The Committee received a verbal update from Inspector James Beautridge.

In the Town Centre there are currently 3 PC’s and the following figures are from October 2021 – March 2022: -

• There have been 54 arrests, of which 37 of those were charged, 16 released on bail and 1 arrested person was released with no charge.
• 46 stop and searches were conducted with one community prevention order issued and two tickets for breaches of Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPO). 
• Caught on Camera, which are stills from shops and CCTV have identified 23 suspects.
• There is extensive work being carried out regarding the sale of illegal tobacco in partnership with Gravesham. 
• The Police and Crime Commissioner visited and patrolled the town recently and described the Town Team as the epitome of what they want for Kent Police Town Teams and they are now role models. Chief Inspector, Junior Dann of Kent Police is very proud of the team. 
• There have been a series of robberies in the Promenade area of the town. The Town Team did extensive work and engaged with the community and has led to 3 suspects being arrested, they have since been released on bail.
• The Town Team have been nominated for a Chief Constable’s Award.
• In the town, in partnership with the council, a “Best Bar None Scheme” is being launched. Initially this will be open to all pubs, bars and club premises in the Borough as a whole and to all restaurants in Gravesend town centre that are licensed to sell alcohol.  Restaurants will be included as well. There will be six assessors trained and they will go and inspect all the pubs and restaurants that have signed up. A launch event will happen in June. Representatives from the council and Kent Police will be inspectors and there will be an annual award ceremony with awards in safety and CCTV amongst others. This scheme has been trialled successfully over the last year in other parts of the country.  
• General Policing – street engagement took place in Wallis Park and Denton. Kent Police advertised this prior to attending and it was well represented by KCC, Environmental Health, Council Officers, Housing, Councillors from the Denton Ward and Kent Police attending, and it was well received. Kent Police were knocking on doors giving out My Community Voice leaflets, dog fouling bags and speaking to people and asking what issues they had.
• Following on from the feedback they received in the Denton area increased foot patrols have been undertaken by PCSO’s and the Community Policing Team conducted road checks ensuring residents feel safer.  The joint operation has been really well received by the community. This approach will be rolled out to the whole borough in time.
• Night time economy – the Police are continuing to run the “Safer Streets” scheme primarily aimed at alcohol related crime and making the area safer especially for women. Engagement with the Licensing Team and educating door staff for signs to look out for and distributing knife arches / wands and training door staff on how to use them.
• A fall in public order offences could be due to the high visibility of the Police.
• In May, the Police will be running SEPTA – anti knife crime which is a national initiative. Kent Police will jointly be conducting work with the Transport Police, Gangs and County Lines Teams involving high visibility and targeting offenders. 
• Drug possession had gone up by 13.4% which showed the stop and searches are working. 

The Chair thanked Inspector James Beautridge for the informative update.