hampshire and isle of wight police and crime commissioner annual report 2013/2014

Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Annual Report 2013-14

PCC Annual Report 2013-14

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Contents

1 Introduction

2 Police and crime plan priorities

3 Achievements during 2013/14

4 Review of the year: April 2013 - March 2014

5 You said. I asked. Hampshire Constabulary did

6 Next steps - looking ahead

7 Independent Custody Visitor (ICV) Scheme

8 Financial information

Contact details

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06

08

14

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20

22

24

26

PCC Annual Report 2013-14 03


Intro

duct

ion


As Commissioner, I am committed to helping bring about meaningful social change across our communities by working in partnership to create an environment in which people are less likely to offend and identifying effective ways to reduce re-offending.

This Annual Report highlights some of the most significant projects I have either led or partnered as part of my social change agenda.

As outlined in the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011, I have been elected to:

¾ represent the public and ensure that local policing is effective and efficient;

¾ set the budget and Council Tax precept; and

¾ hold the Chief Constable to account for the policing service delivered across the two counties.

Despite unprecedented cuts in central Government funding and criticism of policing on a national scale, Hampshire Constabulary remains highly respected – both locally and nationally. This is thanks to the great work undertaken by police officers, PCSOs and police staff throughout Hampshire.

Through holding the Chief Constable to account, I have a role to play in encouraging the Constabulary in its efforts to be the best through great leadership and acknowledging mistakes, challenges and issues, while recognising the extraordinary efforts made by its staff on a daily basis.

My COMPASS (Commissioner’s Performance, Accountability, Scrutiny and Strategy) meetings are a good example of one of the ways I hold the Chief Constable to account. These meetings are held in public and focus on matters of significant public interest. They are recorded and broadcast on my website. In May 2014, they were commended as an example of good practice by the Home Affairs Select Committee in its report, ‘Police and Crime Commissioners: Progress to date’. I also have regular meetings with the Chief Constable to discuss local policing issues that are causing concern in communities.

Managing complaints against the Chief Constable and, indirectly, ensuring complaints against police officers and police staff are dealt with effectively by the Chief Constable, are important aspects of my role that I take very seriously.

During my term in office, the Police and Crime Panel - made up of councillors and independent members of the public from across our two counties - scrutinise and support my role to help ensure I am maintaining an efficient and effective focus on my plan priorities for the 1.9m residents of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, and all those who visit the two counties.

1 IntroductionWelcome to my Annual Report for the year 2013-14, the second since I was elected Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight in 2012.

Simon Hayes

Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire

0205


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Ultimately, it is the voting public who will assess how successful my time in office has been. At election time in May 2016, I will be judged on how successfully I have delivered on my strategic priorities identified in the Police and Crime Plan 2013-17, which are:

¾ Priority 1 Improve frontline policing to deter criminals and keep communities safe

¾ Priority 2 Place victims and witnesses at the heart of policing and the wider criminal justice system

¾ Priority 3 Work together to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour.

¾ Priority 4 Reduce reoffending

I am confident that collectively these four priorities will help ensure that Hampshire and the Isle of Wight remain safe places to live, work and visit.

Ensuring our communities remain safe cannot be left to the police alone. Reduced Government funding, combined with an aspiration to bring about positive social change, means that we need to work closely with other services such as Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, local authorities and third sector partners, to protect people and places.

PCCs are the only people in public life, elected or otherwise, who are responsible for working across all public and voluntary sectors to deliver our agenda; an agenda directed by the public whom we represent.

2 Police and Crime Plan priorities

07

My Police and Crime Plan 2013-17 remains the guiding document throughout my term in office.


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The revised Estate Strategy links directly to my Police and Crime Plan by placing policing at the heart of the neighbourhoods and communities they serve. Hampshire Constabulary is clear about my commitment to retain Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs) at a time when other forces are withdrawing from the concept. I am also working with local authorities to disrupt criminals by having a senior police officer as the point of contact in each local authority area.

The harsh reality of the impact of the exceptional cuts to policing budgets imposed by the Government has led to Hampshire Constabulary planning a substantial review of frontline policing to ensure that policing in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight is as sustainable, effective and efficient as possible in the years ahead. Known as the Operational Change Programme (OCP), these changes will be implemented during 2014-15. In February, as a result of the Government taking the decision to cap the policing element of Council Tax at 2% - despite overwhelming public support for it to rise to 3% - I decided to make up the £973,000 shortfall from reserves.

Through the highly effective and professional relationship that has been forged between the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) and Hampshire Constabulary,

I have been able to ensure that my Estate Strategy supports my Police and Crime Plan and the Operational Change Programme. This is despite significant challenges to policing and police morale at a national level.

In 2013-14, I gave funding of £1,694,787 to local organisations to deliver vital projects that protect people and places and relate directly to the Police and Crime Plan, through my Community Safety Fund, Standing Grants and my Protecting People and Places Fund. This was followed in January 2014, when I was delighted to launch my Commissioning Plan 2014-2017 ‘Towards a Safer Hampshire’ by welcoming bids from organisations across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. This resulted in my office receiving over 200 applications with 106 of these being successful in securing funding to deliver vital projects that relate directly to the Police and Crime Plan, which will begin in 2014-15. Despite the fact that we have only just begun the journey of positive social change, it is reassuring to see the significant impact this funding is having on individuals, groups and services supporting our local community.

3 Achievements during 2013-14

09

One of my most significant achievements to date has been to bring the police estate under my control and review the Estate Strategy. This review will save local Council Tax payers £3 million a year at a time when funding for the police is worryingly stretched.

The harsh reality of the impact of the

exceptional cuts to policing budgets imposed by the

Government has led to Hampshire

Constabulary planning a substantial

review of frontline policing to ensure

that policing in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight

is as sustainable, effective and

efficient as possible in the

years ahead.

10 PCC Annual Report 2013-1410

All of the projects funded through the OPCC relate to priorities 2, 3, and 4 and have a role to play in enabling priority 1.

These are some of the significant projects that the OPCC has led, partnered or funded over the past year:

Reducing domestic and sexual violence:

In October 2013, I ran a Domestic Abuse and Violence Conference that brought together around 140 experts from 60 organisations across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Experts and survivors of domestic violence from across the two counties were asked to identify areas of concern in the current delivery of domestic abuse support services where improvements need to be made. There were recurring themes that needed addressing such as low reporting levels and the fact that many victims do not want their partner taken through the criminal justice system; adequate and appropriate support for children and young people; support for male victims; the delivery of educational programmes for perpetrators; and intensive, coordinated support.

The conference picked up on these themes, identified ways to improve services for the victims and perpetrators of domestic and sexual violence, and explored how I could use my influence to reduce the incidence of these horrific crimes. Recommendations made at the conference are represented in my Commissioning Plan and work to take them forward will be undertaken during 2014-15. Following the publication of the Plan, I am now working closely with local authorities and other agencies to improve the way that funding is brought together and targeted at those most in need, and delivering effective prevention services.

Separate to this, my team is leading multi-agency work on bringing together purchasers and providers of sexual violence support services, which will improve the experience of victims. We are leading innovative projects that unite service providers; improve victim support inside and outside the Criminal Justice System; support the Sexual Abuse Referral Centres and independent victim advocacy; and provide grant support for other specialist services. At a time when public services are experiencing significant cuts to their budgets, it is vital that I do everything I can to ensure this highly vulnerable group continues to benefit from high quality services and support. The OPCC has funded initiatives that have been a barrier to justice; for example, rape counseling is now available on the Isle of Wight – removing the geographical difficulties faced previously.

Enabling the victim’s voice to be heard:

To ensure victims and witnesses are at the heart of policing and wider criminal justice system, we are creating a new ‘Victims Voice’. This will use a range of media and methodologies to ensure that we reach out to all victims in the most appropriate way. My team is leading a major piece of work to redesign support given to victims to better suit communities across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. In April 2015, I will be commissioning a new Victim Care Service.

I am determined to use my influence to further strengthen working relationships with all partners including local authorities, health agencies, and criminal justice partners. To this end, I will be establishing new collaboration frameworks to ensure that priorities are shared and strategies jointly managed. I am a member of the Local Criminal Justice Board (LCJB) and my Deputy PCC, Robin Jarman,

I am determined to use my

influence to further strengthen working

relationships with all partners

including local authorities, health

agencies, and criminal justice

partners.

11PCC Annual Report 2013-14 11

chairs the Victim & Witness sub-group to better understand the victim journey.

I am committed to improving care and support to victims in the criminal justice system. My office partnered a practitioner event with the LCJB entitled Mapping the Victim Journey in November 2013, which led to 46 recommendations being made that are now being implemented by my team in conjunction with partners.

Improving outcomes for victims and reducing reoffending through innovation:

I am committed to exploring new evidence-based ways of working that improve the victim’s experience and reduce reoffending.

Dealing effectively with anti-social behaviour (ASB) requires clear and committed partnership between community representatives and individuals and I am keen to champion comprehensive and innovative responses to ASB. This is why we have allocated £150,000 to local Community Safety Partnerships to support victims of ASB in their areas.

We are now funding a range of pilot projects across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, including some aimed at young people in danger of offending by providing alternative diversionary activities. These include martial arts, a highly successful dance school, and sports projects managed by the major local football clubs.

50 per cent of ASB originates from disputes between neighbours yet there are few mediation schemes available. My office is now funding a number of schemes using different methods, including restorative justice and mediation.

In addition, the OPCC is funding a Community Peer Court pilot, which

will commence in the last quarter of 2014 and will provide the opportunity for young people who have committed a minor offence to be judged by peers of their own age with the aim of making them think seriously about their offence, keep them out of the criminal justice system and deter them from committing crime in the future. Similar interventional schemes have had an excellent track record for improving outcomes when they have been piloted in the US and I am proud that Hampshire is leading the way in this country.

The Government’s controversial proposal to transform offender management, ‘Transforming Rehabilitation’, will bring fundamental change to the way that offenders are managed across agencies, particularly the Probation Service. One of my first tasks was to guarantee the OPCC funding for services during 2014-15, which will be a year of great change. I also encouraged others to do the same, which I am pleased to report has happened.

I introduced a local strategic focus group, which brought all key stakeholders together to discuss the potential implications of the policy. This focus group led to me jointly hosting a conference on Reducing Reoffending with the High Sheriff of Hampshire, Rupert Younger. Held in March 2014, the Winchester Conference drew together a panel of international experts to consider and debate all of the changes to the probation service as a result of the Government’s Transforming Rehabilitation agenda. The Conference resulted in six recommendations being presented in a White Paper that will be reviewed by the Justice Select Committee and included calls for fresh and innovative approaches to managing offenders by providing more effective solutions that prevent offending, reoffending and overcrowding in prisons.

I am committed to exploring new evidence-based ways of working that improve the

victim’s experience and reduce reoffending.


Rural policing:Outside the two unitary areas of Portsmouth and Southampton, much of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight is rural, so I am determined to do everything within my power to keep rural communities safe. To this end, I challenged Hampshire Constabulary to devise a rural policing strategy that reflects the unique needs of our local communities, namely a focus on farms and agriculture, communities, heritage, wildlife and environment and tourism. I formally launched the rural Policing Strategy at the New Forest County Show in July 2014. Alongside this, the Hampshire Community Alert system was also launched at the Show to help keep local communities better informed on issues relating to local policing and crime.

The Youth Commission’s ‘Big Conversation’:

I am particularly aware of the need to close the perceived divide between young people and the police and the wider criminal justice system. To enable a ‘Big Conversation’ between young people in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, I set up a pilot Youth Commission made up of a diverse group of young people drawn from across our communities. The recommendations made by Youth Commission volunteers responded to the four priorities within my Police and Crime Plan. I am grateful to members of the Youth Commission who volunteered their support and I look forward to their continued support as I increase the Youth Commission network among 14-25 year olds in our region to ensure young people are listened to and able to influence positive social change across the two counties.

Substance misuse:The abuse of substances, such as alcohol, illegal drugs and ‘legal highs’, is increasingly an issue for our region. I am working closely with colleagues at Hampshire Constabulary to ensure that criminals tempted to bring drugs to our area realise that they have no place to hide here and will be rooted out. To this end, I have made additional funding available to enable the expansion of Operation Fortress across our two counties to allow Hampshire Constabulary to continue their excellent work in targeting and disrupting the illegal drugs supply chain, thereby making our communities safer.

In addition, my office will be working with local authorities to develop Active Recovery Communities (ARCs) that support people recovering from addiction.

The impact of mental health issues on frontline policing:

I am proud to have used my role as PCC to raise the profile of the impact that mental health issues have on the wellbeing of members of our local population. Through my relationship with one of the main providers of mental health services locally, Southern Health Trust, I have been able to call for assurances that appropriate health-based places of safety are available. This will help eliminate the need for individuals to be taken into police cells and help ensure that Section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983 is being used appropriately and with compassion.

I contributed to a BBC Panorama Programme on this issue in September 2013 and, in February 2014, I made a commitment to improve outcomes for people affected by mental health

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I am determined to do everything within my power

to keep rural communities safe


issues by working with partners to deliver the Mental Health Crisis Care Concordat via the Health and Wellbeing Boards in our area.

I intend to continue using my influence to ensure that all emergency services and local public service providers adopt a more ‘joined up’ approach to issues that are of common concern.

This approach will better serve our local communities and enable me to deliver on my commitment to improve frontline policing by freeing up police resources from tasks that are more properly the responsibility of others.

13Commissioner attends a drug and alcohol workshop at Richard Taunton Sixth Form College run by the Youth Commission


April 2013 May 2013 June 2013

¾ Community Safety Fund of £1.479m allocated

¾ Engaged with the Sikh community at the Vaisakhi Parade in Southampton

¾ New Estate Strategy launched

¾ £35,00 awarded through the Protecting People and Places Fund Tranche 1

¾ £72,000 awarded through the Standing Grants Fund

4 Review of the year: April 2013 - March 2014 As PCC I am fully committed to communicating and engaging with the local population and other key groups and partners that protect people and places locally. Here’s a snapshot of some of the highlights of my year from April 2013 to March 2014, captured through photographs:

New Estate Strategy launched

¾ Co-hosted a National PCC Evidence-based Policing Conference at Cambridge University: I gave an opening address and also wrote an article in the national magazine Police Professional.

¾ Held the 1st COMPASS event on the theme of Overall Performance of the Police.

¾ Assistant PCC for IOW, Laura Franklin, appointed

Assistant PCC for IOW Laura Franklin, appointed


July 2013 August 2013 September 2013

¾ COMPASS meeting on police custody


First volunteers to the Youth Commission welcomedDiscussing rural crime and policing with visitors at the New Forest Show

¾ Police and Crime Panel review my Annual Report 2012-13, my Police and Crime Plan Action Sheet and my estate strategy.

¾ First volunteers to the Youth Commission welcomed

¾ Discussed rural crime and policing with visitors at the New Forest Show

¾ Offender Management Strategic Focus Group event drew key stakeholders together in order to discuss the controversial government policy Transforming Rehabilitation.

¾ Contributed to Panorama programme on providing better environment for people with mental health issues rather than taking them into police custody.

¾ Assistant PCC (Policing and Safer Communities), Judy Venables, appointed

Assistant PCC Judy Venables, appointedCOMPASS meeting on police custody


October 2013 November 2013 December 2013

¾ Partner event hosted at new OPCC office in Winchester

¾ COMPASS meeting on anti social behaviour

¾

Domestic Abuse Conference COMPASS meeting on anti social behaviour

Working with the local community

¾ The Police and Crime Panel agree the protocol for liaison between the Panel and the OPCC, and receive an update on the estate strategy

¾ COMPASS meeting on policing the night-time economy

¾ Domestic Abuse Conference

¾ Black History Month: Jointly hosted lecture on BME in policing with Institute of Criminal Justice Research at the University of Southampton

¾ Met local mental health providers to discuss how partnership working could be improved to support those with mental illness who are taken into police custody


¾ Pledged support of stamping out violence

¾ Gave speech at the Restorative Justice Conference in Eastleigh

¾ Youth Commission Takeover Day

¾ Issues a report and webchat on progress one year into office

¾ Police and Crime Panel agree the appointment of Deputy PCC, Robin Jarman, monitor the implementation of the Police and Crime Plan and monitor finance ahead of the 2014-15 precept scrutiny

Duty PCC, Robin Jarman


January 2014 February 2014 March 2014

¾ Public consultation on raising the Council Tax precept - funding gap to be taken from reserves

¾ Youth Commission present the outcome of their Big Conversation

¾ COMPASS meeting on Operational Change Programme

¾ £1.77m committed to fighting drug related violence through Operation Fortress

¾ National Victim Awareness Course launched in partnership with Victim Support

¾ Police Professional article published

¾ Co-hosted with High Sheriff of Hampshire a national conference on Reducing Reoffending in Winchester, which resulted in a White Paper on Reducing Reoffending

¾ Discussed innovation in criminal justice with Justice Minister, Chris Grayling MP

¾ Event held to encourage offenders to rethink their behaviour at Victim Awareness Course. BBC South News cover the story

¾ Gave speech at CLA Rural Crime Conference at Sparsholt

¾ Commissioner decides recipients of £2.3m of funds through the Commissioning Plan

¾ Attended joint rural policing operation (Op FESTIVE) between Hampshire Constabulary and Thames Valley PoliceWorking with the local community

Youth Commission present the outcome of their Big Conversation

Policing precept consultation National conference on Reducing Reoffending

¾ Police and Crime Panel scrutinise the Constabulary’s Operational Change Programme, my request for the 2014-15 precept, implementation of the Police and Crime Plan and support the appointment of Kevin Gardner as interim Chief Executive of the OPCC

¾ Commissioning Plan launched at events in Winchester and on the Isle of Wight


5 You said. I asked. Hampshire Constabulary did:When I first came into office, I listened to your concerns and then challenged Hampshire Constabulary’s performance on particular issues. Here are some of the outcomes:

Reducing crime

During my first full year in office, Hampshire Constabulary reduced crime by 4.5 per cent, this equates to 4914 fewer recorded crimes and victims. Our area has some of the lowest levels of all crime across the country. The Constabulary achieved a reduction of 16 per cent against a target I set of a 12 per cent reduction over the three years to March 2014.

Police behaviour

In representing the public I continue to stress the importance of police behaviour and attitudes towards members of the public. I have supported the introduction of ‘Body Worn Video’ in Hampshire that captures what takes place when police question or arrest local people. I challenged the Chief Constable to reduce reports of police incivility made by members of the public by at least 15 per cent. The Constabulary achieved a 33 per cent reduction in these complaints during 2013-14.

Victim satisfaction

Hampshire Constabulary is responding well to my victim satisfaction target. Victim satisfaction is up from 83 to 86 per cent. This is a reassuring shift towards total satisfaction.

Protecting people in rural placesIn recognition of its importance to rural communities, equality of urban/rural crime focus has been central to my strategy. Hampshire Constabulary was tasked to address this, and have been working towards closing the gap in solved crime rates between urban and rural areas to 5 per cent by March 2016. At the start of my term in office that gap was 10 per cent; by March 2014 it had reduced to 9.07 per cent. Proactive policing in rural areas, and effective partnership working with the CPS, have resulted in several successful prosecutions.

Anti-social behaviour (ASB)

On behalf of many local communities, I asked Hampshire Constabulary to reduce the incidents of ASB, and supported this by maintaining frontline and neighbourhood services despite cuts in government funding. The target was to achieve a 3 per cent reduction in 2013-14; the Constabulary actually achieved over 11 per cent.

You

said

. I a

sked

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Firearms licensing

13,000 licensing applications were held up in a backlog when I took office – causing unnecessary resentment among the affected communities. I tasked Hampshire Constabulary to improve the management of applications. During 2013-14 they:

¾ cleared the backlog and turned applications around much quicker;

¾ made better links with specialist clubs; and

¾ provided added public safety checks.

Police employee sickness

Higher than average employee sickness was costing local people lost police time and placing a greater burden on all police employees. I challenged the Chief Constable to improve sickness management.

Hampshire Constabulary focused their staff management on this, and ended the year having improved sickness from an average of 10.2 days per paid employee to 8.7 days – with further continued improvement planned. This equates to over 8,000 working days saved across the entire Constabulary.

Recruiting from our diverse communities

People from black and ethnic minorities are under-represented in the Constabulary. Despite budget reductions leading to reduced recruitment, I have asked the Chief Constable to maintain focus on this, and work towards a 3-year improvement target to achieve 5.5 per cent representation among new recruits by March 2016. In 2013-14, the Constabulary ran a scholarship scheme, seeking interest from these under-represented groups.

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6 Next steps – looking ahead to the remainder of the Commissioner’s term in officeIn the year ahead my team will be securing more robust support for victims and witnesses - in the criminal justice system, at home and in communities. This will include a new first response and referral service, with the back up of stronger networks of specialist support services.

I am determined to provide much better services for all victims, and maintain my focus on some of the most vulnerable. I have started work on better coordination of services to support victims of sexual violence and domestic abuse. My Assistant Commissioner on the Isle of Wight, Laura Franklin, will be taking a lead on safeguarding and vulnerability among the missing, exploited, trafficked victims of modern slavery, among other emerging risks on a pan-Hampshire basis.

I am also keen to champion crucial support for offenders’ families who serve their own ‘hidden’ sentence through no fault of their own. The disadvantages faced by children and siblings of offenders in particular must be addressed to break intergenerational cycles of crime. By ending this pattern harm to individuals and communities can be avoided, which can cost emotionally, physically and financially. In the year ahead, I will be piloting a training package for frontline officers that will allow greater consideration of the world through a child’s eyes.

This will highlight salient points for policing in localised communities and offer tools to effectively consider the least stigmatising options available in situations such as the arrest of a parent. We hope the wider benefits will include removing barriers between young people and the police.

My Youth Commission has challenged me with their recommendations for practical changes in policing and criminal justice – including their experiences as potential victims. I am determined to achieve their agenda. I also remain committed to helping improve consistency among local schools in delivering information on social issues. I am beginning work on an Education Charter, which will be piloted on the Isle of Wight, and will include road safety, domestic abuse and anti-bullying.

I have tasked the Chief Constable with continuing his focus on local neighbourhood policing, to help communities remain and feel safe.

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21PCC Annual Report 2013-2014

To achieve this, despite government funding cuts, I am encouraging investments such as technologies that support police effectiveness, and new local policing strategies such as those that engage with young people and local businesses. I have also tasked my own team to focus on developing partnership approaches that support joined up, cost-effective and innovative local services. Such innovations were identified recently by the House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee as a vital role for all PCCs.

To further improve safety on our roads, especially in rural areas, I will be committing £135,000 to support up to 70 new schemes across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight over the next two years.

Although I have no direct responsibilities in the criminal justice system, I will continue to champion policies and practices that reduce both crime and criminality.

My actions will include seeking to influence policy making locally and nationally; taking practical actions to tackle some of the root causes of crime; and seeking the views of local young people on what would best support them to avoid risk and harm. By direct funding and partnerships, for example, I am tackling some of the impacts on families when they may ‘serve a sentence’ as a result of crime by one family member.

In order to support of the Police and Crime Plan, the Chief Constable has also agreed a set of commitments that will guide the Constabulary’s staff and officers over the year ahead. This includes maintaining existing high standards in tackling crime and seeking continuous improvement in, for example, public trust and confidence and victim and witness support. The Constabulary will also balance responses that help steer young people away from crime with a firm focus on tackling the most serious and damaging crimes and criminals.

I am encouraging investments such

as technologies that support police

effectiveness and new local policing strategies such as those for engaging with young people

and with local businesses.

Commissioner attends Access All Areas event for young people organised by Fareham and Winchester’s Community Safety Partnerships


ICV

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7 Independent Custody Visitor (ICV) Scheme In accordance with section 51 of the Police Reform Act 2002, it is the responsibility of the OPCC to operate an ICV Scheme.

The Scheme provides an independent check on the way Hampshire Constabulary carries out its duties with regard to the detention of people in custody. Beyond this statutory function I am determined that the Scheme – through a committed team of volunteers - continues to play a key role in helping me hold the Chief Constabulary to account. My office produces a statistical data report based on information provided by Independent Custody Visitors on a quarterly basis. The production of this data in a report format ensures a formal independent oversight of custody proceedings.

In the first quarter of 2014, 8,093 detainees passed through custody. At the time of the custody visits, 383 people were detained, of these 367 were available to be visited and 264 detainees were seen by visitors.

The percentage of interviews conducted by visitors for the first quarter of 2014 was 98.88%, which is an improvement on the same period last year (95.58%).

In a joint report by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and HM Inspectorate of Prison published in 2013, all of Hampshire Constabulary custody suites were inspected. As part of that inspection Independent Custody Visitors were interviewed by inspectors and the report stated that: “The network of Independent Custody Visitors was active and effective and the force was well engaged with them”.

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8 Financial information These figures are presented in advance of the final completion of the closure of the annual accounts submission process, thereafter they are subject to the External Audit process, the financial accounts will be final by the end of September 2014 with any final amendments made during the review period.

There are significant financial risks in the medium term due to expected reductions in Government grant funding which have been on going since 2010 and are anticipated to continue until at least 2020. The Constabulary’s savings programme to deliver £54m over 2011-15 is reaching the final stages of delivery, whilst a further savings programme of £25m for delivery over 2015-17 is in the final stages of development. In February 2014, I approved a Medium Term Financial Strategy which sets out the financial challenges ahead, and the plans to meet those challenges.

The Revenue Budget outturn for 2013-14 is a predicted underspend of £7.580m (2%) for the combined accounts of the OPCC and the Chief Constable. My office underspent by £0.001m (almost 0%) and the Chief Constable underspent by £7.579m (2%). The net underspend will be transferred to the Transformation Reserve to assist with funding new initiatives that arerequired to sustain delivery of high levels of performance, despite a reducing overall policing budget.

The main driver for the underspend was the requirement to make savings during 2013-14 in order to balance the budget in 2014-15 and beyond. The recruitment of officers and staff has to take into account medium term plans regarding employee levels. It has also been the case that some staff working on specific projects and operations have been funded by reserves rather than by the Revenue Budget.

With regard to the Capital Programme for 2014-15, this was updated as part of the Budget 2014-15 process, but will need to be updated again for changes in spending profile; in particular, revised amounts for the Estates Change Programme when I approve the amended programme.

Reserves as at the end of 2013-14 have a balance of over £73m. However, amounts held on behalf of partner organisations, such as the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Safer Roads Unit, mean that the actual usable revenue reserves at the end of 2013-14 are £54m. The usable reserves are currently forecast to go down to £22m over the coming years, in particular, the use of the Transformation Reserve to pay for the cost of changes required to address the reduction in Government funding over that period. There is a protocol in place for each Reserve and all allocations are subject to my decision.

My attention will now turn to a refresh of the Medium Term Financial Strategy. An initial refresh is planned for the end of September, which will inform the 2014-15 budget setting process. I need to make it clear that the underspend in 2013-14 is a one-off; it is partly a result of not fully replacing some officers and staff who are seconded to work on specific operations, programmes and projects for a fixed time period.

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However, there is an underlying saving from work delivered during 2013-14 in order to deliver the £12.033m savings required to balance the budget in 2014-15. These savings complete £54m of savings over the 4 year Spending Review period 2011-15.

The Constabulary has begun to implement the Operational Change Programme. This programme of work will restructure the way that frontline services are delivered and aims to save a considerable proportion of the £25m savings target for the two year period 2015-17. It will use new ways of working and more technology to improve the efficiency of officers and staff. There will also need to be changes to the Estate and IT infrastructure to deliver the new approach. These changes are expected to require significant one-off capital investment particularly in relation to buildings, IT, devices and employee related costs of change.

The Medium Term Financial Strategy will capture approved allocations and updated estimates for the investment costs and reflect those in the capital programme and reserves strategy.

It should be noted that the £25m saving target for 2015-17 is an estimate based on the best information available for Government funding; it assumes a 1.99% annual increase in council tax precept. The target is also dependent upon the final delivery of the £54m of savings in 2011-15 and a further £2.548m of savings expected to be delivered in 2015-16 and 2016-17 that relate to initiatives that are part of the 2011-15 programme of work, but will not be completed until after March 2015.

25Commissioner seeks public opinion on the policing element of the Council Tax


Contact detailsI have a statutory obligation and genuine desire to communicate and engage with the local communities I represent to ensure that I am in touch with your views in relation to policing and crime.

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner wants to hear your thoughts on all issues related to policing and crime. Please get in touch.

If you require any part of this document in Braille, large print or another language, please contact my office on 01962 871595 or email [email protected]

www.hampshipre-pcc.gov.uk

01962 871595

[email protected]

@HantsPCC

Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire

Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire, St George’s Chambers, St George’s Street, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 8AJ

ProtectingPeopleandPlaces

Version 2.0

August 2014

hampshire and isle of wight police and crime commissioner annual report 2013/2014

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