information and overview report to citizenship and inclusion overview and scrutiny ... · 2009. 8....

Citizenship and Inclusion Overview and Scrutiny Committee February 2008

Report to: Citizenship and Inclusion Overview and Scrutiny Committee Date: 6 February 2008 Author: City Solicitor Title: Information and Overview Report __________________________________________________

1. Purpose of Report 1.1 To provide information about relevant issues affecting the Committee’s

remit to aid Members to manage their work programmes. 2. Recommendation 2.1 The Committee is requested to consider the topics highlighted in the

report and either: - Note the information - Request a briefing note to provide further details - Add the item to the Committee’s Work Programme 3. Contact Officer: Kate Brown, Scrutiny Support Officer Tel: 0161 234 3376

[email protected]


4. Suggestions for the Work Programme None received. The latest Work Programme is attached for consideration. 5. Monitoring Previous Recommendations Date Item Recommendation Response of

Executive Member/ Contact Officer

CI/08/2 Dispersal Orders and Alcohol Exclusion Zones

To agree that the Committee would wish to have an input into the development of Integrated and Targeted Youth Strategies from the perspective of ensuring that displacement strategies for youth provision are properly expressed within those strategies, and the Chair be requested to consult with the Chair of the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny to explore the options for joint working.

An approach to scrutiny of the IYS to be agreed with the Chair of Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Kate Brown

CI/08/3 Neighbourhood Partnerships and Community Engagement

To support the strategy and to request an interim review of the arrangements in six months time, with annual reviews thereafter.

Added to the Work Programme

CI/08/4 Business Plans

To note the Business Plans at this stage

The comments and observations of made by all six Overview and Scrutiny Committees on draft Business Plans will be reported to the Resources and Governance Overview and Scrutiny Committee in advance of budget review meeting on 26 February.


CI/08/5 Information and Overview Report

To add to the work programme items in relation to – Fireworks – report back on 2007 Campaign (February 2008) Off-road bikes Mancunian Agreements Credit Unions Benefit entitlements 2. To agree to consider the Crime and Reduction Strategy in March 2008

Added to the Work Programme.


6. Items for Information Only

MANCHESTER CITY COUNCILREPORT FOR INFORMATION

COMMITTEE Citizenship and Inclusion Overview and Scrutiny DATE February 2008 TITLE Manchester Fireworks and Bonfire Campaign 2007 REPORT OF Head of Crime and Disorder Team PURPOSE OF REPORT To provide members with an overview of this year’s bonfire and fireworks season. CONTACT OFFICERS Mark Hamilton Local authority liaison officer

234 3585 [email protected]

Peter Smith Local authority liaison officer

234 3321 [email protected]

1. Introduction 1.1 There is a historic trend, which sees a peak in anti-social behavior and criminal damage around the time of Halloween and Bonfire Night within Manchester. This Autumn (2007) Operation Sealyham again sought to address this pattern and identified Key partners to work in collaboration in order to reduce the negative impact of these two events upon communities.

Greater Manchester Police, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service Trading Standards together identified a set number Environmental services Leisure services

Together we identified a set number of minimum standards to be adhered to within each agency in order to fulfill and maintain a successful operation. This central coordination aimed to achieve the following:

Have a consistent ‘branded’ operation that can be utilised each year in order to achieve brand recognition.

Have an agreed partnership media strategy that is co-ordinated from a

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


Central perspective.

Adhere to a set of minimum standards to ensure a consistent effective Approach Manchester CDRP wide. To have a central development of a best practice toolkit that partners

can utilise to further develop their approach. Collated partnership data to be utilised in order to complete analysis of

the operation. It should be noted that data is recorded in different ways by each of the participating agencies i.e. Ward level, Neighborhood policing Team (NPT) level and City wide, this report should be read with that caveat. It is anticipated that in 2008 we will be in a position to dismantle this tranche of data and display it in a way, which is easily digestible to all agencies.

2. Results of the Campaign 2.1 The agencies involved in the multi-agency campaign have provided the

following feedback. 2.1.1 Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service (GMF&RS)

GMF&RS 2004

2005

2006

2007

Rubbish fires 413 348 526 322 Attacks on Fire Fighters 13 20 12 4

There was a marked decrease in rubbish fires, which was a significant improvement from last year and was more in keeping with 2005 figures. The prompt response to dealing with small fires meant these were extinguished before they became serious fires. A key change in the way GMF&RS responds came into effect this year. Due to resource constraints and policy change, they will only respond to fires that were actually burning. Although the number of attacks on fire fighters is significantly down on last year this is still a worryingly high level of attack on an emergency service. Thankfully no serious injuries were sustained.

In terms of enforcement all new applications to sell and store fireworks were visited and any premises where issues were raised.

In terms of visits to renewals the government target is 10% however GMFRS achieved an 80% during this period.

2.1.2 Contracting Services


2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Daytime 77 38 69 63 130 6pm to 10pm

30 20 11 34 0

Ward breakdown of bonfires cleared:

Ward Bonfires

removed 05Bonfires

removed 06 Bonfires

removed 07Ancoats and Clayton 7 17 4 Ardwick 4 7 3 Bradford 13 7 14 Baguely 0 4 3 Brooklands N/A N/A 1 Burnage 0 1 0 Cheetham 3 10 10 Chorlton N/A N/A 7 Crumpsall 2 2 2 Didsbury East 0 1 0 Fallowfield 0 1 0 Gorton North/South 3 2 5 Harpurhey 12 13 19 Hr Blackley/Charlstown 9 1 7 Hulme 2 2 0 Levenshulme N/A N/A 1 Longsight 4 1 6 Moss Side 1 1 1 Moston 4 1 9 Miles Platting and Newton Health 12 19 11 Northenden 0 3 2 Old Moat N/A N/A 2 Rusholme N/A N/A 3 Sharston 0 4 7 Woodhouse Park 4 0 13

Total 80 97 130

There was a significant increase in workload for the Contracting Services Clean Teams who take responsibility for clearing or reducing bonfires. The increases were most marked in, Bradford, Harpurhey, Moston and Woodhouse Park.

There were, however, welcome reductions in Ancoats and Clayton ward, Ardwick, Miles Platting and Newton Heath.

Dangerous items, including gas canisters were removed from bonfires. Clean team staff explained to residents the dangers of some of the items they had stacked on to bonfires, which was well received in some


areas and in the main these bonfires were reduced. There were no attacks on the clean teams. The Clean teams now work from three sites Citywide this allows them to respond quickly to remove bonfires.

2.1.3 Trading Standards 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Number of attempted test

purchases 44 52 36 30 46

Number of sales to young volunteers

0 4 2 4 3

Number of complaints from residents and other agencies regarding fireworks

19 16 55 25 30

Complaints

Of the 30 complaints, residents, 4 by Wardens/SEM’s, and 10 by GMP made 16.

A number of the calls were regarding underage sales; several of the premises people reported as selling fireworks to underage volunteers were not in fact selling fireworks when checked. Prosecutions will be taken forward on the premises where underage sales were made.

As with last year, registered premises were again asked to display a sticker confirming registration. The fact that residents can now see which premises are registered may have led to the slight increase in complaints.

Upon successful inspection the registered seller could potentially apply to be placed into the ’Good Guy’ scheme. This scheme is a Greater Manchester "responsible retailer" scheme, led by Trading Standards and supported this year by Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service and Greater Manchester Police. The main aims

To reduce the anti social behaviour caused by the misuse of fireworks

Particularly that caused by sales of illegal fireworks and sales of fireworks

Seizure of unsafe fireworks

Trading Standards seized 130 unsafe mini rockets from two premises, which were deemed old stock and were quickly destroyed.


2.1.4 Greater Manchester Police

Total 2005

Total 2006

Total 2007

Arrests* 9 10 4 Incidents ** 285 304 495 Firework Seizures 19 7 63 Youth Interventions*** 247 260 290

There were a total of 4 arrests made as part of Operation Sealyham. Incidents attended included general complaints from the public

regarding youths throwing fireworks, concerns about unlit and lit bonfires, youths in possession of fireworks, fireworks being pushed through letter boxes, officers attending premises to check registrations, fireworks being thrown at cars and general youth nuisance. Youth interventions are the number of youths spoken to.

GMP once again coordinated and ran a very successful multi agency operation (Operation Sealyham 3). The Silver control room was staffed by a range of agencies and ran between 4pm and midnight on 26th, 27th, 28th and 31st October and 1- 5 November. GMP had 33 staff including silver control command, dedicated to the operation each night with 66 allocated on the 5th November. The communication between silver control and staff on the ground was excellent and complaints were responded to quickly. The weekend of 3, 4 & 5 November was particularly busy with resources from all agencies stretched on these nights resulting in a slight increase in the overall number of incidents and youth interventions. GMP anticipated this increase in incidents and extra staff and resources were drafted in to deal with these incidents and so providing reassurance and extra protection for members of the public.

2.1.5 Leisure Services - Organised displays

Attendance 2007

Attendance 2006

Accidents 2007

Accidents 2006

Wythenshawe Park

Approx 15,000

Approx 14,000 No accidents No accidents

Heaton Park Approx 30,000


Debdale Park Approx 3,000


Philips Park Approx 3,000



Boggart Hole Clough

Approx 9,000


Platt Fields Park

Approx 16,000


Chorlton Park Approx 1,000

Approx 700 No accidents No accidents

Cringle Park Approx 5,000


Brookdale Park

Approx 3,000


Crumpsall Park

Approx 2,000

Approx 600 No accidents No accidents

TOTAL 87,000 Approx 62,300

Attendance figures were significantly up overall at the organised events, which was a key aim of the campaign. There were fireworks displays at a number of new venues this year. There were some minor issues with anti social behaviour at the Heaton Park Event but all the organised events were successful with no major incidents or accidents reported.

3. Publicity Media Coverage Operation Sealyham 3 was a highly publicised operation with radio, television and newspaper coverage of the aims, procedures and involvement of partners to address high levels of ASB in particular around the Bonfire/Halloween Period. Advertising this operation in such a manner enabled the message to be directed to the general public that anyone found harassing or intimidating people of vandalising property will face action from the police, with new legislation also meaning that those under 18 can face an £80 fine if found in possession of fireworks. Furthermore, leading up to the Crackdown, warning letters were sent to previous trouble makers and school based police officers informed young people about the penalties for misusing fireworks or building dangerous bonfires. In addition, posters and leaflets were distributed Greater Manchester wide warning people of the Consequences of anti-social behavior and criminal damage.

3.1 The objectives of the press and publicity campaign:-

• To publicise in the local media the organised displays arranged by Manchester City Council and encourage people to attend


• To reinforce safety issues around fireworks

• To raise public awareness of the environmental impact of holding firework displays and bonfires in private gardens

• To make the public aware of the legislation surrounding fireworks and bonfires • To reassure public of effective enforcement.

3.2 The publicity consisted of bus stop advertising, ward newsletters,

posters, bus street liners, adverts in the local newspapers and stickers on the registered premises.

3.3 A dedicated telephone number was set up in EOC so that Members of

the public could call one no with any fireworks or bonfire related complaints. The 0161 954 9005 number.

3.4 Callers were asked how they had heard about the number and it would

appear that the most effective form of communication has been through the ward newsletters and bus stop advertising.

3.5 There was good press coverage resulting from the press release on

Manchester City Council’s Website which was also sent to local newspaper and broadcast journalists. Take up resulted in 1 television interview, 3 radio interviews, 3 MEN articles and 1 Middleton Guardian article.

3.6 There was also a half page article in Manchester People outlining the

dangers of fireworks, environmental impact and safety issues surrounding fireworks and bonfires. The article also publicised the Environment On Call number and dates and venues for city council organised displays.

3.5 It is a challenge to find original angles to generate media interest in

firework stories around safety issues and legislation. The media tend to focus on sensational injury stories for example “Teenager maimed by firework” however, council organised displays received good coverage, both before and after the event which is reflected in the increased attendance figures.

4. Criminal Damage In order to identify any correlating trends and patterns with the locations of criminal damage during the Bonfire/Halloween period, the following hotspot maps show the areas whereby the crime is most prominent. Town centre data has been removed from the analysis in order to provide a true picture of criminal damage that is happening across the conurbation. South Manchester ‘Static’ Hotspot 2006


This hotspot is comprised of 143 criminal damage incidents and covers the Neighborhoods of Baguley, Benchill, Brooklands, Northenden, Sharston and Woodhouse Park.

Emerging hotspot 2007 Emerging Criminal Damage Hotspot This hotspot comprises of 137 criminal damage incidents. It includes incidents Occurring in 18 neighborhoods; Gorton North, Gorton South, Levenshulme, Burnage, Openshaw, Old Moat, Longsight, Withington, Debdale, Anson, Coverdale, Northmoor, Brunswick, Fallowfield, Abbey Hey, MRI, Didsbury East and Rusholme.


The majority of the incidents (19%) occurred in Gorton North. When collaborated with other neighbourhoods, 45% of all incidents occurring in Gorton North (26), Gorton South (19) and Levenshulme (16) occur. 50% of the total number of incidents occurred on the following top five dates:

Saturday 27th October 2007 (16 incidents) Wednesday 31st October 2007 (15 incidents) Friday 2nd November (14 incidents) Tuesday 30th October (12 incidents) Saturday 3rd November (11 incidents)

11% (15) of the incidents occurred on Halloween (Wednesday 31st October) and 5%(seven incidents) occurred on Bonfire night (Monday 5th November). 37% of the total criminal damage incidents in the hotspot occurred on a Friday (24incidents, 18%) or a Saturday (27 incidents, 20%). This is reflected in the top five dates for incidents, with only Halloween and the day before Halloween occurring on days other than Friday or Saturday. The majority of incidents occurred in the hour of 19:00 (12%) with 47% of all incidents occurring in the hours of 19:00 (16), 21:00 (15), 20:00 (12), 17:00 (11) and 18:00 (11). Only one incident occurred in the hours of both 05:00 and 09:00. On the day with the highest number of incidents, Saturday 27th October, 56% of incidents occurred in the hours of 0:00, 21:00 and 20:00 (four, three and two incidents respectively). Criminal damage to motor vehicles


Criminal damage to motor vehicles during this time has reduced significantly not only in Manchester but countywide.

Street Car park House Driveway

5 Conclusions 5.1 Despite a very busy fireworks season the proactive approach taken by

all agencies meant that it passed without major incident. All agencies responded with speed and efficiency to an increase in calls.

5.2 Attendance at organised events increased and all events took place without any accidents or major incidents so they key objective of encouraging people to have a safe and enjoyable fireworks season through attending organised events appear to have been achieved.

Citizenship and Inclusion Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme 2007/08 February 2008 Date&Venue Item Purpose of Report Evidence Required Lead Officer Comments 6 February 2008 Venue: Committee Room 11

PCSOs To receive an overview of the role and function of Police Community Support Officers

Maureen Noble

DEADLINE Monday 28 January

Gating Orders

To review the impact of alley-gating on crime and disorder

Housing

Local Area Agreement

To receive and comment on priorities for the new Local Area Agreement and particularly the implications for Crime and Disorder

Geoff Little Sara Todd

Licensing Act 2003 Report back responding to issues raised by Members at the November Meeting

Fiona Sharkey Maureen Noble

Information and Scanning Report

Information Report CI/07/18 Fireworks: To receive a report back covering specific areas raised by the Committee

Kate Brown

Date&Venue Item Purpose of Report Evidence Required Lead Officer Comments 3 March 2008 Venue: Tbc

Crime and Disorder Strategy

To receive and comment on the draft Crime and Disorder Strategy.

Maureen Noble

Agenda 2010 To be confirmed Geoff Little Mumba Kafula

Deadline: Friday 22 February

Credit Unions To look at provision of Credit Unions across the City as a tool for promoting financial inclusion

Neela Mody

Information and Scanning Report

Information Report Kate Brown

Suggested Topics for 2008/9 May 2008 Community Welcome To receive and make comment

on work to develop a community welcome pack for Manchester. Incorporating a progress report on Mancunian Agreements

Geoff Little

Items to be Scheduled: Access to the Legal System: Recruitment of JP’s, Community Payback/ Restorative Justice Witness Support Community Provision for Mental Health: Impact on Crime Police response: Reporting and Feedback Off Road Bikes Benefits: Take up on entitlement

information and overview report to citizenship and inclusion overview and scrutiny ... · 2009. 8....

Documents