Humberside Police Authority: Reassurances to local community following national riots

FOLLOWING THE NATIONAL RIOTS Humberside Police Authority have acted swiftly to reassure local communities that rioting has not taken place in the Humberside Police area and that 'contingency plans' are in place to deal with any incidents.

In a letter circulated to community groups (PDF) yesterday, Kevin Sharp the Chief Executive of Humberside Police Authority writes:

"The purpose of this letter is to reassure you that the Police Authority and the Force are working together to ensure local people and communities remain safe." in this area there "...have been no reported incidents of organised disorder and criminality so far. However, it would be unwise to assume that some sort of 'copy cat' events could not occur locally. Humberside Police are therefore making contingency plans to deal with any events that take place locally."

The letter sent to Kath Jones the Chief Officer of the North Bank Forum was circulated to community groups by e-mail yesterday. Mr Sharp comments upon the decision to deploy some Humberside Police officers to deal with the London disturbances:

"Humberside Police, like many other forces received a specific request to provide police officers to support the policing operation in London. A number of local officers have been sent to the Capital and are working with the Metropolitan Police to deal with the disorder and criminality... the Police Authority is satisfied that the absence of these officers will not impact upon the Force's ability to continue to serve local people and provide a high standard of policing."

The letter was intended to reassure local people - however it will in itself raise concerns that some areas in Humberside are not immune to the disorder seen elsewhere in the country.

Whilst no one can condone the actions of looters and criminals engaged in the self-destruction of their own communities, there needs to be a full investigation into the causes of the 'disaffection' that seems to have gripped an entire section - albeit a small minority - of our younger people and prompted them into self-destructive actions. The 'ingredients' that have fermented this disaffection - and into riots - obviously need to be analysed and understood so that we can tackle the underlying problems.

The Huffington Post (internet newspaper) has asked the questions:

It's surprising how little has yet to emerge about the rioters themselves: What are they after? What drove them into the streets, for four nights straight, to burn buses and shatter windows?

Demanding action against criminals and looters is needed - but if we fail to tackle the underlying causes of the current disaffection, then we will all suffer the consequences.

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Police Marketing and e-Communications contract worth up to £3m - yet some advice is free!

HUMBERSIDE POLICE have joined with three other police forces (North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire Police forces) to procure a contract to deliver its marketing and communications service (see publicTENDERS.net).

The contract, which could be worth anything between £600,000 and £3 million, has been put out for public tender and work is expected to commence by 13th June this year. It will cover four key areas: Public and Media relations, design services (brochures, booklets, newletters and adverts to new logos and advertising campaigns), campaign planning and e-Communications / social media.

The publication of the public tender has predictably caused outrage amongst those scrutinising police budgets and opposing cuts in police services and jobs.

However, if the Humberside Police Authority's "BIG Conversation" is anything to go by, then there is definitely scope for the authority and the police force to learn a bit more about the use of e-communication and social media! The 'online conversation' held last year was painfully slow using a static website and software rather than the dynamic converstional software that is currently available - and available free of charge! HU12 advised at the time:

The technology used to conduct the question and answer session is quite slow and laborious - those used to using near-instant conversation services such as Facebook and Twitter will find it frustrating! So those wanting to ask questions are encouraged to post them in advance.

Advice and information on the implementation of the social media part of the public tender is currently available at little or no cost from 'open-source' communities. In today's cost-cutting environment it would have been good to have seen the police forces using these community resources.

Image c/o eWeekEurope

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Plans for Humberside Police over the next four years

HUMBERSIDE POLICE AUTHORITY have announced the plans for future policing and declared that becoming more responsive is a key priority with a commitment to answer 999 calls more effectively.

The Police Authority met on Tuesday 22nd March to set the Policing Plan and priorities up until 2015. In setting out its priorities the Authority says it has taken into consideration the views of over 4,000 residents that took part in its "BIG Conversation" consultation last year.

Strategic Aim number One is to improve local trust, confidence and overall satisfaction. This includes improving responsiveness with police being there when needed and continuing to answer calls effectively.

On answering 999 calls, Councillor Chris Mathews, Chair of the Police Authority, had this to say:

“The public told us their top priority is responsiveness – you want the police to be there when you need them and to deal with your call effectively when you dial 999. The Members have taken that on board and as part of the aim to improve trust, confidence and satisfaction we have agreed a priority is to continue to answer those calls effectively. Members recognise there has been a phenomenal improvement with call handling by Humberside Police over the past few years, and that should not go unacknowledged. The Force currently answer 97 out of 100 999 calls within 10 seconds and we intend for this to continue.”

Persistent offenders will be targeted under the plan and dealt with in a bid to reduce anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and the minor crimes that blight the lives of local communities.  These individuals will become the focus  of schemes using community input and resolutions, such as community payback, so that local people can see the results of effective policing and partnership working with other agencies.

Other priorities within the plan include maintaining a focus on hate crime and domestic violence and working to prevent rises in serious acquisitive crime by reducing household burglary offences.

The Police Authority announced in February that 242 jobs would be lost at Humberside Police as part of a £30m cuts package over the next 5 years. The Policing Plan agreed on Tuesday takes into account what the Authority described as a "harsh financial position".

To view the local priorities visit www.humberside-pa.org.uk. The full Policing Plan will be available from 31st March 2011.

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Humberside Police cuts confirmed

IN A PRESS RELEASE following its meeting yesterday, Humberside Police Authority confirmed that 142 jobs will be cut this year as part of a £30m cuts package over the next five years. The Authority has stated that the jobs would be lost through voluntary redundancies.

Despite the reduction in budget, Chief Constable Hollis and Police Authority Chairman, Councillor Chris Mathews, pledged a joint commitment to continue to deliver the best possible service to local communities, in spite of the reduction in budget.

Chief Constable, Tim Hollis said:

"The budget is very demanding and there are hard times ahead. However, I am confident that we will meet them successfully because as a Force, we are built on solid foundations and because of the good people who are proud to work for Humberside Police and deeply committed to serving their local communities."

The full press release is available to view below:

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PCSOs hailed by Beverley and Holderness MP

GRAHAM STUART, MP for Beverley and Holderness, has written to the Chief Constable of Humberside Police asking him to do all he can to maintain the role of Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) even in the current financial circumstances.

His call comes as the Chief Constable, Tim Hollis, looks to make efficiency savings across the force. A recruitment freeze has already been introduced.

The Beverley and Holderness MP said:

“I fully understand the need to make savings in order to tackle the vast deficit but wanted to let the Chief Constable know that PCSOs are valued by local communities and make a significant contribution to the effectiveness of neighbourhood policing. When the allocation for Humberside Police is announced in the coming weeks I hope the force will retain PCSOs as an important part of the police service.”

The Chairman of the Humberside Police Authority, East Riding Councillor Christopher Matthews, has also recognised the value of PCSOs. He said during a recent online consultation exercise, that: 

"Policing is one of my priorities and is also the priority for the Home Secretary. PCSOs are the very front of the frontline policing. Whilst I cannot guarantee that the PCSOs will not be cut, they will definitely not be the first thing to go." 

The Humberside Police Authority has asked Town and Parish Councils to consider the option of funding PCSOs and has pointed to examples where councils have helped fund neighbourhood policing teams with bicycles.

Link: Graham Stuart MP and Humberside Police Authority

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Funding for PCSOs likely to dominate next debate on future of policing

THE ISSUE OF FUNDING for Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) is set to dominate the next BIG Conversation held by Humberside Police Authority. The Authority has asked Town and Parish Councils to consider the option of funding PCSOs and has pointed to examples where councils have helped fund neighbourhood teams with bicycles.

Councillor John Parsons is the lead member for the East Riding on the Humberside Police Authority and is also chair of the Authority's Finance Committee. He will be taking part in the BIG Conversation on Monday 18th October and will be at the keyboard from 4.00pm - 7.00pm to answer questions on the future of police services. Those wishing to follow the discussion or ask questions should log on to www.humberside-pa.org.uk and click on The BIG Conversation.

Councillor Parsons explained that although he is happy to take questions relating to anywhere in the Humberside Police area, he is hoping that East Riding residents will take the opportunity to ask questions specifically relating to the area in which they live.

The public can also ‘Have their Say’ about the future of policing by completing the Police Authority’s online survey which can also be accessed on the website.

HU12 advises: The technology used to conduct the question and answer session is quite slow and laborious - those used to using near-instant conversation services such as Facebook and Twitter will find it frustrating! So those wanting to ask questions are encouraged to post them in advance.

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Live Online Chat about Humberside Police

READERS of HU12.net and The Hedon Blog should try to get on-line today (27th September 2010) and join the 'Big Conversation' with the chairman of Humberside Police Authority Chris Matthews.

The first in a series of online chats will take place today from 4pm to 8pm. Lots of questions on the impacts of funding cuts on the delivery of police services are expected.

Questions can be posted in advance or at any point, simply by logging on to www.humberside-pa.org.uk and clicking on The Big Conversation link.

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"Big Conversation" on Police!

HUMBERSIDE POLICE AUTHORITY launched what they are calling their "Big Conversation" yesterday (21st September, 2010). The consultation exercise is an attempt to establish what really matters to local people when it comes to policing and is taking place within the context of impending cuts in expenditure on policing.

The Big Conversation is one part of the Police Authority’s planned programme of consultation and engagement with local people, which will include questionnaires, deliberations by its 6000-strong Citizens’ Panel, attendance at local meetings, focus groups and an interactive forum on its website.

The move is part of the Authority's response to the significant spending cuts called for by the Government. The cuts will bring about changes in the way that police services will be delivered. Views are now being sought from the public about what they want from their police force in the future.

The Chairman of Humberside Police Authority, Councillor Chris Matthews, explained in a press statement:

“There has been a raft of speculation about funding cuts across the public sector and that’s understandable. I want to put the record straight, explain to people what we have been doing to prepare for stringent cuts so that changes can be introduced through a structured, strategically managed and controlled process. To date, I feel there has been too much focus on the financial implications and not enough consideration on what matters most to our communities. 

The Authority remains totally committed to the provision of an outstanding police service, one that is affordable and meets the needs of local people. We will be able to allocate funding to the Chief Constable in a more meaningful way if local people join in our conversation.”

An online survey is available which invites opinions on statements about policing, including views on police patrols, Police Community Support Officers, and on preferred ways to access the police i.e. via police stations, post, telephone, text message or e-mail.

To contribute your views you can access the online survey via the Police Authority website. You can also join in one of the internet ‘Big Conversations’ taking place and post questions to Police Authority members. 

The first 'Big Conversation' is scheduled to take place with Councillor Christopher Matthews, Police Authority Chairman, over the internet on Monday 27th September 2010 from 4pm - 8pm.

Links on HU12: More background articles.

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Police Community Forums did not deliver value for money

POLICE AND PARTNERS COMMUNITY FORUMS were set up as the main public consultation forums dealing with crime and community safety in the East Riding. However, regular low attendance and lack of interest from local communities has prompted a review of the Forums by the Humberside Police Authority which has concluded that they do not deliver value for money and more effective use of resources have to be found.

Those attending the Forums in the South West Holderness area will have experienced the low turnout of the public at meetings where attendance from paid staff, police and other public services, would nearly always outnumber local people.

Victoria Wise from the Humberside Police Authority told the Hedon Blog that the Authority was not withdrawing from public meetings completely but just had to be smarter in the way in which they held meetings and build upon the existing work of Neighbourhood Policing Teams:

"Regular low attendance and lack of interest from the wider community, coupled with greater involvement of local police in the community, prompted a review of the process which showed that they did not deliver value for money and were, to some extent, duplicating the efforts of Neighbourhood Policing Teams who regularly hold police surgeries and attend public/community meetings to discuss policing issues with the wider community."

The purpose of the forums was to allow the police and its partners, including the

public, to concentrate their efforts on identifying the main crime, disorder or community safety concerns in each area and identify a way of solving the local problems. The Humberside Police Authority is now looking at ways to achieve the same objectives by other means and will announce these in the next Local Policing Summary to be circulated this month.

See also Community activists urged to join fight against crime on the Hedon Blog.

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