A Public Health Approach to Crime Reduction Rt Hon Alun Michael Police & Crime Commissioner

Oath of Office I solemnly and sincerely promise that during my term of office: I will serve all the people of South Wales in the office of Police & Crime Commissioner. I will act with integrity and diligence in my role and, to the best of my ability, I will execute the duties of my office to ensure that the police are able to cut crime and protect the public.

Police and Crime Commissioner Police Reform Act 2011……………………. The Police & Crime Commissioner must have regard to the relevant priorities of each responsible authority. The Commissioner and a responsible authority, in exercising its functions conferred by or under section 6 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 in relation to that police area, must act in co-operation with each other. The Commissioner, and the criminal justice bodies which exercise functions as criminal justice bodies in that police area, must make arrangements (so far as it is appropriate to do so) for the exercise of functions so as to provide an efficient and effective criminal justice system for the police area.  

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Priorities from April 2014 Quick slide with overview of priorities

Planning Priorities consolidated into 4 themes Policing Partnership Criminal Justice Development Planning cycle of 3 – 4 years Alignment of priorities with partner agencies using common language and understanding

Current Partnership Projects Working to reduce violent crime Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Reducing offending and reoffending in 18-25 Victim Services Anti-Social Behaviour Restorative Approaches Mental Health

Crime Reduction

Detection Rate

Anti-Social Behaviour

Victim Satisfaction

BUT……………. It is not all about police performance and We can’t just keep picking up the pieces The police AND their partners deal with the same customers so need a joint approach to deal with issues that affect communities

Police numbers since 1977 This highlights to drop in policing numbers since 1977, and highlights that now more than ever we need to embrace partnership approaches, we can’t afford to do this in silos, and with cost cutting we need to look at partnerships. But this isn’t just about costs, its also the right thing to do.

Partnership

Those are our priorities too Peelian Principles The purpose of the police is to cut crime – to reduce offending and cut reoffending [success in policing is demonstrated by the absence of crime not the presence of activity] The police are the public and the public are the police Those are our priorities too

Delivering a Partnership Approach Need better understanding of crime levels & mechanisms that prevent criminal activity Need evidence-based, partnership approach Partnership Analyst Health Liaison Manager Share partnership data Where is crime happening ……..and WHY ?

It’s worked for violence

High Alcohol Consumption Lets take alcohol as an example – for the police it is a major aggravating factor in violence, the evidence says if we reduce high alcohol consumption we bring down the violent crime rate, for health it is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in Wales. We need to work together to tackle this

CHALLENGES Change culture of alcohol consumption (preloading) Irresponsible selling of alcohol not a Business Necessity. Link “safe town” to Public Health, cut Crime & Disorder Numerous loop holes in the Legislation. Stronger Partnership with the licensed trade Long term goals for everyone This poses challenges – there are no quick fixes but this is a long term goal of changing culture and to overcome the challenges in this time of unprecedented cuts we must work together

OPPORTUNITIES Licensing and Planning & Police and Health evidence must shape our towns and cities. Opportunity for premises to be seen as an asset to communities and town centres. Needs a common approach. Health are now a partner in licensing and we must work together to develop their role to be effective

Is this the right message ?

Starting with MY thoughts ?

Positive message in Swansea

The best message ………….