an equitable service in October.

Outlook
The following is worthy of note:

• It was announced at the time of writing this report that a suspect has been arrested in connect with the murder of Amelie Delagrange which should bring reassurance to the community as well as a degree of comfort to Amelie's family and friend.
• It is increasingly likely that all 5 additional Safer Neighbourhood Teams planned for 2005/6 will be set up this year i.e. before April 2005.
• We are at the final stages of agreeing terms for community policing bases to be established in Sheen Lane, Tangley Park and Whitton School.
• A community policing base is being sought in Ham (Asburnham Road area) for 2005/6 and beyond
• We shall be re-launching Operation Peacemaker in the New Year
• The inspection report by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary of Richmond BOCU is due for publication.

Police Management
It is proper that I advise you of changes to my senior management team which have arisen as a consequence of circumstance. Since the last meeting Superintendent Jim Davis has taken up post as the Operations Manager and my deputy. It is likely that Chief Inspector Phillips will be transferred in the coming months and we are expecting Chief Inspector Phipps' promotion to Superintendent to come through at any time. Detective Chief Inspector Baldock transferred from the Borough earlier this month and will be replaced in due course. A new Finance & Resources Manager, Kevin Ford, was appointed at the beginning of the month.

Thursday, December 9, 2004

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