Information

1 Welcome and introductions.

Attendees:
PFCC Danielle Stone (DS)
DPFCC Marianne Kimani (MK)
Jonny Bugg (JB)
Paul Fell (PF)
Vaughan Ashcroft (VA)
CC Ivan Balhatchet (IB)
DCC Ash Tuckley (AT)
Temp ACC Adam Ward (AW)
Temp ACC Andy Cox (AC)
ACO Paul Bullen (PB)
Nick Alexander (NA)
Sam Ashby Clarke (SAC)
Stuart McCartney (SMc)

DS welcomed everyone to the meeting.

2 Minutes and decisions of previous meeting

The minutes were agreed and an update on actions was provided.

3 PART 1

Neighbourhood Crime – Residential & Home Invasion Burglary Positive Outcomes
The Commissioner noted the positive direction of the data and sought clarity on the reasons behind it. The Chief Constable responded and noted that the Force were seeing some good increases in detections for these crimes, but more improvements were needed. ACC Cox briefed the meeting on the performance of the Force and how they review the data and manage performance to help inform crime prevention. DCC Tuckley explained how dedicated staff can deliver improvements and the challenge of maintaining good performance. The Chief Constable explained how dedicated teams can concentrate on key issues such as burglary. The Commissioner enquired if the improvements were sustainable. The Chief Constable and Deputy Chief Constable both responded by stating that at this time they did now have any plans to change the approach to the investigation of this type of crime that ought to lead to an adverse effect and that this ought to be sustainable and seeking further improvement.

The OPFCC Chief Executive asked what an acceptable performance figure was, DCC Tuckley felt that 11% on a rolling basis would be a respectable situation. The Commissioner asked how the performance figures impacted on Officers. DCC Tuckley responded and noted that improvement was required and whilst staff were under pressure in relation to demand there was ongoing work to address this and that he genuinely felt staff wanted to provide the best possible service that they could and at times would find it frustrating if they were not able to.

The Chief Constable noted the importance of also taking into account the needs of victims and keeping them updated. The Commissioner asked how improvements in providing updates could be delivered. The Chief Constable explained the wider weaknesses within the criminal justice system and the Force were looking at how to improve the situation, in so far as they were able to control it. ACC Ward further explained how the force was examining how automated systems could be used to provide updates to victims. The Chief Constable noted that it was important that updates were consistent. He accepted that at time investigations needed to be passed from one officer to another but accepted that the Force needed to improve communications to victims when this was the case in some instances.

Assurance Statement
The Commissioner welcomed the improvements made relating to detection rates for offences of burglary but stated that her expectation would be that this was being achieved in a sustainable fashion and that this success could be built and improved upon. She requested that the Chief Constable consider the approach that had been taken in relation to this and whether the success can be replicated in other areas of the business.

Neighbourhood Crime – Vehicle Crime Positive Outcomes
ACC Ward briefed the meeting and noted that around 50% of vehicle crime was theft from vehicles with theft of vehicles and vehicle interference accounting for the other 50%. He explained that OCGs were responsible for a lot of vehicle thefts which led to spikes but historically it was not a priority for many forces as a lot of owners did not want their vehicles back.

The Chief Constable explained that it was not always new vehicles being stolen as modern cars are more secure and a more focussed approach similar to the approach taken on shoplifting was needed. He also explained that thefts of motorbikes accounted for large proportion of the figures.

The OPFCC Delivery Director of Performance enquired what drove the downturn in performance in the summer of 2025. The Chief Constable responded and stated that there had been some previous decisions to prioritise other types of crime. The OPFCC Director of Performance noted the weaknesses in investigating crimes across the board. He made the point that there was a need to improve investigations across the piece and the skills required for this and then once general levels were acceptable decision to prioritise one type of investigation against another could be made if required.

The Chief Constable acknowledged the outcome rate was not good enough, but the Force has some good tool kits and how detective surgeries provide positive advice to the frontline. He committed to further improvements being made.

The Deputy PFCC asked what could be done to improve the Force’s customer service. ACC Ward explained the Force were looking at the efficiency of their systems to deliver improvements. He noted that 25,000 hours were currently being spent updating DA victims. Efficiencies could help free up resources to the front line. The Chief Constable added that this work was being monitored on the Force’s action tracker. DCC Tuckley added that improvements to training processes would help deliver better investigations. ACC Cox added that officers need be supported to be more decisive when undertaking their work.

The Commissioner enquired about what impact the newly appointed Police Staff Investigators had. The Chief Constable stated that the impact was positive but could have been better with slightly amended job descriptions that would allow them to lift more of the burden from frontline response officers. This was currently being progressed and would be resolved. The Chief Constable and ACC Ward made the point that the right staff with the right skills were in place and that this matter could be progressed at pace.

Assurance Statement
The Commissioner recognised that demand played a key role and presented a significant challenge to make determinations on what types of crime received what inputs and efforts but made the point that vehicle crime detection rates required improvements.

Knife Crime Investigations
ACC Ward briefed the meeting on the data and noted that the outcome rates were higher than they had ever been. Reductions in knife offences for under 18s have been delivered and the force were looking at alternative approaches which were delivering improvements.

The Commissioner asked if the provision of knife arches in schools would help combat knife crime. ACC Ward explained it was more imported to deter young people from carrying knives and suggested they were more useful as a deterrent for large events. The Chief Constable explained the importance of getting the force’s messages right on this issue and felt there was a need for a further discussion on progress relating to this issue.

ACC Ward briefed the meeting further on the work being delivered and noted the challenge for the Force is to maintain its positive performance. The OPFCC Chief Executive asked if the national approach would be as intelligent as the local led approach. ACC Ward noted that Northamptonshire was not selected for extra funding, but their approach delivered better and more sustainable outcomes. The Commissioner asked how much knife crime is related to drugs gangs. ACC Ward responded and explained that a lot of robberies were linked to gangs, but the level was relatively low in the county.

Assurance Statement
The Commissioner welcomed the focus that had been placed on knife crime and some of the successes that had been achieved but articulated that this was a matter that still required significant attention and focus. The Commissioner made the point that whilst it was important to recognise that one knife attack was one too many, that the Force needed to consider how it better articulates some of the success that it had achieved with the wider public.

PART 2

Harry Dunn Investigation Report
DCC Tuckley briefed the meeting on the current situation regarding the Harry Dunn investigation report. The Commissioner was pleased with the progress that had been delivered as the family had been given assurances. She noted the importance of using the learning obtained to help influence national policy and was happy to see this had been implemented.

ACC Cox updated the meeting and noted that all but one recommendation had been delivered. He also explained that the Force have written to all national policing leads, and he was meeting with them to brief them on the recommendations. ACC Cox was to shortly take on the Chair role for the National Collision Board. He updated the Commissioner that the one action that remained outstanding was concerned with a new case management system and this had been decided upon and would be delivered by the Autumn of this year.

The Force were also undertaking a dip sampling exercise to review cases and ensure standards are maintained. The Commissioner welcomed the update and asked if the work delivered could be fed into the partnership approach work. The OPFCC Chief Executive felt this could reenergise this area of work. The Chief Constable briefed the meeting on the new road safety cameras and how the work would include partners. The OPFCC Director of Performance briefed the meeting on the use of redeployable average speed cameras. He suggested the drafting of a letter for the Commissioner to the road safety Minister for some of the fine from speed enforcement to be returned to Forces for investment in the infrastructure to support additional cameras. This is on the basis of the percentage of KSI collisions that are caused by excess speed.

ACTION – PF to draft letter for the PFCC to Roads Minister relating to hypothecation for average speed cameras.

The OPFCC Chief Finance Officer noted that a national letter had already been sent by PaCCTS.

The Chief Constable and Deputy Chief Constable concluded by stating that they were satisfied that with the exception of the one mentioned all actions were completed and embedded.

Assurance Statement
The Commissioner stated that she was pleased that she had been provided with assurances that all actions had been completed in the manner that they had and that dip sampling showed that any amended processes were embedded.

4 AOB

The Chief Constable responded to the request for an update on the proposed revised SPS agreement and associated policies and DCC Tuckley briefed the meeting on the ongoing work in relation to negotiations. The OPFCC Director of Performance noted the need to move forward on this issue and review the corporate process on this issue. The Chief Constable promised to brief the Commissioner outside the meeting. In response, the Commissioner was pleased with the progress being made on this issue.