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

HMIC Inspection report shows Cumbria is tackling Anti Social Behaviour

Cumbria Constabulary has continued to make progress in tackling anti social behaviour (ASB), Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) inspection has found (see national report below).

In Spring 2012 the HMIC checked on progress regarding how forces in England and Wales were tackling ASB and recognised how Cumbria Constabulary had continued to make improvements since 2010, when the way in which forces dealt with ASB was reviewed.

Since then, Cumbria Constabulary have refreshed their ASB strategy, which has shown good results in engagement with the public and clear communication which reinforced that tackling ASB was a priority for the force.

Due to the Constabulary’s proactive approach to tackling the issue, the last financial year saw reports of anti social behaviour fall by a massive 20.9 per cent – from 32,938 reported incidents in 10/11 to 26,058 in 11/12. This is a difference of 6880 fewer calls for service to police.

The HMIC surveyed victims about their experience of reporting ASB to the police, and inspecting the quality of the processes that forces use in tackling and responding to the problem.

Of the 200 people surveyed, who had reported ASB to Cumbria Constabulary during 2011, there was a 10% increase in the percentage of people who were satisfied with the information provided to the police following their call, with 66% satisfaction in 2012, compared to 56% in 2010.

Also Cumbria Constabulary was above the national average for people feeling that their call had made a difference to the problem, with 63%, compared to the national average of 55%.

Chief Superintendent Don Spiller said “ASB is taken seriously by Cumbria Constabulary and the review has enforced that we have gone from strength to strength in tackling the problems which are important for our local communities.

“We are constantly striving to make improvements in our processes at Cumbria Constabulary and the areas in which the HMIC review highlighted which required work had already been the recognised by the force and improvements are planned.

“Reviews such as these reinforce the hard work and dedication by Cumbrian police officers in tackling ASB, which remains one of our top priorities.”