HomeDyfed-Powys Police Authority Priorities 2008/09
Having taken account of the views expressed by the public through a variety of consultation exercises, governmental directives and performance locally, the Police Authority have identified four priorities for the Force to tackle in 2008/09. These largely reflect those identified for 2007/08 and will ensure consistency in some key areas of the Force’s work. This process has again been informed by Strategic Assessments carried out in our four BCUs under the National Intelligence Model (NIM) and enhanced by a Strategic Assessment workshop. In line with recently issued guidance, the Authority has highlighted specific local policing priorities for inclusion within the new performance framework for policing, the Assessment of Policing and Community Safety (APACS). These are supported by relevant objectives, measures and targets so that Force progress over time and against similar forces can be measured. Of the four priority areas identified by the Authority for the coming year, three are included as specific Local Policing Priorities, as outlined below. Although terrorism and domestic extremism is not highlighted by the public as a key area for action, the Force is required to prioritise this as part of the wider national endeavour to tackle these important issues. The supporting measures and targets in relation to these priorities are outlined in Appendix A.
Drugs
To proactively target and disrupt drug supply and distribution networks across and beyond the Force area
The force achieved notable successes during 2007/08 by significantly increasing the number of offenders charged with trafficking class A drugs and drug production. In spite of this, people’s perceptions of drug use and dealing locally, as measured through the British Crime Survey, continue to rise. On this basis, and supported by the views of the public secured through force and authority consultation, tackling drugs has been prioritised once again for 2008/09. The work of officers on division will be supported by the Major Crime Team at Headquarters to disrupt and dismantle drug supply networks. Often these networks will involve organised crime groups and the force will seek to improve its approach to Organised Crime Group Mapping so that links between these criminal networks can be identified and addressed. More widely, the work of operation TARIAN will continue to stem the flow of class A drugs into the force area from along the M4 corridor or the north west of England.
Violent Crime (including Public Protection)
To reduce levels of violent crime, particularly that which is directed towards children and young people and vulnerable adults within our society, whilst seeking to increase detection rates in this area and enhancing protection offered to the public
Levels of violent crime fell markedly during 2007/08 and the Authority has decided to prioritise this important area again during 2008/09. This focuses not just on alcohol related and other violent crime that can be attributed to the night time economy, but also to issues of domestic abuse, child protection and looking after vulnerable adults. The force’s approach to protecting vulnerable people has been highlighted as excellent by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and this level of service delivery will continue. Issues around serious sex offenders and dangerous offenders will continue to feature highly on the agenda of the Force Tactical Tasking and Coordinating group meeting on a monthly basis, thereby ensuring that the highest levels of protection are offered to the most vulnerable people in society.
Anti-Social Behaviour
To proactively tackle anti-social behaviour in conjunction with partners, providing greater reassurance to the public
The National Standard for Incident Recording (NSIR) now provides us with a far more accurate picture of levels of anti-social behaviour than has ever been possible before. The approach taken by the force to tackle anti-social behaviour will be underpinned by multi-agency co-operation and rely heavily on the engagement of neighbourhood policing teams within their local area. The force will continue to utilise all the tools at its disposal in tackling ASB, including ASBOs, Criminal Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (CRASBOs), Acceptable Behaviour Contracts, Fixed Penalty Notices for Disorder and Dispersal Orders. Monthly problem solving meetings chaired by the Anti-Social Behaviour Co-ordinator with multi-agency involvement will continue, alongside enforcement operations with Trading Standards officers targeting licensed premises and off licenses.
Terrorism and Domestic Extremism
To support the wider national endeavour in protecting the country from terrorism and domestic extremism – in line with the four pillars of the UK Government counter-terrorism strategy: prevent, prepare, protect, pursue
This issue has been addressed under Strategic Policing Priority 5 (p.20). Clearly, all of the priorities outlined above are to some extent or another, influenced and supported by the Force Roads Policing Strategy (in addition to the pan Wales Roads Policing Strategy) and the embedding of Neighbourhood Policing in communities around the Force. To this end Neighbourhood Policing and Roads Policing are seen as underpinning all our operational policing activities and are not seen as priorities in themselves, rather they influence the way that we do business. Whilst terrorism and extremism will be a priority for the Force, it will not feature as a specific local priority within APACS as it is recognised as a national issue and no recognised performance measures exist to gauge service improvements. The other key issue highlighted by the strategic assessment process was the impact that immigration crime and economic migrants were having on communities right across the Force area. This issue is placing significant resource pressures on the Force that are likely to continue for some time to come given the major capital projects that are taking place throughout the region.