Agenda item

The Partnerships Manager explained presented the Gwent Serious Violence Duty Strategy, which was developed in response to the new legislation that requires multi-agency collaboration to prevent and tackle serious violence. She explained the definition of serious violence, the data sources and challenges, the four priorities and actions, the governance arrangements for the strategy and the funding. She highlighted the need for multi-agency collaboration, localised approaches and evidence-based interventions.  Martin Smith from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner explained the national and local context and advised that the focus is on homicide and knife crime, and the intervention and prevention work with young people and offenders. Chief Inspector Amanda Thomas also assisted in answering Members’ questions. 

Questions from Committee: 

·        A Member asked how the town and community councils are involved and engaged in the strategy and the data collection. Sharon, Martin and Amanda explained that they are key partners and that they are planning to enhance the engagement with them and the wider community through local meetings and surveys.  
 

·        A question was asked data analysis and benchmarking, in particular, the choice of 2019-2020 as the baseline year, the percentages in the report, the progress of the data analysis system, the allocation of funding, and the comparison with low crime areas. The partnerships Manager answered that the year was chosen by the Home Office, that the data will be refined and updated, that the funding will be used to support existing services and local needs, and that the crime and anti-social behaviour data is monitored and responded to regularly.  Martin and Amanda clarified that the data was based on a five-year window, but there were variations due to COVID, that the data analysis system was using a portal that collated data from health boards and police, that the funding was used to support existing and localised interventions. They explained that the data is evolving and that they are using different sources, including A&E data, to get a better picture. They advised that they were looking at other areas for learning and comparison. They also advised that they are using the funding to embed systemic change and to address local issues. 

·        A Member asked why Monmouthshire has seen an increase in serious violence and how the strategy can influence the change given the reduction of services and resources over the years. Martin and Amanda acknowledged the impact of factors such as aces, covid, domestic abuse and knife crime and said that they are working with partners to address the risk factors and to provide intervention and prevention work.  

·        A question was asked about the consistency of data recording and reporting among the partner organisations and the turnover of inspectors. Martin and Amanda answered that they were working to ensure that the data was reliable and comparable, and that the PCC was responsible for holding the police to account and ensuring a smooth handover of the duty. 

·        Members questioned the impact of funding cuts on mental health support services and how the police are coping with the increased demand. Amanda explained that they are working the best they can with social services and other partner agencies, but that funding has affected all agencies and impacted on some delivery. She advised that they have a mental health advisor in the control room who can check the health records of people who call in with mental health issues and provide guidance to officers.  

·        A Member asked about the violence prevention portal that collects data from A&E and how it can help to identify the root causes of violence and mental health issues. Martin explained that the portal allows them to look at the types of injuries, the locations, the age groups, and the gender of people who attend A&E with violence-related injuries. He said that this can help them to understand the drivers of violence and the risk factors, and to develop evidence-based interventions and strategies.  

·        Another Members questioned the definition of serious violence and whether it includes domestic abuse and sexual violence. Sharon advised that they have developed their own definition of serious violence based on the categories that they looked at in the data, and that it includes domestic abuse and sexual violence, as well as stalking and harassment, arson threats to life, and assaults against professionals. She added that these are some of the categories that they see increasing trends in and that they have significant challenges around gathering and analysing data.  

·        The Chair asked why Hate Crime was not included in the national legislation section of the serious violence strategy document. Martin, from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner agreed that he would take that point back to the next group meeting and replied that hate crime was embedded in violent crime categories. Amandaalso gave some information about the operational perspective of hate crime and how they are working with communities and partners to encourage reporting and provide support.  

Chair’s Summary:   

The Committee has discussed the funding for the serious violence duty and how it will be allocated across the CSPs and local authorities, the governance and accountability of the duty and the role of the PCC as the convener of the multi-agency approach. Members asked questions around the involvement of town and community councils, the impact of COVID on the baseline data, the best practice and benchmarking with other areas, and the underlying causes and root issues of serious violence.  The Committee recognised the challenges of data collection and analysis and the need for better use of data to inform action and intervention and supported the priorities of the strategy, such as addressing the risk factors of violence, adopting place-based approaches, and working together on this with other partners.