Housing & Community Safety Policy & Scrutiny Committee	Monday 2^nd November 2020
Report of Interim Director of Place

COMMUNITY SAFETY DURING COVID

Summary

1. Lockdown on 23^rd March 2020, the subsequent recovery period as restrictions were lifted and the transition now into the Tiered system and its current restrictions have all impacted on the delivery of Community Safety services.  Close partnership working between the local authority and the police has been crucial along with increased dialogue between a range of partners on how to develop innovative and creative approaches to problem solving crime and anti-social behaviour when court closures removed the ability to use many enforcement powers.  The meeting on 2^nd November will provide the opportunity to hear from the Police, Community Safety and other services within the council who have been working in partnership with Make It York and York BID throughout the pandemic to keep our communities in York safe.

2. Background

COVID has had an impact on patterns of crime and antisocial behaviour as previously unknown restrictions were placed on communities and then varied as the country returned to elements of normality despite the pandemic continuing.  Balancing a need to open the city’s economy amid public health concerns and the need to deliver community safety outcomes in relation to all areas of crime and anti-social behaviour has been challenging.  However, it has provided an opportunity to maximise the benefit of partnership working across a range of agencies, adapt service delivery to cope with the challenge of the pandemic and continue to keep those who live in, visit and work in York safe.

3.    Key Issues of Concern raised by Communities during COVID

        The key concerns raised by communities directly to the police and council throughout the COVID situation have been:

· Anti-social behaviour including environmental issues such as littering and noise and how this is being addressed

· Neighbour nuisance and how to report concerns to the appropriate body

· Understanding the COVID regulations, what that means for residents and how to report concerns

· The role of the Police and Council in enforcing the COVID regulations

· Traffic and speeding offences

· Perception about social distancing and health risk

Council Plan

4.    This report links to the following priorities within the Council Plan 2019-23:

· Safe communities and culture for all

· Good health and wellbeing

· An open and effective council

Implications

5.    In producing this report the following implications have been considered:

· Financial – There are no financial implications however there will be implication in relation to specific actions

· Human Resources (HR)– The only HR implications relate to the Community Safety Team within City of York Council

· Equalities– There are no equalities implications, a one planet York assessment will be required

· Legal)  Community Safety is a legal requirement stated at S6 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

· Crime and Disorder – The Community Safety Strategy is a key document aligned to the development and delivery of partnership work to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.

· Information Technology (IT) –there are no identified IT implications

· Property – There are no identified property implications

· Other – There are no other identified implications.

Risk Management

6.    There are no known risks.

        Recommendations

7.    Members are invited to hear from officers within City of York Council and North Yorkshire Police on how the challenges of delivering services within COVID restrictions have been met and how the issues of concern to communities are being addressed.

Contact Details

Author: Jane Mowat Head of Community Safety	Chief Officer Responsible for the report: Tracey Carter Interim Director of Place
Report Approved	√	Date		22/10/2020
Specialist Implications Officer(s) N/A
Wards Affected:  List wards or tick box to indicate all				All		√
For further information please contact the author of the report

Background Papers:

Annexes

Abbreviations

CSMC = Corporate & Scrutiny Management Committee.