Agenda item
Update on recommendations made by the Crime and Antisocial Behaviour Task and Finish Group
- Meeting of Communities and Equalities Scrutiny Committee, Tuesday, 21st May, 2024 2.00 pm (Item 25.)
Report of the Strategic Director (Neighbourhoods).
This report provides an update on progress made with the recommendations of the Communities and Equalities Scrutiny Committee Task and Finish Group on the approach to Anti-Social Behaviour in Manchester.
Minutes:
The committee considered a report of the Strategic Director (Neighbourhoods) which provided an update on progress made with the recommendations of the Communities and Equalities Scrutiny Task and Finish Group on the approach to antisocial Behaviour in Manchester.
Key points and themes within the report included:
- Providing an introduction and background to the Task and Finish Group, which met 3 times between September and December 2023;
- The Communities and Equalities Scrutiny Committee endorsed the final recommendations of the Task and Finish Group at its meeting on 5 December 2023;
- Updates on each of the 11 recommendations made by the Task and Finish Group; and
- The recommendations of the Task and Finish Group would continue to be driven by the Community Safety Partnership.
Some of the key points and queries that arose from the committee’s discussion included:
- Welcoming the implementation of some of the recommendations made by the Task and Finish Group;
- Encouraging Housing Providers to develop and adopt a standardised Antisocial Behaviour policy;
- Noting the benefits of Out-of-Hours staff wearing body cameras to record footage for evidence-gathering purposes, particularly with regards to noise complaints;
- How many Out-of-Hours officers attended in response to reports of antisocial behaviour and whether they were accompanied by Greater Manchester Police; and
- Antisocial behaviour through traffic and vehicle nuisance.
The Strategic Lead (Community Safety) introduced the report and explained that it provided a response to each recommendation made by the Crime and Antisocial Behaviour Task and Finish Group, which met 3 times between September and November 2023. She highlighted that some recommendations had been implemented and completed and that some remained in progress. Members were informed that there was ongoing consultation to help develop communications and the content of this had been shared with the committee for feedback. The Strategic Lead (Community Safety) stated that the recommendations made by the Task and Finish Group would continue to be driven through the Community Safety Partnership and the Community Safety workstream of the Manchester Housing Provider Partnership.
In response to queries, the Strategic Lead (Community Safety) concurred that the need for a standard antisocial behaviour policy amongst housing providers was a strong theme that arose from the Task and Finish Group’s discussions. She stated that initial conversations had been held to develop this, with work in the early stages and information being collated. It was stated that this could take up to 6 months to be finalised and that the next meeting of the Manchester Housing Provider Partnership would analyse the information collated so far.
It was stated that officers had sought and considered legal advice regarding the use of bodycam devices by Out-of-Hours staff, which was recommended by the Task and Finish Group. The Strategic Lead (Community Safety) explained that an officer’s evidence was deemed sufficient enough for the Council to use its tools and powers in tackling antisocial behaviour. With specific regard to noise complaints and issues, the Antisocial Behaviour Lead explained that officers made a professional judgement when assessing noise as a statutory nuisance and witness statements were often used when assessing which tools and powers to utilise to address any issues.
The committee expressed concern that this recommendation had not been implemented and sought advice from the City Solicitor. In response, the City Solicitor explained that legal advice had already been provided and that the use of body cameras could raise issues, particularly regarding lack of context and gaining consent to record individuals. She suggested that a further update could be provided within the next couple of months to detail the use of body cameras and the rationale behind the decision not to implement the Task and Finish Group’s recommendation on this.
In response to a question from the Chair, it was explained that Out-of-Hours staff worked in pairs when responding to noise complaints and that the risk assessment would be reviewed to identify if support from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) was required.
In response to a query regarding antisocial behaviour through traffic and vehicle nuisance, members were advised that a GM-wide Safe4Summer campaign was due to start, which would address safety when using off-road bikes.
In closing the item, the Chair placed on record her thanks to those members, officers and partners involved in the work of the Task and Finish Group.
Decision:
That
- the report be noted, and
- the committee requests a further update on the use of body cameras for Out-of-Hours staff, including rationale as to why this recommendation of the Task and Finish Group was not accepted, within the next 2 months.
Supporting documents: