Issue - meetings

Superintendent of Merseyside Police.

The Partnership received a verbal update from Superintendent Graeme Robson highlighting:

·       As restrictions eased, crimes that were less prevalent during the pandemic were making a return. Services needed to be provided to the night time economy and there had already been some violence at house parties and licensed premises. The Police were having to supply staff to football grounds after the return of full attendance. Operation Banger had been in planning for months however 10,000 officers were due to travel to Scotland over a 3-week period for COP26.Dispersal Zones had been implemented in Formby and more recently Southport Town Centre due to an increase in anti-social behaviour by young people.

·       Operation Venetic was leading to more arrests in the north of the borough, punishing and removing negative role models from the street. More officers were being distributed to Southport to deter drug related offences.

·       A fifth Safer Schools Officer had been recruited, completing the compliment of Officers in this role. The Superintendent reiterated the desire for integrating Schools and listening to their feedback.

·       The Officers recruited through Operation Uplift were nearing the end of their training, meaning more Officers in Merseyside.

·       A Street Safe Campaign had been circulated focusing on violence against women and girls in the borough.

Kevin Sexton highlighted a number of reports he had received of anti-social behaviour around Crosby and outlined the importance of protecting children on the periphery of anti-social behaviour. Superintendent Graeme Robson stated that Sale Sharks, Everton Football Club and Liverpool Football Club were getting involved with offering young people more opportunities and asked for reports of anti-social behaviour to be reported directly to the police or through Crime Stoppers. Chris White discussed the importance of a joined-up approach and used the example of recent anti-social behaviour in Seaforth which was deterred by a multi-agency approach and reassured the local community. Ian Parry stated how vital divergence was in helping young people and praised previous work with school officers. Councillor Hardy asked for Crosby to be prioritised in regard to resources and for a broader report on youth services and youth engagement to be prepared for the next Partnership meeting.

RESOLVED: That