Crime & Disorder Audit 2004

Conwy Community Safety Partnership

Informations

• Publié par: Uste
• Nombre de lectures: 24
• Langue: English

Extrait

Conwy Community Safety Partnership Crime & Disorder Audit 2004   1.0 Executive Summary   The Crime & Disorder Act, 1998 requires all local Community Safety Partnerships to formulate crime & disorder reduction strategies. In order to prepare a Community Safety strategy, the Partnership must first conduct a crime & disorder audit. This audit reviews the levels and patterns of crime and disorder, prepares an analysis of the results and publishes a report of that analysis for local consultation. A summary document of the audit has been prepared for use in the consultation process. A full review of the existing Community Safety Strategy (2002/05) and current trends in crime & disorder form the basis for the audit.   Crime   During the financial year April 2003 to March 2004, North Wales Police recorded 12,131 reported crimes in the county.   Assaults, Criminal Damage and vehicle crime accounted for 54% of these crimes.   Disorder   In the year April 2003 to March 2004, a total of 11,113 disorder incidents were recorded by North Wales Police.   Anti Social Behaviour (ASB), including Juvenile ASB, accounted for 51% of these incidents.   Priority Themes   The analysis of data and the findings of the Community Safety Partnership indicate that the emerging priorities are;   •   Alcohol related violent crime •   Juvenile crime •   Anti Social Behaviour   Key Issues   •   Juvenile offenders accounted for 23% of all identified offenders in 2003/04. This remains one of the main areas of concern for residents of Conwy County. The partnership is currently addressing the issue of juvenile offending by targeting know ‘hotspots’. •   Vehicle crime over the past 12 months has increased substantially in Conwy, with increases in all 3 crime types (Damage to Motor Vehicle, Theft from Motor Vehicle, Theft of Motor Vehicle). Hotspots have been identified and schemes are being developed to deal with this issue. •   The scale of the anti-social behaviour problem in the County, and the extent of residents concerns over this issue, indicates that tackling anti-social behaviour should continue to shape the future work of the Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnership in Conwy.          

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Conwy Community Safety Partnership Crime & Disorder Audit 2004

2.0 Introduction   2.1 Background to report   The purpose of this report is to provide, on behalf of Conwy Community Safety Partnerships an update to the 2001 Crime & Disorder Audit for the county.   The 1998 Crime and Disorder Act requires Local Authorities, the Police and other agencies to work together in reducing Crime and Disorder. The act requires that “responsible bodies” should undertake a Crime and Disorder Audit of the County area and that a strategy be developed from the findings to effectively tackle particular problems identified.   Joint working between local authorities, public, private and voluntary organisations and Police forces in central division is not new. The first Audit and strategies were produced in 1999 for Conwy and specific working groups were established to tackle problems identified in the audit. Five years on, the time has come to review this process to complete the third audit and review the work of the working groups so to maintain a tight focus and to establish whether there have been changes in crime and disorder patterns within the county over the last three years.   2.2 Purpose of the audit This new Audit of Crime and Disorder in Conwy will: •   review progress made since 1999 and inform the Community Safety Strategy for 2005-2008 by highlighting problems to be targeted. •   reflect both performance indicators set by the Partnership and local demands developed through consultation.   •   analyse crime trends alongside demographic, socio-economic, environmental data and data from other agencies. •   establishing baseline data needed for comparison through a national and regional overview •   providing a Conwy overview which will define priority areas and analyse crime trends with data from other local agencies •   analysis of what works. Conwy is a safe place to live and work with crime levels below the national average, however the consequences of crime and disorder impact on all our everyday lives.   This report provides a summary of the main findings of the audit and gives some examples of the work already being done to improve community safety within the county.   More importantly it provides you with the opportunity to comment on how crime and disorder affects your area and you can put forward suggestions to improve the situation in the future. This approach ensures that we will deliver a service based on what people need and not what has been done in the past. We also hope that you will take the opportunity to become involved in shaping our future.            

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Conwy Community Safety Partnership Crime & Disorder Audit 2004

2.3 Data Collection So far as possible the crime audit reflects the priorities set by communities and other interested bodies across the county. Whilst community concerns broadly reflect those of the Home Office Best Value Performance Indicators (BVPI), domestic burglary, vehicle crime and violent crime, communities have expressed a broader range of issues such as nuisance caused by young people, anti-social behaviour and drugs misuse. Recorded crime figures have been used as the basis of the audit, but these have been supported by data supplied by a number of individuals as well as the following agencies: •   North Wales Police •   Conwy County Borough Council •   Conwy & Denbighshire NHS Trust •   North Wales Fire Service •   North Wales Drug and Alcohol Forum    A Crime and Disorder Research Analyst has also been employed jointly by the Police and Local Authority to assist in the process.   An initial assessment was undertaken for the three-year period 2001/02; 2002/03; 2003/04, and this was followed by a detailed study of the figures for the fiscal year ending 31 st March 2004 wherever possible.   Police statistics   The basis of quantification data were offences reported to the North Wales Police. A profile of crime and disorder in Conwy analysing over 12,000 crimes was produced.   GIS MAPPING   GIS mapping (Geographical Information Systems) was used at an early stage to develop a clear picture of quantifiable information on crime and disorder. It allows us to identify areas of disproportionately high crime (“hotspots”) and to develop particular initiatives to target these areas.     2.4 Conwy Profile   Population At July 2002 it was estimated that Conwy had a population of some 110,500 usually resident persons. The narrow coastal belt contains over 80% of the County Borough’s population with Llandudno and Colwyn Bay as the two main urban areas. Approximately 35% of its area and 5% of it’s population are within the Snowdonia National Park. However, data at ward level required for this audit is only available from the 2001 census which gave Conwy a population of just over 109,000.      

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Ward Profile

Conwy Community Safety Partnership Crime & Disorder Audit 2004

Conwy Ward Population (2001 Census)

Uwchaled Uwch Conwy Tudno Trefriw Towyn Rhiw Pentre Mawr Pensarn Penrhyn Pant-yr-afon/Penmaenan           Pandy Mostyn Mochdre Marl Llysfaen Llansannan Llansanffraid Llangernyw                       Llandrillo yn Rhos Llanddulas Kinmel Bay Gower Gogarth Glyn Gele Eirias Eglwysbach                       Deganwy Crwst Craig-y-Don                      Conwy Colwyn Capelulo Caerhun Bryn Betws yn Rhos Betws-y-Coed Abergele Pensarn 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 Population   Conwy County is made up of 38 wards. Llandudno and Colwyn Bay account for 11 wards. The majority of the remaining wards cover the large geographical rural area. Tourism During the summer months the number of people staying within the County Borough, whether as residents or visitors, increases dramatically due to high levels of tourism (15% of all tourist accommodation in Wales is within Conwy). The STEAM survey suggests that tourists spend a total of around 13.3 million days in Conwy each year. Tourism accounts for a spend of around £380 million per annum .   4

The Economy

Conwy Community Safety Partnership Crime & Disorder Audit 2004

Base levels of unemployment in the area are usually comparable to the Welsh and UK averages (2.5 % compared to 2.6% and 2.6% respectively at January 2004). The predominance of the tourism sector within the local economy results in a marked increase in unemployment over the winter months.

Social Deprivation

The 2001 Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD) does not always highlight the deprivation experienced in Conwy. Because data used to identify deprivation must be uniformly available at ward level, indicators which would mark Conwy as deprived have not always been included in the index e.g. data from the New Earnings Survey which consistently places Conwy as the lowest waged local authority area in Great Britain.

None of the wards in Conwy are in the list of the 100 most deprived in Wales according to the WIMD. Only four are in the top (worst) quartile - Pant-yr-Afon/Penmaenan; Tudno; Bryn; Glyn. Other wards which feature as deprived within individual domains of the index are Towyn, Kinmel Bay and Llysfaen.

Rank of Multiple Deprivation    

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2.6 Partnership Structure  

Conwy Community Safety Partnership Crime & Disorder Audit 2004

Conwy Community Safety Strategic Steering Group

Conwy Chairs Group

Thematic County–wide groups  Local Action Teams

Conwy Domestic Drugs & Anti-social  Abergele –  Colwyn Bay Conwy Llandudno Llanrwst  Pen & Bur lar Abuse Alcohol Behaviour  Kinmel Ba  Llanfai  

Local Action Teams   Local Action Teams (LAT), were created to ensure that the community safety partnership arrangements are devolved to a local level. Local Action Teams bring together representatives of key agencies in the areas of Conwy as well as community representatives and local organisations. They are tasked to develop and implement solutions to local community safety issues and to develop preventative approaches. The groups take account of the particular needs of the different sections of the community including vulnerable and hard to reach groups. Thematic Groups Thematic Groups   target specific crime and disorder issues, such as: burglary, domestic abuse and Anti Social Behaviour. Thematic Groups consist of officers and community members with a specific interest or expertise in the issue they are tasked to address. 2.7 Key County Strategic Priorities   The major issues for Conwy, identified on the basis of evidence collected through the 2001 Audit and consultation processes, were adopted as key target areas in the 2002-05 Crime Reduction Strategy. These were:   •   Burglary. Reduce domestic Burglary in Conwy by 6% •   Reduce the number of drug & alcohol related incidents. •   training in dealing with victims of violence.Increase awareness of domestic violence & increase •    Reduce Traffic AccidentsTarget Hotspots. •    Develop community involvement in youth crime issues and reduce offending byJuvenile Crime. 5%.   During the last 3 years these targets have been changed as priorities in the county and the concerns of residents have changed.          

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Conwy Community Safety Partnership Crime & Disorder Audit 2004

                 

Stephen Hughes Crime & Disorder Research Analyst North Wales Police Central Division DHQ, Ffordd William Morgan, St. Asaph Business Park, St. Asaph, LL17 0HQ [e-mail]   01745 588722

        

Other issues identified:-   •    retail crime ReduceTown centre initiatives. •   Anti Social Behaviour. •   Vehicle crime in Betws Y Coed •   Violent crime in Llandudno & Colwyn Bay   2.8 Contact Details   Hannah Dowell Community Safety Officer Conwy County Borough Council Civic Offices Colwyn Bay [e-mail]   01492 575191                                                                        

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Conwy Community Safety Partnership Crime & Disorder Audit 2004

3.0 Methodology   Overall recorded crime for the area was analysed. Both national and regional comparisons were made over a three-year period.   Data was analysed using Geographical Information Systems by the Crime & Disorder Research Analyst.   Data supplied by Conwy & Denbighshire NHS Trust, North Wales Fire Service and Youth Offending Team was analysed, as agreed in the North Wales Crime & Disorder Chief Officer Group Joint Protocol, including the exchange of information.   Analysis was undertaken on notifiable offences. Where relevant, time, day, victim, offender data analysis was also undertaken.   Where crime hotspots were identified more detailed analysis was undertaken. Demographic data along with other agency data was utilised.         4.0 Impact of the NCRS on trends in recorded crime   April 2002 saw the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard (NCRS), which encouraged the adoption of more rigorous crime recording practices nationwide.   According to the Home Office (1), NCRS are to ensure greater consistency betweenthe main aims of the police forces in the way crimes are recorded and to ensure that there is a more comprehensive record of all crimes that are reported to the police by victims. The introduction of the NCRS required a fundamental shift in the police’s approach to the process of recording crime, for the first time relying more on a victim’s or witness’s perception of the occurrence of crime rather than the police needing to satisfy themselves that this was the case. Because of this reasoning, it was widely anticipated there would be far more crimes (and offenders) recorded than if the NCRS had not been introduced.   Actual estimates as to the percentage impact of NCRS on levels of recorded crime differ considerably between the various crime types. In the context of total crime, the Home Office estimated that NCRS had generated 10% increase in recorded crime nationally in 2002/03.                                       (1) Simmons, et al., Crime in England and Wales 2002/03, Home Office, London     8

Conwy Community Safety Partnership Crime & Disorder Audit 2004 5.0 Performance versus County Strategic Priorities   5.1 Violent Crime.   Reduce Assaults in Llandudno & Colwyn Bay   Fig 1. Number of assaults

541

617

2003-04

700 614 600 476 500 400 300 2002-03 200 267  292 100 2001-02 0 Llandudno Colwyn Bay     The graph indicates that since the introduction of the 2002/05 Strategic Priorities, the number of assaults in both Llandudno & Colwyn Bay have increased year on year.   Because of its victim-orientated approach, the NCRS is estimated to have had the greatest impact on crimes against the person, specifically offences involving violence.   Between 2001/02 and 2002/03, assaults in Llanduno increased by 78% (267 to 476) and in Colwyn Bay by 110% (292 to 614), both huge increases.   Bearing in mind the Home Office estimates that NCRS would increase recorded crime by 10%, this would suggest that Llandudno & Colwyn Bay saw arealincrease in assaults during this period and it s not solely due to the introduction of the NCRS and the increase that was anticipated following the introduction.    Because of Llandudno & Colwyn Bay’s focus as both a tourist centre and principal late night economy destination in Conwy County, both areas attract an influx of pub and club-goers throughout the year, and even more so during the summer months.   It is widely acknowledged by the Home Office & Welsh Assembly Government, that alcohol influenced assaults are on the increase. The fact that many of the popular, high volume licensed establishments in Llandudno (particularly) and Colwyn Bay are concentrated in a small section of the town-centre, is likely to have exacerbated alcohol related assaults.          

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Conwy Community Safety Partnership Crime & Disorder Audit 2004 5.2 Increase awareness of Domestic Violence   There is also an apparent correlation between alcohol abuse and domestic violence, as national research indicates that 32% of victims of domestic violence said their attacker had been drinking (2). Victims of domestic violence suffer on many levels - health, housing, education - and lose the freedom to live their lives in the way they wish, and without fear. Although domestic violence is chronically under-reported, research shows that nationally, it: •   claims 150 lives each year •   for a quarter of all violent crimeaccounts •   has more repeat victims than any other crime (on average there will be 35 assaults before a victim calls the police) •   claims the lives of two women each week • costs in excess of £5 billion a year       Domestic Incidents reported to NWP over the last 3 years have followed a similar pattern to that of Violent Crime, with a significant increase of 33% from 2001/02-2002/03, in part due to NCRS, and a levelling off in 2003/04. It should be noted that these incidents will not all be violence related (arguments etc).  

700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0

Domestic Incidents Reported to NWP

518

2001/02

687

2002/03 Year

682

2003/04

                    (2) Catriona Mirrlees-Black, (1999) British Crime Survey 1996, cited in Safety & Justice: The Government’ Proposals on Domestic Violence: Home Office, London, 2003.   10

   

Conwy Community Safety Partnership Crime & Disorder Audit 2004 5.3 Reduce vehicle crime in Betws Y Coed   Fig. 2 Vehicle Crime in Betws Y Coed 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04

25 20 21 15 17 14 10 12  3 3 3 2 5 5 0 DAMAGE TO MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT MOTOR VEHICLE   As the graph illustrates, there was a significant increase in Damage to MV between 2001/02 & 2002/03 (possibly due to NCRS) and a subsequent reduction in 2003/04.   Theft from MV reduced in 2002/03 (despite NCRS) and increased in 2003/04 but remains below the level in 2001/02.   Theft of MV has remained consistently low at 3 thefts per year.   5.4 Reduce Burglary Dwelling  

Fig.3 Burglary Dwelling in Conwy

647 663

594

700 600 500 400 501 Number 300 200 100 0 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 Year   The number of Burglary Dwelling incidents fell to 594 in 2003/04, whilst the rate of Burglary Dwelling has fallen from 14 in 2001/02 to 12 burglaries per thousand households in 2003/04.   A more in depth analysis of current issues in Burglary Dwelling is shown in section 2 of this audit.  

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