Commissioner Seeks Views on Dealing With Offenders of Low Level Crime and Anti-social Behaviour

Police and Crime Commissioner for Cumbria, Richard Rhodes, is today launching a public consultation to give people a say on how offenders of certain low level crime and anti-social behaviour can be dealt with.

From this autumn, victims of low level crime and anti-social behaviour will have a say in the sanction given to the offender by the police from a menu of Community Remedy options. This is being introduced through the recent Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, which places a statutory duty on all Police and Crime Commissioners to develop and publish a list of 'Community Remedies’.

The Community Remedy document could include options for the offender to repair damage to property, clean up graffiti or receive a sanction proportionate to the crime. Victims can also request to meet the offender (in a controlled setting known as Restorative Justice) where they can ask the offender direct questions, seek an explanation for their actions, explain the impact of the offenders behaviour, and ask for an apology. So far, experience of informal arrangements that presently exist along these lines have been positively received by victims and offenders alike.

On launching the consultation, Richard Rhodes said “Community Remedy allows victims of anti-social behaviour and low level crime a voice by enabling them to have a say in how offenders are dealt with. Putting victims at the heart of all our work is something that I have advocated from day one, and I welcome the opportunity to engage with people on the Community Remedy options  to reinforce this commitment.

“I would urge as many people as possible take the chance to have their say on this important change by completing the questionnaire on my website. Following the consultation, I will draw up the Community Remedy document and agree it with the Chief Constable, before publishing it in October.”

The questionnaire can be completed online at http://www.cumbria-pcc.gov.uk/working-for-you/public-consultation.aspx

Alternatively, copies can be downloaded from the website: www.cumbria-pcc.gov.uk or obtained from my office.  Email: commissioner@cumbria-pcc.gov.uk, or tel: 01768 217734

More needs to be done to support victims of crime

More needs to be done for victims of crime are the findings of a report published today by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.

Police and Crime Commissioner, Mr Rhodes, commissioned a report in 2013 to undertake a review of the service provision for victims of crime.  The review was undertaken by Sandra Wiggin from Victim Support and involved working with a range of partners from across the county delivering services as well as speaking to victims about their experiences.

Richard Rhodes said:  “I welcome  the publication of today’s report called ‘Care, Consideration and a Voice for Victims’.  More has to be done to support victims and the report’s 56 recommendations identify a number of key ways that victims can be supported.

“No crime ever has just one victim.  Often crime has a wider impact on family, friends and in some cases on our wider community.  It is important that victims have confidence in the system and that they are given the required support at the right time as people have different needs at different times.

“I launched my Office of Victim Services in March 2013, the finalising of this report gives the focus of my work to support victims for the next two years.

“The provisional findings of the report were discussed with partner organisations at a conference, which was well attended. Since then, a significant amount of work has been put in place to start to improve the support provided to victims and to change how services work to take greater account of victims’ needs.

“Work has already begun on a Victims’ Charitable Trust that will act as a champion for victims.  This will be supported by central funding for victims services being transferred to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner from October 2014 and we are looking at what opportunities there will be to improve services to victims. The process of appointing a Victims’ Advocate to lead on all of this work is well progressed.

“I am also working closely with partner organisations to look at developing more consistent and sustainable support services for victims of sexual violence so that they have access to the right support when they need it. 

“I would like to thank Sandra for her detailed and comprehensive report, and all the agencies and victims for taking part in the review.  It is only by all agencies working together will we make a real difference to victims in the county.”

A victim of sexual violence said: “It was like a nightmare come true, I felt like my whole world had fallen apart. I froze and didn’t know what to do. If it hadn’t been for  the help and guidance from Victim Support and other agencies who supported me and my family during  the ordeal and afterwards, I don’t think we would have coped.” http://www.cumbria-pcc.gov.uk/

Police Commissioner agrees county-wide CCTV scheme

Commissioner Agrees County-Wide CCTV Scheme

Police and Crime Commissioner for Cumbria, Richard Rhodes, formally signed off the proposals for Cumbria-wide CCTV, at the Public Executive Board meeting today.

The approved scheme  will provide a sustainable, scaleable county-wide CCTV solution with up to 54 cameras across the county, proactively monitored by a dedicated central team based at Police Headquarters in Penrith in liaison with  other communications centre staff and local Community Policing Teams.

Richard Rhodes said: “I am delighted to be able to confirm that the scheme, which is a joint project between the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Cumbria Constabulary and the six District Councils of Eden,  Carlisle, Allerdale, Copeland, South Lakeland and Barrow, will now go ahead. 

“CCTV can play a vital role in delivering a safe and secure environment for people who live, work  and visit Cumbria, and supports crime prevention, reduces antisocial  behaviour, and crime and disorder.  It also has a significant impact on bringing offenders to justice, potentially reducing investigative time and freeing up officers. 

“I am always keen to work in partnership with other public and private sector partners, and this scheme is a great example of what can be achieved in Cumbria by working together.  It will deliver benefits to the local councils and savings for the police and wider Criminal Justice System by faster working and sharing of information.” 

Deputy Chief Constable Jeremy Graham said:

“It is great news that the CCTV scheme has now been approved. The new system will provide consistent and improved CCTV coverage across Cumbria.  CCTV acts as a deterrent for would-be criminals, helps track offenders, and gather evidence.

“I am looking forward to working closely with the Police and Crime Commissioner and local councils to provide an important tool to help solve crime and keep our local communities safe.”

Crime down by 11% in Cumbria

Crime in Cumbria has fallen by 11% the latest figures released by the Office of National Statistics show. 

The figures from April 2012 to the end of March 2013 detail that there was a 9% reduction in violence against the person, a 4% reduction in domestic burglaries and a 16% drop in criminal damage.

Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Richard Rhodes said “It is pleasing that the latest set of crime figures show that crime is again down in the county. Cumbria had the third lowest number of crimes in England and Wales proving Cumbria really is a safe place to live, work and visit.

“Overall, there has been an 11% drop in crime across the county which is an outstanding result for the people of Cumbria.

“Anti-social behaviour has reduced by 1% (271 less incidents) across the county. Figures from the Crime Survey for England and Wales show that the proportion of people surveyed in Cumbria  who say they have experienced or witnessed antisocial behaviour is second of the lowest in the country. This good news for local people who often tell me that tackling antisocial behaviour is a priority. I will continue to work with the Constabulary and partner organisations to reduce the harm it causes.

“There was a reduction in the domestic burglaries but an increase in other types of burglary such as shed thefts. Preventing these crimes is a priority for the Constabulary and I will ensure that it continues to be. Even though we live in a safe county, I would urge everyone to think about the security of their property.

 “Cumbria Constabulary has some of the highest rates for solving crime in the country. However, like a number of police forces across the country, there was a 2 percentage point reduction in its detection rate last year. Bringing criminals to justice is a priority and I have asked the Chief Constable to focus on this. 

“Under reporting still remains an issue and I would urge people, especially those experiencing domestic violence, hate crime and sexual assaults, to come forward. 

“Overall, these figures demonstrate the high-level of dedication and hard-work by the Chief Constable, all officers, PCSOs and police staff together with partners and members of the public.  The Police Authority also has had a key role in providing scrutiny prior to my election in November.

“I have set the policing priorities for Cumbria Constabulary for the next 12 months in line with the Police and Crime Plan.  I will keep you updated on performance as we progress through the year.”

Temporary Chief Constable Bernard Lawson said “I am pleased to see that overall crime in Cumbria remains low.

“Over the last year police officers, PCSOs and staff have been working hard to support our communities to tackle crime, anti-social behaviour and focus on the issues that matter most to local people. This commitment shines through in the latest figures released today showing that crime has fallen by 11%.

“Despite the general overall reduction in crime and anti-social behaviour that these figures show, we will not become complacent. Our priority will always be to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour by  engaging with the people in our local communities so that we can focus our resources on the areas that they feel are important.

“It is important for our communities to know that we are working to tackle burglaries in Cumbria to reduce this type of crime. A vast amount of work has been done by  police officers and staff to target these criminals and promote home security. 

‘’We continue to encourage people to report all incidents to the police. We have experienced and highly skilled officers who want to help those people who are suffering at home due to domestic violence, hate crime and sexual assaults. Our message is always please do not suffer in silence, let us help.

“We are in a difficult financial climate and have adapted our way of working to make necessary changes to save the £17 million required, which by the end we will be a smaller force. However, we are committed in doing everything we can to ensure that this does not impact on the high standards of service our communities receive from Cumbria Constabulary.”