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Chief Constable’s Report
Northern Ireland Policing Board
6 October 2016
INTRODUCTION
The October Meeting of the Policing Board will include the Director General of the
National Crime Agency. This is an important opportunity to bring accountability and
increased public understanding of collaborative working. PSNI’s close working
relationship with the National Crime Agency, for example, allows us to avail of
additional expertise and resources in the wider fight against serious and organised
crime. The outworkings of this collaborative approach have been seen in respect of
successful prosecutions against those involved in child sexual exploitation, cyber
crime and financial crime. The National Crime Agency offers local law enforcement
access to an existing global network, extending our reach against those involved in
criminality that so frequently crosses borders.
FINANCE UPDATE
2016-17
At the end of August, PSNI is projecting a breakeven position, which includes
absorbing the costs of Op Kenova estimated at £1.3m for the remainder of the year.
The financial impact of other issues previously discussed with the Board, including
police officer headcount, continue to be kept under review.
Beyond 2016/17
As previously reported to the Board, an information gathering exercise was formally
commissioned by the Department of Justice to help inform a definitive Resource
budget for 2017-18 and to provide indicators for Resource budgets up to 2019-20.
Some of the information requested includes how budgets are attributed to each
statutory function and Programme for Government commitments, and the impact of a
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range of potential budget reductions ranging from 3% (£20m) to 6% (£40m) in 2017-
18, to even more significant reductions in future years.
PSNI discussed the potential impact of such budget reductions with the Resources
Committee in September before submitting the return to the Department of Justice.
Even with budget cuts at the lowest end of the range (3%), combined with other
financial pressures, the PSNI could be required to absorb as much as £62m in 2017-
18. This would undoubtedly have a significant impact on our capacity and capability.
PSNI will continue to keep the Board informed of further developments and we will
require the Board’s input and support as we face the difficult challenges ahead.
HUMAN RESOURCES UPDATE
Employee Engagement and Wellbeing
Following the results of the Employee Engagement and Wellbeing Survey,
completed in conjunction with Durham University, an action plan has been
developed to ensure that the learning from this survey is carried forward. An
Employee Engagement Working Group has been formed and six initial actions will
be delivered by the end of the calendar year –
1. Implementation of a Wellbeing Strategy that focuses on the wellbeing and
personal resilience of officers and staff.
2. Refocus of PSNI Sickness Absence and Temporary Duty Restrictions Policies
to ensure they are consistently applied and are not seen to unfairly impact on
our staff.
3. Re-establishment of the Corporate Flexible Working Advisory Group to
examine the operation of our flexible and remote working policies and balance
this with demand modelling in Districts and Departments.
4. Allocation of duties, annual leave and overtime to ensure an appropriate
distribution across Districts and Departments with due regard to early
notification of working arrangements at key family times (for example
Christmas and school holidays).
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5. Student office allocation and transfer requests to be re-examined to ensure
the process is transparent and equitably applied in a ‘common sense manner’
that considers individual and organisational needs.
6. Locally delivered employee engagement mechanisms to be implemented from
an agreed, consistent and corporate framework.
In addition, a range of health and wellbeing facilities and programmes are available
to employees.
Leadership development
The newly formed Human Resources Leadership & Professional Development
Team ran a successful Leadership event on 6 September for newly promoted
Inspectors. The themes of the day were Managing Others, Managing Yourself and
Managing Performance. Further events are being planned as a result of the positive
feedback from this one.
PRIORITY BASED RESOURCING (PBR) UPDATE
As previously reported to the Board, the PBR process is taking place within PSNI in
order to encourage the transformational change that is necessary at a time of
increasing demand and reducing budgets. The PBR Team have developed a set of
clear design principles to ensure a common framework for leaders throughout the
organisation. Phase 2 of the process is expected to recommence in approximately
four weeks.
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAMME
As previously reported to the Board, the Strategic Partnerships Programme has
been established to coordinate the Service’s response to a number of reports that
impact on the strategic direction of the organisation. Activities have now been
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mapped to allow alignment between Fresh Start/Organised Crime Task Force/Joint
Agency Task Force/Policing Board outcomes/measures/objectives against existing
plans and activities, such as Policing with the Community activities, Her Majesty’s
Inspectorate of Constabulary Police Effectiveness Efficiency and Legitimacy (HMIC
PEEL) reporting areas and internal Corporate Plan work. While this important work
will continue, the PSNI will require input and support from the Policing Board in
future months in prioritising resources across increasing, complex demands.
MID-YEAR PERFORMANCE AGAINST THE POLICING PLAN
A mid-year update against Policing Plan targets has been included at Appendix A.
Significant successes have been seen in respect of overall confidence in police,
tackling crime against older people, reducing the number of statute barred cases and
reducing the average working days lost for police officers. Areas for improvement
can be seen in respect of hate crime, road traffic detections, organised crime
measures and average working days lost for police staff.
CROSS BORDER CO-OPERATION
The Cross Border Organised Crime Conference took place in Fermanagh on
Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 September. This annual event provides an
opportunity for agencies from both jurisdictions to come together, build relationships,
share knowledge and focus on particular topics of organised crime impacting on both
sides of the border. This year issues covered included fuel fraud, rural crime, drugs,
cyber enabled financial crime and tiger kidnapping.
In addition, the Cross Border Policing Strategy 2016 was launched at the
conference. This document is an update to the 2010 Strategy and is jointly produced
by the Department of Justice, Department of Justice and Equality, An Garda
Síochána and PSNI. The joint strategy covers a range of policing areas, including
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operations, rural policing, community relations, intelligence sharing, ICT, service
improvement and emergency planning.
This year’s Cross Border Organised Crime Conference was the first since the Joint
Agency Task Force was set up, formed as a result of the Fresh Start Agreement.
The Conference provided an excellent opportunity to focus on a number of the Task
Force’s priorities and continue to build upon existing working relationships. The
Task Force is currently focussing on six priority areas; rural crime, child sexual
exploitation (CSE), human trafficking, financial crime, excise fraud and drugs.
Results in the first six months of the 2016 calendar year included –
19 rural cross border vehicle check points carried out in border locations.
PSNI, assisted by An Garda Síochána, arrested and charged nine people for
domestic burglary offences.
Arrest and charge of four people in possession of six fraud devices.
Ten multi agency operations alongside partner agencies including Her
Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), Trading Standards and Northern
Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA).
HMRC collection of £4,921 from people travelling on illegal diesel.
22 searches on both sides of the border in relation to CSE. Seven arrests
made by PSNI.
18 proactive search operations in relation to human trafficking in the Newry
and Derry City areas, resulting in 23 potential victims of human trafficking
being recovered.
23 searches in relation to excise fraud.
Five people involved in excise fraud arrested and three organised crime
groups dismantled.
POLICE COLLEGE UPDATE
The Review of the Police College at Garnerville has now been completed and a full
report was delivered to the Chair of the Board on Tuesday (4 October). As the
Board will be aware, this Review was commissioned following reported incidents of
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impropriety at the PSNI Police College at Garnerville. The aim of this Review was to
restore the confidence of the Board and the public by remedying any deficiencies
whilst ensuring that lessons are learnt to avoid any recurrence. The Review
focussed upon five areas –
Content of the Student Officer Programme
Culture within the Police College
Verification of examinations and assessments
Accreditation and relationship with the Ulster University
Benchmarking
The Review Team included independent external members and has resulted in a
number of recommendations being made. PSNI will continue to work with the Board
with a view to full implementation of these recommendations.
OPERATIONAL UPDATE
Significant drug seizures
The PSNI, along with other law enforcement agencies, continue to conduct a wide
range of drugs operations in Northern Ireland. These range from investigations
targeting the importation and large scale supply of drugs to street level dealing. An
example of success against the importation and large scale supply of drugs came on
25 September, when officers arrested a man following the seizure of a large quantity
of cocaine, heroin and herbal cannabis, with an estimated street value of £1.2 m.
Freshers’ Week
Over the last number of years, a multi-agency response has been implemented in
the Holyland/University area of South Belfast to address issues that emerge with
new influxes of residents into the area in September. Police work with Belfast City
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Council wardens, representatives from the universities and further educational
institutes, the Landlords Association, local residents, licensed premises and
voluntary groups to support community safety and minimise anti-social behaviour in
the area during the Freshers’ period.
A significant policing operation is being implemented in the Holyland/University area
of South Belfast. Officers are on the ground and they have been dealing with
incidents of anti-social behaviour and working with partner agencies to address on-
street drinking and noise issues. Items of alcohol have been seized, advice and
warning has been given and personal safety talks are also being delivered to a range
of students to advise them of the steps they need to take to protect themselves and
their property and to be a responsible neighbour.
In the first week of the policing operation preliminary figures indicate that we have
spoken to around 210 young people about their behaviour. There have been 10
arrests and 14 Penalty Notices for Disorder (PND) being issued. Officers are on the
ground and they have been dealing with incidents of anti-social behaviour. There
have been 32 referrals to Universities and eight landlord referrals.
Our Officers have also been attending various Freshers’ Fairs across Northern
Ireland providing safety advice and guidance to all students.
Tackling anti social behaviour
During the summer months, officers conducted an anti-vehicle crime operation in the
area of Galliagh, Derry City in response to increased levels of this type of criminality
and the subsequent impact on the local community. This led to a number of vehicle
seizures and prosecutions for traffic offences, including the arrest and detention of
two men who were in the process of gaining unlawful entry to a parked vehicle.
Both men subsequently pled guilty to the offences of taking and driving away and
criminal damage which led to a very positive reaction on social media from the
community.
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Responding to the Security Threat
PSNI officers continue to operate against the backdrop of a severe threat, meaning
an attack is highly likely. On 26 September four men were charged with terrorist
offences as part of an investigation into dissident republican terrorist activity. The
discovery of a fully prepared Explosive Formed Projectile (EFP), designed to
penetrate armour plating, is indicative of the continued intent to murder police
officers.
Other charges in the last month included –
On 2 September a Royal Marine from Northern Ireland appeared in court charged
with offences relating to dissident republicanism, including bomb-making and storing
weapons.
On 16 September a man admitted possessing a document or record likely to be of
use to terrorists. This followed the discovery of a list of names of police officers and
members of the judiciary within his jail cell. He was sentenced to two years (one in
custody and one on licence). This sentence will run consecutive to his 11 year
sentence for an earlier explosive offence.
Bravery recognition
Five PSNI officers have recently received awards from the Society for the Protection
of Life from Fire. Three responded to a house fire in Castledawson that they came
across during a routine patrol. The officers rescued the householder and performed
first aid prior to the arrival of NI Ambulance Service and NI Fire Service. Another two
officers responded to a house fire in Lisburn and rescued a young woman,
performing first aid before the arrival of NI Ambulance Service.
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Visit by Ceejay McArdle
PSNI was delighted to have young Honorary Constable Ceejay McArdle visit us last
week. Ceejay is Irelands’ youngest Garda at four years old. Having just completed
his most recent course of chemotherapy for leukaemia he visited PSNI for one day.
Officers and staff from District Policing Command, Operational Support Department,
Crime Operations and Corporate Communications were delighted to host him for the
day and we wish him all the best in his fight to get well.
CONCLUSION
The financial outlook continues to be a cause of significant concern for policing in the
years ahead. It is clear that there are major challenges and difficult decisions in the
future. PSNI will need the input and support of the Board in meeting these
challenges and prioritising our reducing budgets.
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APPENDIX A - Quantitative Performance Report – 29 September 2016
The following report details progress against all the quantitative targets in Appendix 1 of the
2016-17 Policing Plan. The most recent information and where possible both financial year
to date and rolling 12 months figures have been provided. The data was taken from PRiDE
on 29th September 2016 unless otherwise stated.
APPENDIX 1 QUANTITATIVE TARGETS WITHIN POLICING PLAN 2016-17 CONFIDENCE IN POLICING
• Increase the level of public confidence in the police’s ability to provide an ordinary day to day service (85.8% in October 2014 to September 2015).
Source: Department of Justice Perceptions of Policing, Justice and Anti-Social Behaviour: Quarterly Update to
December 2015
• Increase the level of overall confidence in the local police (68.6% in October 2014 to September 2015).
Source: Department of Justice Perceptions of Policing, Justice and Anti-Social Behaviour: Quarterly Update to
December 2015
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HATE CRIME
Financial Year 1 Apr – 25 Sep 15 1 Apr – 25 Sep 16 % Point Change
• Increase the outcome rate for crimes with a racist motivation by 2% points.
16.7% 15.1% -1.6% points
• Increase the outcome rate for crimes with a homophobic motivation by 2% points.
25.8% 22.6% -3.2% points
• Increase the outcome rate for crimes with a sectarian motivation by 2% points.
11.7% 11.1% -0.6%
Rolling 12 Months 26 Sep 14 – 25 Sep 15 26 Sep 15 – 25 Sep 16 % Point Change
• Increase the outcome rate for crimes with a racist motivation by 2% points.
16.0% 18.6% 2.6% points
• Increase the outcome rate for crimes with a homophobic motivation by 2% points.
27.6% 24.6% -3.0% points
• Increase the outcome rate for crimes with a sectarian motivation by 2% points.
14.0% 15.1% 1.1% points
OLDER PEOPLE
Financial Year 1 Apr – 25 Sep 15 1 Apr – 25 Sep 16 % Change
• Increase the outcome rate for domestic burglary in which older people are victims by 2% points.
6.6% 9.1% 2.5% points
• Reduce the number of offences committed against older people by 2%.
3,872 3,426 -11.5%
Rolling 12 Months 26 Sep 14 – 25 Sep 15 26 Sep 15 – 25 Sep 16 % Change
• Increase the outcome rate for domestic burglary in which older people are victims by 2% points.
6.1% 8.3% 2.2% points
• Reduce the number of offences committed against older people by 2%.
7,540 7,063 -6.3%
ROAD SAFETY
• Increase of 10% in the number of drivers detected* for:
April – August 2015 April – August 2016 % Change
• Drink/Drug Driving offences 1,658 1,254 -24.4%
• Speeding offences 3,682 2,553 -30.7%
• Mobile Phone offences 2,805 2,260 -19.4%
• Seatbelt offences 775 527 -32.0%
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• No Insurance offences 2,559 2,419 -5.5%
* Detections are made up of fixed penalty notices issued, discretionary disposals issued, those referred for prosecution and completion of a speed awareness course Please note: Figures are provisional and subject to change. Source: PSNI Statistics Branch, Lisnsharragh
ORGANISED CRIME
• Increase the number of organised crime groups whose activities have been frustrated, disrupted and/or dismantled by 3%.
Frustrated Disrupted Dismantled Total %
Change
1 April to
31 Aug15 31 22 11 64
1 April to
31 Aug 16 30 27 6 63 -1.6%
Please note: Figures are provisional and subject to change. Source: PSNI Crime Operations Department
• Increase drug seizures by 3%.
April – August 2015 April – August 2016 % Change
2,211 1,922 -13.1%
12 mths to 31 Aug 2015 12 mths to 31 Aug 2016 % Change
5,298 5,308 0.2%
Please note: Figures are provisional and subject to change. Source: PSNI Statistics Branch, Lisnsharragh CRIMINAL JUSTICE
1 Apr – 38 Sep 15 1 Apr – 28 Sep 16 % Change
• Reduce by 5% the number of statute barred cases by 31 March 2017 compared to the number recorded in 2015/16.
97 61 -37.1%
Please note: Figures are provisional and subject to change. Source: PSNI Criminal Justice Branch
RESOURCES
Financial Year April – August 2015 April – August 2016 % Change
• Reduce the Average Working Days Lost for Police Officers by 10%.
1.11 0.94 -15.6%
• Reduce the Average Working Days Lost for Police Staff by 10%.
0.87 0.80 -8.6%
Rolling 12 Months 12 mths to 31 Aug 2015 12 mths to 31 Aug 2016 % Change
• Reduce the Average Working Days Lost for Police Officers by 10%.
1.18 1.01 -14.1%
• Reduce the Average Working Days Lost for Police Staff by 10%.
0.83 0.85 2.9%