Watch Live

Themes raised: 

Policing Precept Investment 2022/23; Draft Police Grant Settlement and Budget Pressures 2023/24; Operation Limit – Christmas Drink-And-Drug-Drive Campaign 2022 – Results, and Policing and Mental Health.

Minutes:

DATE: 20 January 2023

LOCATION: Sackville House, Lewes

PRESENT:    

• Police & Crime Commissioner – Katy Bourne [KB]
• Chief Executive Officer – Mark Streater [MS]
• Chief Constable – Jo Shiner [JS]
• Deputy Chief Constable – Dave McLaren [DMcL]
• Correspondence and Admin Officer – Elliot Saunders [webcasting]
• Head of Performance – Graham Kane [minutes]

POLICING PRECEPT INVESTMENT 2022/23
Last year, I was given public support to increase the precept for 2022/23 by £10 for a Band D property. This enabled Sussex Police to recruit 192 additional police officers and to meet the demands identified for local policing, investigations and the need for tougher enforcement to reduce criminality.

1. How many officers have been recruited to date? Is the Force on track to recruit all the additional officers planned within the prescribed timescales? And how many officers will the Force have by 31 March 2023?

The Chief Constable confirmed that Sussex Police is “on track” to deliver the planned increase of 192 additional police officers during 2022/23, whilst maintaining workforce numbers across the Force. This will comprise 163 officers [through Operation Uplift], 20 officers through the precept and a further 9 officers to support the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit [also Operation Uplift] to increase police visibility in Sussex.

This approach has also included maintaining and replacing those officers leaving the organisation through retirement, resignation or as transferees throughout the year, utilising the full and varied range of direct entry routes, and the recruitment of transferees and rejoiners from other force areas.

Sussex Police has already welcomed 290 police officers to the Force during 2022/23 through intakes of 66 officers in June 2022, 88 officers in September 2022, 42 officers in October 2022 and 94 officers in January 2023. A further intake of circa. 75 officers is planned for March 2023 to ensure that the recruitment target is met, although the exact number of officers is still to be finalised. The Force currently has a total of 3,055 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) police officers [on 19 January 2023] which is equivalent to a headcount of 3,144 officers, including all individuals working full and part-time.

The Chief Constable confirmed that the attrition rate for student officers [in their two-year probation period] has continued to increase, although Sussex is not recognised to be an outlier in comparison to other police force areas in England and Wales. The Force is continuing to monitor performance in this area closely at the monthly Strategic Planning Board, with workforce plans regularly reviewed and adjusted based on any changes and/or amendments to the planned number of individuals joining and leaving the organisation.

KB, again, thanked Adrian Rutherford, Director of People Services, and the Human Resources Department for their continued efforts to manage, progress and deliver this recruitment within the prescribed timelines, despite the challenges of recent years.

Further information about police officer recruitment and career opportunities with Sussex Police can be viewed through the following link: https://www.sussex.police.uk/police-forces/sussex-police/areas/careers/jobs/police-officers/

PROVISIONAL POLICE GRANT SETTLEMENT AND BUDGET PRESSURES 2023/24
The provisional police grant settlement for 2023/24 was announced last month [14 December 2022] and confirmed that Sussex Police could receive £207.1 million for 2023/24 – equivalent to an extra £14.9 million [4.3%] in resources.

Most of this increase is predicated on Police & Crime Commissioners in England and Wales increasing the annual council tax bill for Band D properties in their areas by £15 [the maximum amount permitted]. This would raise an additional £11.2 million in Sussex, compared to the increase in the Government grant of £3.7 million. If taken in full, the local precept would see the proportion of policing paid by local taxation increase from 41% [in 2022/23] to 43% in 2023/24. Ten years ago, the proportion paid by local taxpayers was 31%.

1. Will the expenditure forecast in 2023/24 be met by the funding announced in the draft policing settlement and any, potential, decision taken to increase the precept by £15? If not, what do you anticipate the shortfall to be?
2. What are the budgeted costs for next year? How will you seek to manage the ongoing increased costs and inflationary pressures anticipated during the year? And how do you propose to balance the budget?
3. The draft settlement indicated that the Home Office would look to protect the number of police officers when Operation Uplift is concluded on 31 March 2023. The settlement indicates that a performance grant of £5.9m will be available to police forces next year as part of a ring-fenced grant. What are the terms of this grant? And how will you mitigate the risk that officer numbers fall below the approved level and any potential financial implications?

The Chief Constable confirmed that the budgeted costs for Sussex Police in 2023/24 are anticipated to be £369.6 million – this represents an increase of £19.7 million in the budgeted costs from 2022/23 [equivalent to +5.6%].

It was highlighted that the payroll costs for police officers and staff in the Force currently account for circa. 90% of these total budgeted costs. This includes an additional cost of £14.7 million to meet the pay increments, pay inflation and £500 increase in the South East allowance that was granted for officers in lieu of the additional costs of living in the South East. The continued increases to consumer price inflation account for a further £2.8 million in budgeted costs, including heightened fuel, gas and electricity costs, and increases to private finance initiative (PFI) and digital, data and technology (DDaT) contractual costs. Other contractual commitments include increased charges for the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit, business rates, occupational health and wellbeing provisions and legal fees. Each of these additional costs is continuing to add to the cumulative budget pressures for the Force.

Sussex Police is continuing to consider the provisional grant settlement to understand better how it will impact both the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) and any investment and savings requirements for the Force next year. All known financial pressures have been included within the MTFS, with these planning assumptions based on the best estimates available in respect of the ongoing [and variable] inflationary pressures. The Force will also require the planned use of reserves alongside the increased use of vacancy management to deliver a balanced budget in 2023/24.

The Chief Constable confirmed that the grant funding announced in the draft settlement, together with any, potential, decision taken [by the Police & Crime Commissioner] to increase the precept by £15 in Sussex, would go “a very long way” towards meeting the expenditure forecast for 2023/24. However, it was recognised that this approach would still leave the Force with an estimated funding gap of approximately £6million for the year. This shortfall will be met using £5.1million in reserves during 2023/24, with the remaining £0.9million still yet to be identified from savings that will be delivered across the year.

Sussex Police has established a long-term work programme with Surrey Police to transform the delivery of policing services across both force areas. This approach seeks to mitigate against the significant funding shortfall of £18.8 million forecast between 2023 – 2027.

The transformational programme will look at each of the areas of collaboration between the two forces to understand better where any opportunities exist to do things differently and/or reduce back-office functionality, without compromising the service provided to the public in each force area. This will include seeking to improve policing processes through the greater use of automation to streamline working practices and deliver greater savings through the rationalisation and unification of technology.

The programme also seeks to make more efficient and effective use of all available resources and to consider better the responsibilities of other partner agencies to ensure that the police are not undertaking the work that other statutory agencies are funded to deliver. As part of this work, the programme aims to improve vacancy management and address sickness absence to maximise the resources available across both forces. It is anticipated that up to 75% of the funding gap could be met through the delivery of these transformational projects.

The Deputy Chief Constable acknowledged the significant financial challenges and restrictions that all police force areas in England and Wales are currently operating within. KB was reassured to note that good governance processes are in place to monitor and manage these constant and, at present, unpredictable budgetary challenges, including a monthly finance board [attend by the Chief Finance Officer from the Office of the Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner] to maximise efficiencies across the Force.

The Chief Constable concluded by stating that “as far as we possibly can” Sussex Police will not make any reductions to the number of Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) available in Sussex. This position has been taken by the Force in recognition of the valuable service and the effective problem-solving that is routinely delivered by PCSOs in local communities, alongside the natural pathway that is created by the role for those individuals who want career progression towards becoming a police officer.

It was highlighted that the terms of the ring-fenced performance grant – to protect the number of police officers recruited through Operation Uplift when this is concluded on 31 March 2023 – is not yet available. The Force will seek to understand better what proportion of the £5.9million will be made available to Sussex Police next year when this information is published. KB was reassured to note that the Force continues to remain flexible and agile in its approach to managing recruitment, attrition rates and maintaining police officer numbers in Sussex to ensure that no fiscal penalties are incurred.

ACTION: KB requested a breakdown of the number of police officers recruited in 2022/23 by gender and ethnicity.

OPERATION LIMIT – CHRISTMAS DRINK AND DRUG DRIVE CAMPAIGN – RESULTS
Last year, Sussex Police took part in Operation Limit – a national policing response to target and detect incidents of drink and drug driving in the lead up to Christmas and New Year celebrations.

1. What were the local results for Operation Limit? How many drivers were stopped, breathalysed and/or tested for substances and subsequently arrested for drink or drug driving offences throughout the duration of the campaign? What was the breakdown of drink/drug offences? And how do the number of individuals arrested compare to those arrests made in previous years?
2. Operation Limit was run alongside ‘Drink Driving – Together We Can Stop It’ – a prevention campaign which urged members of the public to help prevent, persuade and, as a last resort, report drink drivers to the police. How many of the arrests were made following reports received from family, friends and members of the public about individuals suspected of drink or drug driving over the course of the campaign? And how can members of the public with any specific concerns report these to Sussex Police?
3. What other initiatives does Sussex Police and the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership have planned to target the ‘fatal five’ and improve road safety in Sussex during 2023?
4. For those who have received an electric scooter for Christmas, can you clarify exactly where these scooters are permitted to be used? And what are the consequences for any individuals found to be using electronic scooters on public roads, cycle lanes, footpaths and/or pavements?

The Chief Constable began by reflecting positively on the success of the recent campaign and the collaborative and consistent messaging [with Surrey Police] that was communicated to members of the public and partners for the duration. JS also thanked all the police officers and staff involved in the Operation Limit for their “huge contributions” towards the successful delivery of this campaign.

As stated at last month’s Performance & Accountability Meeting (PAM), the aims of the campaign were to minimise the risk to the public by targeting those individuals who drink and drug drive, reduce the number of individuals killed or seriously injured (KSIs) on the roads and to disrupt organised criminal activity using the road network by maximising the effectiveness of a heightened policing response.

The Force used a combination of high-visibility operational policing [through liveried police cars and motorcycles] to undertake engagement, vehicle stops, checks and testing [where the ‘reasonable grounds’ for suspicion are met], together with a more targeted approach [using unmarked cars and motorcycles] to focus on specific locations based on the intelligence received from members of the public.

Between 5 December 2022 and 1 January 2023, Sussex Police conducted 2,430 vehicle stops as part of Operation Limit and made 233 arrests for drink and drug driving offences. Throughout the campaign, the Force stopped and breathalysed 945 motorists with 114 individuals, subsequently, arrested for drink driving offences [12%] and stopped and tested 184 individuals for substances [using DrugWipe tests] with a further 111 individuals, subsequently, arrested for drug driving offences [60%].

The failure rates obtained for both offences were recognised to be comparable with the level of offending recorded in previous years, with many of these individuals having already been to court, fined and banned from driving. A further eight motorists were arrested across the period of the campaign for failing to provide a sample at the roadside.

The Chief Constable explained that December 2022 was an “incredibly busy month” in terms of the number of KSIs recorded on the roads of Sussex. These increased numbers – some of which were linked to drink and drug driving – combined with the finite policing resources available in Sussex was recognised to have had an impact on the ability of the Road Policing Unit (RPU) to undertake proactive vehicle stops and checks. KB requested the number of KSIs recorded in Sussex during the calendar year of 2022.

Operation Limit was run alongside a national campaign – ‘Drink Driving: Together We Can Stop It’ – which urged members of the public to help prevent, persuade and, as a last resort, report drink drivers to the police. Sussex Police were “really pleased with the response” received and, despite the increased numbers of KSIs recorded across the month of December, this campaign was recognised to have prevented further deaths and injuries from occurring. It was highlighted that 27 of the [aforementioned] arrests were directly attributable to the information received from members of the public, although this number is anticipated to be far greater because it does not contain arrests that are linked to indirect reports and/or anonymous reporting.

Members of the public with specific information and/or actionable intelligence about individuals they suspect of drink or drug driving were encouraged to report these to the police directly. This can be done by telephone to 101, text to 65999 or via the Sussex Police website [www.sussex.police.uk]. Individuals can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. If it is known that someone is drink or drug driving, bystanders should call 999 immediately.

The Sussex Safer Roads Partnership (SSRP) supported this campaign through the delivery of shared road safety messages, social media posts and press releases targeting the areas of education, engagement, enforcement and engineering to raise awareness of the risks of driving under the influence of drink and drugs. It was recognised that more could be done with police and partner agencies to maximise the effectiveness of the policing response in all future campaigns.

JS explained that drink and drug driving will remain an ongoing priority area for Sussex Police throughout 2023. The Force will continue to target and pursue those responsible for drink and drug driving alongside the other four components of the ‘fatal five’ [excessive speed, using mobile phones when driving, not wearing a seatbelt, and careless and/or dangerous driving] to try and reduce the number of KSIs recorded in Sussex. This will include continued support for national road safety campaigns, together with the proactive and targeted use of safety camera vans, signs and RPU resources to maximise the impact and effectiveness of the policing response.

The Chief Constable concluded by stating that Sussex Police will continue to address the challenges presented by electric scooters through positive and proactive action. It was reiterated that the use of electric scooters [outside of the ongoing national trials] remains illegal and that it remains an offence to use these scooters on public roads, cycle lanes, footpaths and/or pavements. Electric scooters are only permitted to be used on private land that is not accessible to members of the public.

JS also highlighted that the Force is continuing to use engagement, explanation, encouragement and enforcement [known as the 4Es in Sussex] to deliver a balanced and proportionate policing response. This activity can include words of advice, seizing the electric scooters and/or prosecuting individuals for any offences identified.

ACTION: KB requested a copy of the national results for Operation Limit when these are published.

ACTION: KB requested the number of individuals killed and/or seriously injured in Sussex during the calendar year of 2022.

MENTAL HEALTH AND POLICING 
It is recognised that a greater number of individuals are suffering from mental health in our communities than ever before. This means that many frontline officers are regularly exposed to and deal with increasingly challenging and complex individuals, at times of personal crisis.

1. What are the key challenges for Sussex Police in relation to mental health? And how much police time is spent responding to individuals in crisis?
2. The Policing and Crime Act 2017 made changes to the mental health provisions to improve the outcomes for people experiencing a mental health crisis. What impact have these changes made to policing/individuals?
3. Are there sufficient dedicated health-based places of safety in Sussex? And when these places of safety are at capacity, are there sufficient alternative provisions in place to be able to release police officers back to their duties?
4. How many section 136 detentions were there in 2022? How does this compare to previous years? What proportion of those detentions, subsequently, required admission to an emergency department as a place of safety? And what impact do these prolonged detentions have on police resources?
5. Since October 2022, three Mental Health Liaison Officers and a Mental Health Lead have been in post. How have these individuals supported the police response to mental health?
6. How are Sussex Police working alongside health partners to improve the urgent and emergency mental health pathway in Sussex? And how has this collaborative working reduced the demand for policing services in Sussex?

The Deputy Chief Constable explained that mental health continues to remain an extremely complex and challenging area for all police forces in England and Wales. It was recognised that officers and staff in Sussex routinely provide a response to individuals suffering from mental health crisis and/or those presenting a danger to themselves and others as part of day-to-day policing responsibilities.

It was acknowledged that the police service can often spend extended periods of time with individuals waiting to be assessed and/or detained under section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983, with these prolonged deployments having a direct impact on officer availability and the ability of the police to respond to other crimes, disorder and incidents. The assessment delays are attributed to a combination of the availability of National Health Service (NHS) professionals, time of arrival [day/night] and the presence of any intoxicating substances [alcohol/drugs] which can all make the initial assessment [and its accuracy] more difficult. It was also recognised that the police service is not equipped nor funded to respond to these mental health challenges alone and that this remains a shared responsibility with healthcare partners.

In November 2018, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) published their ‘Policing and Mental Health: Picking up the Pieces’ report which stated that whilst the police service is doing a good job in difficult circumstances, there are concerns over whether the police should be involved in responding to mental health problems at the current level. The HMICFRS report also highlighted the need for “a radical rethink and urgent action to guarantee a timely response to people with mental health problems” and that a “longer-term solution” is required, with the police service the last resort, and not the first port of call.”

A ‘snapshot’ exercise of mental health demand on policing [undertaken in 2019] highlighted that 5.1% of all police recorded incidents are mental health-related, with the police service attending an average of 54 mental health-related incidents every hour [National Police Chief’s Council – Mental Health Strategy 2021/25]. Since then, the impact of mental ill-health has, arguably, worsened in England and Wales due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing economic crisis which has placed unprecedented demand on the NHS and welfare service provisions.

The Deputy Chief Constable confirmed that mental health data can be difficult to capture and calculate accurately due to the complexity of how mental health incidents are categorised. It may also not be immediately obvious that an incident is mental health-related when police officers are first dispatched and/or the incident may be categorised as something else entirely. Sussex Police introduced a ‘mental health’ marker in summer 2022 to improve recording practices and is now using Power BI – a data analytics tool – to develop a more accurate appraisal of mental health demand locally. This remains work in progress for the Force.

The legislative changes, introduced by the Policing and Crime Act 2017, direct when the police will and will not take individuals experiencing a mental health crisis to police custody. The introduction of the legislation is recognised to have had a far greater [and more positive] impact on individuals suffering from mental health, with those individuals no longer assessed in police custody. It was, however, recognised that not much has changed for policing with officers now spending more time in Accident & Emergency (A&E) departments as the only dedicated health-based place of safety with capacity.

There are currently five dedicated health-based places of safety in Sussex [operated by the Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust] for police officers to take persons suffering from mental health to under section 136, with A&E departments routinely used as additional places of safety when each of the five dedicated places are full. The Deputy Chief Constable confirmed that there is neither sufficient health-based place of safety capacity in Sussex nor sufficient alternative provisions in place when health-based places of safety are at capacity. At present, 83% of all detentions currently result in the requirement for assessments to be made in A&E, adding to the strain on the NHS.

The Deputy Chief Constable confirmed that there were 851 section 136 detentions recorded in Sussex across the calendar year of 2022, in comparison to the year before – this represented a 2% reduction from the 872 detentions recorded in 2021. It was, however, emphasised that there has been a year-on-year increase in the percentage of those detentions where the A&E department was the only dedicated health-based place of safety with available capacity to undertake an assessment, increasing to 60% in 2022, compared to 53%, 47% and 43% in 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

It was highlighted that one complex and prolonged section 136 detention recorded in Sussex last year resulted in 61 different police officer deployments over a four-day period to ensure that the individual received the care, support and attention required. This policing response accounted for more than 300 officer hours and had a direct impact on both the available resources and the ability of the Force to respond to other demands throughout the county. This individual alone was recognised to have contributed to approximately 20% of all police officer demand in that locality during that period.

The Deputy Chief Constable acknowledged that limited progress has been made in recent years to improve the response provided to mental health and reiterated that a partnership-based response is required to address this complex and challenging area. Sussex Police has developed effective working relationships with the Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, including regular discussions about how to work together more effectively, improvements to processes and procedures and opportunities for further changes to safeguard properly those suffering from mental health.

It was recognised that these relationships have been improved by the three Mental Health Liaison Officers and the Mental Health Lead now in post within the Force. These individuals have also contributed towards greater awareness raising and more information, guidance and practical advice made available to frontline officers and staff.

NEXT UP:

The next PAM is on Friday, 17 February 2023 at 13:00. Further information can be viewed through the following link: www.sussex-pcc.gov.uk/get-involved/watch-live/

Themes raised: 

Policing Precept Decision 2023/24; Police Officer and Staff Data Wash Exercise and Vetting Arrangements; Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Scheme; HMICFRS – Digital forensics: An inspection into how well the police and other agencies use digital forensics; HMICFRS and HMIP – Unannounced inspection of police custody [Revisited], and General Data Protection Regulation.

Minutes:

DATE: 17 February 2023

LOCATION: Sackville House, Lewes

PRESENT:

• Police & Crime Commissioner – Katy Bourne [KB]
• Chief Finance Officer – Iain McCulloch
• Chief Constable – Jo Shiner
• Deputy Chief Constable – Dave McLaren
• Correspondence and Admin Officer – Elliot Saunders [webcasting]
• Head of Performance – Graham Kane [minutes]

POLICING PRECEPT DECISION 2023/24
Last month, I was given public support to increase the policing part of the council tax by an extra £15 for an average Band D property in 2023/24. This decision received support from the Sussex Police & Crime Panel at the meeting on 27 January 2023.

1. What do the plans look like for the delivery of this additional investment?
2. How will this uplift also be used to support the cost of delivering the change programmes required to ensure the Force has the most efficient model possible, and building further on the investment already made in innovation to deliver smarter evidence-based policing?
3. What difference do you expect members of the public to see and feel from this investment? And when will this be realised by?

The Chief Constable began by acknowledging the difficulties and challenges that many households are experiencing in the current economic climate and stated that Sussex Police were “grateful” for the additional funding that will be made available through the police precept in 2023/24.

Most of this investment will be used by Sussex Police to maintain the improvements made to operational policing in recent years, with the Force seeking to ensure that capacity, capability, visibility and accessibility remain consistent with the service levels demonstrated previously.

This will include the creation of new Response Investigation Team (RITs) to improve the policing response provided to volume crime investigations through Operation Unify – a programme of transformational change that aligns investigative teams alongside response teams to improve the quality and timeliness of police investigations. The establishment of the RITs will increase the number of officers available to respond to crimes and incidents, alongside improvements to investigative structures and processes that are anticipated to contribute positively towards improved police officer health, wellbeing and retention. The RITs are due to go live on Brighton & Hove Division later this month [February 2023] and on East Sussex Division and West Sussex Division from April 2023.

This enhancement will be supported by the Dedicated Coaching Unit – that went live in September 2022 – to provide new detectives with greater support, development and coaching. The precept funding will also allow the Force to maintain the investment made in statement takers and to recruit additional administrative support to ensure that frontline officers spend more time in local communities. The improved use of technology – including the provision of laptops for all frontline investigators and further enhancements made to the digital forensic capacity and capability of the Force – will enable greater efficiencies to be realised through improved performance and service delivery.

The Chief Constable stated that members of the public should expect to see an improved response to volume crime investigations, reductions in response times and the realisation of greater efficiencies through this continued investment which is all anticipated to contribute towards improved public trust, confidence and satisfaction.  

The Chief Finance Officer asked for further clarification about how Sussex Police will maintain the number of police officers recruited through Operation Uplift over the past three years to ensure that no fiscal penalties are incurred from the Force’s share of the ring-fenced performance grant of £5.9m made available to all police forces in England and Wales by the Home Office.

It was highlighted that Sussex Police has a robust recruitment and retention strategy and remains confident that all the officers required through Operation Uplift will be delivered before 31 March 2023, including a final intake of police officers during the month. KB was reassured to note that the Force continues to remain flexible and agile in its approach to managing and monitoring recruitment and attrition rates to ensure that these officer numbers are maintained in 2023/24.

The Chief Constable also confirmed that some of the additional precept investment will be used to meet the increased costs of pay and inflation that are continuing to add to the cumulative budget pressures for the Force. Sussex Police will require the planned use of reserves alongside the increased use of vacancy management and other measures to deliver a balanced budget in 2023/24 too.

It was emphasised that Anthony Croxford, interim Chief Finance Officer [and Chief Digital & Information Officer], is responsible for meeting these financial challenges. Sussex Police has established a long-term work programme with Surrey Police to transform the delivery of policing services across both force areas. This approach seeks to mitigate against the significant funding shortfall of £18.8 million forecast between 2023 – 2027.

The service transformation programme will look at each of the areas of collaboration between the two forces to understand better where any opportunities exist to do things differently and/or reduce back-office functionality, without compromising the service provided to the public in each force area. This will include seeking to improve policing processes through the greater use of automation to streamline working practices and deliver greater savings through the rationalisation and unification of technology.

OFFICER AND STAFF DATA WASH EXERCISE AND VETTING ARRANGEMENTS  
In the wake of the abhorrent crimes committed by David Carrick and the acknowledged failures within the Metropolitan Police Service, the Government – working with the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) – is taking immediate action to ensure that the system is effective at removing officers who are simply not fit to wear the uniform.

1. Last year, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) published the findings from their report ‘An inspection of vetting, misconduct, and misogyny in the police service’ which found that police vetting standards are not high enough and that it is too easy for the wrong people to both join and stay in the police. The report identified five areas for improvement and 43 recommendations, with 29 of these recommendations specifically for chief constables. What progress has been made to address the areas of improvement / recommendations since November 2022?
2. On 20 January, the NPCC confirmed that all police officers and staff in England and Wales will be checked against the Police National Database to identify any intelligence or allegations that need further investigation. What progress has Sussex Police made against the ‘next steps’ identified for all forces? How will this data wash exercise be managed and resourced? And how will you ensure that these checks are completed before the deadline?

The Deputy Chief Constable explained that Sussex Police has made a positive start in terms of progressing the 29 recommendations for Chief Constables set out within the HMICFRS inspection report within the prescribed timelines. As stated at the meeting in November 2022, the recommendations cover a range of different areas, as follows:

• updating minimum standards for pre-employment checks.
• establishing better processes for assessing, analysing, and managing risks relating to vetting decisions, corruption investigations and information security.
• improving the quality and consistency of vetting decision-making and improving the recording of the rationale for some decisions.
• understanding and defining what constitutes misogynistic and predatory behaviour in a policing context.
• improving the way the police collect corruption-related intelligence.
• improving the way police assess and investigate allegations of misconduct

A fortnightly task and finish working group has been established – led by the Deputy Head of the Professional Standards Department – to address each of the police-specific recommendations contained within the report, with monthly status updates provided to the Deputy Chief Constable in between. Sussex Police are “confident” that 24 of the [29] recommendations will be delivered before 30 April 2023, with the other five recommendations completed ahead of the 31 October 2023 and 31 December 2023 deadlines respectively. The Force has also developed a status update report to demonstrate the progress made against each of the HMICFRS recommendations, which is reported to the quarterly Organisational Reassurance Board. This includes the identification of an owner, action plan and clear expectations regarding the activity required to discharge each recommendation appropriately.

The Deputy Chief Constable explained that the NPCC has set out four next steps for police forces in England and Wales to check the records of all police officers, staff and volunteers [including Special Constables] against the Police National Database (PND) for allegations and intelligence, as follows:

1. Prepare human resource data on officers and staff for processing through PND.
2. Process the Force data through PND in stages.
3. Manual trawl through PND returns to remove false positives.
4. Identify officers and staff where checks indicate potential concerns and investigate.

This data wash exercise will provide Sussex Police with a clear understanding of the specific threat(s) and risk(s) posed to members of the public by individuals within the organisation. This approach will also be used as an opportunity to investigate individuals further to identify whether any evidence or intelligence exists regarding involvement in criminality and/or misconduct, before developing risk management plans to remove, reduce and/or minimise any perceived threat and harm.

Sussex Police has already prepared and shared a list of all police officers, staff and volunteers that need to be progressed through the PND – including all staff from the Office of the Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner (OSPCC) – ahead of the 28 February 2023 deadline. This task was completed by the Joint Force Vetting Unit – shared with Surrey Police – and is recognised to have comprised the compilation of a list of circa. 12,000 individuals [from across both police force areas] for progression through the PND. This data will shortly be washed and checked against the system over several weeks before the 31 March 2023.

By 1 April 2023, all police forces will be provided with the results of these checks and will undertake a manual trawl through the PND returns to identify any issues of concern and/or data discrepancies [i.e., false positives]. By September 2023, police forces should have identified all cases for further investigation and started to undertake those investigations. The time taken to reach this stage will depend on the scale and number of staff completing the checks, with investigations set to be prioritised based on the threat and risk identified.

The Deputy Chief Constable concluded by stating that additional capacity and capability will be created within the JFVU to ensure that the core police vetting requirements remain a priority and that these are not adversely impacted by this data wash exercise. It was also recognised that it is still too early to understand fully exactly what impact this will have on the unit ahead of receiving the results from the checks made against the PND.

Further information about the plans and processes that will be used to check the records of the police workforce against the PND can be viewed through the following link: https://news.npcc.police.uk/releases/all-police-staff-records-to-be-checked-for-allegations-and-intelligence-by-march

[EDIT: The PND contains intelligence and information about reports of domestic abuse, child abuse or neglect crimes and police custody details. It also holds intelligence about anyone with links to organised crime groups, county lines drug dealing, modern slavery and exploitation].

ACTION: KB requested a copy of the status update report used to monitor ongoing progress against each of the HMICFRS recommendations.

ENHANCED DISCLOSURE AND BARRING SCHEME
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks must be reviewed by local police forces as part of the disclosure service. I am aware that Sussex Police are currently taking much longer than the 60-day target to process, with some applications taking up to 100 days. This is clearly a serious concern that is having a detrimental impact on applicants and employers.

1. What are the current delays to these checks attributed to? And are Sussex Police responsible for these delays?
2. How long [on average] are Sussex Police current taking to process these applications? What is the Force doing to improve these processing times? And when do you expect the times taken to complete these checks to return to the target levels?
3. How can members of the public check on the status of their applications?

The Deputy Chief Constable confirmed that the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) is responsible for the overall delivery of DBS checks nationally and explained that Sussex Police provide local support for a specific element of this process.

The DBS is a national service provided by a non-departmental public body and funded by the Home Office. All requests for enhanced checks are submitted to the central DBS, rather than individual police force areas. The checks where no information is held on police systems are answered directly by the DBS without referral to police forces and can be turned around very quickly. Those requests which identify results held on local police systems and/or the Police National Computer are sent to the local police force area to complete on behalf of DBS.

At the start of each financial year, the DBS undertake research to forecast the likely demand on police forces in relation to the number of checks anticipated to be requested. This forecast is used to determine the resourcing levels locally, with the Force allocated funding based on the estimated demand.

It is recognised that Sussex Police is regularly underfunded for the number of checks that are subsequently required. For example, the Force received funding for an estimated 37,000 checks during 2022/23, although nearly 42,000 checks have been requested to date with more than six weeks of the financial year remaining. This is anticipated to represent an increase of more than 5,000 DBS checks and is another factor that is contributing towards the delays in the progression of applications.

It was highlighted that effective communication and dialogue exists between Sussex Police and the DBS, with further funding [often] made available to the Force to support them with this additional demand and/or to try and reduce some of the backlog. However, the Deputy Chief Constable recognised that the Force currently remains underfunded to resource the demand required for these checks appropriately.

The team responsible for completing the DBS checks in Sussex consist of an establishment of 23 individuals, including one team leader, two supervisors and 20 coordinators. Whilst these individuals are Sussex Police employees, they are funded entirely by the DBS. It was also recognised that some of the delays in processing times have been exacerbated by a higher-than-expected staff turnover within the team.

The Deputy Chief Constable explained that members of the public can receive an update about how a DBS application is progressing by using the online service through the following link: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/track-a-dbs-application

ACTION: KB requested further information about the estimated .v. actual number of Disclosure and Barring Service checks undertaken by Sussex Police in 2020/21 and 2021/22.

HMICFRS – POLICE USE OF DIGITAL FORENSICS IN INVESTIGATIONS
Last year [1 December 2022], HMICFRS published the findings from their report ‘An inspection into how well the police and other agencies use digital forensics in their investigations’. The report found that “police forces are unable to keep pace with technology when it comes to digital forensics.”

1. HMICFRS found an “inconsistent approach” to how forces recover and examine digital devices. Does the Force understand its current demand for digital services? How has this demand increased in recent years? Why do investigations become delayed by digital forensics? What causes these delays? And how is performance in this area monitored?
2. A “postcode lottery” was recognised to exist around the length of waiting times for the examination of digital devices depending on the force area. How are the examination of devices prioritised in Sussex? What factors are considered when making this prioritisation? And what are the current waiting times for these examinations in Sussex?
3. The report highlights that “policing needs to have the right number of staff, properly trained and equipped, to effectively provide digital forensic services.” What investment has been made by Sussex Police in this area in recent years? What is the gap between demand and available resources? What provision of digital services, if any, are outsourced in Sussex? And what collaboration, if any, exists with Surrey Police and/or other forces in the South East region around digital forensic services?
4. What digital forensic service(s) do Sussex Police have accreditation in? What is the cost of obtaining and maintaining this accreditation? And how bureaucratic [and costly] are these processes?
5. The report found “little evidence that forces had plans in place to respond to anticipated future demand”. What plans are in place to meet upcoming challenges and developing technologies? How do Sussex Police ensure there is sufficient storage to comply with the guidance? Is a cloud-based solution currently used by the Force? Would you consider this solution in the future?
6. HMICFRS made three police-specific recommendations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of digital forensic services. What plans are in place to ensure that these are progressed within the prescribed timescales?

The Deputy Chief Constable explained that Sussex Police had the foresight previously to invest in a Digital Forensics Team (DFT) to provide a dedicated unit responsible for analysing and examining electronic equipment, including computers, tablets and mobile phones, to access and retrieve information and data held on these devices. The DFT is a collaborated service shared between Sussex Police and Surrey Police.

The recent increase in demand for digital forensics was acknowledged, with many more crimes and investigations now understood to include a digital footprint. It is estimated that the DFT is involved in approximately 1.5% of all crime investigations in Sussex. As such, the Force is recognised to have a good understanding of its digital demand, including the different complexities of the submissions made, the timescales involved in the examinations and the effectiveness of the management of this to forensic demand.

A three-tier structure is used to deliver the digital forensic examinations across both force areas. These examinations are prioritised by the DFT based on the threat, risk and harm of the investigation, with the level of examination applied to each device determined by balancing the need to follow all reasonable lines of enquiry, with the requirement to respect the privacy of victims and witnesses. This is delivered as follows:

Tier 1 – This is used for low-risk examinations of data held on mobile phones and other hand-held devices, such as the recovery of ‘all’ telephone calls or text messages. This examination is usually undertaken on the same day by the local policing division to minimise the disruption caused to victims.

Tier 2 – This is used for medium-risk examinations of data held on mobile phones and other hand-held devices where the analysis and extraction required is more precise and/or relates to specific applications [WhatsApp, for example]. These examinations are undertaken ‘in-house’ by the DFT, with a timescale of 48 hours quoted to victims, although these devices are often received, examined and returned on the same day.

Tier 3 – This is used for high-risk examinations to retrieve and investigate large amounts of data held on electronic equipment and electronic storage devices and/or the retrieval of digital data from mobile phones and other hand-held devices using advanced data recovery techniques. A service level agreement of 30 days exists for these requests – from submission through to closed case.

Following the completion of these tiered examinations and the return of the electronic devices, the DFT produce technical and evidential reports to substantiate their findings which are used to support the ongoing police investigations.

It was highlighted that 80% of all electronic equipment is analysed and examined in less than one calendar month [from the initial submission] by the DFT. This proportion increases to 89% for digital devices completed within two months, 94% within three months and 98% within six months. Only 2% of all digital technology examinations currently take more than six months to be completed by the DFT, with nearly all of these completed within the calendar year.

The Deputy Chief Constable confirmed that resources are allocated to each of the three tiers according to demand. It was also highlighted that the DFT may outsource some of the demand to an accredited digital forensic provider where there is an unexpected surge in demand for service, a lack of examination capacity and/or where a specialist service or capability is required that cannot be delivered in-house to ensure that no gap in service exists. Sussex Police can also utilise support and resources from the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU) and access the national network for assistance with digital forensic investigations relating to serious and organised criminality and/or terrorism-related offences.

The need for appropriate accreditation to demonstrate compliance with the required quality standards in forensic science was acknowledged. The Forensic Science Providers: Codes of Practice and Conduct were laid before Parliament at the end of January 2023, with compliance against these codes set to become a statutory requirement circa. March 2023. The only means of demonstrating compliance with the codes is by accreditation to the appropriate International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) standard through the United Kingdom Accreditation Service. It was also highlighted that the accreditation process can be time consuming, expensive and may take valuable and experienced practitioners away from undertaking their day-to-day work and responsibilities.

Sussex Police do not currently used a cloud-based storage solution to comply with the management of police information guidance, with the ongoing difficulties and challenges to avoid holding any unrequired material highlighted. The Force would like to work towards introducing a cloud-based solution in Sussex to remove the need for officers and staff to access evidence on physical hard drives and devices at fixed locations by facilitating greater remote access to maximise efficiencies and effectiveness.

The Deputy Chief Constable confirmed that the three police-specific recommendations contained within the HMICFRS inspection report have each been addressed [recommendations 2, 4 and 8], with the DFT currently finalising the closure report.

ACTION: KB requested a copy of the closure report about the three HMICFRS recommendations from the Digital Forensics Team once this is finalised.

HMICFRS AND HMIP – UNANNOUNCED INSPECTION OF CUSTODY – REVISITED
In 2020, HMICFRS and His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) published the findings of their unannounced inspection of police custody suites in Sussex.

1. The inspection report highlighted five causes of concern and recommendations for Sussex Police, alongside four areas for improvement. Have each of these causes of concern, recommendations and areas for improvement now been completed? If so, what work has been undertaken by the Force to address these?
2. What improvements have been made to enhance police custody processes? And how will the impact of these be measured?
3. How is the Force continuing to monitor and manage performance in this area to safeguard those individuals detained in police custody? And what more can be done to improve performance further still?

The Chief Constable explained that each of the causes of concern, recommendations and areas for improvement highlighted have now been completed, returned and signed off by HMICFRS and HMIP. The only exception to this is cause of concern and recommendation [6.5] as follows:

Cause of concern: Too many detainees with mental ill health were held in custody for far too long waiting for mental health assessments and, where needed, onward transfer to a mental health bed.

Recommendation: The Force should urgently improve outcomes for detainees with mental ill health and ensure they do not remain in custody for longer than necessary. It should work with partners at a strategic level to ensure that detainees receive the service they are entitled to and that mental health assessments are carried out promptly. The Force should collect and monitor information to show the outcomes achieved for detainees and ensure that the custody record accurately reflects the decisions and actions taken.

Sussex Police has developed effective working relationships with the Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, including regular discussions about how to work together more effectively, improvements to processes and procedures and opportunities for further changes to safeguard properly those suffering from mental health. Following this constructive dialogue, a revised response has been resubmitted and is currently awaiting sign-off from both inspectorates.

The Chief Constable summarised some of the improvements that have been made to enhance police custody processes and ensure that robust oversight and accountability arrangements exist throughout Sussex. These include:

• the introduction of a dedicated Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) 1984 inspector responsible for ensuring compliance with Code C [of PACE] relating to the detention, treatment and questioning of persons detained in custody, with Force performance monitored daily at meetings chaired by the Head of Custody.
• regular checks of cells and custody areas undertaken by police sergeants on every shift and by custody inspectors each week, to ensure that any health and safety concerns are identified at the earliest possible opportunity and that action is taken to address any issues arising.
• the ongoing scrutiny of Sussex Police performance by the Independent Custody Visiting Scheme (ICVS) – delivered by the OSPCC – with any problems or concerns identified shared with the Legitimacy Board and Local Policing Accountability Board for review and action, as appropriate, to demonstrate further transparency and integrity around police custody practices.
• using police officer feedback and supporting data to inform changes to the multi-agency agreement in respect of section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983. However, it is still recognised that there is neither sufficient health-based place of safety capacity in Sussex nor sufficient alternative provisions in place when health-based places of safety are at capacity – this remains an ongoing challenge for the police and health partners.
• the upskilling and development of omnicompetent custody staff has provided the Force with the ability to flex and adapt resources according to demand – maximising the effectiveness of the policing response provided.

Police custody is recognised to be a high-pressure environment where officers and staff are required to balance the safeguarding and wellbeing of vulnerable detainees with the demands of the criminal justice system process within custody.

The Chief Constable explained that Sussex Police is continuously seeking to improve its performance in this important area to safeguard better those individuals detained in police custody. This has been delivered through improvements made to the professionalism of the police officers and staff working within the custody centres and enhancements to the safety, systems and processes used across the estate to ensure that the highest possible standards of dignity, fairness and transparency are maintained.

This approach is supported by the ICVS which provides a ‘spot check’ to ensure that detainees are properly cared for, receive their rights and entitlements and that custody staff are providing appropriate safeguards and checks for vulnerable detainees in accordance with the codes of practice set out within PACE. This is delivered alongside a monthly independent scrutiny panel that looks at the use of force and strip search data [for adults and juveniles] to ratify that these are [PACE] compliant and that an appropriate rationale is recorded on each occasion.

The Force is also currently reviewing the safeguarding measures and protocols in place for children and young people in custody, alongside the ongoing delivery of a defence solicitor forum [comprising representative members from defence solicitors, Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), His Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) and the Legal Aid Agency to discuss all relevant issues and challenges relating to police custody and detainee welfare.

GENERAL DATA PROTECTION REGULATION
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) replaced the previous data protection directive on 25 May 2018.

1. What impact has the introduction of the GDPR made to Sussex Police?
2. What processes are in place to update the information made available on the Sussex Police website to ensure that this remains accurate and up to date? And how frequently is this information reviewed by the Force?

The Chief Constable explained that the impact of the changing data protection legislation and the introduction of GDPR has resulted in improvements being made in the demonstrable compliance and effective controls in place throughout the police service.

There are two key pieces of legislation which govern the processing of personal data by Sussex Police – the Data Protection Act 2018 and the Keeling Schedule [which highlights the amendments made to GDPR by legislation and the subsequent changes required following Brexit].

Many of the GDPR provisions were already contained within previous legislation, although there were some key changes, including:

• extending the definition of ‘personal data’ to include ‘online identifiers’, location data and Internet Protocol (IP) addresses.
• the introduction of mandatory data protection impact assessments (DPIAs), Data Protection Officers [for public bodies] and data breach reporting to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) within 72 hours of any reported breach.
• extended right of access for individuals and the right to claim compensation for material and non-material damage caused by data processing.
• an obligation to demonstrate compliance [with the accountability principle].
• potential for larger monetary penalties [up to €20m or 4% of annual turnover].

The Sussex Police response is led by the Head of Information Management, within the Corporate Development Department, who continues to manage Force performance and ongoing compliance against the GDPR through ongoing education about the importance of not sharing personal data and/or sensitive information, either intentionally or unintentionally. This includes regular reminders to all police officers and staff about safeguarding personal data when sending emails [i.e., checking email addresses are accurate and bcc’ing addressees into messages, rather than including all addresses within the distribution list] and through the added complexities of delivering day-to-day operational policing.

The Digital Media Team, within the Communications Department, has the overarching responsibility for managing the Sussex Police website as a communication channel, although many different departments across the Force own the content contained within and are tasked with the monitoring and updating this information to ensure that this remains current, accurate and fit for purpose.

It was highlighted that the District Engagement Officers on each of the three policing divisions are responsible for assisting in this process by updating the information made available about the Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPTs) and any recent changes in a timely manner. It was also recognised that some of the delays in updating the NPTs on the website have been exacerbated by a higher-than-expected PCSO turnover with increased numbers leaving the role to become regular police officers through Operation Uplift.

The Chief Constable confirmed that all police officers and staff are required to complete a mandated online National Centre for Applied Learning Technologies (NCALT) training package to understand better their responsibilities in respect of managing information and to ensure ongoing compliance with the legislation in this area.

It was highlighted that Sussex Police has robust breach reporting procedures and an improving workforce culture of individuals reporting any suspected breaches. It was emphasised that very few of these breaches have met the threshold for mandatory reporting to the ICO and those that have been reported have generated satisfactory outcomes, with no enforcement action taken to date. The Force also take a proactive approach towards sharing any lessons learnt regarding data breaches amongst the workforce to further raise awareness amongst officers and staff.

ACTION: KB requested the number of District Engagement Officers within Sussex Police, the expected timescales for updating information on the Force website and the processes in place to ensure that this information remains accurate and up to date.  

NEXT UP:
The next PAM is on Friday, 17 March 2023 at 13:00. Further information can be viewed through the following link: www.sussex-pcc.gov.uk/get-involved/watch-live/

DATE: 17 March 2023

LOCATION: Sackville House, Lewes

PRESENT:    

• Police & Crime Commissioner – Katy Bourne [KB]
• Chief Communications & Insight Officer – Mervin Dadd
• Chief Constable – Jo Shiner
• Interim Chief Finance Officer – Anthony Croxford
• Digital Content & Campaigns Manager – Izzy FitzGibbon [webcasting]
• Communications Manager – Chloe Solomons [webcasting]
• Head of Performance – Graham Kane [minutes]

 

POLICE OFFICER RECRUITMENT UPDATE   

Additional investment from the precept has enabled Sussex Police to continue with the planned recruitment of 192 police officers during 2022/23. The Force has also continued its recruitment of police staff and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) throughout the year too.

1. How many police officers, staff and PCSOs have been recruited by Sussex Police across 2022/23 to date?
2. What will the total number of individuals be for each of the three employee categories on 31 March 2023 – Full Time Equivalent (FTE) and Headcount? How will this compare to the establishment levels for each of the categories? And how will any variances continue to be managed by the Force?
3. How will Sussex Police seek to maintain the police officers recruited through Operation Uplift [over the past three years] in 2023/24 to ensure that no fiscal penalties are incurred from the Home Office as part of the maintenance grant?

The Chief Constable confirmed that Sussex Police has already recruited 339 police officers between 1 April 2022 – 28 February 2023, alongside the recruitment of 304 police staff and 61 PCSOs. This has included maintaining and replacing those officers, staff and PCSOs leaving the organisation through retirement, resignation or as transferees throughout the year, utilising the full and varied range of direct entry routes, and the recruitment of transferees and rejoiners from other force areas.

A further intake of [circa.] 110 officers is planned at the end of March 2023 to ensure that the Force meets the recruitment target set by Operation Uplift. This will include the largest attestation Sussex Police has held to date on 5 April 2023 [N.B. This is the formal ceremony where new recruits become police constables by declaring an oath to serve the Monarch].

It was emphasised that Sussex Police has worked “incredibly hard” during a period of intense recruitment to deliver the planned increase of 192 additional police officers during 2022/23, whilst maintaining workforce numbers across the Force. This recruitment has comprised 163 officers [through Operation Uplift], 20 officers through the precept and a further 9 officers to support the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit [also funded by Operation Uplift] to increase police visibility in Sussex. The recruitment of the final cohort of police officers before the end of March 2023 will also complete the growth of 250 officers generated by increases to the council tax precept over the past five years.  

On 31 March 2023, Sussex Police is forecast to have a total of 3,094 FTE police officers, which is equivalent to a headcount of 3,192 officers, including all individuals working full and part-time.

The Force will have 2,144 FTE police staff, against an establishment of 2,353 FTE [and a headcount of 2,339], which equates to 209 vacancies and a vacancy rate of 9%. Sussex Police will also have 242 FTE PCSOs, against an establishment of 292 FTE [and a headcount of 252], which equates to 50 vacancies and a 17% vacancy rate.

Some mitigation was offered against this PCSO vacancy rate because it was highlighted that 194 PCSOs have left their roles to become police officers [as part of Operation Uplift] between September 2019 and 31 January 2023. The positive aspects of this career progression were recognised, with the Force being able to retain the skills, knowledge and experience that has been established whilst performing the PCSO role in Sussex, although the challenges this factor continues to present the Force in terms of maintaining PCSO numbers was highlighted.

Sussex Police has developed a plan to reduce the collective vacancy rate across the workforce during 2023/24. This will include expanding the entry routes available into policing, working with an external company to ensure that the Force is clear about the benefits it can offer as an employer and proactively looking at all available opportunities to recruit high-quality candidates from other industries through dedicated ‘outreach’ work.

The Chief Constable explained that further information about career opportunities with the Force and the specific recruitment processes for police officers, staff, PCSOs and volunteers and can be viewed through the following link:

https://www.sussex.police.uk/police-forces/sussex-police/areas/careers/jobs/

KB explained that a maintenance grant has been introduced to support police force areas in England and Wales to maintain police officer numbers during 2023/24. The grant has been set at £275 million and will be split evenly into two payments [£137.5 million], subject to police forces being at, or above, their maintenance level [police officer baseline plus Operation Uplift allocation] according to police officer headcount on 30 September 2023 and 31 March 2024. This funding will be distributed amongst forces according to existing funding formula shares.

If a police force is below their allocation at either point [September and/or March], then the Home Office will withhold £40,000 per officer below maintenance at that point. This figure per officer will be withheld up to a threshold of 20 officers or 1% police officer headcount [baseline plus Uplift allocation] below maintenance, whichever is highest. Should a force be more than 20 officers or 1% officer headcount below maintenance, then the force will not be eligible for any of the grant available at this point.

The Chief Constable confirmed that Sussex Police will maintain the 414 officers recruited locally as part of Operation Uplift [over the past three years] in 2023/24 to ensure that that criteria for receiving a share of the two grant payments is met.

The Force is also planning to recruit an additional 10 police officers, over and above the numbers required in Sussex, for which an additional financial reward will be received. KB was informed that Sussex Police would continue to take a cautious approach around any further decisions made to recruit additional officers at this stage to avoid the potential for overcommitting and underdelivering.

CALL HANDLING TIMES AND DIGITAL CONTACT   

Call handling times and digital contact remains extremely important to me and members of the public who need to contact Sussex Police.

2023. There was a 14% increase in the total calls offered to 999 across the rolling year period to 28 February 2023. February 2023 was also the 12th consecutive month [since January 2022] that a greater number of 999 calls were received, compared to 101 calls offered. What is this shift in demand attributed to? And do you expect this position to be maintained moving forward?
2024. What is the Joint Force Contact and Telephony Programme (JCUT)? What impact has the introduction of JCUT made to Sussex Police performance in this area? And how is the Force managing these delays?
2025. The number of calls offered to 101 reduced by 23% over the rolling year. Despite this reduction, the average wait time for the non-emergency calls increased to 8 minutes and 48 seconds, with the number of abandoned calls also increasing to 18% across the year. Are you concerned about the increasing wait times and abandonment rates? And how are these trends being monitored and managed by the Force?
2026. The use of QueueBuster was expanded by the Force in August 2022. What impact has the increased use of this technology made to call handling times in Sussex? Do you expect these times to reduce with greater use of QueueBuster? What is the average time recorded for individuals to be called back using this service? And how do you ensure that QueueBuster is not used for vulnerable callers [including those reporting domestic abuse] to avoid adding further risks and/or vulnerabilities through a call back delay?
2027. There was a 34% increase in online webforms recorded across the rolling year to 28 February 2023, after the ability for members of the public to email Sussex Police was removed in August 2022. What was the reason for removing this contact method? How does the Single Online Home (SOH) represent a more efficient and effective capability to report incidents and crimes? And how is the impact of this process change being reviewed and evaluated by the Force?
2028. How are Sussex Police continuing to use the ‘Click, Call, Connect’ campaign to educate members of the public about what to contact the Force about? And how will this campaign be used to target those user groups who are, historically, less likely to report incidents and crimes to the police online?

The Chief Constable began by providing KB with assurances that Sussex Police is continuously “striving to improve its performance” within the Force Contact Command and Control Department (FCCCD).

Sussex Police received an additional 36,810 emergency calls across the rolling year period to 28 February 2023, in comparison to 2021/22. This shift in demand for emergency policing services was recognised to be reflective of a nationally increasing trend for all blue light emergency services, with this increase in demand for calls to the 999-emergency number set to be maintained moving forward. It was also highlighted that 20% of all 999 calls received by Sussex Police are made by either hoax callers, individuals with mental-health issues and/or persistent and vexatious complainants. The Force is currently working hard with other agencies to get these individuals the care, support and assistance required to reduce this adverse impact.

Of the 291,288 emergency calls received by the Force during the rolling year, approximately 86% of these calls were answered within 10 seconds. It was highlighted that the 999 call handling data provided to the Home Office currently includes a latency time lag caused by infrastructure and network delays by BT. As such, national performance is recognised to differ from the data collected locally by individual police forces because the national measurement captures the time between transferring the call to the police force and the actual time taken for the Force to receive the call. This delay is anticipated to add an additional 5 – 13 seconds onto each 999 call in Sussex.

The Chief Constable explained that the existing call handling platform used by the Force was beginning to become outdated technology and lacked the functionality now available in other products, with several licences starting, or due, to expire too. In November 2022, Sussex Police introduced Smart Storm – a command-and-control system used to record incidents and crimes when they are reported, allocate and deploy resources and provide ongoing management and oversight of real time events. This platform has now been successfully embedded within existing Force processes and procedures.  

New technology – introduced by Sussex Police through the Joint Force Contact and Telephony Programme (JCUT) – will remove this latency delay. The JCUT was originally due to be implemented by Sussex Police and Surrey Police at the beginning of February 2023, as part of an incremental programme of change. However, this process was subsequently delayed by the introduction of Smart Storm, and it is now anticipated that the vast majority of JCUT will be installed by the end of April 2023, subject to a four-week period of user acceptance testing.

There has been an increase in the average waiting times for the 101 number and a higher number of abandoned calls recorded, despite a 23% reduction in non-emergency calls received across the same rolling year period [with 68,119 fewer calls offered]. The Chief Constable recognised that the introduction of new technology and systems has had a short-term detrimental impact on performance as part of the embedding process, although the positive improvements demonstrated across the individual months of January, February and March 2023 were recognised to be encouraging.

QueueBuster is a call back service that provides members of the public calling 101 with a  more convenient option to avoid having to wait on hold by creating a ‘virtual position’ for them in the queue. When their call reaches the front of the queue, it automatically calls the customer back and connects them with a contact officer in the FCCCD. Three separate attempts are made to ring the individual back through the system before it moves onto the next caller.

On receipt of the non-emergency call, Sussex Police triage the contact to gather information and intelligence about the individual circumstances of the call and to ensure that any vulnerabilities are identified at the earliest possible opportunity. This approach has been supported by the delivery of enhanced training to all contact handlers around the Threat, Harm, Risk, Investigation, Vulnerability and Engagement (THRIVE) assessment to maximise the effectiveness of the triage process and to ensure that no callers with vulnerabilities are considered for inclusion within QueueBuster. KB was reassured to note that if a call is triaged to be a priority and/or emergency call [through the THRIVE assessment] it is put straight through to the 999 number and the call back service is circumvented. The Chief Constable confirmed that the introduction of QueueBuster has already had a positive impact on the abandonment rate for 101 calls.

There has also been an 34% increase in the number of webforms submitted to Sussex Police through the Single Online Home (SOH) across the rolling year. This equated to an additional 17,147 webforms received and is directly attributed to a channel shift after Sussex Police removed the ability for members of the public to email the FCCCD in August 2022. The use of emails as a contact method was removed because it was acknowledged to be an unstructured, time consuming and resource intensive process, with contact handlers frequently required to have multiple interactions and two-way exchanges to gather the information required to make an initial triage and assessment.

The SOH provides a nationally approved and structured capability to facilitate the more efficient and effective reporting of incidents and crimes through a dedicated ‘contact us’ page. This approach represents a better method of capturing the information required through populated fields and is, subsequently, presented to the Force in a format that is easier to triage and reduces the demands placed on the workforce.

It was also recognised that some repeat demand from members of the public emailing and telephoning Sussex Police about the same incidents has been removed following this process change, alongside a notable reduction in both internal and partnership demand to the same email address. KB was reassured to note that the Force has increased its capacity and capability to respond to this type of communication within the FCCCD.

The same approach to remove the ability for members of the public to submit emails has also now been taken by several other police force areas in England and Wales. The impact of this decision is continuing to be reviewed and evaluated by the Force, including further analysis around the time and/or cost savings that have been realised through the process of moving away from emails to online webforms.

The Chief Constable explained that the ‘Click, Call, Connect’ campaign was introduced by Sussex Police to reduce the demand on the non-emergency number by educating members of the public around what to contact the Force about and encouraging the greater use of online webform reporting.

The Force has developed a plan to raise awareness of the campaign and for greater promotion of the key messages contained within it to redirect members of the public online. This will include targeting individual groups in different ways – using a range of platforms including print, radio, TV, online and physical media – working with partner agencies and taking generational preferences into account.

ACTION: KB agreed to raise call handling times and digital contact again at the PAM on 21 July 2023.

JOINT TRANSPORT SERVICE   

Sussex Police share a Joint Transport Service (JTS) with Surrey Police.

1. What size fleet is the JTS responsible for? What is the breakdown by different vehicle types [i.e., petrol, diesel, electric, hydrogen and hybrid]? How many miles does the fleet cover per annum? What are the total fuel costs? And how are these costs currently apportioned between both forces?
2. How do you ensure that cost-effective fuel purchase management exists across the operational fleet? How do you monitor the use of fuel cards to prevent inappropriate use and maximise the fuel budget available? What proportion of fuel purchases are made from premium retailers, supermarkets and discount sites? And how regularly are fuel bunkers used to refuel vehicles?
3. Further savings could be generated through reduced petrol and diesel costs as part of the introduction of more electric, hydrogen and hybrid vehicles and the better relocation of unused vehicles to maximise their usage across both forces. How has the JTS sought to make improvements in sustainability whilst maximising opportunities for collaboration between Sussex Police and Surrey Police to deliver the optimum fleet required?
4. What collaboration, if any, exists between the JTS and other blue light emergency services in the South East? And how will these partnership arrangements with regional emergency services be developed further still?
5. Sussex Police and Surrey Police intend to introduce new low emission response vehicles from 2025, with all vehicles set to have net zero emissions from 2030. How are the plans to deliver these reduced emissions through a greater transition to electric and alternative fuelled vehicles progressing? And do you anticipate that this will be delivered for all operational response vehicles within the prescribed timelines?

The interim Chief Finance Officer explained that the JTS is currently responsible for a fleet of 1,935 vehicles. This comprises several different vehicle types, as follows:

• 1,717 diesel vehicles [89% of the total fleet]
• 132 petrol vehicles [7% of the total fleet]
• 65 electric vehicles [3% of the total fleet]
• 15 hybrid vehicles [0.7% of the total fleet]
• 6 hydrogen vehicles [0.3% of the total fleet]

The JTS has a budget of £2.828 million allocated for fuel costs in 2022/23, with the fleet recognised to cover more than 19.7 million miles during the year. A 55/45 funding formula is used to share and apportion the costs of this collaboration between Sussex Police and Surrey Police. KB requested to know the comparative breakdown of mileage and fuel costs for the JTS in 2021/22.

KB was reassured to note that all purchase agreements are made in partnership with Blue Light Services, taking advantage of all available national commercial agreements, to ensure that cost-effective fuel purchase management exists.

Sussex Police is also seeking to influence driver behaviour locally to ensure that the police vehicles are refuelled in the most cost-effective manner. This includes the greater promotion, and use, of existing internal fuel bunkers, and targeting reductions in fuel purchases from premium retailers and increases in fuel purchases from supermarket/discount sites [where external purchases are still required], alongside increased collaboration with the fuel bunkers used by other blue light services. It is estimated that approximately 45% of all refuelling is currently undertaken by the fleet via fuel bunkers – situated at locations across Sussex and Surrey.

Following a review of fuel purchases, Sussex Police identified that 69% of all fuel purchases were made from premium retailers during January 2023. The Force launched an internal communications campaign in direct response to this to try and address this additional spending. KB was pleased to note that this campaign had an immediate impact with fuel purchases from premium retailers reducing to 39% across the month of February 2023. The Force will continue to monitor this area closely moving forward.

The interim Chief Finance Officer explained that further work is required to educate police officers and staff about the importance of making cost-effective fuel purchases, maximising the use of existing fuel bunkers and using apps to find lower cost fuel options. This proactive approach is anticipated to contribute towards further fuel savings throughout the rest of the calendar year.

Project Thrifty has been established by the JTS to maximise the use of police vehicles, including managing the ratio of different vehicle types at fixed locations, increased availability, and use, of telemetry to obtain better data and information that can be used to inform decision-making, and the greater rotation of all vehicles to promote a more balanced and equitable use.

The national planning and infrastructure around electric, hybrid and hydrogen vehicles was recognised to be fundamental in terms of delivering improvements in sustainability whilst maximising opportunities for collaboration between Sussex Police and Surrey Police to deliver the optimum fleet required. This includes developing a greater understanding about the potential challenges that new and emerging technology can create and the added operational issues in terms of breakdown recovery, battery properties and combustibility, and vehicle storage requirements.

Sussex Police are part of the Integrated Transport Function – including regional and national representatives from the police and fire and rescue service – to maximise the efficient and effective use of vehicle capabilities. This includes specific collaboration around fuel purchases and telemetry and the greater development of partnership arrangements with the Civil Nuclear Constabulary, Ministry of Defence Police and British Transport Police around data sharing and the identification of best practice.

The interim Chief Finance Officer concluded by explaining that the Force needs to understood better the costs and practicalities of transitioning to electric and/or hydrogen fleet vehicles before any investment is made to work towards the net zero emission target from 2030. This should include developing a greater understanding around initial purchase and ongoing insurance costs, technology infrastructure and storage practicalities. The importance of making the most appropriate technology choice was highlighted, rather than focusing on the practicalities of delivering the operational response vehicles within the prescribed timelines.

ACTION: KB requested the comparative breakdown of milage and fuel costs for the JTS in 2021/22.

OPERATION SAFEGUARD

His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) and the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) have agreed contingency plans to temporarily house prisoners in police custody suites because of an acute and sudden increase in the prison population that has the potential to cause critical overcrowding.

1. How prepared are Sussex Police for the potential requirement to house remanded prisoners in police custody suites on a temporary basis?
2. How many cells has the Force committed to providing as part of this operation? Which of the five custody centres in Sussex will be used to support Operation Safeguard? And will the custody centre in Chichester be reopened for these purposes?
3. How much will Sussex Police be reimbursed for the use of these cells? Is this rate dependent of the cells being used to support prison overcrowding? And when is the provision of this support committed until?
4. How will you ensure that those prisoners temporarily remanded in police custody in Sussex receive the same rights and entitlements as those detained under Code C of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) 1984? And will HMPPS provide the Force with any additional staff to assist in this process should any of the cells be used in Sussex?
5. What impact, if any, do you anticipate Operation Safeguard will have on police cell capacity in Sussex? And how will you ensure that no disruption is made to existing custody processes?

The interim Chief Finance Officer explained that all police force areas in England and Wales were notified about the potential requirement for Operation Safeguard – the use of police cells to hold prisoners who cannot be accommodated in the prison establishment – on 27 February 2023, with these arrangements officially activated two weeks later [6 March 2023].

Sussex Police has committed to providing 10 cells as part of this operation to detain prisoners overnight and/or over a weekend/bank holiday weekend, split across the three custody centres of Brighton, Crawley and Eastbourne. It was also emphasised that there is currently no need to reconsider opening the previously closed custody centre in Chichester at this stage, although the Force agreed to reassess this position should any additional capacity be required in the future.

The Force will be reimbursed for the capacity of the cells, regardless of whether these cells are used as part of Operation Safeguard. The financial compensation per cell was acknowledged to be commercially sensitive and was not able to be shared in the public domain. The interim Chief Finance Officer explained that the provision of this support is anticipated to run until September 2023, although the duration of the operation will be determined by prison capacity.

Sussex Police is confident that any additional capacity required as part of Operation Safeguard can be covered through existing resources should any use of the cells be required. It is also not anticipated that any additional staff from HMPPS will be required to assist the Force in this process because most of the prisoners would, more than likely, be categorised as “low risk”. Any claims for overtime that may be incurred by the Force whilst supporting this temporary operation would be reimbursed by the Home Office.

Any prisoners temporarily remanded in police custody in Sussex will receive the same rights and entitlements as those detained under PACE. This provision will be monitored by the existing statutory arrangements in place to deliver an Independent Custody Visiting Scheme, as required. The Chief Constable concluded by stating that Operation Safeguard is not anticipated to have any detrimental impact on police cell availability, capacity or existing custody processes in Sussex, and any additional commitment that may be required will be absorbed within existing police resources.

CHILDREN IN CUSTODY

There were 7% more child arrests for notifiable offences made across England and Wales in 2021/22 [54,592] compared to the year before – this equated to an additional 3,805 arrests of children aged between 10 to 17.

1. Sussex Police demonstrated a 3% increase in child arrests across the same period. What is this increase in child arrests attributed to in Sussex?
2. What does the Force response to policing children and young people look like in Sussex? What scrutiny is provided around the number of child arrests made locally? And how is Sussex Police seeking to reduce the unnecessary criminalisation of children?

The Chief Constable confirmed that Sussex Police arrested 1,477 children for notifiable offences in 2021/22, compared to the 1,431 arrests made the year before – this equated to an additional 46 child arrests. It was highlighted that notifiable offences are those offences which require the police to record an incident as a crime and report the occurrence to the Home Office.

The 3% increase was acknowledged to be lower than the 7% increase recorded nationally for all police forces in England and Wales and was comparable with the 4% increase in child arrests recorded by the five forces in the South East region [Hampshire, Kent, Surrey, Sussex and Thames Valley]. It was also emphasised that Surrey Police demonstrated a 17% reduction in child arrests across the same period.

It was highlighted that the COVID-19 pandemic makes it difficult to compare the number of child arrests recorded locally and to make any assumptions or assessments about exactly what this increase in child arrests may be attributed to in Sussex.

Sussex Police recognises the importance of responding to any crimes or criminality involving children and young people, or instances where children and young people are suspected of being involved, in an appropriate, sensitive and proportionate manner. This child-centred approach is embedded within Force culture and in the policing response that is delivered locally.

The Police Effectiveness, Efficiency and Legitimacy (PEEL) Board and Vulnerability Board are two of the forums used to scrutinise the number of child arrests made in Sussex. A dedicated bi-monthly Children and Young People Board – chaired by chief officer – sets the strategic direction for policing young people in Sussex and the child-centred approach that is delivered locally.

Further oversight and scrutiny is provided by the Force Custody Strategic Support Inspector on a monthly basis around the areas of police custody processes, children and young people remanded in custody and strip searches required following any arrests. This work is supported by the Youth Justice Service (YJS) managers who work closely with partners, including schools, colleges, local authorities, courts and the voluntary sector, to prevent offending, reduce reoffending and support children and young people involved in the youth justice system, alongside their families.

The Chief Constable concluded by stating that Sussex Police will continue to arrest children and young people for notifiable offences as required. It was also acknowledged that this approach will continue to remain a difficult balancing act between respecting the crime, understanding the impact on the victim and reducing the unnecessary criminalisation of children.

NEXT UP:

The next PAM is on Friday, 21 April 2023 at 13:00. Further information can be viewed through the following link: www.sussex-pcc.gov.uk/get-involved/watch-live/

DATE: 21 April 2023

LOCATION:  Sackville House, Lewes

PRESENT:    

Police & Crime Commissioner – Katy Bourne [KB]

Chief Executive Officer – Mark Streater

Chief Constable – Jo Shiner

Deputy Chief Constable – Dave McLaren

Correspondence and Admin Officer – Elliot Saunders [webcasting]

Head of Performance – Graham Kane [minutes]

HMICFRS – PEEL ASSESSMENT 2021/22 

Last week, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) published the findings from their ‘Police Effectiveness, Efficiency and Legitimacy’ (PEEL) assessment 2021/22.

The report found that Sussex Police ‘requires improvement’ for investigating crime and was ‘inadequate’ in respect of recording data about crime and responding to the public.

1. How have you reflected on the findings of this report?

The Chief Constable acknowledged the findings and recommendations set out in the HMICFRS report and reemphasised that Sussex Police remains committed to delivering the best possible service to the communities in Sussex.

The focus this report provided around the areas Sussex Police is performing well in and the innovative practice identified within was welcomed by the Force, alongside the outcomes received for some of the areas of policing where change and improvement is required. This assessment has provided Sussex Police with an opportunity to improve its performance [and public perceptions of performance] further still.

It was highlighted that the publication of the report generated some adverse headlines around crime data integrity and a cause for concern that was raised about an estimated 20,200 crimes not having been recorded by the Force during the period of inspection. The Chief Constable explained that this figure had been extrapolated by HMICFRS based on an audit which looked at 576 incidents between January – March 2022 [N.B. This was in comparison to more than 471,000 incidents recorded by Sussex Police across the whole calendar year of 2022].

It was found that Sussex Police should have recorded 571 of these crimes, although only 494 crimes were recorded – this equated to 77 missed crimes. Of those crimes, only 11 of these were crimes that should have been recorded at the first point of recording as the principal offence. The other 66 related to subsequent crimes that only became apparent during the investigation of the first recorded offence, with many of these offences recognised to be minor in terms of their impact and severity [including several offences of common assault]. Sussex Police will address the recommendations identified within this area by restructuring the Crime Management Unit to ensure that the Crime Validation Team validate all recorded crimes.

The Chief Constable reiterated that she remained “incredibly proud” of the work that is delivered by police officers, staff and volunteers to keep Sussex safe.

A copy of the HMICFRS report can be viewed through the following link:

https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmicfrs/publications/peel-assessment-2021-22-sussex/

Last week [13 April 2023], it was also announced that the police would be given more time to focus on solving crimes and protecting public by standardising the counting rules for recorded crime. All reported crimes for a single incident will now consistently be recorded under the principal offence, to record the crime which has the most impact on a victim, rather than as multiple entries on a database that effectively re-records the same incident.

Further information about these proposed changes [which are set to go live in May 2023] can be viewed through the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/police-given-more-time-to-focus-on-solving-crimes-and-protecting-public

KB confirmed that the PEEL assessment for Sussex Police would be considered in full at the next Performance & Accountability Meeting (PAM) on 19 May 2023.   

BARONESS CASEY REVIEW – INDEPENDENT REVIEW INTO THE STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOUR AND INTERNAL CULTURE OF THE METROPOLITAN POLICE SERVICE

On 21 March 2023, Baroness Casey published ‘An independent review into the standards of behaviour and internal culture of the Metropolitan Police Service’.

1. What is Sussex Police doing with the findings from the Casey Review?
2. How will the Force use the publication to improve its own standards of behaviour and internal culture? And what measures will Sussex Police use to test whether these reforms are taking place and/or are being delivered at the scale and pace necessary?

The Deputy Chief Constable began by acknowledging the “sobering” content of the report about the standards of behaviour and internal culture of the Metropolitan Police Service and recognised that many of the issues and themes highlighted in the report are relevant for all police force areas in England and Wales.

Sussex Police has looked at all 16 of the recommendations made by Baroness Casey from a Sussex perspective to understand better where any opportunities may exist to learn and develop from the report, alongside tightening up any processes and procedures used locally.

The Force has already made enhancements to the resources available within the Joint Force Vetting Unit and the Anti-Corruption Unit to improve standards of behaviour and the internal culture in place as part of previous precept investment and the Police Uplift Programme. Sussex Police remains fully committed to delivering the highest standards of behaviour expected from all police professionals and already makes effective use of the confidential reporting system in place to manage, assess and investigate all reports received to address any inappropriate behaviour and activity identified.  

In November 2022, HMICFRS published the findings from their report ‘An inspection of vetting, misconduct, and misogyny in the police service’. The report identified five areas for improvement and made 43 recommendations based on its findings, with 29 of these recommendations specifically identified for chief constables to action. KB was reassured to note that Sussex Police has made substantial progress against these recommendations, with many of these delivered ahead of the 31 March 2023 deadline.

The Deputy Chief Constable confirmed that all police officers and staff have now been checked against the Police National Database as part of the national historic data wash exercise. Sussex Police has established a dedicated team to work through the data returned from these checks and to make an assessment and decision about any adverse traces returned [including the removal of any false positives identified].

It was also highlighted that Sussex Police remains in a strong position ahead of the revised Authorised Professional Practice (APP) for vetting that is expected to be made available to all police forces in September 2023.

The Casey Review highlighted seven key measures of success that should be used by the Metropolitan Police Service to test whether the reforms identified are taking place and being delivered at the scale and pace necessary:

• Improvements in public trust, confidence and fairness.
• Increases in the proportion of misconduct cases where action is taken.
• Reductions in racial disparity in misconduct cases.
• Improvements in the charge rates for reported crimes, with a specific focus on improving the charge rates for crimes involving violence against women and girls.
• Increases in the number of adult rape cases reaching court.
• Improvements in response rates and times.
• A narrowing in the gap between the diversity of the police workforce.

The Deputy Chief Constable also confirmed that a Chief Inspector post has been approved to oversee and coordinate the Force response to vetting and the other areas for improvement identified within the report.

KB concluded by stating that the progress made by Sussex Police against these measures and the other findings identified within the report would be tested and challenged at future PAMs.

BURGLARY

On 1 April 2023, the recording classifications for burglary offences changed.

1. What difference, if any, do you anticipate the change to the recording classification will have on the number of burglary offences reported in Sussex?
2. There was a 23% increase in the number of residential, business and community burglaries recorded in Sussex during 2022/23 – this equated to an additional 962 offences recorded compared to year before. What do you attribute this increase in burglaries to in Sussex? What is the current risk of being burgled in Sussex? And what impact, if any, have the recent advancements to doorbells, CCTV, lighting and home alarms made to recorded crime and the policing response?
3. Sussex Police solved 5% of all these burglaries in 2022/23. Are you satisfied with the current level of performance in this area? And what is the Force doing to improve these solved rates?
4. Earlier this year, the Home Secretary expressed personal support for police forces in their commitment to attend the scene of EVERY residential burglary. Do Sussex Police attend ALL residential burglaries reported to them?
5. Operation Magpie is the dedicated burglary crime prevention and awareness campaign. How is this campaign used to support the Force response? How frequently is this campaign delivered?
6. In August 2022, HMICFRS published the findings from their ‘Police response to burglary, robbery and other acquisitive crime’ inspection. The report made two recommendations for all forces around crime scene management and the supervision and direction of acquisitive crime investigations. Did Sussex Police complete both recommendations before the 31 March 2023 deadline?

The Chief Constable explained that the recording classifications for residential burglary offences has now changed, with three sub-divisions created to designate between residential homes, unconnected residential buildings and business and community burglaries for the purposes of recording crime, as follows:

• Residential burglary of a home – this includes all buildings that form part of the home and are connected directly [to the home]. It also includes other premises that are used for residential purposes, including house boats, care homes and hostels.
• Residential burglary of an unconnected building – this includes all buildings that are within the boundary of a home, but are unconnected, such as sheds, garages, outhouses [that meet the definition of a building].
• Business and community burglary – this includes any outbuildings, within the boundary of the home, which do not form part of the home, such as garages or workshops used solely for business purposes.

Where a residential home and an unconnected building and/or an outbuilding used for business purposes [but belonging to the same household] are subject to a burglary at the same time, only the residential burglary will be recorded. This approach has been introduced to ensure that crimes are recorded consistently and accurately throughout England and Wales, whilst simultaneously highlighting some of the different complexities around the counting rules for recorded crime.

This amendment to the recording classifications for burglary offences is anticipated to change the type of offences recorded by the Force, rather than the number of offences recorded, although this position could change with the standardising of the counting rules for principal offences moving forward [please see page 2 for further information]. The Force is currently adapting its use of Power BI – the data visualisation software – to include the new definitions to assist with ongoing performance monitoring.

The Chief Constable recognised that any burglary offence is a violation of another individual’s safe space but acknowledged that this position, and its impact, is exacerbated further for residential burglaries. This type of criminality is taken “incredibly seriously” by Sussex Police, with a significant amount of support and assistance provided to any individuals who find themselves unfortunate to be a victim of this crime type.

KB was reassured to note that Sussex continues to remain one of the safest places to live, with the risk of being burgled remaining low. The Force is positioned 8^th out of the 43 police forces in England and Wales, and 1^st in their Most Similar Group (MSG) of 8 forces, in terms of the risk of burglary per 1,000 population. Sussex Police remain determined to prevent burglary offences from being committed in the first instance to reduce the number of victims.

The 23% increase in burglary offences recorded in Sussex during 2022/23 was attributed to the reduced number of offences recorded the year before because of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and greater numbers of people working from home and in outbuildings. Now that the restrictions have been removed and more individuals have returned to work, the number of recorded crimes has returned to the previous levels recorded. The recent advancements in technology, including the greater presence of video doorbells and CCTV cameras, are also recognised to have increased the number of burglary offences reported to the police with individuals now reporting attempted break-ins and circumstances that [potentially] they may never have known about previously.

The Chief Constable confirmed that she was “not happy” with the disappointingly low [5%] solved rate recorded for burglary in Sussex during 2022/23. This reduction in the solved rate was recognised to be representative of the reducing trends recorded for all police forces in England and Wales, with the absence of available witnesses, CCTV footage and/or forensic evidence attributed to the difficulties and challenges in solving these crimes. Sussex Police is positioned 38 out of 43 police forces, and 6^th within their MSG, in terms of the solved rate for burglary crimes. The Chief Constable acknowledged that this remains an important area of policing for Sussex Police to improve on during 2023/24 and beyond.

The Force is working hard to improve and increase the effectiveness of its response to secure more positive outcomes. This policing activity is being driven by the Deputy Chief Constable through the internal PEEL Board and includes several positive actions to improve Force performance as follows:

• structural changes to the neighbourhood policing model – through Operation Unify – to provide a renewed focus on the importance of solving crime, holding offenders to account and improving trust and confidence [in the police] for victims.
• creation of new Response Investigation Teams – alongside the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) – to improve the quality and timeliness of the policing response provided to volume crime investigations [also via Operation Unify].
• Forcewide review of intelligence meetings to maximise effectiveness.
• assessment of the training provided to new officers around burglary investigation.
• re-evaluation of the briefings around burglary offences that are provided to staff within the Force Contact, Command and Control Department (FCCCD).

In addition, Sussex Police has produced a five-minute YouTube video – narrated by a crime scene investigator [with subtitles] – that aims to help minimise the amount of evidence that is lost to an investigation before police attend a burglary. Call handlers within the FCCCD share a link to the video with individuals reporting burglary offences which provides immediate advice around victim care, preservation of crime scenes and forensic recovery prior to police officer attendance. This approach increases opportunities to link the crime to a suspect and was recognised as ‘innovative practice’ by HMICFRS in the PEEL assessment 2021/22. The video can be viewed through the following link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQV1m3FTfs8

The Deputy Chief Constable confirmed that Sussex Police attend ALL home burglaries reported to them to maximise the opportunity of achieving a successful outcome. This includes conducting an investigation of the scene, gathering evidence and considering all lines of enquiries [including any available witnesses, CCTV and/or forensic evidence] to catch those responsible. An increased visibility at the location of the offence [whilst this investigative activity is being delivered] also seeks to provide additional reassurance by heightening the awareness of other residents within the surrounding area. All residential burglary offences must also now be finalised by a Detective Sergeant [or a police staff equivalent] to ensure that all reasonable lines of enquiry have been identified and considered proportionately before a file is closed.

The Force continue to use Operation Magpie to raise public awareness and prevent burglary crimes from occurring in the first instance. The campaign is launched and relaunched at different times throughout the year [i.e., alongside the changing of the clocks in the summer and autumn months] to provide members of the public with crime prevention advice and to assist them to secure and safeguard better their homes from the threat of burglars. This campaign is routinely reviewed and revised across the year, although the crime prevention advice offered around target hardening remains [relatively] unchanged. Further information can be viewed on the Sussex Police website through the following link: https://www.sussex.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/

The Chief Constable also urged members of the public to be extra mindful and vigilant about the potential increased risk of becoming a victim of burglary during any celebratory events and/or street parties that may be taking place for the coronation of King Charles III across the bank holiday weekend of 6 – 8 May 2023.

It was highlighted that Sussex Police completed the two recommendations set out within the ‘Police response to burglary, robbery and other acquisitive crime’ inspection report before the 31 March 2023 deadline. Both recommendations are currently awaiting formal sign-off from HMICFRS.

The Chief Constable concluded by reiterating that the Force remains committed to protecting communities, catching criminals and delivering an outstanding service to members of the public. Sussex Police also recognise the need to improve performance in this area by solving more burglary offences and holding more offenders to account for their actions.

KB confirmed that burglary would be revisited again at the PAM on 20 October 2023 to ensure that performance in this area continues to improve.

FIREARMS LICENSING

On 10 March 2023, the senior coroner for Plymouth, Torbay and South Devon published the findings from his report to prevent future deaths which stated that the Firearms Act [1968] was "at odds with public safety" and that "root and branch reform" of firearms legislation is required to protect the public.

1. The report found that there was a “serious failure to protect the public and the peace” by granting a licence to the perpetrator in 2017, and that the decision to return the shotgun [and licence] to the perpetrator in July 2021 was “fundamentally flawed”. What, if anything, is Sussex Police doing with the findings from this report to improve the robustness of the processes and decision-making around firearms licensing in Sussex?
2. In July 2022, Sussex Police introduced a new electronic document management system – interfaced with the National Firearms Licensing Management System – to enhance the ongoing monitoring of new and existing licence holders. What impact has this system made since its introduction? And how has this contributed towards improvements in licensing practices?
3. How many firearms and shotgun licence holders are there in Sussex? Are these numbers increasing/decreasing? How many certificates [both firearms and shotgun] were issued, renewed, refused and revoked in Sussex during 2022/23? And how does this this compare to previous years?
4. Sussex and Surrey Police have a Joint Firearms & Explosives Licensing Unit [JFELU]. What does performance look like for the JFELU in terms of the timeliness new and renewal certificates are issued?
5. In November 2022, the Minister of State for Crime, Policing and Fire wrote to all Police & Crime Commissioners to ask them to undertake six-monthly reviews of firearms licensing performance to monitor the management of caseloads and to minimise the possible risk to the public. As such, can you confirm:

• How many people with expired certificates are still in possession of their firearms?
• How many of these have applied for renewal with cases still yet to be decided?
• And how many of those who have applied for renewal have been issued with a temporary permit and continue to have firearms in their possession?

The Deputy Chief Constable acknowledged the importance of having effective processes in place around firearms licensing and recognised the “serious consequences” that can occur if the police service makes any mistakes in this important area. The recent inquest in Plymouth, Torbay and South Devon provided Sussex Police with an opportunity to scrutinise its own internal processes, procedures and systems, and to implement the organisational learning that was identified.

One of the key outcomes of the coroner’s report to prevent future deaths focused around the [lack of] scrutiny and oversight that was provided by supervisors in respect of the return of the firearm to the perpetrator. It was highlighted that these decision-making processes are already recognised to be effective in Sussex, with firearms only returned to individuals following oversight and sign-off from an office at the rank of Chief Inspector and/or Superintendent who understand the specific requirements set out within the legislation.

KB was also reassured to note that the Force has commenced a review into its decision-making around the return of all firearms to individuals over the past five years to assess the suitability and appropriateness of these outcomes. Sussex Police has invested in provisions to enable staff to undertake this activity in a timely manner, with no issues in the decision-making identified to date. It was also highlighted that this proactive approach is being taken by all police forces in England and Wales considering recent and tragic events.

The Deputy Chief Constable confirmed that one of the main benefits of introducing a document management system that is interfaced with the National Firearms Licensing Management System (NFLMS) is that it is electronic, accessible and easily auditable. This approach enables the Force to search the system quickly and to cross-reference the information contained within with both the Police National Computer and the Police National Database. This system has also enabled the Force to receive regular and consistent management information to assess ongoing performance in this area.

It was highlighted that some of the efficiencies that were anticipated to be generated by moving away from a paper-based system to the NFLMS have not yet been realised by the Force in terms of savings made to police officer and staff time through more effective processes. A post implementation review is set to commence shortly to understand better whether any further opportunities exist to improve the use of this software, with the outcome of this review expected to be made available later this summer.

There are currently more than 24,000 firearms licence holders in Sussex – comprising circa. 6,000 coterminous firearms licences [for more than one firearm] and circa. 18,000 shotgun licences. The number of licence holders was recognised to have decreased by 15% over the past three years, with the increased costs of living and the additional requirement for applicants to obtain pre-medical information from General Practitioners [prior to applying] both attributed to the reduced number of license holders.

Sussex Police issued a combined 953 new firearm and shotgun licences and renewed 3,112 licenses in 2022, compared to the 693 new licences issued and 3,868 renewals granted in 2021. The Force also refused 18 licences and revoked 16 licences in 2022, in comparison to the four licenses refused and 11 licences revoked in 2021. A qualitative approach to assessment is used in the decision-making processes for all refusals and revocations, with any initial concerns shared with a supervisor before these are escalated to a Chief Inspector for endorsement and a final decision. KB was reassured to note that the Force has effective procedures, escalation processes and scrutiny measures in place around firearms licensing in Sussex.

The Deputy Chief Constable confirmed that Sussex Police is currently issuing new licences in 120 days for firearms and 105 days for shotguns, with a quicker response time provided for the renewal of licences, including 71 days for firearms and 64 days for shotgun licences [N.B. The number of days quoted are from the date of the initial application to the date the licenses are issued]. The structured process used by the Force for the purposes of new and renewal applications was recognised to be time consuming and resource intensive, with staff frequently required to have multiple interactions and two-way exchanges with applicants to ask additional questions and/to gather all the information required. Any additional delays caused by this due diligence will contribute towards increased average waiting times being recorded.

Sussex Police was recognised to have compared favourably with the other police forces in England and Wales in terms of the timeliness of firearms licences issued when the annual performance figures were published by the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) in July 2022. The Force were positioned 17^th of all police forces nationally for both the timeliness of firearms [and shotgun] licences granted and renewed and received a ‘GREEN’ grading from BASC.

The Deputy Chief Constable confirmed that there are only two individuals in Sussex with expired certificates that are still in possession of their firearms. One of these individuals has since passed away and the other is out of the country. The firearms involved in both cases are currently being held by Registered Firearms Dealers. KB agreed to share this updated performance information with the Minister of State for Crime, Policing and Fire.

ACTION: KB agreed to write to the Minister of State for Crime, Policing and Fire and provide him with the updated information about firearms licensing in Sussex as part of the six-monthly review process.

BUSINESS CRIME – SHOPLIFTING

I was concerned to note that only 733 of the 9,541 shoplifting offences recorded in Sussex between 1 October 2021 – 30 September 2022 resulted in a charge or summons being issued.

At 7.7%, Sussex Police also had one of the lowest rates compared to all forces in England and Wales, with only the Metropolitan Police Service [6.3%] and Surrey Police [4.9%] issuing fewer charges/summons across the same period.

1. What do you attribute the low number of charges and summons issued to shoplifters to in Sussex? What does your plan look like to improve Force performance in this area? And when do you anticipate these improvements will be demonstrated?
2. In November 2021, Sussex Police launched a Business Crime Team to provide a more focused police response to all reports of business crime. What impact has this team had on tackling business and retail crime, identifying prolific offenders and providing support to business communities in Sussex? And how has the Business Crime Team been used to target shoplifting?
3. In 2022/23, the Safer Sussex Business Partnership and Sussex Police launched two new schemes to reduce shoplifting across the county. What were the focus of these different schemes? How successful were these delivered? And how has the effectiveness of these schemes been measured?
4. How has ‘One Touch Reporting’ been used to simplify reporting processes, identify trends and reduce the impact of repeat offenders on business communities? What impact has this made to the volume and timeliness of crimes reported to the police? What additional demand has One Touch Reporting created? And how is this extra demand being managed by the Force?

The Deputy Chief Constable acknowledged the 33% increase in shoplifting offences recorded by Sussex Police during 2022/23 – this equated to an additional 2,361 crimes recorded in comparison to 7,180 offences recorded the year before. This increase in shoplifting offences was attributed to greater confidence of the business community to report crimes to the police and the introduction of more efficient reporting processes, including One Touch Reporting [a crime reporting system piloted by 22 Co-Op stores] and DISC [an intelligence and crime reporting app].

The ongoing challenges to encourage businesses to support the police response [after submitting the initial report] to progress these investigations was recognised to be contributing towards the low number of charges and summons issued to shoplifters in Sussex. This was recognised to include the timely sharing of information, evidence and any CCTV footage available to support the police investigation.

In November 2021, Sussex Police launched a Business Crime Team to provide a more focused response to reports of business crime. The team also sought to collaborate more effectively with businesses by bringing together intelligence from across the county to identify repeat offenders and those perpetrators who present the greatest threat, harm and risk to businesses. The introduction of the Business Crime Team was recognised to have contributed to the 19% solved rate recorded for shoplifting offences in 2022/23.

The structural changes to the operational policing model used by Sussex Police – as part of Operation Unify – are anticipated to improve Force performance in this area further still. This will include increasing the number of police officers available to respond to volume crimes and enhancing the investigative standards of the police response to these investigations through the creation of Response Investigation Teams (RITs). This revised approach is anticipated to deliver a renewed focus on solving crime, holding offenders to account and improving trust and confidence in the police. The new model was introduced in Brighton & Hove in February 2023, with the same model set to be launched on East Sussex Division and West Sussex Division before the end of April 2023.

The Safer Sussex Business Partnership (SSBP) and Sussex Police have launched two schemes to try and reduce shoplifting across the county – these include a ‘business victim awareness course’ and a ‘putting it right scheme’. Whilst both initiatives have already demonstrated successes, it is recognised that these options are more suitable for diverting first time shoplifters away from crime [as part of an out-of-court disposal] rather than high-risk and repeat perpetrators, due to the level of offending they are involved in. It was acknowledged that the Force could do more to improve the scope of the schemes around first-time offenders to maximise their effectiveness.

The Deputy Chief Constable explained that Sussex Police are working hard to manage the additional demand recorded in this area. The increased number of offences recorded has enabled Sussex Police to develop a more accurate assessment and heightened intelligence regarding repeat offenders, times and locations which can then be used to plan, target and deploy police resources through preventative patrols by police officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs). This proactive approach also enables the Force to provide additional crime prevention advice to businesses to support them in their endeavours to target harden their premises.

KB agreed to revisit business crime and shoplifting again at the PAM on 17 November 2023.

ACTION: KB would like to know what proportion of the 33% increase in shoplifting offences recorded by Sussex Police in 2022/23 can be attributed to ‘One Touch Reporting’.

HMICFRS – ONLINE SEXUAL ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN 

On 5 April 2023, HMICFRS published the findings from their report ‘An inspection of how well the police and National Crime Agency tackle the online sexual abuse and exploitation of children’ which found that the “police response to online child sexual abuse and exploitation (CSAE) is too often leaving vulnerable children at risk and allowing offenders to escape justice.”

1. Do you understand the scale and demand of online CSAE offences in Sussex? And is this increasing at the “rapid rate” reported nationally?
2. What are the key challenges for Sussex Police in terms of online CSAE? And how is the Force responding to these?
3. The report found that forces are often not properly responding to allegations or concerns about suspects, leading to unacceptable delays and missed opportunities. How do you respond to this statement?
4. HMICFRS found that many forces often wait too long before sharing information with partners, which means they can miss opportunities to refer children and families for support. How prompt are the discussions with local statutory safeguarding partners to share information and agree activity in Sussex? And how effective are these data sharing arrangements with partners?
5. The report highlighted that there are no nationally agreed minimum standards of practice for online CSAE investigations and means that forces are not responding quickly or sufficiently to allegations of abuse. What training, guidance and supervision is provided to officers and staff to support frontline policing? How do you ensure that a consistent approach is delivered in Sussex? And are there enough resources in Sussex dedicated to these investigations?
6. The report made 17 recommendations for chief constables, policing bodies and the Government to tackle online CSAE. What plans are in place to progress the 10 recommendations for chief constables within the prescribed timescales?

The Chief Constable acknowledged that child sexual abuse and exploitation (CSAE) is an “abhorrent crime” for the children and young people who are subjected to this type of criminality. The valuable contribution that is made by those police officers and staff who work in this area of policing was also recognised and respected.

It was highlighted that there has been an increase in the number of referrals made to the Police Online Investigation Team (POLIT) in Sussex for offences of online CSAE in recent years. This increased reporting was recognised to have peaked during the COVID-19 pandemic through greater use of computers and other electronic devices because of the restrictions on movement in place at the time.

Sussex Police understand the scale and demand of CSAE offences, although it is widely recognised that many offences remain under-reported due to the complexities in the offending behaviour and the different systems and devices this offending activity can be committed through [i.e., the ‘dark web’]. The Force is continuing to work in partnership with the National Crime Agency (NCA) and other statutory agencies to develop and improve the overall policing response provided to victims.

There are several challenges for the Force in terms of responding to and tackling online CSAE. This includes the ever-changing technological landscape and the ability for individuals to commit these offences from anywhere in the world, with many of the perpetrators now based in international territories, rather than in the United Kingdom, using technology designed to hide a location to prevent identification. An increasing number of children are also uploading self-generated images, with a considerable proportion of these offences perpetrated by children against other children which adds to the complications around the additional safeguarding considerations required. The complexity of this criminal offending also means that it can be extremely challenging to interrogate electronic devices to obtain the evidence required to support successful prosecutions once the police have recovered these.

Alongside the support and safeguarding that is provided to victims, Sussex Police demonstrate a suspect-focused approach to ensure that all allegations or concerns are considered to try and avoid missing any opportunities to deliver a positive outcome. KB was pleased to note that the solved rate recorded by POLIT for CSAE offences in Sussex was 21% for the rolling year period to 31 March 2023 – this compared favourably to the average solved rate of 17% recorded by the MSG to Sussex across the same period.

The Chief Constable was confident that Sussex Police understand the difficulties and challenges involved with tackling CSAE, although it was recognised that more could still be done. The Force has proactively produced child-related guides for the call handlers to use in the FCCCD to ensure that the initial response is informed and correct which continue to be reviewed and updated by subject matter experts as and when any new information and/or best practice is identified. Further advice is also made available to police officers and staff through the Crewmate app that is available to access through hand-held mobile data terminals, alongside greater awareness raising of online CSAE amongst the existing workforce through Forcewide emails and the intranet, and as part of the initial training provided to new police officer recruits. Supervisors oversee all this activity to ensure that police officers and staff feel supported in their investigations in this area.

Sussex Police consider that an effective approach to information sharing already exists locally. This response is supported by the mandatory use of a single combined assessment of risk form (SCARF) to make an initial assessment about vulnerability and/or the requirement for any referrals to external safeguarding organisations to ensure that no unnecessary delays exist in the process and that the best possible outcomes for children and their families are delivered.

It was highlighted that high-risk child referrals are triaged and assessed within three hours [often in partnership with a senior social worker], with medium-risk and low-risk referrals reviewed and triaged within 24/48 hours and 24/72 hours, respectively. This position may change if any additional information is received, with an escalation and de-escalation option available depending on the outcome of the revised triage and risk assessment. The child protection policy for the Force also contains a mandatory requirement that all officers and staff submit a child notice form following any such contact. This is further supported by the ‘live’ performance information that is made available to the workforce through Power BI as part of holistic approach in this area.

It was also emphasised that police officers and staff have a good understanding of their duty to immediately safeguard vulnerable people and have received specific training in the ‘voice of the child’ – this is a term used by the police to refer not only to what children say directly, but to many other aspects of their presentation and home environment. Put simply, it means seeing their experiences from their point of view.

Following publication of the report, Sussex Police has undertaken a gap analysis to understand better where the policing response can be improved locally. This has included building continuous professional development (CPD) time into the shift patterns of police officers working in Response, Public Protection and CID to ensure that their knowledge and training remains current around CSAE and Operation Hydrant – the national police investigation into allegations of ‘non-recent’ child sexual abuse. This training is set to be expanded to other investigative teams across the Force.

The Chief Constable concluded by confirming that an initial assessment has been made to consider each of the 10 HMICFRS recommendations identified for chief constables in England and Wales, with action plans to be developed to address each of these shortly.

NEXT UP:

The next PAM is on Friday, 19 May 2023 at 13:00. Further information can be viewed through the following link: www.sussex-pcc.gov.uk/get-involved/watch-live/

This PAM was postponed because of illness.

PERFORMANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY MEETING                                                   

DATE: 7 June 2023

LOCATION: Sackville House, Lewes

PRESENT:

Police & Crime Commissioner – Katy Bourne [KB]

Chief Executive Officer – Mark Streater

Chief Constable – Jo Shiner

Deputy Chief Constable – Dave McLaren

Digital Content and Campaigns Manager – Izzy FitzGibbon [webcasting]

Head of Performance – Graham Kane [minutes]

HMICFRS – PEEL ASSESSMENT 2021/22 

In April 2023, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) published the findings from their ‘Police Effectiveness, Efficiency and Legitimacy’ assessment of Sussex Police in 2021/22.

Providing a service to victims of crime

This assessment is ungraded, although it influences graded judgements in the other areas inspected.

1. The report acknowledged that in most cases the Force responds promptly to calls for service but identified that “victims aren’t always informed of delays and their expectations aren’t always met.” How will you seek to improve performance in this area? And are you concerned that this may cause victims to lose confidence and disengage from the process?
2. HMICFRS found that “not all investigations were completed in a timely way and didn’t always follow relevant and proportionate lines of inquiry to a conclusion.” What governance arrangements are in place to ensure that investigation standards remain high? And how compliant are Sussex Police in terms of carrying out needs assessments at an early stage to determine whether any additional support is required?

The Deputy Chief Constable explained that Sussex Police responds to calls for service within appropriate timeframes and explained that the comments made by HMICFRS related to the delays experienced by non-urgent demand received by the Force Contact, Command and Control Department (FCCCD) through non-emergency [101] calls. Sussex Police is continuing to prioritise its emergency calls [999] that require an urgent response, with most of these calls for service answered within 10 seconds.

The Force also acknowledged the challenges that have been experienced in responding to calls during periods of high demand previously [i.e. summer months] and stated that significant improvements have been made in the past eight months since the HMICFRS inspection took place, with the Force now responding to all non-urgent demand within 24 hours, against an internal target of 72 hours.

Sussex Police are currently looking at amending some of the processes used in the FCCCD to deliver a more victim-centred response. This includes refreshing the existing grading system used by the Force to reflect the recent changes in demand. This amended approach is anticipated to be implemented before the end of the summer and should provide those contacting the police with more realistic timescales to better manage expectations. This area remains an ongoing priority for the Force. [N.B. There are currently four types of call grading used by Sussex Police: Grade 1 – Emergency Response, Grade 2 – Priority Response, Grade 3 – Scheduled Response and Grade 4 – Resolution without Deployment].

The Force remains committed to improving investigative standards and has heightened its governance processes in place to support this. This has included the establishment of a monthly Investigative Improvement Board, chaired by an Assistant Chief Constable, to look at the quality of all investigations undertaken in Sussex. This approach involves looking at the full investigation timeline – from the initial reporting of an offence to the point that a file is closed – to understand better whether any opportunities exist to progress and develop these investigations.

Sussex Police has made structural changes to the neighbourhood policing model used by the Force – through Operation Unify – to provide a renewed focus on the importance of solving crime, holding offenders to account and improving trust and confidence [in the police] for victims. This has included the creation of new Response Investigation Teams on each of the three policing divisions – alongside the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) – to improve the quality, timeliness and investigative standards of the policing response to volume crime investigations. The new model was introduced in Brighton & Hove in February 2023, with the same model launched on East Sussex Division and West Sussex Division in April 2023.

The importance of having effective supervisory arrangements in place to improve investigation standards was recognised. Sussex Police has increased the number of supervisors available to support police officers and staff with their investigations by an additional 13 inspectors and 50 police sergeants as part of this new policing model. The Force is continuing to monitor the progress made in this area, with early indications highlighting that performance is already improving in Brighton & Hove.

KB was reassured to note that Sussex Police is currently carrying out victim needs assessments in 95% of all cases at the initial point of contact, with routine checks made to review the quality of these assessments and to reassess and amend the approaches taken should any additional support be identified. This approach also ensures ongoing compliance with the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime.

Crime data integrity

Sussex Police is inadequate at recording data about crime.

85. HMICFRS identified a cause for concern around crime data integrity with 85.6% of all reported crimes recorded during 2021/22 – this was extrapolated to estimate that the Force did not record more than 20,200 crimes across the year. How do you respond to this? And what steps have you taken to identify and address any gaps in the systems and processes used to identify and record all reports made by victims of crime?
86. The report also highlighted the recording of equality data for victims of crime as an area for improvement. What more could Sussex Police do to record equality data for victims of crime? How will the Force seek to address the apparent under-reporting of data relating to ethnicity and other protected characteristics? And what difference do you anticipate the collection of this data will make to the response provided to victims of crime in Sussex?

The Deputy Chief Constable acknowledged that crime recording is an extremely complex area of policing, with ongoing challenges to ensure that a consistent approach exists because crime is recorded by many different areas throughout the Force.

Sussex Police is currently in the process of enhancing its crime management processes and will restructure the Crime Management Unit (CMU) to ensure that a centralised team validate all recorded crimes. This revised approach will see every crime entered onto the system overseen, checked and signed off by the centralised team [on the same day] to ensure that offences have been recorded accurately according to Home Office Counting Rules – the national standard for the recording and counting of notifiable offences recorded by police forces in England and Wales.

The restructured CMU is set to be launched on 3 July 2023 and will comprise circa. 40 experienced crime recording practitioners, consisting both police officers and staff [including several individuals currently on either restrictive or recuperative duties] trained to provide a more efficient and effective response. This centralised approach should address the recommendations identified within this area in the inspection report and will also support the Force to undertake much wider audits about all crimes recorded, rather than thematic audits about specific crime types.

The adverse headlines around crime data integrity in Sussex generated by the report and the 20,200 crimes that were estimated to not have been recorded by the Force during 2021/22 were based on an extrapolated figure calculated by HMICFRS following an audit into 576 incidents between January – March 2022 [N.B. This was in comparison to more than 471,000 incidents recorded by Sussex Police across the whole calendar year of 2022].

It was found that Sussex Police should have recorded 571 of these crimes, although only 494 crimes were recorded – this equated to 77 missed crimes. Of those crimes, only 11 of these were crimes that should have been recorded at the first point of recording as the principal offence. The other 66 related to subsequent crimes that only became apparent during the investigation of the first recorded offence, with many of these offences recognised to be minor in terms of their impact and severity.

In May 2023, changes were made to the counting rules for recorded crime to provide the police with more time to focus on solving crimes and protecting the public. All reported crimes for a single incident will now consistently be recorded under the principal offence, to record the crime which has the most impact on a victim, rather than as multiple entries on a database which effectively re-records the same incident. It was also highlighted that had these new crime recording standards been engaged at the time of the inspection, Sussex Police would not have received an inadequate grading from HMICFRS.

KB highlighted a potential risk around changing the counting rules to focus on primary offence and the impact this could have on the recording of and, subsequent, investigation of secondary offences that may demonstrate a pattern of offending behaviour.

To address this issue, Sussex Police plan to continue to record these secondary offences, alongside primary offences, for all instances of domestic abuse and sexual offences to ensure that no investigative opportunities are missed to pursue those perpetrators involved in this type of offending. It was also acknowledged that this approach may result in the Force receiving criticism for over-recording crimes and incidents, although this was recognised to be a risk that the Force was prepared to accept for the benefit of doing the right thing for the victims of these crimes.

The Deputy Chief Constable recognised the importance of recording data relating to ethnicity and other protected characteristics to understand better trends and offending behaviour in Sussex to provide the best possible service to members of the public.

This was acknowledged to be reflective of a national trend and an inability for all police forces in England and Wales to record additional characteristics on the police records management system [Niche] because of a technical issue. The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) is currently working on this issue and is scheduled to provide some further national guidance for all forces to address this issue shortly.

Engaging with and treating the public with fairness and respect

Sussex Police is good at treating the public with fairness and respect.

1. I was pleased to note that HMICFRS recognised “the workforce understands the importance of treating the public with fairness and respect.” What difference has the introduction of the new race and inclusion action plan [July 2022] made to Force performance in this area? And how will you measure the effectiveness of this plan in terms of building trust and legitimacy in policing?
2. The report found that “some junior officers were unsure of their stop and search powers or feared receiving a complaint” [for using them]. How do you plan to address the reductions in the use of self-generated stop and search powers by junior officers? How will you seek to increase their knowledge of these powers and remove the fear of receiving complaints for undertaking their duties? And when will this additional training and guidance be delivered?

The Chief Constable explained that the Force serves a diverse range of communities throughout Sussex and recognised the importance of treating all members of the public with fairness, courtesy and respect.

The Race and Inclusion Action Plan seeks to understand and acknowledge the different challenges that exist within these communities which is delivered through effective engagement, amending systems and processes to design out any systemic injustice or procedural bias, and developing an internal culture that challenges behaviours and communicates the positive improvements made.

This approach is supported by proactive conversations with the residents of Sussex and the undertaking of surveys – both internally and externally – to provide Sussex Police with additional information and intelligence to shape the Force response and to manage better the expectations from these communities.

The reducing use of stop and search in Sussex was recognised to be part of broader and emerging challenge for all police forces nationally. The recent recruitment of 20,000 new police officers in England and Wales undertaken over the past three years through the Police Uplift Programme means that a significant proportion of the workforce in the police service is new and inexperienced.

The importance of providing these new officers with appropriate training to support them to develop confidence and understanding in the use of this policing power in a legitimate, proportionate and transparent manner was highlighted. KB was reassured to note that this training is already being delivered to new officers by Learning & Development [within the Human Resources Department] and has been developed and improved to include the use of roleplay exercises and ensure ongoing compliance with the Authorised Professional Practice [provided by the College of Policing].

These skillsets are further enhanced by the tutors on each of the policing divisions and through attachments with the Specialist Enforcement Unit and the Tactical Enforcement Units before student officers gain their independent patrol. The delivery of unconscious bias training and the inclusion of scenario-based exercises within the broader personal safety training seeks to develop and improve the knowledge and confidence of all police officers to use stop and search when undertaking their duties.

The Chief Constable concluded by stating that she was confident that Sussex Police has the appropriate governance and training arrangements in place to address the reduction identified in the use of stop and search. It was also reiterated that positive stop and search outcomes are more important than the number of stop and searches recorded by individual police officers.

Preventing crime and anti-social behaviour

Sussex Police is good at prevention and deterrence.

1. HMICFRS highlighted the Habitual Knife Carrier index developed by Sussex Police as “innovative practice” that has “dramatically reduced possession-of-weapons offences.” How many higher-risk individuals are currently on the index in Sussex? How many were added/removed during 2022/23? What impact did the index have on the number of possession-of-weapons offences involving the project cohort during the year? And how does the Force plan to develop the index further in 2023/24 to prevent further harm?
2. The report recognised that a significant number of PCSOs have left their roles to become police officers [as part of the Police Uplift Programme] which “has left the Force with a shortage of PCSOs and is likely to affect the effectiveness and visibility of its neighbourhood policing.” What is the current vacancy rate for PCSOs? What does the recruitment plan look like for PCSOs?

The Chief Constable recognised the importance of tackling knife crime in Sussex. The Habitual Knife Crime Index was developed out of a need to understand better the young people involved in or linked to knife crime and known lifestyle factors associated with serious violence, including drug use or involvement in gangs. Once high-risk individuals are identified with this type of offending, the police Youth Offending Team, Children’s Services and the Probation Service work collaboratively to try and address the known issues and problems relating to knife crime.

At the end of April 2023, there were 110 individuals assessed as high-risk on the index [out of a total cohort of 419 individuals], including 26% who lived outside of Sussex or were of no fixed abode and a further 5% residing in His Majesty’s Prison Lewes. The need to include those who are currently serving a prison sentence on the index was emphasised because of the requirement to reassess these individuals [and any risk they may pose] on their release.

There were 78 individuals on the Habitual Knife Crime Index on 30 April 2023 who were also present on the index at the same date in 2022. These individuals equated for 18% of all the total cohort, although the rolling data range used to update this is refreshed on a quarterly basis and means that the number of individuals included within the cohort remains subject to constant change. It was also highlighted that the identification of risk and the provision of tailored interventions [with partners] is more important than the number of individuals added to or removed from the Habitual Knife Crime Index. [N.B. The identification criteria used for inclusion on the index requires at least two eligible offences to have been committed and/or intelligence reports recorded within the timeframe].

The original pilot on East Sussex Division identified 19 individuals for the cohort, alongside 60 peers and associates, who each engaged in a combination of 1-2-1 mentoring, educational lessons and place-based detached work which contributed to a 92% reduction in possession of weapons offences across the rolling year. This represented a 4% reduction in all [possession of weapons] offences recorded in East Sussex during the same period.

The number of police incidents caused by and/or attributed to the same cohort also reduced from 233 [prior to the intervention] to 88 [after the intervention] across the rolling year – this represented a 62% reduction in incidents involving the project cohort. These significant reductions can also be extrapolated across to demonstrate the savings made in economic and social costs by preventing these crimes which are estimated to have reduced by more than 52% from circa. £645,000 to £305,000 across the same period. KB was pleased to note that the use of the Habitual Knife Crime Index will be expanded to include all local authority areas in Sussex during 2023/24.

The Chief Constable confirmed that Sussex Police currently has 239 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) PCSOs. This equates to 53 fewer PCSOs than the funded establishment of 292 FTE and equates to a PCSO vacancy rate of 18%.

It was highlighted that the PCSO role remains a good pathway to progress to become a police officer, with 116 individuals having left their PCSO roles to become warranted officers since 2019. This internal transition within the police force also ensures that the skills and  experience developed within these police staff roles is preserved and maintained.

KB was pleased to note that this area remains an ongoing priority for the recruitment team within the Force, with a PCSO Workforce Plan developed to support this. Sussex Police is planning to recruit 97 PCSOs by February 2024, to ensure that the Force is back to full establishment by the end of 2023/24.

Responding to the public

Sussex Police is inadequate at responding to the public.

1. The report identified a cause for concern around non-emergency call handling times [101] and the structured approach used by the Force to assess risk and vulnerability. Sussex Police “should make sure it can answer a greater proportion of non-emergency calls so that caller attrition levels are reduced and keep as low as possible.” How will this recommendation be addressed in response to the reducing 101 calls? How many police staff vacancies does the Force have in the control room? Are police officers still being used to manage risk and reduce backlogs of incidents? And what more could be done to improve support for, and development of, control room personnel?
2. The report found that the Force could do more to identify repeat and vulnerable callers through the greater use of Threat, Harm, Risk, Investigation, Vulnerability and Engagement (THRIVE) – this was only used in 36 of 61 cases reviewed. How will you seek to increase the use of THRIVE to ensure that the risk to the victim is accurately assessed?

The Chief Constable acknowledged the improvements that have been made to call handling performance in Sussex during recent years but recognised that further improvements are still required to address the cause for concern identified by HMICFRS.

It was highlighted that several technological changes have been introduced within the FCCCD in recent months to embed new platforms within existing Force processes and procedures. In November 2022, Sussex Police introduced Smart Storm – a command-and-control system used to record incidents and crimes when they are reported, allocate and deploy resources and provide ongoing management and oversight of real time events [N.B. This platform was introduced during the month the inspection took place].

Sussex Police recorded an abandonment rate of 11% for non-emergency calls for the rolling year period to 30 April 2023, with more individuals now being redirected online. The Force has also sought to raise greater awareness of the ‘Click, Call, Connect’ campaign to reduce the demand on the non-emergency number by educating members of the public around what to contact the police about and encouraging the greater use of online webform reporting.

The Force has also introduced new technology – through the Joint Force Contact and Telephony Programme (JCUT) – which is anticipated to assist the FCCCD to understand better the visibility of the contact received from the initial call through to its  transfer through the system, alongside any call abandonment. This technology is anticipated to remove a latency time lag delay caused by infrastructure and network delays from British Telecommunications (BT) too. The vast majority of JCUT was installed last month [following delays caused by the introduction of Smart Storm] and is currently subject to user acceptance testing, with this expected to be completed by the end of July 2023.

Sussex Police had a police staff vacancy rate of 11 FTE within the FCCCD [on 30 April 2023], with further individuals from the department set to leave the Force over the summer months, including several who will become warranted officers. The Force is also continuing to use police officers to manage risk and reduce backlogs of incidents within the FCCCD, with this blended approach for the workforce set to continue.

The Force is currently seeking expressions of interests for 999/101 Contact Handlers, with six cohorts of 12 individuals set to be recruited across 2023/24. Further information about these roles can be viewed through the following link:

https://www.lumesse-engage.com/policejobssurreyandsussex/jobs/-expression-of-interest-999-101-contact-handler--sysx-exp00052-1

The Chief Constable confirmed that she had looked at all 61 of the cases reviewed by HMICFRS during the inspection and was satisfied that whilst it had not been recorded on the system, THRIVE had been used on each of the 25 cases [where an omission was recorded] to accurately assess the risk posed to victims. It was also highlighted that these cases related to low-level offences and that there were no outstanding issues or concerns arising.

It was acknowledged that the Force could make further enhancements to improve its use of THRIVE, with re-training provided to the workforce in the Triage Hub and additional refresher training provided to all staff within the FCCCD. All this training is expected to be delivered by end of June 2023. The Force has also introduced a process change for incidents held in radio queues to standardise the call backs provided to members of the public if the service level agreement [and THRIVE risk assessment] is missed. KB was reassured to note that Sussex Police remains committed to doing more to identify repeat and vulnerable callers and to improve the level of service provided.

The Chief Constable highlighted that HMICFRS recently returned to Sussex Police [May 2023] to look at the progress made by the Force to address the cause of concern [and the recommendations made]. Positive feedback was received for the improvements already demonstrated in respect of the application of THRIVE within the FCCCD following the delivery of the additional training ahead of increased demand anticipated across the summer months.

ACTION: KB requested a copy of the report from HMICFRS summarising the progress made by Sussex Police in this area following their recent return visit to the Force Contact, Command and Control Department.

Investigating crime

Sussex Police requires improvement at investigating crime.

1. The report recognised that the Force “does not always create investigation plans when needed or provide supervisory oversight.” What processes exist to develop these investigation plans and apply consistent supervisory oversight and direction? And how is performance monitored by the Force?
2. HMICFRS identified delays in allocating crimes to investigators which can negatively impact the service provided to victims, reduce the opportunities to recover evidence [i.e., CCTV] and cause victims to disengage in the process – “crime demand is outweighing the staff trained and available to investigate it.” How are you monitoring the caseloads for investigators to ensure that these remain appropriate and manageable? How is the Force seeking to balance this demand with its obligations to look after officers and staff? And what difference has Operation Unify [and the introduction of the Response Investigation Team] made to performance in this area?
3. HMICFRS found that 45.2% of all cases investigated by Sussex Police were assigned outcome 18 [investigation complete: no suspect identified]. This was “statistically significant” and above the average of 33.7% for all police forces in England and Wales. Are you concerned by this performance? And have crime investigation standards improved since the Force was inspected? If so, what has changed in Sussex to provide a better service to victims of crime?
4. HMICFRS found that “the use of recorded crime outcomes is often inappropriate” with a routine absence of supervisory consultation and oversight. How do you ensure that all investigative opportunities are considered before an investigation is closed? And what governance and monitoring processes are in place to ensure that the use of recorded crime outcomes is appropriate and comply with national policies? What more could be done to strengthen Force performance in this area?

The Deputy Chief Constable recognised that effective supervisory oversight is required to deliver improvements in the investigation of crime. This was highlighted to be even more important given the relative inexperience of the workforce and the national shortages in qualified detectives, with a greater need identified to maximise the use of supervisors to improve investigative standards.

As highlighted within the ‘Providing a service to victims of crime’ section [pages 1 – 2], Sussex Police has made structural changes to its operational policing model that are anticipated to enhance investigative standards. This has included the creation of Response Investigation Teams (RITs) on each of the three policing divisions and increasing the number of supervisors available to support the workforce with their investigations by an additional 13 inspectors and 50 police sergeants.

The establishment of a monthly Investment Improvement Board should also contribute towards improvements in performance in this area by providing oversight around the quality of the investigations undertaken in Sussex. This will include reviewing all  component parts of the individual investigations to understand better whether these are being maximised and/or whether any opportunities exist to develop these investigations further still.

The principle of the new policing model is to ensure that investigations are passed to the right person, with the right skills and the right training. This includes the provision of dedicated time within individual shift patterns to enable police officers to investigate and complete their individual caseloads without any additional crimes being allocated to them. This approach should contribute towards more manageable workloads and the timelier completion of investigations.

The new model was introduced on Brighton & Hove Division in February 2023, with the same model launched on East Sussex Division and West Sussex Division in April 2023. The RIT in Brighton & Hove has already started to contribute towards the provision of a better service for victims of crime since its introduction, with improvements made to the timeliness of the investigations and enhancements to the solved rates demonstrated for volume and priority crimes.

The Deputy Chief Constable recognised that the current challenge for Sussex Police is to facilitate the regular engagement of police officers and staff with the wellbeing support that has been made available. This includes bespoke wellbeing provisions for those individuals involved in investigations, with increased opportunities for remote working and allocated time for continuous professional development (CPD) made available.

It was acknowledged that Sussex Police is above the national average for all forces in England and Wales in terms of assigning outcome 18 [investigation complete: no suspect identified]. This was recognised to relate to a technical decision taken previously around the ethical recording of a named suspect when a victim decides to discontinue their engagement with the police investigation and the named individual was either not aware and/or was never investigated.

Sussex Police is one of a small number of forces who use this approach towards outcome 18 which is the reason for the Force appearing as an outlier. Instead of using another outcome, the Force uses outcome 18 and generates an ‘involved tag’ on the crime recording system to highlight that an individual has been named in an incident but was not investigated for the offence, nor was the case progressed. This approach ensures that this intelligence is still captured and held on police systems [and remains searchable] but means that this would not flag up on any vetting searches that may be undertaken for recruitment purposes.

The report also highlighted that the use of outcome 16 [evidential difficulties: suspect identified, victim does not support action] was inappropriate in 13 of the 20 cases reviewed [65%] and that the use of outcome 15 [evidential difficulties: suspect identified, victim supports action] was inappropriate in 16 of the 20 cases reviewed [80%]. The Deputy Chief Constable agreed to look at the use of recorded crime outcomes and to provide KB with further information about the use of these outcomes in Sussex.

ACTION: KB requested further information about the inappropriate use of outcome 15 and outcome 16 highlighted within the HMICFRS report.

Protecting vulnerable people

Sussex Police is adequate at protecting vulnerable people.

1. HMICFRS recognised that Sussex Police was coordinating its response to violence against women and girls (VAWG) through a lead Superintendent post created and funded by me for one year, in my role as Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner. What impact has this postholder made to the Force response to VAWG? And what is the plan for this post [and its funding] in 2023/24?

The Deputy Chief Constable recognised the significant impact and value the establishment of a dedicated Superintendent post has made to the Force response to VAWG.

Sussex Police has established a VAWG Action Plan to address recommendations made by HMICFRS in this area previously. This work has been delivered across the four pillars of:

• Improving trust and confidence in policing
• Relentless pursuit of perpetrators
• Safer Spaces – Private, public and online
• Partnership and community engagement

The Force was also recognised to be well-positioned in terms of its response to this area in comparison to other police forces in England and Wales.

With this one-year funding now concluded, Sussex Police has extended this funding for another three-months [until the end of June] with discussions remaining ongoing as to whether the post will be funded any further.

In the meantime, the Force has identified another Superintendent to look at rape and serious sexual offences within the new investigative policing model in recognition of some of the direct links to the VAWG portfolio. This approach is anticipated to ensure the continuous coordination of the policing response to this important area, regardless of any decision taken about the funding of the previous role and will ensure the continued delivery of the VAWG Action Plan.

Managing offenders and suspects

Sussex Police is adequate at managing offenders and suspects.

1. The report found that Sussex Police “should maximise the use of pre-charge bail for cases of indecent imagery of children to allow police-initiated safeguarding measures to be put in place.” What risk management and safeguarding measures have been introduced by the Force for those released under investigation (RUI), as highlighted within the report? How will Sussex Police seek to develop these further to address the area for improvement identified by HMICFRS? And how do you ensure that the low-risk cases are not overlooked by focusing all efforts on higher-risk cases?
2. HMICFRS recognised that Sussex Police “has made efforts to reduce the number of people who are RUI”, as the Force aligns itself with changes to the Bail Act. How many suspected perpetrators were RUI in 2022/23? And what more can be done to reduce the number of people who are RUI by using bail conditions to prevent further offending and protect vulnerable people?

The Deputy Chief Constable explained that Sussex Police is receptive to the improvements highlighted by HMICFRS to maximise the effectiveness of the policing response to safeguard children and young people and manage known offenders.

The Force currently uses a Suspect Risk Management and Safeguarding Review to assess whether known suspects or individuals held in police custody for cases of indecent imagery should be released on police bail or RUI. This protocol provides a proactive, consistent and risk-based framework for the ongoing management of suspects. This decision is further complicated by the strict time limits that exist around the use of bail and the number of digital devices that may require interrogation by specialist services which can add time to police investigations. The final decision regarding the method of release used is always based on strong risk management processes, taken by experienced inspectors.

Following the introduction of the Bail Act on 28 October 2022, Sussex Police has reduced the number of individuals RUI by 33% which represents a greater use of police bail and enables more police-initiated safeguarding measures to be put in place. This revised approach to RUI is also anticipated to deliver the area for improvement identified within the HMICFRS inspection report.

The Deputy Chief Constable provided KB with assurances that low-risk cases [of indecent imagery of children] are not being overlooked for higher-risk cases. The risk assessment process used by the Force remains dynamic and can be escalated and de-escalated based on the outcomes of regular reviews and any changes to the level of risk posed.

The Force released 120 suspected perpetrators under investigation for offences considered by the Police Online Investigation Team (POLIT) between 1 January and 27 October 2022, with 8 individuals bailed for similar offences. Since the Bail Act was introduced, the number of suspected perpetrators who have been RUI for offences considered by the POLIT has reduced to zero between 28 October to 10 May 2023, with 86 individuals bailed during the same period.

Sussex Police will seek to reduce the number of people who are RUI by using bail conditions to prevent further offending and protect vulnerable people, although these decisions will continue to be made on a case-by-case basis based on an assessment of the risks posed by the individuals and the supervisory oversight of each individual case.

Building, supporting and protecting the workforce

Sussex Police is adequate at building and developing its workforce.

1. HMICFRS identified inconsistencies with regards to return-to-work [following a period of absence] and one-to-one meetings with staff members which is affecting the wellbeing of staff and, in some cases, is resulting in further absences. This was acknowledged to be an area for improvement in the report. What proportion of existing supervisors have completed the mandatory supervisor training? Are you satisfied with this figure? Are there any plans to introduce automated reminders for all supervisors [as used by the Force Contact, Command and Control Department]? And is it feasible and/or practical to monitor compliance in this area centrally, as suggested in the report?
2. I was pleased to read that the wellbeing services made available to the workforce received positive praise during the inspection process, although it was recognised that not all personnel have time to access the range of services available. How will you seek to address this finding? What more can be done to make time available for the workforce to access these wellbeing services? And how will you monitor any improvements made by the Force in this area?

The Chief Constable explained that the Force has commissioned a review into the staff sickness policies and procedures used in Sussex to understand better the inconsistencies around return-to-work and one-to-one meetings highlighted by HMICFRS.

Sussex Police do not currently have a formal process in place to record some of these conversations and discussions with members of the workforce where no issues are arising on their return to work [N.B. It was emphasised that this evidence is always captured should any issues or causes for concern by raised].

It was highlighted that 30% of newly promoted Police Sergeants have undertaken and completed the ‘Introduction to Leadership’ and ‘Effective Performance Management’ training modules. These courses have been introduced to equip supervisors with the necessary skills required to support the individuals they are responsible for, manage their health and wellbeing and demonstrate effective absence management. [N.B. It remains a mandatory requirement for all sergeants and police staff equivalents to complete and understand this training within the first 12-months of their promotion to be substantiated in their new rank].

The ongoing review will also look at whether any automation can be introduced to build, support and protect the workforce better by monitoring compliance in this area centrally to address the area for improvement. This was recognised to be particularly important where line managers are based at a different geographical location to members of their teams, alongside the IT infrastructure that may be required to support this change.

The Chief Constable was “really proud” of the range of different wellbeing services that have been made available to the workforce as part of the joint Wellbeing Strategy [with Surrey Police] and remained confident that all police officers and staff know how to access them. It was accepted that it can sometimes be difficult for individuals to benefit from these services during periods of heightened demand and pressure, although it was recognised that supervisors should play a fundamental role in this process. This should include identifying any support that may be required [following one-to-one discussions] and signposting individuals to this, together with making time available for members of their teams to access these wellbeing services within their working weeks.

It was highlighted that Sussex Police [and Surrey Police] won an Oscar Kilo Award last year [2022] for ‘Creating the Environment’ which further demonstrates the ambition of the Force to improve its wellbeing provision. Further information about the award and the other winners can be viewed through the following link:

https://www.oscarkilo.org.uk/news/oscar-kilo-award-winners-2022

Strategic planning, organisational management and value for money

Sussex Police is adequate at operating efficiently.

1. HMICFRS identified that “the Force does not manage current demand effectively.” What work has been undertaken by Sussex Police to understand its capacity and capability? How will the gaps in investigative capability and investigative supervision highlighted in the report be addressed? And what do the anticipated timescales look like for these changes to have an effect?
2. The report acknowledged that “the Force makes the best use of the money it has available”, is “committed to making savings” and that its financial planning “is based on realistic assumptions about future costs.” What is the savings requirement for the Force in 2023/24? And how will the Force meet these savings against the significant funding shortfall to achieve a balanced budget for the year ending 31 March 2024?

The Deputy Chief Constable stated that Sussex Police has a “really comprehensive understanding of its demand” – both organisationally and operationally – which is supported by data analytics to monitor and track demand changes at each stage of the policing operation – from initial contact to response and investigations. The positive improvements that have now been made to improve the effectiveness of the policing response to this demand through Operation Unify were also recognised.

Sussex Police has approximately 300 police officers – recruited through the Police Uplift Programme – that are currently progressing through the coaching units [including a combination of classroom-based, tutor-led and probationers yet to achieve independent patrol status] who are unable to be deployed. This will continue to present the Force with an operational challenge until these officers are able to operate independently across each of the policing divisions in Sussex.

The structural changes already made to the policing model [through Operation Unify] means that the Force now has sufficient resources in place and the capacity to deal with its current demand which should contribute towards improvements in the timeliness of the policing response provided through a more effective allocation of resources. This consistent approach will also ensure that the Force provides a renewed focus on the importance of investigating and solving crime, holding offenders to account and improving trust and confidence [in the police] for victims.

As with all public sector organisations, Sussex Police faces significant and unavoidable additional costs over the coming years which must be funded through savings. The Deputy Chief Constable confirmed that Sussex Police has a savings requirement of approximately £18.5 million over the next three years to 2026/27. It was highlighted that this figure does not include any additional pay awards [for police officers and staff], inflationary costs or increases in fees for goods and services, nor any further economic uncertainties that may be apparent, which will each create further budget pressures for the Force. This is also in addition to the savings of £8million and £4million that were demonstrated in 2021/22 and 2022/23 respectively.

Sussex Police has established a transformational programme with Surrey Police to deliver a series of targeted reviews of each of the areas of collaboration between the two forces to identify where any opportunities exist to do things more efficiently and/or reduce back-office functionality, without compromising the service provided to members of the public in both areas.

NEXT UP:

The next PAM is on Friday, 21 July 2023 at 13:00. Further information can be viewed through the following link: www.sussex-pcc.gov.uk/get-involved/watch-live/

PERFORMANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY MEETING
DATE: 21 July 2023
LOCATION: Sackville House, Lewes
PRESENT: Police & Crime Commissioner – Katy Bourne [KB], Chief Executive Officer – Mark Streater, Chief Constable – Jo Shiner, Deputy Chief Constable – Dave McLaren, Correspondence and Admin Officer – Elliot Saunders [webcasting], Head of Performance – Graham Kane [minutes]

ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR ACTION PLAN

In March 2023, the Government launched an Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Action Plan setting out an ambitious approach to working with local agencies to tackle the blight of ASB facing communities across England and Wales.

A. How relevant is the existing Sussex Community Remedy document in relation to the ASB Action Plan and the Immediate Justice pilot?

B. How do you monitor the use of the five out-of-court-disposal options currently available to victims of low-level crime and ASB in Sussex?

C. The new Immediate Justice pilot focuses on reparation. How has this initiative been communicated to the workforce? What additional training is planned for police officers and staff in this respect? And what do the timescales look like for the delivery of this?

D. How do you plan to measure the effectiveness of this new initiative?

The Chief Constable explained that ASB in all or any of its forms continues to remain an issue for many individuals and communities in Sussex – both in terms of perception and reality. The introduction of the ASB Action Plan was welcomed by Sussex Police, alongside the further opportunities created to improve the policing response locally. The Action Plan sets out a national approach towards tackling ASB in England and Wales
across three distinct areas:

- Make sure ASB is treated with the urgency it deserves, increasing the use of hotspot
policing and enforcement, rolling out a new Immediate Justice service so ASB
perpetrators swiftly clean up their own mess, and giving communities more of a say
over, and more visibility of, reparation.

- Change laws and systems to take a zero-tolerance approach to ASB, cracking down
on the illegal drugs that blight communities and organised and harmful begging.

- Give the police and other agencies the tools they need to discourage ASB, including
higher on-the-spot fines, investment in positive activities for young people, filling
empty shops and regenerating local parks.

A copy of the ASB Action Plan can be viewed through the following link: assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1157028/Anti-social_Behaviour_Action_Plan_March_2023.pdf

The College of Policing define ASB as “conduct that has caused – or is likely to cause – harassment, alarm or distress to any person.” This definition has been widened in Sussex to include behaviour that has caused – or is likely to cause – harassment, alarm or distress to one or more persons, not of the same household as the person complained of. The Force will also consider the perception of an individual or community when deciding whether the conduct has caused harassment, alarm or distress.

KB confirmed that Sussex Police has been chosen as one of 10 trailblazer areas for a new ‘Immediate Justice’ pilot to target enforcement in the areas where ASB is most prevalent and to provide communities with a greater say over, and more visibility of, reparation.

The Sussex Community Remedy document already gives local people the option to have a say in how offenders should face up to their actions and make amends [for their actions]. The PCC and Chief Constable have defined and agreed five options that are available in Sussex through the Community Remedy process as follows:

1. Personal and community reparation – Repairing damage, community reparation and paying for damage.
2. Restorative justice – Restorative justice face-to-face or indirectly by the facilitators shuttling communication back and forth.
3. Receiving a written or oral apology – Written and oral apology.
4. A local rehabilitative or diversionary activity – Rehabilitation, acceptable behaviour contract, diversionary activity and educational assignment.
5. Another agreed and proportionate activity specified by the victim. The Sussex Community Remedy document can be viewed through the following link:
SPCC - Community Remedy Document (sussex-pcc.gov.uk)

The document was still recognised to be “very relevant” in relation to the ASB Action Plan and the Immediate Justice pilot. This initiative – led by Chief Inspector Andy Saville within the Office of the Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner – will seek to build on the options currently available [in the Sussex Community Remedy document] to deliver more out-of-court-disposals (OOCDs) that tackle ASB in Sussex.

The key outputs of Immediate Justice are recognised to be reductions in recorded incidents of ASB, increases in public confidence to report ASB [and appropriate action taken] and an increase in sense of community and social cohesion. This approach also seeks to ensure that those committing ASB take accountability for their actions, swiftly repairing the harm and damage that they have caused to victims and communities.

The number of offences dealt with by OOCDs in Sussex increased to 4,103 during 2022/23. This represents a 61% increase when compared to the average of 2,555 cases dealt with through these outcomes in the past six-years. This approach is supported by the continued delivery of training to all police officers and staff in this area, with a specific focus on the importance of the “voice of the victim” in this process during consultation and engagement with the Sussex Community Remedy document.

Sussex Police monitor and report on the use of the five OOCDs currently available to victims of low-level crime and ASB in Sussex to ensure that the use of these options remains appropriate in the circumstances, victims are satisfied with the outcomes delivered and to identify whether the policing service provided to the communities in Sussex could be improved through greater use of OOCDs in certain situations.

The outcomes of these OOCDs are reviewed by the Community Justice Department through quarterly scrutiny panel meetings to ensure that these remain focused on the most appropriate outcome. This is further supported by surveys – undertaken by the Citizen Focus Team – to assess the satisfaction of victims and communities. The most recent survey [for the rolling year ending 30 June 2023] highlighted that 81% of all respondents were either completely satisfied [53%] or fairly satisfied [28%] with the disposal used, with 8% of the remaining individuals neither satisfied nor dissatisfied and 11% of individuals either fairly dissatisfied or completely dissatisfied. It was highlighted that it is these individuals where the Force needs to focus most of its attention to understand better whether there should or could have been a different outcome used in the circumstances.

The Immediate Justice pilot has already been communicated to police officers and staff through neighbourhood policing meetings, Local Policing Accountability Board and as part of internal communications developed to support the recent national ASB Awareness Week [which took place between 3 – 9 July 2023]. Further promotion is planned through divisional, departmental and supervisor briefings, alongside the creation of a dedicated landing page on the internal intranet [containing additional information and guidance] and the identification of single points of contact (SPOCs) on each of the three policing divisions to maximise awareness throughout the workforce.

The Chief Constable was confident that the existing timescales in place for the delivery of this initiative are as efficient, effective and sustainable as possible. A draft operating model has been developed to deliver the Immediate Justice pilot through an expansion of existing frameworks, networks and services. This will be supported by the development of a strategic needs assessment in partnership with the relevant agencies and services in Brighton & Hove. KB reiterated that the pilot is compatible with the reparation strand of the existing Community Remedy process and expressed a request that this quickly becomes business as usual for all frontline officers and staff.

The Immediate Justice pilot is anticipated have a positive impact on reducing low-level crime, ASB and reoffending in Sussex. The reparative activity delivered locally should also result in a visible transformation of communities, alongside an increase in victim and community trust, confidence and satisfaction in the police that the reparations used are fair, proportionate and justified. The initiative should also demonstrate effectively that offenders will be held accountable for their behaviour and that appropriate action will be taken against them, whilst standing up to any future scrutiny. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) will lead on and undertake a post implementation review once the pilot has been delivered.

PUBLIC ORDER ACT 2023
In May 2023, the Public Order Act 2023 introduced new offences aimed at trying to limit the disruption caused by protests. The new public order powers
seek to enable the police service to spend more time tackling crime and serving the public, rather than responding to deliberately disruptive protesters.

A. What new criminal offences have been introduced by the Act? And what
additional powers have been afforded to the police to support their response?

B. What impact are the introduction of these new measure anticipated to have
on the Sussex Police response to public order?

C. What training is being provided to frontline police officers to ensure that
they are familiar, prepared and comfortable using the new powers?

The Deputy Chief Constable explained that the policing of protests continues to remain a difficult balancing act for the police service between managing the legitimate rights of individuals to lawfully protest, against the disruption that is caused to other individuals, businesses and communities through the impact of the protests. The police must always act in a proportionate manner and within the European Convention on Human Rights. The Public Order Act 2023 has provided the police service with additional powers and specialist conditions in respect of disruption to and obstruction of major transport networks and interference with the use or operation of key national infrastructure to support the policing response. This enables the police to intervene earlier where a protest and/or activity creates disruption or nuisance.

New offences to proactively target deliberate and disruptive protest activity which causes, or is capable of causing, serious hinderance, disruption or obstruction of activities [including making a journey, maintenance and the delivery of critical goods] have also been created through the Act, including the use of locking on and tunnelling tactics [and being equipped for either of these tactics] as part of protest activity. [N.B. Locking on is a technique used by protesters to lock on to other individuals and/or other physical objects to make it difficult to remove them from their place of protest].

The Deputy Chief Constable explained that these measures were introduced to supplement the powers introduced previously through the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 which broadened the range of circumstances in which the police may impose conditions on a protest. The introduction of these new powers, options and measures is anticipated to improve the Sussex Police response to public order by supporting the Force to respond to and deal with disruptive protest incidents more efficiently and effectively.

KB was reassured to note that the use of any of these new powers must be authorised by specialist public order trained officers following a proper threat assessment of the individual circumstances involved.

The College of Policing has developed a learning pack to support all police forces in England and Wales to understand better the new offences introduced through the Act to try and limit the disruption caused by protests. This guidance has been circulated to all frontline staff to ensure that the workforce is familiar, prepared and comfortable using the new powers. All public order commanders and public order safety advisors have also been briefed on the new powers available to them as part of ongoing public order training.

The Deputy Chief Constable concluded by stating that it is for His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) to assess and test whether the threshold for these new offences has been met for any cases that are presented to them.

POLICING OF DOG ATTACKS
It is against the law to let a dog be dangerously out of control anywhere in a public place, in a private place, or in an owner’s home.

A. What powers are available to the police in terms of responding to dogs that
are dangerously out of control and dog attacks?

B. How many incidents involving dogs were recorded by Sussex Police during
2022/23? And how does this compare to previous years?

C. When is a dog considered to be dangerously out of control? And how does
the police response escalate accordingly? Is there any difference between a
dog attack on a person and a dog attack on another animal?

D. What training is provided to police officers in respect of dog attacks? And
does the Force have enough officers trained to provide a response?

E. What penalties can be imposed if a dog is out of control and/or injures
another individual or another dog? And how can members of the public report a
dog that may be dangerously out of control and/or an illegal type?

The Chief Constable confirmed that the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 applies to all dogs in the UK, regardless of breed, type or size. Section 3 of the Act [keeping dogs under proper control] makes it a criminal offence for any dog to be dangerously out of control in a public place, in a private place, or in an owner’s home. If a bite has occurred against a person and/or an assistance dog, then the offence is aggravated. The legislation also makes it an offence if a dog makes a reasonable person apprehensive, worried or afraid that a dog might bite or attack them.

Sussex Police has the power to seize any dog that is deemed to be out of control. Any dogs that are seized are placed into temporary approved holding kennels for further assessment by the Dog Unit [shared between Sussex Police and Surrey Police] to ensure that the continued seizure is both necessary and proportionate taking all individual circumstances into account. Specialist conditions may also be imposed on a dog prior to its release [i.e., muzzling].

There are currently four types of dogs that are banned in the UK: American Pit Bull Terrier; Dogo Argentino; Fila Brasileiro and Japanese Tosa. It is against the law to sell a banned dog, abandon a banned dog, give away a banned dog or breed from a banned dog. The Force also has the power to seize any dog that is believed to be a prohibited breed under the Act.

The importance of Sussex Police responding to any dog attack that is reported to them in a proportionate and consistent manner was highlighted. This is because not every dog bite should lead to the seizure of the animal, with a personalised assessment required in each case to understand the individual circumstances involved.

Sussex Police recorded 955 dog attacks during 2022/23, compared to 787 incidents the year before – this equated to a 21% increase and an additional 168 offences recorded. The number of incidents involving dogs in Sussex was recognised to have increased over the past five years, with varying levels of seriousness and severity. This increase was recognised to be proportionate to the greater number of dogs now present in Sussex and is reflective of a national trend for increased dog ownership following the pandemic.

It was highlighted that the Rural Crime Team respond to many of the reported offences involving dogs in Sussex, with additional support provided by the specialist Dog Unit as required. All dog handlers within this unit have completed a training package around how to manage dangerous dogs safely within the holding kennels as part of continuing professional development, with equipment held on dog vans and at the kennels for instant access. There are also a small number of specialist officers with expert knowledge of the Act who are used to provide evidence at court to support successful prosecutions and outcomes.

There are several different penalties that can be imposed if a dog is found to be out of control and/or bites an individual, assistance dog or other animal. This can include a fine, prison sentence or both, alongside the potential destruction of the dog. Further information about controlling your dog in public can be viewed through this link: Controlling your dog in public: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The Chief Constable concluded by reminding members of the public that it remains a personal responsibility to ensure that dogs remain under control at all times. This was recognised to include having the physical presence and stature to competently handle the dog(s) you are responsible for and understanding the mindset of the animal to ensure that it does not demonstrate unnecessary aggression towards another person or animal. Members of the public can report a dog that may be dangerously out of control and/or an illegal type of dog by telephone to 101 or online through the following link: https://www.sussex.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/

DOMESTIC ABUSE
In April 2023, it was highlighted at the Sussex Criminal Justice Board that Sussex Police is taking too long to submit domestic abuse cases to the Crown
Prosecution Service (CPS) and that the Force has been close to exceeding the statutory time limit on too many occasions.

A. How many domestic abuse cases did Sussex Police submit to the CPS in
2022/23? What proportion of these cases were submitted within the statutory
time limit? And how does performance in this area compare to 2021/22?

B. What is the Director General’s Guidance on Charging Standards [sixth
edition]? What was the Sussex Police compliance rate against the guidance in
2022/23? And how is the Force seeking to improve these compliance rates?

C. Last week [10 July 2023], the Home Secretary announced that all 43 police
forces in England and Wales had signed up to Operation Soteria. Sussex Police
was one of 14 pathfinder forces to join the expansion programme for Operation
Soteria Bluestone [in October 2022] and will be implementing the National
Operating Model developed through the programme. What is the National
Operating Model? And what improvements have already been demonstrated by
the Force as one of the expansion forces on Operation Soteria Bluestone?

D. The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme – better known as Clare’s Law –
enables members of the public to ask the police for information about their
partner’s criminal history to understand whether their partner poses a risk to
them. How is this Scheme promoted by Sussex Police? How many applications
did the Force receive in 2022/23? How many resulted in disclosures? And how
does this compare to previous years?

The Deputy Chief Constable explained that the statutory time limit (STL) for submitting summary offences to the CPSs is currently six-months. However, unlike non-domestic offences, the police service is not able to charge an individual with a domestic abuse offence without referring a case to the CPS for advice beforehand. This means that the Force must complete the investigation, compile the case file in full and share this with the CPS for advice before the STL expires.

However, the complexities involved in domestic abuse cases means that these offences can often take longer to investigate. This remains an issue for all police force areas nationally, with representations having been made by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) previously to extend the STL for domestic abuse offences [N.B. The position of the Director of Public Prosecutions remains unchanged in this respect].

It was also highlighted that Sussex Police will always seek to investigate and prosecute the most serious offence when dealing with a domestic abuse case. This approach was acknowledged to add additional pressures to the [already] challenging timelines for the Force in instances where offences are pursued that are not subject to STLs but where the police only have sufficient evidence to charge someone with a summary only offence. Sussex Police submitted 900 domestic abuse cases to the CPS within the STL during the rolling 12-month period to 31 May 2023 – this equated to 97% of all cases submitted. Following a specific focus to improve case file quality in this area, Sussex Police has demonstrated a significant increase in the number of submissions made to the CPS within the statutory deadlines in the past three months. This increased to 107 and 116 submissions for domestic abuse cases across the individual months of April and May
2023, respectively, compared to the 78 cases submitted in June 2022.

The Force currently estimates that 3% of all domestic abuse cases [as standalone charges] were outside of the STL, with many of these recognised to be part of wider and more serious offending behaviour which requires complex and enhanced investigations. This area of performance is currently being monitored through the Joint Operational Improvement Meeting (JOIM) between Sussex Police and the CPS.

The Deputy Chief Constable explained that the Director General’s Guidance on Charging Standards [6th edition] introduced a joint working framework for police officers and prosecutors and the standard by which case files are assessed when submitted to CPS for charging advice. This included a new requirement for case file content and comprises three overall areas [evidence, disclosure and victim and witnesses] with 23 elements to be checked against by prosecutors reviewing files as part of the Director General’s Assessment [N.B. The introduction of this guidance represented the biggest change to the framework for file standards and submission in over a decade].

Sussex Police demonstrated a 58% compliance rate against the guidance for the rolling year period to 30 April 2023, compared to the national average of 59% demonstrated for all police force areas in England and Wales. This was recognised to be reflective of a continued and sustained effort by the Force to improve performance in this area [N.B. Sussex Police only achieved 38% compliance against the guidance in 2021/22].

The Deputy Chief Constable welcomed the National Operating Model introduced through Operation Soteria – the transformational change programme to tackle rape and serious sexual offences (RASSO). This was recognised to be reflective of a repeated desire to improve outcomes for victims of these types of offences. The model sets out an approach to RASSO investigations that is victim-centred, suspect-focused and contextled. This methodology also seeks to ensure that a more consistent response exists in England and Wales in terms of the specific focus and the key lines of enquiry undertaken for each investigation, regardless of the police force area.

It was highlighted that Sussex Police has already improved the solved rate recorded for rape offences as one of the expansion forces on Operation Soteria Bluestone. This has increased from a solved rate of 3.0% for the rolling year period to the end of October 2022 to a solved rate of 6.4% for the 12-month period to 30 June 2023. It is anticipated that Force performance in this area will continue to improve further still once the National Operating Model becomes embedded in local processes and procedures. Sussex Police will continue to report back the progress and improvements made through
Operation Soteria to the Home Office each month.

KB announced that Project Fides is set to be launched in Sussex which will include further investment in a greater number of victim and witness coordinators to try and secure the best possible evidence in each case and enable investigators to focus on their ongoing investigations. It is anticipated that funding will be secured from Round 5 of the Safer Streets Fund to support this initiative with further information set to be made available shortly.

The Force is continuing to promote the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS) in Sussex. There are two ways in which a disclosure can be made under the scheme: right to ask and right to know. Sussex Police received 1,180 applications for information under the scheme during 2022/23 – this represented a 34% increase in applications received from the 878 requests made the year before. This was also reflective of continued yearon-year increases from 484 applications in 2019/20 and 511 applications in 2020/21.

Of the applications received in 2022/23, the Force made 437 disclosures to support these requests [37%], although a further 65 applications are still being considered. The average length of time for each disclosure also reduced to 29.5 days which represented a five-day improvement compared to the 34.5 days recorded for the 405 disclosures made in 2021/22.

Further information about the DVDS scheme can be viewed on the Sussex Police website through the following link: https://www.sussex.police.uk/police-forces/sussexpolice/areas/campaigns/campaigns/clares-law---domestic-violencedisclosure-scheme-dvds/

OPERATION RADCOTT
Operation Radcott is the annual partnership response to improve safety atCamber Sands beach, near Rye, over the summer months.

A. What are the aims and objectives of Operation Radcott for 2023?

B. With thousands of people anticipated to visit Camber Sands each day during
the summer months, how will Sussex Police work with partners to manage the
increased number visitors, congestion and parking issues in the area?

C. How effective are these working arrangements? Have any additional
measures been put in place to support the partnership response? And is any
additional support required?

The Chief Constable explained that Operation Radcott is a multi-agency approach to
improve safety and reduce the risk of harm at Camber Sands beach over the busier
summer months.

Operation Radcott brings together partners from East Sussex County Council, East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, His Majesty’s Coastguard, National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, National Highways, Rother District Council, Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), South East Coast Ambulance Service and Sussex Police, plus many other local community groups and stakeholders, to deliver the following objectives:

- Minimise the risk of harm to the local community from the high volume of visitors to
the locality.
- Minimise the risk of harm to visitors.
- Maximise water safety awareness with visitors to the local area to prevent drowning
episodes.
- Maximise opportunities to engage effectively with the local community, businesses
and visitors to the local area.
- Provide public reassurance and improve public confidence in the partnership
approach during the operation.
- Maximise the safety of emergency service workers and partners engaged in the
operation.
- Maximise the safety of emergency service workers and partners not assigned.

The joint emergency services interoperability principles (JESIP) are used to support the extensive partnership working arrangements in place which is delivered through joint risk assessments, decision-making and shared working practices. It was also highlighted that this is not a police-led initiative, with a rotating chair used to support this collaborative activity at [pre-season, mid-season and post-season] meetings and to understand better and assess the current issues and challenges [and identify the lead agency responsible].

The greatest challenge for Operation Radcott continues to remain the congestion and parking in and around the beach area with a considerable number of changes introduced to try and tackle both the causes and the symptoms. The traffic diversion systems used to support activity in this area have been reviewed and updated, with additional dropdown road diversion signs introduced to divert traffic away when the car parks are full. The local car parks have undergone significant maintenance works to improve and expand their capacity and prevent the bottlenecks caused previously by individuals trying to enter and exit simultaneously. New parking charges have also been implemented for the 2023 season in a further attempt to ease congestion, with civil enforcement parking officers employed to enforce the parking restrictions on the roads. The Chief Constable confirmed that Sussex Police is not the lead agency for any
disruption to the road network in the local area – this remains the responsibility of Rother District Council. The Force will continue to support the local authority in this respect but will not close any roads unless there is an incident or any immediate danger.

DECARBONISATION OF THE SUSSEX POLICE FLEET
In 2021, the Government published its ‘Net Zero Strategy’ setting out a pathway to reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. I am determined to ensure that Sussex Police has effective plans in place to work towards the delivery of this before the deadline.

A. What is the timeline for Sussex Police to transition to zero-emissions
vehicles [better known as electric vehicles]? And are there any specific
milestones and/or targets the Force is working towards?

B. How will Sussex Police fund the purchase of electric vehicles? Will the Force
use internal funds or seek external financing?

C. What is the plan for introducing a charging infrastructure for the vehicles?
Will the organisation install charging stations within the police estate and/or
rely on publicly accessible charging stations?

D. How will Sussex Police ensure that electric vehicles meet their operational
needs? And will these considerations include factors such as range, vehicle type
and load capacity?

E. How will the Force ensure that employees are trained and are comfortable
with using electric vehicles? And do you plan to provide training and/or
incentives for the workforce for switching to electric vehicles?

F. What metrics will Sussex Police use to track and measure the success of
their transition to electric vehicles?

G. How will Sussex Police seek to address any potential challenges in the
transition to electric vehicles? And do you have a contingency plan in place?

The Chief Constable recognised the importance of Sussex Police working towards the national target of net zero gas emissions by 2050, whilst accepting the unique challenges for the police service in terms of how vehicles are used to deliver operational policing. Sussex Police currently has a small number of zero and ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs) within its fleet, comprising both hydrogen and electric vehicles. These vehicles are currently being used by police officers to make non-urgent enquiries and those undertaking driver training to understand better the impact, capabilities, practicalities and limitations of using these vehicles.

The Force is also able to trial several ULEVs from different manufacturers to ascertain exactly what is currently available for police forces on the open market. These opportunities are enhanced through the NPCC lead role for roads policing for England and Wales the Chief Constable is currently undertaking.

It is currently estimated that the commercial vehicle manufacturing market will force the open market to move away from its current purchasing options before 2035 – the UK [and European] deadline to stop the sale of all carbon powered engines and hybrid powered vehicles. However, should this deadline be delayed to 2040 [as is currently being lobbied by European vehicle manufactures] the UK would be forced to move its own timescales back too. KB was reassured to note that Sussex Police has developed an overarching decarbonisation strategy to work towards delivery of the national target – this is managed by the new Chief Financial Officer, Peter Appleton.

Sussex Police has a vehicle capital budget within its Asset Management Plan (AMP) to fund the purchase of these ULEVs. This will be delivered slowly through the introduction of zero and ultra-low emission vehicles over several vehicle replacement cycles to mitigate against any significant additional costs in capital funding at any one time. The Joint Transport Service (JTS) is also continuing to monitor Government grants that have been made available to support police forces with this transition towards ULEVs.

The Chief Constable confirmed that the JTS is currently working with the Estates Team to understand better the operational vehicle requirements, vehicle recharging cycle times and the capacity that each individual estate site is currently able to support. The Estates Environmental Manager is also working with local authorities to look at the plans developed around public electrical charging infrastructure, in terms of both hydrogen
production and the dispensing network. This approach should ensure that the Force achieves the best possible ULEV solution for operational policing, although it was
acknowledged that it may not be practical for this to comprise of electric vehicles exclusively.

KB was reassured to note that Sussex Police would continue to work in partnership with BlueLight Commercial to maximise the procurement efficiencies that can be delivered in this area [N.B. BlueLight Commercial was established by the Home Office in 2020 to work in collaboration with blue light sector organisations to help transform commercial services. The company is owned by PCCs, with membership comprising policing bodies and other blue light services, to deliver efficient and effective commercial services in support of this sector].

It was highlighted that an increasing number of the Sussex Police workforce now own zero and ULEVs privately and, as such, are comfortable using these types of vehicles. The Driver Training School currently provides familiarisation training for all officers and staff before a permit is signed off and granted for ANY vehicle, regardless of its fuel and emissions, for those less accustomed to this technology. It was also emphasised that all new students undertaking response driving courses are now fully trained in the use of zero and ultra-low emission vehicles.

It is anticipated that the Force will require an emerging set of measures and performance indicators to track and measure the success of the transition to ULEVs. This
was recognised to need to include vehicle mileage and fuel usage reports, electric charge card reports and purchase invoices for hydrogen to make tangible comparisons against the previous mileage reports and emissions generated from fossil fuel vehicles previously to understand and identify where cost and efficiency savings have been made.

Sussex Police is currently using a range of different mechanisms to support the Force in the transition to ULEVs. This includes the development of Project Thrifty, smart vehicle key boxes and vehicle telemetry, with new vehicle technology having also been added to the overarching Change Programme Plan which will be managed through the Design Oversight Board and Portfolio Strategy Board.

The Chief Constable concluded by stating that the JTS will continue to purchase fossil fuel vehicles for as long as possible, alongside looking at the possibility of refurbishing its current vehicles with enhanced safety systems. The vehicle technology market continues to remain dynamic and everchanging, with any mitigation around future risks hard to quantify at present.

COLLEGE OF POLICING – NON-CRIME HATE INCIDENTS
The College of Policing recently developed a Code of Practice and training for Non-Crime Hate Incidents (NCHIs) to assist police officers and staff in making
decisions about the recording of NCHIs and relevant personal data. The Code sets out the common-sense and proportionate approach that should be adopted by all police forces in England and Wales.

A. How many officers and staff have undertaken the NCHI training to date? And
what proportion of the frontline workforce does this equate to?

The Deputy Chief Constable confirmed that the NCHI training was developed following concerns expressed around police forces over-recording reports of freedom of speech and freedom of expression-type ‘hate incidents’ which were trivial and/or irrational and did not amount to a criminal offence.

The training seeks to provide frontline police officers and staff with guidance to support understanding and decision-making around hate crimes and incidents. This approach is anticipated to contribute towards reductions in demand with the police service now only responding to appropriate hate crimes and incidents where there is a risk of escalation causing significant harm or a criminal offence.

The Code of Practice has introduced new safeguards to ensure that personal data may now only be included in a NCHI record if the event is clearly motivated by intentional hostility and/or where there is a real risk that escalation will cause significant harm or a criminal offence. This seeks to address concerns that individuals who express views which some may consider offensive but are not against the law, are at risk of becoming the subject of a report. This may also result in personal data being stored on police systems which would be identifiable through a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

The College of Policing (CoP) expects all police officers and staff involved in the decision making about the recording of hate crimes and NCHI to complete this training. There is no specific deadline for this training to be completed within, although there is a risk that individuals and/or groups may seek to test the revised policing response which means that frontline officers and staff need to understand the changes to apply the law correctly, consistently and fairly. Whilst not mandatory, the CoP strongly advises that those frontline officers and staff involved in decision-making around potential hate incidents complete this training at the earliest possible opportunity.

The training was formally made available to all police forces on 31 May 2023. Since then, 76% of all frontline officers within Merseyside Police have already completed the training, compared to only 2% in Sussex [as of 14 July 2023]. Sussex Police has now made the completion of this training mandatory for the frontline workforce, with the completion rates for this training set to be monitored through the Organisational Reassurance Board moving forward.

The Chief Constable provided KB with assurances that Sussex Police would seek to secure significant increases in the proportion of the workforce who have completed this training at the earliest possible opportunity. KB confirmed that these completion rates would be revisited at a future Performance & Accountability Meeting.

ACTION: KB agreed to revisit the completion rates for Non-Crime Hate
Incidents training at a future Performance & Accountability Meeting.

NEXT UP:
The is no PAM in August. The next PAM is on Friday, 15 September 2023 at the earlier
time of 10:00. Further information can be viewed through the following link:
www.sussex-pcc.gov.uk/get-involved/watch-live/

PERFORMANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY MEETING                                            

DATE: 15 September 2023

LOCATION: Sackville House, Lewes

PRESENT:

Police & Crime Commissioner – Katy Bourne [KB]

Chief Executive Officer – Mark Streater

Chief Constable – Jo Shiner

Deputy Chief Constable – Dave McLaren

Correspondence and Admin Officer – Elliot Saunders [webcasting]

Head of Performance – Graham Kane [minutes]

 

POLICING CHALLENGES – AUGUST 2023

I have never held a Performance & Accountability Meeting (PAM) in the month of August because this has always been a busier time for Sussex Police.

 1.What were the policing challenges for the Force during August? And how have you reflected on these?

The Chief Constable stated that she was “extremely proud” of the Sussex Police workforce who have worked “incredibly hard” over a busy summer period to respond to the additional demand that has been made for policing services.

It was highlighted that the Force introduced a Summer Surge Plan across all policing divisions in July 2023 in response to the increased demand anticipated over the summer months. This response was recognised to have been “really effective” and included the use of dedicated call signs and overtime within the Force Contact Command and Control Department to manage and resource this additional demand and to maximise the effectiveness and consistency of the policing response provided.

It was also recognised that Sussex Police received more 999 calls across the month of August 2023 than it had done in any calendar month previously and that the Force had to deploy more resources to Grade 1 emergency incidents than in any calendar month since August 2015.

Of which, there were several significant incidents of note that required a response across each of the divisions, including a dog attack in Bognor Regis [Operation Byfleet], an attempted murder in Brighton and a series of high-value car thefts-to-order in Hastings [Operation Chassis], alongside several serious sexual assaults and knife-related offences throughout Sussex [Operation Ketley and Operation Churchtown].

KB was also pleased to note that the Force had maintained its ongoing focus to disrupt offenders and safeguard victims by targeting priority arrests for suspects of domestic abuse and stalking offences across this period, including 171 arrests for these offences in West Sussex as part of Operation Summer.

POLICE RESPONSE TO SHOPLIFTING

Following feedback from members of the public, partner agencies and local businesses, I understand that Sussex Police is not responding promptly to all reports of shoplifting which is creating a feeling within local communities that theft [including shoplifting] is acceptable because the police will not do anything to respond.

1. How do you respond to these concerns identified?
2. Last month [28 August 2023] the Home Secretary made a pledge that all police forces must investigate every theft and follow all “reasonable lines of inquiry” to ensure a return to “common sense, back-to-basics policing”. How will Sussex Police adapt its approach to deliver on this pledge, improve investigations and drive down crime rates?
3. I often hear that the police do not attend the scene for shoplifting offences. How confident are you that the Sussex Police Call Grades and Deployment Policy and the threat, harm, risk, investigation, vulnerability and engagement [THRIVE] assessment are being undertaken correctly by call handlers when any reports of shoplifting are received?
4. In 2022/23, there was a 46% increase in shoplifting offences in Sussex, in comparison to the year before – this represented an additional 3,485 offences recorded. It was also recognised that more than 61% of these additional offences were allocated a call grading of Grade 4. Is this response compounding the feeling that Sussex Police is not responding adequately to reports of shoplifting?
5. The greatest volume of shoplifting offences was recorded in Adur & Worthing and Brighton & Hove during 2022/23, although both districts delivered a very different response. Brighton & Hove attended 63% of all shoplifting offences and had one of the lowest uses of grade 4, whereas Adur & Worthing had one of the highest uses of grade 4 and one of the lowest combined use of grades 1, 2 and 3 for shoplifting offences. What do you attribute this disparity to in terms of the policing response delivered in Sussex?
6. Sussex Police has introduced One Touch Reporting and DISC [an information and intelligence sharing platform] which supports closer engagement between Sussex Police and local communities and provides retailers with another method to report crimes and intelligence through, alongside telephone and online. How many investigations are currently open on DISC? Does this represent an increasing trend? And what assurances can you provide that Sussex Police is able to cope with and manage the cases that are reported via this system?
7. How is the Business Crime Team being used to support the policing response to shoplifting?

 

The Deputy Chief Constable confirmed that the Sussex Police response to shoplifting remains proportionate and appropriate based on the individual circumstances of each reported offence. 

It was highlighted that 28% of all shoplifting offences are reported to the Force by telephone [101 or 999], with police officers deployed to respond to more than 80% of these incidents. The remaining offences are reported to Sussex Police through a combination of the Single Online Home [an online contact platform for reporting crimes and incidents] and One Touch Reporting [a crime reporting system currently being piloted by 24 Co-Op stores], following an assessment by the business itself about the level of risk posed by the offender(s).

Of those shoplifting offences received for a non-emergency response, 40% are tasked to the Business Crime Team to investigate and progress, maximising all available opportunities to identify repeat offenders and secure positive criminal justice outcomes.

KB was reassured to note that Sussex Police made a previous commitment to improve its investigation standards for all acquisitive crimes, including shoplifting offences, and was pleased to understand that the Force will continue to maintain its existing policy to investigate all reasonable lines of inquiry for any reported theft. N.B. This approach is in line with the formal direction set by the Home Secretary last month.

The Deputy Chief Constable acknowledged the recent increase in recorded shoplifting offences throughout the county and confirmed that Sussex Police solved 1,630 of these offences across the rolling year period 1 September 2022 to 31 August 2023. This represented a 57% increase compared to the 1,039 offences solved across the same period a year earlier.

THRIVE assessments are undertaken by call handlers at the point that any reports are first received. This process is used by all police force areas in England and Wales to assess the initial police response to any call for service. It allows a judgement to be made of the relative risk posed by the call and places the individual needs of the victim at the centre of that decision.

It was explained that 30% of all contact with the police is crime-related, with the other 70% non-crime related and, often, involving an element of risk and/or danger posed to members of the public, some of which is time critical. As such, Sussex Police routinely need to assess the threat, risk and harm presented to the public and to prioritise the policing response provided to individual incidents, in terms of police officer deployment and attendance, to ensure that this remains proportionate.

This approach was recognised to include prioritising those calls for service where an emergency response is required [i.e., where an incident is taking place and there is, or is likely to be, a risk of danger to life, use or immediate threat of use, of violence, serious injury to a person and/or serious damage to property] over those incidents that are graded non-emergency, where the threat is no longer immediate. Further information about the call grade criteria and the deployment of resources used by Sussex Police can be viewed in the Call Grades and Deployment Policy through the following link:

www.sussex.police.uk/SysSiteAssets/foi-media/sussex/policies/call-grades-and-deployment-policy-785.pdf

The Deputy Chief Constable confirmed that the increased number of shoplifting offences allocated a call grading of Grade 4 [resolution without deployment] was recognised to be a direct result of the lack of evidence and/or CCTV footage available in many incidents to enable the Force to progress a criminal investigation. The frustrations held by many businesses in Sussex about the lack of police attendance and action were acknowledged and understood, although Sussex Police remains committed to working in partnership with these retailers to improve the number of positive outcomes delivered in this area.    

The disparity in the policing response provided to shoplifting offences in Sussex was attributed to the differences between urban and rural locations and the specific dynamics that exist within. This includes differing demographics, extended opening hours and the greater availability of business premises and locations within busier urban environments.

It was highlighted that One Touch Reporting – currently being piloted by 24 Co-Op stores – represented nearly 20% of all recorded business crimes in Sussex during 2022/23. These increased levels of reporting and the additional information and intelligence gathered through this reporting platform, has provided the Force with the ability to understand better the crime profile for the offences affecting businesses the most and the offenders involved in this type of criminality. This intelligence has already been used by Sussex Police to improve its detection rates around shoplifting offences [as highlighted above]. KB commended the approach that has been taken by Sussex Police in respect of business crime and the introduction of One Touch Reporting, and recognised the strong leadership that continues to be demonstrated within this area.

The Business Crime Team (BCT) was launched in November 2021 to provide a dedicated policing response to tackle business and retail crime, identify prolific offenders and provide support to business communities in Sussex.

The team is currently being used by the Force to support the policing response provided to shoplifting offences. This includes ongoing engagement and the development of increased partnership working with businesses and retailers to encourage greater reporting of shoplifting offences.

It was also highlighted that the BCT routinely prepare intelligence packs about repeat [shoplifting] offenders and locations that are shared with the Response Investigation Teams across each of the policing divisions to action. This approach seeks to generate better intelligence and ensure that a more focused policing response is provided to these reports, whilst simultaneously working to improve the trust and confidence of local businesses and communities in the ability of the police to respond.

ACTION: KB would like to know how many assaults were recorded against shopworkers in Sussex for the rolling year period to 31 August 2023, what the criminal justice outcomes were for these offences and how these figures compare to the same period a year earlier.

ACTION: KB would like to know how many investigations are currently open on DISC. Does this represent an increasing trend? And is Sussex Police able to cope with and manage the cases that are reported via this system?

FORCE MANAGEMENT STATEMENT

A Force Management Statement is a detailed self-assessment that all Chief Constables are required to prepare and submit to His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) each year.

 

1. What are the main areas of challenge, risk and concern that were highlighted in the Force Management Statement for Sussex Police in 2023? And how have these areas changed compared to 2022?
2. How will Sussex Police use the Force Management Statement to address these areas of concern?

The Deputy Chief Constable explained that the preparation of a Force Management Statement (FMS) is an annual process undertaken by each police force area in England and Wales to review all areas of policing contained within.

The FMS provides the Chief Constable with an opportunity to deliver a statement and explanation about:   

• the demand the force expects to face in the foreseeable future.
• the performance, condition, composition, capacity, capability, serviceability and security of supply of the force’s workforce and the extent to which current force assets will be able to meet expected future demand.
• how the force will change and improve its workforce, policies, practices and other assets to cope with future demand.
• the effect the force expects those changes to have and the effect of any residual risk of service failure.
• the money the force expects to have to do all this.

The six core themes identified for Sussex Police in previous FMS’ were still recognised to be relevant for 2023/24 and were grouped into operational and organisational areas:

Operational

• The increasing gap between the serious organised crime demand for the Force and the policing resources qualified to investigate and respond to this threat.
• The growing demands associated with the investigation of all crime types, including a greater proportion of offences that now include a digital element.
• The resilience of the Response function needs to be improved by removing some of the inappropriate [non-police] demand from frontline officers.

Organisational

• The ongoing challenges around recruitment, retention and attrition, whilst seeking to increase the skill requirements for all officers and staff.
• The gap between the digital and technological advancements in wider society and the technological capacity and capability available within policing.
• The ongoing need to improve trust and confidence in the police service and to repair some of the damage that has been caused to police legitimacy nationally.

The Deputy Chief Constable confirmed that these themes are now taking place in a new operating environment, including a return to pre-pandemic levels of recorded crime [for most offences], financial constraints and partnership pressures [including a savings requirement of more than £20million over the next three years], and the changing profile of the workforce [with an average service length of two years across the Force].

Alongside this, all police force areas in England and Wales must also plan, prepare and respond to the seven national threats identified within the Strategic Policing Requirement within their existing resources, including the provision of mutual aid where required.

POLICE OFFICER MAINTENANCE GRANT 2023/24

The Home Office has introduced a maintenance grant worth £275m to support police force areas in England and Wales to maintain police officer numbers during 2023/24, following the Police Uplift Programme (PUP) which recruited 20,000 new police officers in England and Wales over the past three years.

The grant will be issued to police forces on a bi-annual basis according to police officer headcount at two separate checkpoints – 30 September 2023 and 31 March 2024 – and will be distributed according to existing funding formula shares.

1. What is the baseline headcount figure for Sussex Police? And how many police officers, both Full Time Equivalent and headcount, are the Force anticipated to have on 30 September 2023 – the first checkpoint for this maintenance grant?
2. How will the Force seek to maintain these police officer numbers ahead of the second maintenance grant checkpoint [31 March 2024] to ensure that no financial penalties are incurred from the Home Office?

The Chief Constable confirmed that Sussex Police was “on track” to meet the baseline police officer headcount figure required ahead of the first formal checkpoint for the maintenance grant on 30 September 2023.

The maintenance grant for Sussex Police in 2023/24 has been confirmed as £5.9million. To qualify for the full amount, the Force will need to be at [or above] its maintenance level at two points within the year – 30 September 2023 and 31 March 2024. If the Force is below its allocation at either point, then the Home Office will withhold £40,000 per officer below maintenance at that point up to a threshold of 20 officers or 1% officer headcount [baseline plus uplift allocation] below maintenance, whichever is highest.

Sussex Police has been asked by the Government to maintain a baseline headcount figure of 3,205 officers across 2023/24. The Force is set to overachieve against this target and deliver a headcount of 3,234 officers as at 30 September 2023 – this would represent an additional 29 officers [headcount] compared to the target set. This will also be equivalent to 3,141.50 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) officers, based on actual hours worked. 

KB was reassured to note that the Force has appropriate workforce plans in place to maintain these police officer numbers ahead of the second formal maintenance grant checkpoint to ensure that no financial penalties are incurred. This is anticipated to include increasing the number of police officers in post further still to a headcount of 3,245 officers [and 3,158.50 FTE officers] as at 31 March 2024 against the same target – this would represent an additional 40 officers [headcount].

The Chief Constable concluded by stating that the Force is currently looking at its ability to recruit further officers, over and above the numbers required in Sussex, for which an additional financial reward would be received. However, the importance of maintaining the high standard of applicants for any additional officers that may be recruited in Sussex across the financial year was recognised.

STOP AND SEARCH POWERS

Between 1 August 2022 and 31 July 2023, Sussex Police conducted 5,679 stop and searches – this represented 93 fewer searches in comparison to the 5,772 searches recorded in the same period a year earlier.

1. What do you attribute the reductions in the use of this power to in Sussex? Are you satisfied with the current number of stop and searches? And what more can be done to increase these numbers to the levels previously recorded?
2. What scrutiny and accountability arrangements are in place to ensure that the use of stop and search powers in Sussex is lawful, fair and appropriate? And what measures have you put in place to ensure that every stop and search is justified and likely to have a positive outcome in reducing crime?
3. Disproportionality continues to remain an issue for all police forces in England and Wales. This disproportionality remains greatest [8.8 times more] against those who describe their ethnicity as black. What do you attribute this disproportionality to? And what is being done by the Force to address this?
4. The Police Race Action Plan was published in May 2022. What progress has been made by Sussex Police against the action plan? And what further activity is planned during 2023/24?
5. What training is provided to police officers in the powers of stop and search? And how frequently is this training refreshed and revisited?

The Deputy Chief Constable explained that stop and search is one of several different tactics used by Sussex Police to prevent and detect crime and recognised the valuable contribution the use of this power makes to keep people safe in Sussex. All police officers in Sussex are encouraged to use this power when reasonable grounds exist to do so. The importance of using this intrusive power fairly, legitimately and proportionately was emphasised to maintain public trust and confidence in the police service.

The 2% reduction in the use of stop and search across the rolling year period to 31 July 2023 was attributed to fewer proactive patrols being undertaken in response to an increased demand for emergency calls to service and was not recognised to be a concern. The recent recruitment of 20,000 new police officers in England and Wales over the past three years – through the Police Uplift Programme – also means that a significant proportion of the workforce is new and inexperienced. As such, further work is required to provide these new officers in Sussex with the necessary training to support them to develop an understanding and confidence in the use of this policing power, and to encourage them to be “professionally inquisitive”.

KB was reassured to note that Sussex Police found the intended item and/or a different prohibited article on 37% of occasions when stop and search was used across the rolling year period ending March 2023, and was positioned 8^th [highest] out of the 43 police force areas in England and Wales. The national average for all police forces for finding the intended item was 30% across the same period. This positive ‘find rate’ could indicate that a more grounds-focused approach to searches exists in Sussex and provides further support around the legitimate use of this power. 

The Deputy Chief Constable explained that there is currently a heightened focus around the use of stop and search nationally and, as such, the Force has well-established stop and search scrutiny and accountability processes in place to ensure that the use of these powers is lawful, fair and appropriate in Sussex.

Every stop and search interaction undertaken by Sussex Police is reviewed by a first line supervisor at Focus Meetings, alongside the police officer involved. At these meetings, the recorded grounds for each search are considered and the body worn video footage is reviewed, providing the opportunity for one-to-one discussions around good practice and identifying any areas for development. This forum is also used to address any concerns or fears that may be apparent for individual officers around the use of these powers.

In addition, all supervisors [up to the rank of Deputy Chief Constable] are currently being sent one stop and search interaction [and the accompanying grounds] to review each month. This provides supervisors, who do not routinely review stop and search interactions, with the opportunity to offer valuable insight, experience and feedback to the police officers conducting the searches and, in many cases, to improve their confidence in the use of stop and search.

These enhanced review processes also allow for good practice and learning opportunities to be identified and shared more widely with colleagues through monthly Force level meetings, with supervisors able to comment upon the lawfulness of the searches undertaken, alongside the manner officers engaged with and explained the processes to members of the public. This approach was recognised to be positive practice by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS).

Sussex Police use an external scrutiny panel [comprising independent members] to regularly review the recorded grounds for these searches, and the body worn video footage captured, to scrutinise the conduct of the searching officers and ensure that their treatment remained professional and courteous throughout. Any organisational learning that is identified is disseminated to the workforce, with any issues of concern highlighted to the Professional Standards Department for further consideration.

The Force also has a small team of subject matter experts who conduct dip samples of the recorded grounds and review the body worn video footage captured to ensure that these powers are being used appropriately, with sufficient grounds apparent, and that these searches would likely result in a positive outcome. Further information about the stop and search processes used by Sussex Police can be viewed on the Force website through the following link:

www.sussex.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/st-s/stop-and-search/

The Deputy Chief Constable recognised the importance of understanding any disproportionality that may exist across any area of policing and, more specifically, where there is a use of force [including stop and search], to try and both reduce and eradicate this disproportionality.

Sussex Police work closely with national leads around stop and search to identify any best practice and to understand better the impact this intrusive power can have on minority groups. Unconscious bias training has also been developed to ensure that internal intelligence systems and processes safeguard those individuals who are stopped, including individuals from minority ethnic backgrounds where operational decision-making is impacted by intelligence based upon assumptions, stereotypes and racial bias to mitigate against the risk of discrimination.

It was highlighted that those individuals who describe their ethnicity as Black were 8.8 times more likely to be stopped and searched in Sussex across the rolling year period 1 August 2022 and 31 July 2023. Nationally, the rate at which those who identified themselves as Black were stopped and searched, relative to the rate at which those who identified themselves as white were searched, was 4.8 times more across same period.

It is important to note that stop and search rates are calculated by comparing the number of people stopped and searched from each ethnicity group against the resident population of those communities in Sussex. These populations [taken once a decade from Census data] do not take into account individuals who are temporarily visiting the county from outside the police force area. For example, tourists, migration, students studying away from home and those who do not complete the Census will all be missing from the population data used to calculate these disproportionality figures. As such, the overall proportionality data will be affected by the large proportion of individuals who are searched but are not actually residents in Sussex.

The internal stop and search scrutiny processes used by Sussex Police have been improved to look at members of the Black community who are repeatedly stopped and searched, with further analysis conducted around the circumstances, grounds and specific officers conducting these searches to ensure that these remain lawful, appropriate and transparent.

The Learning & Development Team within the Human Resources Department is responsible for providing training to police officers around the powers of stop and search. This is delivered through annual staff safety training using different scenario-based exercises which look at reasonable grounds and appropriate conduct. These sessions are interactive and are paused at set intervals so that questions can be raised to emphasise key requirements, improve the confidence of individual officers to use of these powers and promote a supportive environment for learning.

Sussex Police is fully supportive of the national Police Race Action Plan which set out changes across policing to improve outcomes for Black people who work within policing or interact with the police service. The Force has continued to make “tremendous progress” against the actions contained within the plan, led by Anita Grant, Assistant Chief Officer for Trust and Legitimacy. A two-page briefing document has been produced which highlights the progress made by Sussex Police against the Police Race Action Plan.

KB was pleased to note that Sussex Police has already completed almost 25% of the national actions, with most of the actions completed to date aimed at developing the workforce and creating an internal culture where Black and minority ethnicity officers and staff can thrive. Sussex Police also set itself a further 77 local milestones to complement the national actions, alongside 38 ‘quick wins’ to make rapid changes within the organisation.

In addition, it was highlighted that Sussex Police was one of only two police forces in England and Wales to have been recognised as a ‘trailblazer’ force by Race Equality Matters – a not-for-profit organisation who seek to remove the barriers and provide the solutions to tackle race inequality – for its continued work to reduce racial disadvantage.

The Deputy Chief Constable concluded by stating that he would rather police officers in Sussex remained focused on using the powers of stop and search when reasonable grounds exist, rather than undertaking more searches simply to increase the numbers recorded. This approach should also ensure that the Force continues to deliver positive outcomes around the searches by maintaining the ‘find rate’ demonstrated previously. 

ACTION: KB requested a copy of the two-page briefing which highlights the progress made by Sussex Police against the Police Race Action Plan.

ACTION: KB would like to know what proportion of occasions the intended item and/or a different prohibited article was found when stop and searches were undertaken on those individuals who identified themselves as Black.

ACTION: KB would like to know what the breakdown is for complaints made about stop and search in Sussex by ethnicity, alongside the outcomes of these complaints.

CALL HANDLING TIMES AND DIGITAL CONTACT

I remain committed to making it easier for members of the public to contact Sussex Police and continue to seek to improve 999 and 101 response times and encourage greater online reporting.

 

1. Can you provide me with an update regarding Force performance in respect of emergency calls, non-emergency calls and digital contact?
2. The first part of the Joint Force Contact and Telephony Programme (JCUT) was installed in April 2023. What difference has the introduction of Calabrio – a workforce management system – made to Sussex Police performance?
3. What impact is QueueBuster – the technical solution that offers a call back service to members of the public – having on call handling times in Sussex? And what are the current call-back times recorded?
4. At the PAM in March 2023, it was highlighted that 20% of all 999 calls received by Sussex Police are made by either hoax callers, individuals with mental-health issues or persistent and vexatious complainants. What impact are these individuals continuing to have on call handling performance?

The Chief Constable recognised the significant and increased volume of the combined demand [999, 101 and digital contact] received by the Force Contact Command and Control Department (FCCCD) across the rolling year period to 31 August 2023.

Sussex Police received an additional 32,270 emergency calls across this period which represented a 12% in comparison to the same period a year earlier. This increase was recognised to be reflective of a shift in demand for emergency policing services nationally, alongside a broader increasing trend for all blue light emergency services.

Of the 310,487 emergency calls received by the Force during the rolling year, approximately 85% of these calls were answered within 10 seconds, against an internal target of 90%. It was also highlighted that the 999 call handling data provided to the Home Office currently includes a latency time lag caused by infrastructure and network delays by BT. This means that national performance is recognised to differ from the data collected locally by individual police forces because the national measurement captures the time between transferring the call to the police force and the actual time taken for the Force to receive the call.

This delay is anticipated to add between 5 – 13 seconds onto each of the 999 calls received in Sussex. As such, the Force is currently positioned 33^rd out of the 43 police force areas in England and Wales for the number of emergency calls answered within 10 seconds. N.B. It is worth emphasising that without this latency delay, Sussex Police would be positioned 9^th in the same table.

It was also highlighted that any increased demand to the emergency number creates additional pressures within the contact centre because it is the same contact handlers answering the 999 calls, 101 calls and responding to the digital contact received online. All staff [and new joiners] within the FCCCD are now ‘omnicompetent’ and trained to respond to any type of contact received, regardless of the system it is received through, with supervisors able to ‘flex’ resources to meet any surges in demand as required.

A strategic reserve has also been created containing former staff from the department who can be mobilised during periods of peak demand to improve the resilience of the FCCCD. There are currently circa. 50 individuals within the strategic reserve, with this list anticipated to increase further still as more staff leave the contact centre to become police officers during 2023/24.

As highlighted at previous PAMs, Sussex Police has introduced a ‘Click, Call, Connect’ campaign to reduce the demand placed on the non-emergency number by educating members of the public around what to contact the Force about and encouraging the greater use of online reporting. The Force is also continuing to monitor national incidents that may have a disproportionate impact on demand locally [i.e., the recent incident of android phones unintentionally pocket dialling the police service].

The average waiting times for 101 calls increased to 7 minutes and 42 minutes across the same rolling year period, despite a 17% reduction in non-emergency calls received [and 44,002 fewer calls offered]. This was attributed to the introduction of Smart Storm – a command-and-control system used to record incidents and crimes when they are reported, allocate and deploy resources and provide ongoing management and oversight of real time events – which was recognised to have had a short-term detrimental impact on Force performance.

This was most evident during the month of October 2022 [when the platform was first embedded] and resulted in call handling times increasing to 14 minutes and 24 seconds during the month [with an abandonment rate of 23.7%]. Since then, the Force has continued to demonstrate improved performance trends in this area, with call handling times reducing to 3 minutes and 50 seconds across the month of August 2023 [and an abandonment rate of 10.6%]. The Chief Constable acknowledged that the introduction of any new technology will, most likely, have a detrimental impact on Force performance and was happy to accept this in the short-term, providing the reasons behind this are fully understood.  

Sussex Police introduced QueueBuster several years ago to try and improve the service provided by reducing the number of abandoned calls during spikes in peak demand. QueueBuster is a call back service that provides members of the public calling the non-emergency number [101] with a ‘virtual position’ in a queue before automatically calling them back when the call reaches the front of the queue. This is recognised to be a more convenient option and removes the necessity to wait on hold, with three separate attempts made to ring an individual back before the call is recorded as abandoned and the system moves on to the next caller.

Since August 2022, Sussex Police has used QueueBuster in a much more progressive way by focusing on the experience of members of the public, rather than the call back times themselves. This is because all calls that are considered through this service are triaged and identified to be both non-vulnerable and non-urgent. KB was informed that the average call back time for QueueBuster in August 2023 was 1 hour and 9 minutes although, more importantly, the number of 101 calls and abandoned calls have reduced by using this platform, with positive public feedback gathered from surveys providing further support for the effectiveness of the approach.

The Force has also now fully implemented Calabrio – a workforce management system – which uses data as a forecasting tool to ensure that appropriate staffing levels are in place to respond to periods of peak demand. The next stage of the JCUT is set to be delivered by 30 September 2023 [subject to a four-week period of user acceptance testing] and should address the latency delay described on the previous page.

Sussex Police currently has approximately 60 persistent and vexatious callers who represent a regular demand for the Force through a combination of repeat, malicious and hoax calls. Sussex Police is continuing to work with partner agencies to get these individuals the care, support and assistance they require to try and reduce this adverse impact, whilst recognising that 80% of these individuals have mental health issues. The Force has also sought to secure formal prosecutions through the criminal justice system where it has been appropriate and in the public interest to do so.  

For example, in January 2023, one individual who was charged with making more than 7,000 calls to Sussex Police and the South East Coast Ambulance Service [and wasting more than 400-hours of time] and was continually abusive to emergency service contact handlers was sentenced to 39-months in prison. Further information about this successful conviction can be viewed through the following link:

www.sussex.police.uk/news/sussex/news/news/prolific-nuisance-caller-roger-jackson-sentenced/

There was also a 38% increase in the number of webforms submitted through the Single Online Home (SOH) across the rolling year. This equated to an additional 20,770 webforms received and was directly attributed to a channel shift after Sussex Police removed the ability for members of the public to email the FCCCD in August 2022.

The use of emails as a contact method was removed because it was acknowledged to be an unstructured, time consuming and resource intensive process, with contact handlers frequently required to have multiple interactions and two-way exchanges to gather the information required to make an initial triage and assessment.

The SOH provides a nationally approved, structured and consistent online contact platform for reporting crimes and incidents through a dedicated ‘contact us’ page. This approach represents a more efficient and effective method of capturing all the information required through populated fields and is, subsequently, presented to the Force in a format that is easier to triage and investigate, reducing the demands placed on the workforce.

ACTION: KB agreed to revisit this area at the Performance & Accountability Meeting in December 2023.

SUSSEX POLICE CUSTODY – NEW OPERATING MODEL

In 2022/23, the Force formally introduced a new operating model for police custody to improve the effectiveness of the detention provision in Sussex.

1. What impact has the new operating model had on police custody arrangements in Sussex? And how are these changes being monitored, measured and evaluated?
2. Hastings Custody was closed between 22 July 2023 and 9 September 2023 due to staff shortages. What impact did this closure have on the other custody centres in Sussex? How resilient are the staffing levels within custody? And how is the risk of other potential closures to custody centres being managed?

The Chief Constable confirmed that the Custody Change Programme was formally introduced within Sussex Police on 31 October 2022 and included an uplift in police officer and staff numbers in custody and the formation of a Central Support Team to expedite the journey through the custody process. These changes were made to support and enhance the efficiency and timeliness of police investigations in custody.

All police officers and staff have now been recruited to these new posts, including an uplift in police sergeants [from 60 to 75 sergeants], police staff [from 80 Custody Assistants and 16 Detention Supervisors to 110 Detention Officers], and an additional two police inspectors responsible for detainee reviews under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) 1984.

The new model has also established a Central Operations Function which has contributed towards enhanced collaborative working at a local and strategic level, including the formation of additional layers of scrutiny for strip search processes, formalised working arrangements with the Defence Solicitor’s Forum and improved engagement with all custody stakeholders, including the Independent Custody Visiting Scheme.

The temporary closure of Hastings Custody for seven-weeks [between 22 July 2023 and 9 September 2023] was necessary because of unprecedented levels of sickness absence over the summer period. A full review of this recent closure will be undertaken shortly to consider the impact this had on the other custody centres in Sussex. This will include looking at the additional travel and movement that was required for police officers, staff and detainees, alongside any short-term redeployments necessary to deliver this.

KB was reassured to note that the enforced closure of the custody centre in Hastings enabled the Force to ensure that the other four custody centres in Sussex could function as normal. It was also recognised that this closure did not have any adverse impact on the number of arrests made by the Force, nor the number of detainees held across each of the other centres. The collective number of detainees across the custody estate in Sussex was recognised to have increased by 10% throughout the period that Hastings Custody was closed, in comparison to the same period 12 months earlier, with these increases recorded by each of the individual custody centres.

The Deputy Chief Constable concluded by stating that no cells across the Sussex Police estate are currently being held for Operation Safeguard – the contingency plans created to temporarily house prisoners in police custody because of an acute and sudden increase in the prison population and the potential for critical overcrowding.

ACTION: KB requested a copy of the report from the review into the closure of Hastings Custody once this has been completed.

NEXT UP:

The next PAM is on Friday, 20 October 2023 at 13:00. Further information can be viewed through the following link: www.sussex-pcc.gov.uk/get-involved/watch-live/

DATE: 20 October 2023

LOCATION: Sackville House, Lewes

PRESENT: Police & Crime Commissioner – Katy Bourne [KB]

Head of Commissioning & Victim Services – Jason Tingley

Chief Constable – Jo Shiner

Deputy Chief Constable – Dave McLaren

Correspondence and Admin Officer – Elliot Saunders [webcasting]

Head of Performance – Graham Kane [minutes]

REASSURANCE TO SUSSEX COMMUNITIES: ISRAEL-HAMAS CONFLICT 

Earlier this month, Hamas launched its deadly attacks on Israel, and Israel began its retaliatory campaign in Gaza.

1. What additional challenges has the conflict created for Sussex Police? And how is the Force responding to these?
2. Has there been any increase in community tensions recorded locally?

The Chief Constable began by stating that her thoughts were with anyone who has been affected by the ongoing events related to the Israel-Hamas conflict.

It was highlighted that Sussex Police has “excellent relationships” with the diverse communities that exist throughout the county. The Force has undertaken visits to many of the synagogues and mosques in Sussex to provide reassurance to those who may have been or continue to be affected. This has also included regular engagement with religious leaders to monitor tensions and ensure that the both the Jewish and Muslim communities are aware of the relevant contacts within local Neighbourhood Policing Teams and the importance of reporting any incidents that may be identified.

KB was reassured to note that whilst there had been an increase in community concerns in Sussex, this had not translated into any tangible rise in community tensions nor any additional reports of religious-related hate crime recorded in Sussex. It was highlighted that one individual had been arrested on suspicion of supporting a proscribed organisation [Hamas], under Section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000, following protest activity in Brighton & Hove last month and remains under investigation.

Sussex Police is continuing to engage with communities from both sides on a daily basis to assess the latest information and intelligence received from members of the public to ensure that an appropriate, proportionate and effective response exists to these reports across each of the three policing divisions in Sussex.

The Force is continuing to provide its workforce with regular briefings based on the information that has been made available to all police force areas in England and Wales to ensure that a consistent approach exists nationally. This information and guidance has been circulated to all public order trained officers to support the management of any protest activity locally, and to frontline officers and staff to raise their awareness of the potential for increased and/or escalating community tensions.

The Chief Constable also explained that internal processes are in place for any police officers and staff who may have been affected by the conflict, including the provision of additional support.

It was highlighted that the Victims of Terrorism Unit [within the Home Office] funds specific support services to provide practical and emotional support to victims and survivors of terrorist attacks. Anyone who has been impacted by the ongoing conflict will be supported if they live in the UK, whether that be someone who has suffered physical, mental or emotional harm, or those who have been bereaved and witnesses. Further information about the support available can be viewed through the following link: https://victimsofterrorism.campaign.gov.uk

BARONESS CASEY REVIEW

Earlier this year, Baroness Casey published ‘An independent review into the standards of behaviour and internal culture of the Metropolitan Police Service.’

1. How has Sussex Police used the findings from the Casey Review to improve its own standards of behaviour and internal culture to date?
2. What progress has been made by the Force to understand better where further opportunities exist to learn and develop locally?
3. Are you satisfied that the broader reforms identified in the Casey Review are being delivered at the scale and pace necessary in Sussex? And is the Force using the key measurements [highlighted for the Metropolitan Police Service] to quantify its own progress to improve behavioural standards and culture?

The Chief Constable explained that the issues relating to racism, misogyny, homophobia and general standards of professional behaviour identified within the Casey Review were recognised to be relevant for all police force areas in England and Wales, with many of these themes acknowledged to be present in Sussex.

Sussex Police has considered the findings from the report to ensure that the Force continues to strengthen its ongoing work in these areas to deliver a policing service that demonstrates the highest standards of behaviour and internal culture with the aim of rebuilding trust and confidence in the police service, both internally and externally. KB was pleased to note that there was nothing contained within the review that Sussex Police was not already tackling and that the Force is recognised to be ahead of many other police forces nationally in terms of its work around these areas.

Sussex Police has recently established a new Culture and Standards Board – chaired by the Deputy Chief Constable – which includes representatives from all heads of divisions and departments, including Sussex Police Federation and Sussex Police Association. The board meets monthly and seeks to provide oversight of the Force’s conduct in the delivery of services to members of the public, alongside the provision of scrutiny around all policing matters affecting professionalism and culture. The board is also using the measures recommended within the Casey Review [alongside the findings from other relevant reviews and internal priorities] to learn from and respond to issues of both local and national concern. It was emphasised that this board will be used as the lead mechanism for reviewing the progress made by the Force against the recommendations contained within the report.

It was reiterated that, prior to the Casey Review, Sussex Police had already made enhancements to the resources available within the Joint Force Vetting Unit and the Anti-Corruption Unit as part of previous precept investment and the Police Uplift Programme. This investment was made to support the dedicated teams with the identification, investigation and timely progression of police-perpetrated crime and misconduct. This included the provision of additional resources within the Anti-Corruption Unit [to proactively identify and inappropriate behaviour], Investigations Team [to progress the investigations efficiently and effectively] and the Command Team within the Professional Standards Department (PSD) to ensure that each of these teams is maximising its effectiveness.

Sussex Police has embraced and delivered each of the 16 recommendations highlighted for the Metropolitan Police Service and has now fully implemented each of these in line with the national deadlines. The Force is currently in the process of testing and auditing these enhancements to ensure that the changes and improvements made to the standards of professional behaviour and internal culture have been successfully embedded throughout the service and that these can be maintained and sustained moving forward.

Away from PSD, the themes and issues outlined in the Casey Review continue to remain a focus for Sussex Police with a dedicated Assistant Chief Officer for Trust and Legitimacy responsible for providing independent oversight of the Force response to the Police Race Action Plan – which sets out changes across policing to improve outcomes for Black people who work within or interact with policing. This work seeks to focus on developing internal culture and inclusivity, and working closely with police officers, staff, partner agencies and communities in Sussex to deliver positive change and progression.

It was also highlighted that Sussex Police was one of only two police forces in England and Wales [alongside Thames Valley Police] to have been recognised as a ‘trailblazer’ force by Race Equality Matters – a not-for-profit organisation who seek to remove the barriers and provide the solutions to tackle race inequality – for its continued work to reduce racial disadvantage.

As part of the broader cultural change and to raise the awareness of the workforce around the key issues highlighted by Baroness Casey, the Force has commissioned a series of ‘Let’s Talk About’ events – hosted by command team members – that have focussed on the areas of race, gender and sexual harassment.

The Casey Review highlighted seven key measures of success that should be used by the Metropolitan Police Service to test whether the reforms identified are taking place and being delivered at the scale and pace necessary, as follows:

• Improvements in public trust, confidence and fairness.
• Increases in the proportion of misconduct cases where action is taken.
• Reductions in racial disparity in misconduct cases.
• Improvements in the charge rates for reported crimes, with a specific focus on improving the charge rates for crimes involving violence against women and girls.
• Increases in the number of adult rape cases reaching court.
• Improvements in response rates and times.
• A narrowing in the gap between the diversity of the police workforce.

KB was reassured to note that Sussex Police is using these measurements to quantify its own progress to improve behavioural standards and culture. This includes looking at these areas objectively and impartiality, without discrimination, based on all available information.

Earlier this year [July 2023], Operation Soteria was extended to all 43 police forces in England and Wales to transform the investigation of rape and serious sexual offences. Sussex Police was previously one of the ‘pathfinder’ forces and remains committed to striving for continuous improvement in this incredibly challenging and complex area to progress more adult rape cases through the criminal justice system and provide a better service to victims of these offences. This will continue to remain a huge area of focus for the Force in the remainder of 2023/24 and beyond.

KB also repeated that Project Fides is set to be launched in Sussex shortly – supported by Round 5 of the Safer Streets Fund – to provide further investment in a greater number of victim and witness coordinators to try and secure the best possible evidence in each case and enable investigators to focus on ongoing investigations.

The Chief Constable concluded by reiterating that Sussex Police remains fully committed to delivering the highest standards of professional behaviour expected from the police workforce and will continue to seek improvements in behavioural standards and internal culture with the overall aim of rebuilding trust and confidence in the police service.

ACTION: KB agreed to raise Operation Soteria – including the increases recorded in the number of adult rape cases reaching court in Sussex – at the Performance & Accountability Meeting (PAM) on 19 January 2024.

BURGLARY

There was a 13% increase in the number of residential, business and community burglaries recorded in Sussex during the rolling year period to 30 September 2023 – this equated to an additional 622 offences recorded.

1. What do you attribute this continued increase in burglaries to in Sussex? What is the current risk of being burgled in Sussex? And how does this compare to the other police force areas in England and Wales / Most Similar Group?
2. At the PAM in April 2023, I was pleased to note that Sussex Police attend all home burglaries reported to maximise the opportunities of achieving successful outcomes. How do you ensure this approach is being maintained?
3. What processes exist to ensure that all reasonable lines of enquiry have been identified and considered before any files are closed? And what impact have the recent advancements to technology made to the Sussex Police response?
4. Sussex Police solved 5.7% of all burglary offences during the same rolling year period. Are you satisfied with the current level of performance in this area? And what is the Force doing to improve these solved rates?
5. The clocks are set to go back one hour later this month which correlates with a time of the year when, traditionally, there is a recorded increase in this crime type. How Sussex Police seek to raise awareness of the steps members of the public can take to keep their properties secure in the darker evenings?

The Deputy Chief Constable explained that residential burglaries continue to remain a priority crime type for Sussex Police.

In April 2023, the recording classifications for burglary offences changed as three sub-divisions were created to differentiate between residential homes, unconnected residential buildings and business and community burglaries for the purposes of recording crime. This approach was introduced to ensure that crimes are recorded consistently and accurately throughout England and Wales, regardless of force area.

The 13% increase in all burglary offences recorded in Sussex across the rolling year period [including burglaries of residential homes] was recognised to be reflective of an increasing trend for all offences nationally as recorded crime levels are starting to return to pre-pandemic levels. This increase was apparent across each of the three policing divisions in Sussex, as follows:

Division	Recorded crime 1 October 2021 – 30 September 2022	Recorded crime 1 October 2022 – 30 September 2023	Difference	% Difference
Brighton & Hove	974	1,118	+ 144	+ 15%
East Sussex	1,207	1,436	+ 229	+ 19%
West Sussex	2,517	2,748	+ 231	+ 9%
Force	4,717	5,339	+ 622	+ 13%

KB was reassured to note that the risk of being burgled in Sussex remains low. The Force was positioned 28 out of the 43 police forces in England and Wales, and 3^rd in their Most Similar Group (MSG) of 8 forces, in terms of the risk of burglary per 1,000 population for the rolling the period to 31 July 2023.

The Deputy Chief Constable confirmed that Sussex Police has continued to attend ALL home burglaries reported to the Force to maximise the opportunities of achieving successful outcomes. This was recognised to include prompt attendance at over 80% of all recorded burglaries, with further follow-up visits undertaken by PCSOs to improve this proportion further still. Performance in this area is regularly monitored and measured through the Police Effectiveness, Efficiency and Legitimacy (PEEL) Board to monitor ongoing compliance and delivery by frontline officers.

Sussex Police remain determined to deliver positive outcomes and record a greater number of detections for victims of burglary and continue to exploit all reasonable lines of enquiry to maximise the policing response provided. This approach includes maximising all victim, offender, witness, scenes, intelligence and other (VOWSIO) opportunities, alongside the investigative strategies defined by the College of Policing.

All residential burglary offences must now be finalised by a Detective Sergeant [or police staff equivalent] through a supervisory review to ensure that these lines of enquiry have been identified and considered proportionately before any file is closed. This process is supported by the Crime Management Unit who carry out independent “check and balance” assessments of all burglary investigations to ascertain whether these processes have been adhered to. Further work is also undertaken when any additional information is returned from forensic investigation results to review all open cases.

The recent advancements made to technology, including the greater availability of video doorbells, CCTV cameras, improved lighting and presence of home alarms, is recognised to have increased the number of burglary offences reported to Sussex Police. It was also highlighted that approximately 50% of all burglary offences solved in Sussex are a direct result of the evidence collected by video doorbells and/or CCTV footage.

The Deputy Chief Constable explained that he was not satisfied with the current solved rates recorded for burglary offences in Sussex. The Force was positioned 37 out of 43 police forces, and 7^th within their MSG, in terms of the solved rate for burglary crimes, with this performance separated by each of the three policing divisions, as follows:

Division	No. Solved Crimes and Solved Rate 1 October 2021 – 30 September 2022		No. Solved Crimes and Solved Rate 1 October 2022 – 30 September 2023		Difference No. Solved Crimes	% Difference No. Solved Crimes
Brighton & Hove	55	6.8%	83	7.1%	+ 28	+ 51%
East Sussex	74	7.0%	102	6.7%	+ 28	+ 38%
West Sussex	74	3.6%	133	4.5%	+ 59	+ 78%
Force	204	5.2%	318	5.7%	+ 114	+ 56%

The Force has made significant investment in this area – through Operation Unify – to create additional opportunities to improve the effectiveness of the policing response by maximising the time spent by officers on investigations. This has included structural changes to the neighbourhood policing model to provide a renewed focus on the importance of solving crime, holding offenders to account and improving trust and confidence [in the police] for victims. Alongside this, the creation of Response Investigation Teams – within the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) – has also sought to improve the quality and timeliness of the policing response provided to volume crime investigations, including burglary offences.

This slight increase in the solved rate was recognised to be representative of the reducing trends recorded for all police forces in England and Wales, with the absence of available witnesses, CCTV footage and forensic evidence acknowledged to a contributing factor in the challenges to solve these crimes. The enhanced solved rates on Brighton & Hove Division [7.1%], compared to West Sussex Division [4.5%], was attributed to the greater investigative opportunities that exist in urban locations compared to rural areas.

A new Force Burglary Meeting has also been created – chaired by the Detective Chief Inspector with lead responsibility for burglary in Sussex – to set the direction for the police response to burglary and to hold representatives from each of the policing divisions to account for performance in this area. This approach seeks to develop the intelligence products available Forcewide, identify patterns, trends and repeat offenders [and those travelling across Sussex to commit burglaries in different areas] and to share any best practice and/or lessons learned that is identified.

The Deputy Chief Constable remained confident that appropriate structures and governance processes are in place to drive forward improvements in serious organised acquisitive crime [including burglary] and to deliver the enhancements sought in the current solved rates and positive outcomes demonstrated in Sussex.

Operation Magpie is the Sussex Police crime prevention and awareness campaign in response to burglary. This initiative is routinely promoted by the Force at different times throughout the year [i.e., alongside the changing of the clocks in the summer and autumn months] to raise awareness of the significant impact that burglaries can have on victims, encourage members of the public to protect their homes better from the threat of intruders and to proactively target the offenders responsible for these crimes.

The Force is currently using its district engagement officers to raise awareness of Operation Magpie through social media and at public engagement events, including the following campaigns: ‘Keep a light on’ and ‘Help yourself, before they help themselves’ – both featuring the #BeatTheBurglar hashtag. Further information and crime prevention advice can be viewed on the Sussex Police website through the following link:

www.sussex.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/

KB confirmed that burglary would be revisited again at the PAM on 19 January 2024 to ensure that performance in this area continues to improve.

ACTION: KB agreed to revisit burglary at the PAM on 19 January 2024.

VEHICLE WRITE-OFFS AND MOTOR INSURANCE CLAIMS

 

Vehicle collisions involving other road users represent the highest value and most reputationally damaging for Sussex Police.

1. How many fleet vehicles are insured by Sussex Police? How many vehicle collisions with other road users were recorded by Sussex Police during 2022/23? And how does this compare to previous years?
2. What were the total costs of these collision claims in 2022/23? What was the breakdown of these costs? And how do these costs compare to previous years?
3. Of the collisions recorded, how many of these vehicles were damaged beyond economical repair and were, subsequently, written off? What were the total costs of these write-offs to Sussex Police? And how do these costs compare to previous years?
4. Sussex Police currently collaborate with 9 other police force areas in England for motor insurance. How does the Force compare to the other forces in the region in terms of the average number of claims made per vehicle [in the fleet] and the total costs of these claims per vehicle?
5. What risk reduction initiatives have Sussex Police introduced to try and reduce the number of collisions recorded? What impact have these initiatives had on Force performance? And what more could be done to reduce the risks in this area further still?
6. Tactical pursuit and containment incidents (TPAC) are classified separately to collisions by Sussex Police. How many TPAC incidents were recorded by the Force during 2022/23? How many vehicles were involved in these incidents? What were the total costs of these incidents? And how does this compare to previous years?

The Chief Constable explained that a comprehensive governance structure exists to monitor the number of collisions recorded between police vehicles and other road users, with effective processes and procedures in place to support these arrangements.

This includes the Driving School which is responsible for incidents of driving behaviour [and the associated policy], the Driver Training Team which reviews all reported collisions via a weekly report [with the more serious matters referred to the Police Vehicle Incident Board] and oversight provided by the Driver and Vehicle Management (DVM) Board, comprising representatives from all relevant business areas. These local arrangements are further strengthened by the Chief Constable’s role as the roads policing lead for the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC).

It was highlighted that Sussex Police currently has approximately 1,180 insured vehicles within its fleet. The Force recorded 171 collisions with other road users during 2022/23. This compared favourably to the 212 collisions recorded in 2019/20, 195 in 2020/21 and 215 in 2021/22. KB was reassured to note that Sussex Police has seen a consistent reducing trend in the number of collision claims recorded over the past 10-years.

The total costs of these collision claims were approximately £409,000 in 2022/23. This was significantly less than the costs of £766,000 recorded in 2019/20 and £642,000 in 2021/22, but greater than the £319,000 recorded in 2020/21. Again, this was recognised to represent a reducing long-term trend for the Force and was attributed to the thoroughness of the governance arrangements in place.

Of the collisions recorded, 8 vehicles were damaged beyond economical repair during 2022/23 and were written off at a cost of approximately £94,608. This represented far fewer vehicles than the 13 written off during 2019/20 [£54,379], 14 vehicles during 2020/21 [£49,164] and 12 vehicles during 2021/22 [£137,405]. The increased costs recorded in recent years are recognised to be reflective of the higher costs of repairs and the complexities of work and labour required for these repairs.

It was highlighted that Sussex Police compare favourably with the other 9 police force areas it collaborates with for motor insurance in terms of both the average number of claims made and the costs of these. It was emphasised that the Force had both the third lowest number of claims per vehicle [5] and third lowest cost of claims per vehicle [£6,025] across the 10-year period from 1 April 2013 to 31 March 2023, despite having the second largest fleet [N.B. The lowest/highest number of claims per vehicle were 3 and 10 and the lowest/highest costs of these claims per vehicle was £3,540 and £24,825 respectively, across the same period].

The Chief Constable explained that many of the risk reduction initiatives introduced by Sussex Police have been developed based on information and intelligence taken from telemetry positioned inside the vehicles. These trends, themes and patterns have been used to inform and develop priority areas which seek to try and reduce the number of collisions recorded throughout the Force. Sussex Police has also established Project Veritas to develop an overarching Driver and Vehicle Strategy to support the most effective use of vehicle telematics Forcewide.

KB was informed that a DVM trial was recently undertaken on Chichester district with all police officers given individual cards to identify specific use of police vehicles. The trial involved the use of telemetry in 10 marked vehicles over a 9-month period and contributed towards a reduction in police vehicle incidents (PVIs), improved fuel efficiency and utilisation, and fewer speeding events recorded.

This resulted in PVIs reducing from 6 incidents pre-trial, to zero incidents across the trial period [representing damage cost savings of £5,100], improved fuel consumption [demonstrating a 6.7 miles per gallon improvement and fuel cost savings of £1,000 per month], alongside a noticeable reduction in speeding events [reducing from 21 speeding events to three events during the trial]. If this approach were to be replicated across the whole fleet, it is estimated that savings of £775,000 per annum would be generated [comprising £275,000 per annum in PVIs and £500,000 per annum in fuel costs], together with the delivery of far fewer speed interventions by the DVM team.

Sussex Police is currently looking at rolling out the use of vehicle telematics across the rest of the Force fleet to realise and generate the further savings highlighted above. However, it was emphasised that this needs to be done in a sustainable manner to maximise the effectiveness of this initiative through Power BI. KB requested further information about the timescales for the planned rollout of the DVM trials throughout Sussex.

The significant recruitment undertaken by the Force in recent years was recognised to have contributed towards a lesser experienced workforce, with fewer qualified and skilled drivers available. For those officers who do drive police vehicles, it was emphasised that it will take a significant amount of work to influence and change driver behaviour, although the use of vehicle telemetry is understood to be an effective tool in terms of supporting these positive adjustments.

The Chief Constable explained that tactical pursuit and containment incidents (TPAC) is an effective police tactic used to manage and terminate vehicle pursuits. Sussex Police recorded 21 TPAC incidents during 2022/23, at an average cost of £6,427 per incident. This was recognised to represent an increase from the average cost of £2,635 per incident recorded for the 34 TPAC incidents in 2019/20, £3,595 for the 26 incidents recorded in 2020/21 and £6,069 for the 18 incidents recorded in 2021/22. Again, these increased costs were recognised to be reflective of the higher costs of repairs and the specialist technicalities of the vehicles which adds additional costs and labour to any repairs that may be required.

ACTION: KB would like to know what the timescales are for the rolling out the Driver Vehicle Management trials across the rest of the Force.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN POLICING

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the science of making machines that can recognise patterns, problem-solve and make decisions like humans.

1. How is AI used by Sussex Police?
2. What impact has AI had on solving and preventing crime in Sussex?
3. What plans are in place to expand the use of AI within the Force moving forward?

The Deputy Chief Constable confirmed that AI is an “exciting area for policing” and explained that there will be lots of opportunities to embrace this further in the future.

It was highlighted that Sussex Police only use AI to support a small number of policing areas at present, in recognition of some of the risks that are still associated with the use of this technology to recognise patterns, problem solve and make decisions. However, the potential use of AI to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the policing response provided to members of the public was acknowledged in terms of its ability to simplify processes, improve productivity and generate efficiency savings.

The Force currently uses Microsoft Power BI – an interactive data visualisation software product – to analyse and interpret substantial amounts of data, with police officers and staff making decisions based on the information provided through the data held. It is anticipated that AI could develop this approach further by exploiting additional opportunities for greater automation of processes that could proactively prompt and drive policing activity moving forward [alongside the use of Microsoft Copilot].

Sussex Police is currently using AI to support its investigations. This includes an ongoing facial recognition pilot that uses this technology to retrospectively review images of known shoplifting suspects and offenders and to compare these against those held on the Police National Computer.

The Deputy Chief Constable concluded by stating that Sussex Police was well-positioned in terms of its current use of AI, in comparison to the other police force areas in England and Wales. It was also highlighted that the recent challenges to public trust and confidence in policing means that it remains important for individuals to continue making decisions based on information that is held, rather than expanding the use of this technology too broadly.

INFORMATION AND RECORDS MANAGEMENT CODE OF PRACTICE

Earlier this year, the College of Policing published a new Information and Records Management Code of Practice which sets out the duty for all police force areas in England and Wales to keep effective and appropriate records.

1. How have you sought to understand these new standards? And how will these changes ensure that the policing community can better tackle crime?
2. What impact have the additional requirements had on Sussex Police? How has the Force responded to these changes? And how have these new standards been communicated to the workforce?

The Deputy Chief Constable confirmed that the new Information and Records Management Code of Practice was published in July 2023, with a further amendment issued to all forces in September 2023. This single national approach for police information and records management was recognised to represent a notable change for all police forces in England and Wales, as well as for those who hold them to account.

It was acknowledged that it would take time for Sussex Police to understand fully the new standards, the impact of these changes and whether any internal practices need to be revised and/or amended in line with this. The Information Access Team and Data Protection Officer for Sussex Police are currently working through the new standards to consider the implication of these, develop a greater understanding and ensure that effective and appropriate records are maintained locally.

It was highlighted that there are seven key principles governing the management of police records and information contained within the Code of Practice. This includes governance; transparency; quality; compliance; accessibility; review and retention, and disposal. KB was reassured to note that most of the principles contained within the Code of Practice have already been embedded within the processes and procedures used by Sussex Police following the changes introduced by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in May 2018.

This improved approach to record keeping is anticipated to provide greater public trust and confidence that police records are accurate and are being kept in the public interest. This will include greater opportunities for members of the public to challenge what information is held about them on record and/or ensuring that any inaccuracies in this data are corrected and amended at the earliest possible opportunity.

It was highlighted that Sussex Police is currently in the process of developing a new data strategy, led by the Chief Digital & Information Officer. The Force is also looking to recruit additional staff within the Information Access Team to support this unit with undertaking a greater number of information audits.

Training around information and records and management remains a mandatory requirement for all police officers and staff following their initial recruitment, and on an annual basis thereafter. The guidance and training issued by the College of Policing around this area is currently in the process of being revised and updated to include the new requirements in the Code of Practice.

ACTION: KB would like to know more about the planned recruitment by the Information Access Team [i.e., how many individuals will be recruited and what the total costs of this recruitment are anticipated to be for the Force].

NEXT UP:
The next PAM is on Friday, 17 November 2023 at 13:00.

Further information can be viewed through the following link:

www.sussex-pcc.gov.uk/get-involved/watch-live/

This PAM was postponed because of unavailability.

PERFORMANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY MEETING                                                   

DATE: 15 December 2023

LOCATION: Sackville House, Lewes

PRESENT:    

Police & Crime Commissioner – Katy Bourne [KB]

Chief Executive Officer – Mark Streater

Chief Constable – Jo Shiner

Correspondence and Admin Officer – Elliot Saunders [webcasting]

Head of Performance – Graham Kane [minutes]

 

PROVISIONAL POLICE GRANT SETTLEMENT 2024/25

The provisional police grant settlement for 2024/25 was announced yesterday.

 

1. What was your overall reaction to this announcement? And what impact is this settlement anticipated to have on both the Medium-Term Financial Strategy and the savings requirement for the Force over the next few years?

The Chief Constable welcomed the announcement of the provisional police grant settlement made by the Home Secretary and the specific detail contained within that will now provide Sussex Police with some certainty around its financial planning.

It was highlighted Sussex Police is currently considering the initial settlement to understand better how it will impact both the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) and any investment and savings requirements for the Force. It was also emphasised that Sussex Police continues to remain one of the lowest funded police force areas in England and Wales, despite demand and demography continuing to create some complex policing requirements within the county.

The Chief Constable explained that the provisional total grant funding for Sussex Police in 2024/25 will be £229.6million which represents an increase of £15.5 million in Government grant funding compared to 2023/24. The settlement is also predicated on all Police & Crime Commissioners in England and Wales increasing the annual council tax bill for Band D properties in their areas by £13 [the maximum amount permitted].

However, it was highlighted that even if the maximum amount of funding is received from the precept, Sussex Police will still have a significant budget gap in 2024/25 with this level of grant funding. This is because of the increased costs for the police service caused by consumer price inflation [driven by national pay awards for police officers and staff] and additional costs for supplies and services which have increased at a faster rate than the increase in Government funding.

The Chief Constable explained that all known financial pressures have been included within the MTFS, with these planning assumptions based on the best estimates available in respect of the ongoing inflationary pressures. The overall budget position continues to remain challenging for all police forces and, despite this settlement, Sussex Police will require the planned use of reserves alongside the increased and continued use of vacancy management to find these significant savings and deliver a balanced budget – both next year and over the medium term. The Chief Constable also explained that without the maximum increase in precept funding locally, Sussex Police will need to consider whether it stops delivering some areas of policing next year and beyond.  

KB concluded by stating that no decision has yet been made about the police precept for 2024/25 and confirmed that the Sussex Police & Crime Panel would be informed of her considerations at their meeting on 26 January 2024 when this decision will be reviewed.

ENHANCED DISCLOSURE AND BARRING SERVICE

Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks must be reviewed by local police forces as part of the disclosure service. I am aware that Sussex Police are currently taking longer than the 60-day target to process, with some applications taking up to 100 days. This is clearly a concern and is having a detrimental impact on both applicants and employers.

1. What are the current delays to these Disclosure and Barring Service checks attributed to? And are Sussex Police responsible for these delays?
2. How long are Sussex Police current taking to process these applications? What is the Force doing to improve these processing times? And when do you expect the times taken to complete these checks to return to the target levels?
3. How can members of the public check on the status of their applications?

The Chief Constable confirmed that the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) is responsible for the overall delivery of DBS checks nationally and explained that Sussex Police simply provide local support for a specific element of this process.

As highlighted at the previous Performance & Accountability Meeting (PAM) in February 2023, the DBS is a national service provided by a non-departmental public body and funded by the Home Office. All requests for enhanced checks are submitted to the central DBS in the first instance, rather than individual police force areas. The checks where no information is held on police systems are answered directly by the DBS, without referral to police forces and can be turned around very quickly. Those requests which identify results held on local police systems and/or the Police National Computer (PNC) are sent to local forces to complete on behalf of the DBS.

At the start of each financial year, the DBS forecast the likely demand on all police forces in England and Wales in relation to the number of checks anticipated to be requested. This forecast is used to determine the resourcing levels locally, with funding based on the estimated demand. The Chief Constable confirmed that demand for DBS checks has overtaken the capacity of Sussex Police to complete these checks in recent years which is contributing towards some of the delays in the progression of applications. This included a 13% increase in checks during 2022/23 in comparison to 2019/20, the last full performance year before the numbers were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

A further 36,234 applications were received between 1 April 2023 – 30 November 2023 and, if demand continues at the same level, this is anticipated to generate a total of 54,351 applications across 2023/24 which would represent a 23% increase compared to the previous baseline [2019/20]. This increase in demand is also set against the establishment of the team responsible for completing these checks in Sussex having remained the same in recent years at 23 posts – comprising one team leader, two supervisors and 20 coordinators.

It was recognised that some of the delays in DBS processing times have been exacerbated by a higher-than-expected staff turnover within the team, including within supervisory roles. It was also highlighted that it can take around a year to fully train new staff across all categories of response, with lesser experienced staff having an impact on team productivity in the short-term until they understand all the complexities involved.

The Chief Constable acknowledged that the waiting times for many DBS checks in Sussex is currently taking too long compared to the 60-day target and recognised the impact that these delays are having on some applicants and employers. Sussex Police currently has a workload of circa. 7,600 outstanding cases, with 5,600 of these checks more than 25 days old [74%] and 3,000 of these checks more than 60 days old [40%]. The Force is continuing to use overtime to try and address some of this backlog.

KB was informed that it is difficult to provide an accurate average for the time it is currently taking Sussex Police to process these applications. This is because the timescales can vary significantly depending on both the scale and complexity of the individual requests. For example, those requests that only require simple checks on the PNC can be completed in minutes, whereas more complex requests can take in excess of 8 hours to complete and are dependent on the nature and quantity of the data held by the Force. The Chief Constable confirmed that it was not practical to predict how long it will take the Force to reduce the current backlog which has developed, although it was recognised that it would take several months before any improvements in timeliness are realised.

A detailed audit has recently been undertaken to look at the triage processes and procedures used to complete the DBS checks to identify whether there are any opportunities to streamline these to improve the overall effectiveness of the process. This has included developing a set of guidelines for searching databases, in addition to the existing expedited processes for repeat applications. Alongside this, Sussex Police has also reviewed the leadership in place within the team to ascertain whether there are any further opportunities to improve the efficiency of the service provided to members of the public in this area.

To assist the Force with the sustained and continued increase in demand, the Chief Constable was pleased to confirm that Sussex Police has secured additional funding from the DBS to recruit a further four Full Time Equivalent (FTE) posts within the team. This increase to the establishment is anticipated to have a positive and significant impact on the ability of the team to process new applications in a timelier manner and to reduce the current backlog in outstanding applications. These posts are expected to be advertised on the Sussex Police website shortly, with recruitment set to commence immediately. Further information will be made available through the following link:

https://www.sussex.police.uk/jobs/

It was also highlighted that members of the public can receive an update about how a DBS application is progressing by using the online service. This can be accessed through the following link: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/track-a-dbs-application

ACTION: KB agreed to revisit Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks again at a PAM in spring 2024.

 

 

FIREARMS LICENSING AND DEPLOYMENTS

Sussex and Surrey Police have a Joint Firearms & Explosives Licensing Unit.

1. I have received several complaints to my office that it is taking an excessive amount of time to renew firearms and shotgun certificates. What is the cause of these delays? And what are Sussex Police doing to try and reduce these delays?
2. How many firearms and shotgun licence holders are there currently in Sussex? Are these numbers increasing/decreasing? How many certificates [both firearms and shotgun] were issued, renewed, refused and revoked in Sussex during 2022/23? And how does this compare to previous years?
3. The Minister of State for Crime, Policing and Fire has asked all Police & Crime Commissioners to undertake six-monthly reviews of firearms licensing performance within their areas to monitor the management of caseloads to minimise the possible risk to the public. As such, please can you confirm:
4. How many people with expired certificates, and who have not applied for a renewal, are still in possession of their firearms?
5. How many have applied for renewal whose cases have yet to be decided?
6. How many of those who have applied for renewal have been issued with a temporary permit and continue to have firearms in their possession? And what is the age of those cases? [<90 days; 90-180 days; 180-365 days or longer]
7. Earlier this year [July 2023], His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) published the findings from their report ‘An inspection of how effective police forces are in the deployment of firearms’. How have you reflected on the findings from the report?
8. In 2021/22, police forces in England and Wales recorded 5,752 offences involving firearms. In response to this threat, there were 18,259 operations carried out across all force areas that involved the deployment of armed police officers. Across the same period, how many offences involved firearms in Sussex? How many policing operations involved the deployment of armed officers? And were firearms intentionally discharged at any of these deployments? And what proportion of all use-of-force tactics involved firearms tactics in Sussex across the same period?
9. HMICFRS highlighted that improvements need to be made in the selection and training of strategic and tactical firearms commanders because of the high degree of risk they manage. How effective are the processes used for the selection, training and deployment of strategic and tactical firearms commanders in Sussex?
10. The report made 12 recommendations to help the police improve a national system which already has good governance and structures. What plans are in place to progress the recommendations for chief constables?

The Chief Constable acknowledged the importance of having effective internal processes, procedures and systems in place around firearms licensing and recognised the “tragic consequences” that have occurred across England and Wales when decisions taken in this area have been made incorrectly and/or when mistakes have been made.

Sussex Police has a “safety-first approach” to firearms licensing to ensure that thorough processes, procedures and checks are in place around the appropriateness of those individuals who are granted and hold firearms licenses locally. This has included consideration of the recent changes made to the statutory guidance and authorised professional practice in this area which were both revised following the inquest and Coronial Review into the Plymouth shootings in 2021.

It was highlighted that there is currently no national target timescale that these checks should be completed within, with the police service not always in control of the information required. Sussex Police must review, consider and explore all medical information and any intelligence that is received from third parties before any licenses are granted.

The Chief Constable confirmed that Sussex Police does not have any significant backlog in terms of the renewal of firearms and shotgun certificates. However, it was acknowledged that some applications are taking longer than others to process because of the more extensive and intrusive processes now in place and the greater number of applications that require a review by the management team following the identification of adverse information about existing license holders. These additional checks and balances are all recognised to have elongated the previous timescales.

There are currently nearly 24,000 firearms licence holders in Sussex – comprising circa. 6,000 coterminous firearms licences [for more than one firearm] and circa. 18,000 shotgun licences. The number of coterminous licence holders was recognised to have reduced by 10% since 2020, with shotgun licenses decreasing by 14% over the same period. The reducing number of license holders in Sussex was attributed to the increased costs of living and the additional requirements placed on applicants to obtain pre-medical information from General Practitioners (GPs) before applying for firearms licenses.

Sussex Police issued and renewed 4,285 firearms certificates in 2022/23 [comprising 1,284 firearms and 3,001 shotgun licenses], compared to the 5,109 firearms certificates granted in 2021/22 [comprising 1,442 firearms licences and 3,667 shotgun licences]. The Force also refused 19 licences and revoked 34 licences in 2023 [34 combined], in comparison to the 17 licenses refused and 15 licences revoked in 2022 [32] and the 9 licenses refused and 16 licences revoked in 2021 [25].

A qualitative approach to assessment is used in the decision-making processes for all refusals and revocations, with any initial concerns shared with a supervisor before these are escalated to a Chief Inspector for endorsement and a final decision. KB was reassured to note that the Force has effective procedures, escalation processes and scrutiny measures in place around firearms licensing in Sussex.

In response to the questions raised by the Minister of State for Crime, Policing and Fire, it was highlighted that Sussex Police do not currently have anyone with expired certificates who are still in possession of their firearms and who have not applied for a renewal. KB was informed that there are 12 individuals who have applied for a renewal whose cases are yet to be decided, with extensions granted for each of these that are currently being monitored and supervised by firearms enquiry officers. It was also highlighted that none of these [12] individuals have been issued with a temporary permit to continue to have firearms in their possession.

The Chief Constable welcomed the publication of the HMICFRS report and explained that Sussex Police complete an armed policing strategic threat and risk assessment annually which informs the capacity and capability of armed officers and commanders each police force should have to respond effectively to its demand. This assessment was recognised to be in line with the findings from the national report and provides further assurances that effective governance processes and firearms capabilities exist in Sussex.  

It was highlighted that there were 112 offences that involved firearms in Sussex during 2021/22 [the period referred to within the report]. This was recognised to have increased to 127 offences in Sussex for the latest available rolling year period to 30 June 2023 [and 6,645 offences for all forces in England and Wales]. There were also 575 policing operations that involved the deployment of armed officers in Sussex across the period covered in the report, although no firearms were discharged against any humans [with 56 incidents involving the humane disposal of animals]. It is also estimated that 1% of all use-of-force tactics involved firearms in Sussex across the same period.

The Chief Constable was confident that the selection and training of strategic and tactical firearms commanders is effective in Sussex. KB was reassured to understand that all firearms officers are only signed off by Assistant Chief Constable Simon Dobinson at the Joint Command Oversight Board when they have received thorough training, scrutiny and operational accreditation, including decision-making and emotional intelligence.   

It was highlighted that Sussex Police has effective plans in place to progress the [six] recommendations identified for chief constables in the inspection report within the prescribed timescales. It was highlighted that recommendations 3, 5, 6 and 12 from the report have already been completed, with recommendations 2 and 10 expected to be confirmed shortly.

A copy of the HMICFRS inspection report – including the recommendations – can be viewed through the following link:

https://hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/publications/how-effective-police-forces-are-in-the-deployment-of-firearms/

It was also highlighted that Sussex Police has embedded an individual into the HMICFRS inspection team. This proactive approach to short-term secondments is recognised to be valuable to both the Force and the individual police officer in terms of sharing and acting on any organisational learning that is identified faster, alongside the developmental opportunities that are provided to the individual. For example, the learning identified within this inspection report had largely been translated into operational activity by the time the report was officially published following the information that had been shared by the secondee to the Force.

The Chief Constable concluded by stating that she was part of a small group of chief officers responsible for submitting a collective response to the Home Secretary and the proposed review of investigatory arrangements which follow police use of force [and police driving-related] incidents following the incident in the Metropolitan Police Service where hundreds of firearms officers handed in their weapons in protest after a colleague was charged with murder whilst undertaking armed duties. KB was informed that the outcomes of this review are yet to be published.

 

 

 

 

OPERATION HOPE – DOMESTIC ABUSE CAMPAIGN 2023

Operation Hope – the Sussex Police campaign to safeguard victims of domestic abuse and target known perpetrators over the Christmas and New Year period – commenced earlier this week.

1. How will Sussex Police provide victims of domestic abuse with an enhanced policing response through Operation Hope? And what will this intensification activity comprise of?
2. How will the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme be used to support the Force response in terms of disclosures and referrals to support services and/or perpetrator programmes?
3. Last month [25 November 2023], White Ribbon Day marked the start of campaign to prevent violence against women and girls. How have you reflected on the campaign and the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence [which ended on 10 December]?

The Chief Constable explained that Sussex Police continue to take domestic abuse and violence against women and girls (VAWG) “incredibly seriously” throughout the calendar year. It was also highlighted that this ongoing focus is heightened for the Force around the festive season because all available data suggests that instances of domestic abuse [including offences against men] increases during this period and is attributed to individuals spending more time at home, increased consumption of alcohol and greater tensions and pressures that can exist and be created during the festivities.

Sussex Police will be providing victims of domestic abuse with an enhanced policing response – through Operation Hope – across four distinct areas: targeted visits; building and assessing information and intelligence in a timely manner; undertaking safeguarding and risk assessments, and briefing, educating and reminding frontline officers and staff of the warning signs of domestic abuse and the tools available to support victims over the festive period.

The highest risk domestic abuse victims in Sussex – identified through the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference – will be visited by police officers and Independent Domestic Violence Advisors to offer reassurance, provide safety equipment and raise awareness of the range of services available to support the most vulnerable victims.

This process will include reviewing and discussing the safety plans and safeguarding arrangements in place and updating these with any new information, risks and/or amendments as required, before sharing these with the relevant teams and partners for awareness. This approach is recognised to generate greater trust and confidence in the police service, contribute positively towards increased reporting of domestic abuse offences and result in enhanced support for prosecutions throughout the criminal justice process.

High-harm and repeat perpetrators of domestic abuse – identified through the Multi-Agency Tasking and Coordination and Complex Domestic Abuse and Stalking Perpetrator Unit – will be visited by offender managers to engage with, work with and manage these individuals to deter them from committing these offences and reminding them of any conditions and/or orders that may be in place.

This process will also include building accurate risk assessments and sharing these with the relevant teams and partners, replicating the same approach taken for victims. These proactive visits will also be supported by an intensification period for those individuals arrested for breaching any orders and ensuring that these offenders are taken to court at the earliest possible opportunity to prevent further offending during this campaign.

All this activity will be supported by heightened media campaigns, including social media posts with strap lines including: ‘No one should be at risk of domestic abuse’, ‘Break the cycle of domestic abuse’ and #youarenotalone, alongside further signposting to support services and details about how to contact Sussex Police. Further information can be viewed through the following link: https://www.sussex.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/daa/domestic-abuse/

The Chief Constable provided KB with assurances that the Force continues to use the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme – better known as Clare’s Law – effectively in Sussex with prioritisation given to any disclosures requested. This scheme provides individuals with the ‘right to ask’ and ‘right to know’ about any previous history of violence or abuse a person might have and enables the police to release this information so that new partners of high-harm and repeat offenders can make informed decisions regarding contact and potential relationships. Further information about the scheme can be viewed through the following link:

https://www.sussex.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/daa/domestic-abuse/alpha2/request-information-under-clares-law/

Sussex Police remains committed in its support of the White Ribbon campaign and was actively engaged in a variety of events held by partners across Sussex during the 16 days of activism. This was further supported by the delivery of proactive messaging and communications – both internally and externally – which included sharing ‘You said, we acted’ messaging on social media about the initiatives and work Sussex Police has implemented to protect women and girls better following feedback from the VAWG: Understand your Experiences survey in 2021.

It was also highlighted that Sussex Police re-opened the lived experiences survey on White Ribbon Day [25 November 2023] to understand better individual experiences of VAWG to inform better the policing response provided. The Force has received almost 200 responses to date which seeks to build on a continued commitment to listen to feedback and do more to tackle VAWG in Sussex. The survey is initially open for six weeks and can be viewed through the following link:

https://www.sussex.police.uk/police-forces/sussex-police/areas/campaigns/campaigns/violence-against-women-and-girls/

The Chief Constable concluded by stating that she remains grateful to KB and the Office of the Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner for the continued support that is provided to Sussex Police in this important area.

SCAMS AND FRAUD

Fraud is the fastest growing crime type and as we head towards Christmas the likelihood of individuals being defrauded in Sussex is set to increase.

1. How many reports of fraud were received by Sussex Police in the past 12-months? What proportion of all crimes reported to the Force relate to fraud? And how does this compare to previous years?
2. How many charges has the Force made for offences of fraud in the past 12-months? How many successful prosecutions were secured on the back of these charges? And how does this compare to previous years?
3. Operation Signature – the Sussex Police campaign to identify and support vulnerable victims of fraud – has been used successfully to tackle fraud previously. Is this Operation still running? And, if so, how is it being used to improve the prevention, response and enforcement capabilities of the Force in this area?

The Chief Constable confirmed that 8,284 reports of fraud that relate to victims of crime in Sussex were recorded by Action Fraud across 2022/23. It was also highlighted that Sussex Police were positioned 13^th out of the 43 police force areas in England and Wales in terms of volume of recorded fraud offences by population. This is in comparison to the 9,903 reports of fraud recorded in 2021/22 [15^th highest nationally] and the 11,503 reports of fraud recorded in 2020/21 [9^th nationally]. It is also anticipated that the volume of fraud offences recorded for 2023/2024 will be higher than those recorded in 2022/23.

For the benefit of the viewers, it was explained that most offences of fraud are reported to Action Fraud, the national reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime for any victims that have been scammed, defrauded and/or experienced cyber crime in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The four exceptions to this reporting are instances where an offender is arrested by the police; an offender is in the process of committing and/or has recently committed an offence; a suspect has been identified locally and/or there is a vulnerable victim at risk. As such, it is not easy to determine locally what percentage fraud represents in terms of overall crime reporting in Sussex.

However, the Office for National Statistics data estimates that between 48% - 50% of all reported crime nationally is now fraud-related, with the British Crime Survey suggesting that the under-reporting of fraud offences may be closer to 86%, either because victims are unaware it has taken place and/or because of personal embarrassment [i.e., relating to the loss of large amounts of money and investments or romance fraud].

In 2022/23, 300 of the [8,284] cases reported to Action Fraud were sent to Sussex Police for investigation, alongside a further 870 cases that were adopted locally as a call for service. Whilst these 1,170 cases were investigated by the Force, many more reports were also generated following fraud prevention activity through Operation Signature.

Of the 1,170 cases investigated during 2022/23, Sussex Police recorded 103 judicial outcomes, with a further 223 investigations remaining ongoing that may still result in a positive outcome once these investigations have concluded. This is in comparison to the  133 judicial outcomes recorded from the 2,018 cases investigated in 2021/22, with 87 of these remaining ongoing, and 108 judicial outcomes recorded from the 3,116 cases investigated in 2020/21, with 54 of these remaining ongoing.

This further highlights the complexities of individual fraud cases and the subsequent investigation periods which are recognised to extend across multiple years, with the Force working hard to deliver consistent and sustained improvements in the judicial outcomes delivered for victims of these offences in Sussex [N.B. Judicial outcomes include charged offences, summonsed offences and out-of-court-disposals].

The Chief Constable confirmed that the Sussex Police response to tackling fraud is delivered through the four pillars of pursue, protect, prevent and prepare, with a significant amount of activity focused on the prevention strand.

This approach is best supported by Operation Signature – the nationally adopted campaign – to raise awareness of this type of criminality, provide preventative measures to protect the most vulnerable individuals from becoming victims of fraud and to support and encourage those individuals who have been a victim in Sussex to report these offences to the police [via Action Fraud].

Through Operation Signature, the Force use Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), with enhanced training in fraud safeguarding, to visit vulnerable victims and provide support, advice and guidance, with further assistance provided by the Economic Crime Unit. In 2022/23, Sussex Police undertook 3,083 victim visits, with a further 1,873 visits conducted across 2023/24 to date.

It was also highlighted that Operation Signature recently received the runner up Police Support Volunteer Team Award at the Lord Ferrers Awards 2023 – which recognise outstanding contributions to volunteering in policing – for its Volunteer Fraud Prevention Programme. This initiative continues to ensure that all victims of fraud in Sussex who do not receive a visit [from Operation Signature] are still provided with tailored fraud protection advice. This team of 14 volunteers is also supported by the National Economic Crime Victim Care Unit (NECVCU) to ensure that demand can be managed appropriately.

The PCC has continued to provide funding to support two dedicated fraud caseworkers to tackle the financial, physical, psychological and sexual abuse of older people. These individuals have provided one-to-one tailored support to nearly 1,500 individuals identified as being most vulnerable to repeat fraud across 2023/24 to date. This approach continues to support and raise awareness of Operation Signature

Further information about personal fraud, business fraud, online fraud and cyber crime can be viewed on the Sussex Police website through the following link:

https://www.sussex.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/fa/fraud/

Additional information about Operation Signature can also be viewed on the Force website through the following link:

https://www.sussex.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/wsi/watch-schemes-initiatives/os/operation-signature/

NITROUS OXIDE  

Last month [8 November 2023], the possession of nitrous oxide – better known as 'laughing gas' – was made illegal in England and Wales as the Government seeks to deliver on its zero-tolerance approach to anti-social behaviour.

1. What impact is this ban anticipated to have on Sussex Police? And how has this change been communicated to frontline police officers and staff?
2. What does Sussex Police do with any pressurised cannisters that are seized? How are these disposed of? And how much does this process cost the Force?

The Chief Constable explained that nitrous oxide is a colourless and odourless gas that is inhaled and is recognised to provide the user with a euphoric and hallucinogenic effect.

It is legitimately used as a painkiller in medicine and dentistry [mild anaesthetic and analgesic] and in catering [used to dispense whipped cream]. It can also be used illegitimately as a recreational drug because of the significant and temporary side effects, including pins and needles, numbness, dizziness, dissociation, disorientation, loss of balance, impaired memory and cognition and weakness in the legs. Infrequent use of nitrous oxide is considered lower risk compared to other illicit substances, albeit thus is still classed as a dissociative, putting it into the same drug class as Ketamine. 

Now that nitrous oxide has been criminalised, it falls within the scope of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, in line with all other ‘Class C’ drugs. Sussex Police will continue to seek to enforce the law where it can, accepting that this recent change in legislation has presented the police service with another demand on already stretched resources.

The maximum period of imprisonment for illegitimate possession is two years imprisonment  and/or an unlimited fine, and 14 years for supply. However, it is anticipated that simple possession of nitrous oxide would more than likely result in an out-of-court-disposal [unless it relates to a repeat offender or is a combined offence].

It was highlighted that this change in legislation has been disseminated to frontline officers and staff through the delivery of training packages and briefings, Forcewide email circulars and communication through the internal intranet. A more detailed  input and update around this area has also been provided to the Force drug expert witnesses.

Sussex Police are currently looking at different ways to dispose of any pressurised gas cannisters seized in the most efficient manner. Last year, it was highlighted that more than £2,000 was spent on disposing of these cannisters via a hazardous waste company.

The Chief Constable concluded by reminding individuals about some of the long-lasting and wider implications that could be realised for any young people convicted of using nitrous oxide. This could be highlighted during vetting processes undertaken as part of pre-employment checks and could prevent individuals from being accepted into working roles and/or may result in the refusal of visas or entry into different countries worldwide.  

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

KB thanked the Chief Constable, her senior team and all police officers and staff within Sussex Police for their efforts over the past year and, more specifically, those who will be working over the festive period to ensure that we all remain safe in Sussex. KB concluded by wishing both the viewers and the workforce of Sussex Police a happy Christmas.

NEXT UP:

The next PAM is on Friday, 19 January 2024 at 13:00. Further information can be viewed through the following link: www.sussex-pcc.gov.uk/get-involved/watch-live/

DATE: 19 January 2024

LOCATION: Sackville House, Lewes

PRESENT: 

Police & Crime Commissioner – Katy Bourne [KB]

Chief Executive Officer – Mark Streater

Chief Constable – Jo Shiner

Deputy Chief Constable – Dave McLaren

Correspondence and Admin Officer – Elliot Saunders [webcasting]

Head of Performance – Graham Kane [minutes]

POLICING PRECEPT INVESTMENT 2023/24

Last year, I was given Government and public support to increase the precept for 2023/24 by £15 for a Band D property. This enabled Sussex Police to meet the increased costs of pay and inflation, whilst preserving the improvements in operational capacity, visibility and accessibility made through investment since 2018.

1. How have Sussex Police sought to maintain the 429 police officers recruited locally through Operation Uplift [the three-year campaign to recruit 20,000 new officers in England and Wales before March 2023] in 2023/24 to ensure that the criteria for receiving a share of the maintenance grant payments [worth £275million] is met?
2. How many additional officers, over and above the numbers required in Sussex, have been recruited during the year? And what extra financial reward has the Force received for this enhanced performance?
3. What will the total number of individuals be for each of the three employee categories [police officers, staff and PCSOs] on 31 March 2024 – both Full Time Equivalent (FTE) and Headcount? How will this compare to the establishment levels for each of the categories? And what work has been undertaken to reduce the vacancy rate held across the workforce over the past year?
4. In previous years, part of the precept investment has been used to improve the average call handling times within the Force Contact, Command and Control Department. Can you provide me with an update regarding Force performance in respect of emergency and non-emergency calls?
5. The Home Office has established the police officer headcount for Sussex Police at 3,205 for 2024/25 and increased the performance grant [which is predicated on maintaining these numbers] to £9.1million. How will you ensure that this number of officers is maintained across the coming year to avoid any losses in the performance grant awarded?

The Chief Constable began by recognising the significant contribution that has been made by Adrian Rutherford, Director of People Services, and his team within the Human Resources Department to manage, progress and maintain the police officers recruited locally through Operation Uplift across 2023/24.

Sussex Police has developed robust workforce recruitment plans which estimates the number of police officers who are likely to leave the Force over the coming year and the collective number of officers required to replace them so that the number of officers is maintained. These plans are routinely monitored by the Strategic Planning Board – chaired by the Deputy Chief Constable – and remain flexible according to local need.

It was highlighted that the number of different police officer entry routes now available to individuals in Sussex has broadened the attraction of the role, including the reintroduction of the Police Constable Entry Programme [the revised non-degree entry route], alongside the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship and the Detective Degree Holder Programme.

Sussex Police has continued to look at ways of reducing police officer turnover, including the introduction of enhanced exit processes and interviews to understand better the reasons why officers [and staff] leave the organisation. The Force has also sought to improve its retention through the introduction of a ‘stay conversation scheme’, following a successful pilot at Greater Manchester Police. This process involves a confidential interview with any individuals who are thinking about leaving the organisation to understand better the potential reasons for this which provides the Force with the opportunity to try and address any issues and retain the individuals instead. This approach is recognised to be good practice and is currently only used by a small number of forces nationally.

The Chief Constable explained that in addition to the local requirement to maintain a headcount of 3,166 police officers during 2023/24, Sussex Police successfully bid for and recruited an additional 60 officers during the financial year as part of Operation Uplift allocations that other police forces in England and Wales were unable to recruit to. These officers have now been built into existing workforce recruitment plans which means that the Force has already met its enhanced target ahead of the 31 March 2024 deadline.

It was also highlighted that Sussex Police receives an additional £45,000 for each officer appointed over the maintenance target and, whilst this does not cover all the additional costs and equipment, it enables the Force to maximise the funding available in Sussex to increase its police officer establishment further still and to strengthen public trust and confidence in the police by improving visibility in local communities.  

As a result of this enhanced activity, Sussex Police is predicted to have 3,163 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) police officers [and a headcount of 3,251 officers] by 31 March 2024.

The Force is also forecast to have 2,140 FTE police staff at the end of the financial year [and a headcount of 2,116], against an establishment of 2,380 FTE. This is recognised to represent a vacancy rate of 11% [against an agreed Force target of 10%] and is contributing positively towards the overall savings requirement. The Force is continuing to manage this vacancy rate through the Strategic Planning Board and will seek to fill any vacancies where the posts remain essential to frontline delivery.

Sussex Police had 258 FTE PCSOs on 31 December 2023, against an establishment of 292 FTE, with a further intake planned for February 2024 that will increase these numbers further still. It was highlighted that PCSO application numbers continue to remain low in Sussex despite significant attraction activity having been undertaken locally to try and address this position. It should also be noted that Sussex Police is not the only police force area that is currently struggling to attract candidates for this role, with all forces in England and Wales recognised to be in the same situation.

The Chief Constable confirmed that the additional police officers recruited in Sussex during 2023/24 have contributed towards the following reductions in neighbourhood crimes across the rolling year period to 31 October 2023:

• burglary [dwelling and residential] -33%
• theft [from the person] -25%
• total neighbourhood crime -23%.

[N.B. The above reductions were recorded in Sussex in comparison to the number of offences recorded across the rolling year period to 31 December 2019 – the last full calendar year prior to the commencement of the pandemic].

These reductions in recorded crimes were attributed to the investment that was made previously to proactively tackle and prevent crime in Sussex, including the formation of the Specialist Enforcement Unit, Tactical Enforcement Units and collective improvements to increase the visibility of police officers and PCSOs in local communities.

The Chief Constable was “delighted” with the progress that has been demonstrated through the Joint Force Contact and Telephony Programme in recent months to make it easier for members of the public to contact Sussex Police.

It was highlighted that 98.1% of all 999 calls received between 1 – 16 January 2024 were answered within 10 seconds. This represented a continued and sustained improvement in Force performance from the individual months of November [93.9%] and December [95.9%] 2023.

The average waiting times for the non-emergency number also reduced to 1 minute and 48 seconds during the first half of January 2024, with an abandonment rate of 4.6% recorded across the same period. This represented month-on-month improvements in 101 call handling times and abandonment rates from the individual months of November [4 minutes and 15 seconds and 9.7% abandonment rate] and December 2023 [4 minutes and 12 seconds and 8.1% abandonment rate] with this performance set against an “incredibly busy period” for Sussex Police.

KB congratulated the Force on the progress that has been demonstrated in this area and was pleased to note that these enhanced performance levels are anticipated to continue moving forwards.

It was emphasised that further improvements to operational capacity, visibility and accessibility are required by Sussex Police during 2024/25. This includes the need to make enhancements to the efficiency and effectiveness of crime investigation processes, acknowledging the relative inexperience of some of the new workforce. It was also recognised that further investment is required within the Response Investigation Teams and Digital Investigations Support Unit to improve the capacity of these teams to respond. This will include the recruitment of additional administrators to support these teams to build individual case files and enable investigators to better interrogate the digital evidence seized.

The Chief Constable explained that comprehensive workforce and recruitment plans have been developed to ensure that Sussex Police is able to meet and deliver the confirmed police officer headcount of 3,205 for 2024/25, whilst simultaneously replacing those officers leaving the organisation through retirement, resignation or as transferees throughout the year. The Force is confident that it will achieve and maintain these numbers across the coming year to avoid any losses in the performance grant awarded.

 

PROVISIONAL POLICE GRANT SETTLEMENT 2024/25

The provisional police grant settlement was announced last month [14 December 2023] and confirmed that resources of £393.9million are available to Sussex Police in 2024/25. Of that, the Home Office has provided grant resources of £229.6million – equivalent to an extra £15.5million [7.2%] compared with 2023/24.

The balance of £164.3million is predicated on me [in my capacity as Police & Crime Commissioner] increasing the annual council tax bill for Band D properties in Sussex by £13 [the maximum amount permitted without triggering a referendum].

1. What are the budgeted costs for Sussex Police during 2024/25? And what are the main cost increases and inflationary pressures?
2. If the precept increases by £13 in 2024/25 to maximise the resources available to Sussex Police, would this meet the forecasted expenditure for?

The Chief Constable confirmed that the gross budget for Sussex Police in 2024/25 is £402.7million, including significant externally driven costs of £33.2million for pay, supplies and services that are driven by consumer price inflation.

Most of these additional cost pressures are employee-related [following national pay awards for police officers and staff and increased pension contributions], with other cost increases also apparent for the outsourcing of forensic services [including digital forensics]; IT licences and support costs; vehicle and fuel costs, alongside the costs associated with maintaining an aging police estate.

The Chief Constable confirmed that a £13 increase to the police precept in 2024/25 is fundamental to Sussex Police in terms of minimising the savings that will still be required over the medium-term.

It was also highlighted that increasing the precept by the maximum amount permitted would still not meet the expenditure forecast for Sussex Police during 2024/25. This is because the budgeted costs for the police service [referred to above] have increased at a faster rate than the increase in Government funding.

If the precept is increased by £13, Sussex Police would still have a savings requirement of £8.2million to find during 2024/25. This position would increase by another £0.7million for each £1 less [than the maximum] that is raised through the precept.

KB concluded by providing some further information in respect of the funding context. It was emphasised that Sussex Police has the:

• 12^th lowest Net Revenue Expenditure per head of population nationally at £195.23 [national average of £232.57].
• 7^th lowest precept of any PCC in England and Wales at £239.91 per Band D equivalent household [for 2023/24].
• 6^th lowest total funding per head of population at £210.35 [including all grants and precept].

 

BUDGETARY PRESSURES 2024/25

Alongside this additional investment, the Government expects all police forces in England and Wales to deliver cashable efficiency savings by 2026/27.

1. How are you planning to deliver these savings in 2024/25?
2. How will you seek to manage the increased costs for policing and continued inflationary pressures during the year? And how will the continued use of reserves and vacancy management be used to find these savings and deliver a balanced budget?

The Chief Constable explained that Sussex Police has robust controls and processes in place to monitor and scrutinise its budgetary pressures and savings plans. These structured plans are routinely monitored and updated by the Chief Financial Officer, with regular oversight provided by the Deputy Chief Constable.

Sussex Police have a savings requirement of £8.2million for 2024/25. The Force has established an ambitious transformational change programme [to modernise processes and reduce costs over the next three years] and a tactical savings programme [to reduce and remove costs within the year] to identify budget reductions and generate the savings required locally.

This savings requirement is anticipated to be delivered in Sussex through the delivery of these two programmes, alongside the rationalisation of technology throughout the Force, restructuring of the teams that support the police estate and fleet, transfer of services, and any further opportunities that may exist to collaborate with Surrey Police [whilst ensuring that the individual identities of both police forces are maintained].                                                       

This is all set to be achieved whilst still ensuring that operational policing remains responsive to the needs of the public and that the priorities set out within the Sussex Police & Crime Plan are delivered.

It was also highlighted that whilst Sussex Police has used earmarked reserves to balance the budget previously, the Force has opted to maintain its general reserve at 4% of the total police budget [the nationally recognised level]. It was acknowledged that the use of any reserves is a temporary measure to cover any shortfall through a “one-off spend” and, as such, the use of reserves should be minimised because this does not represent a sustainable measure nor is it a good use of an already limited reserve.

Sussex Police continues to use vacancy rates as a financial tool to reflect the reality of the time it takes to recruit and fill individual posts that become vacant which avoids overfunding employee budgets and allows these resources to be used for other policing priorities. This approach is also recognised to assist the Force with closing the budget gap further still.

The Chief Constable concluded by stating that Sussex Police will continue to look at what has worked [and what has not worked] within other police force areas in England and Wales to try and enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the local policing response, whilst simultaneously maximising the potential to generate additional savings.

This will include freeing up police officer time, wherever possible, to enable officers to complete timely investigations without undertaking the work of partner agencies. This approach will be supported by the launch of a ‘Right Care, Right Person’ project in March 2024 that will seek to identify the most appropriate agency to give vulnerable individuals the care and support they require, whilst removing this default responsibility from Sussex Police.

CHRISTMAS DRINK-AND-DRUG-DRIVE CAMPAIGN 2023 – RESULTS

Sussex Police took part in Operation Limit – the national policing response to target and detect incidents of drink-and-drug-driving in the lead up to Christmas and New Year celebrations – between 1 December 2023 and 1 January 2024.

1. How have you reflected on the latest campaign?
2. How many drivers were stopped, breathalysed and tested for substances and arrested for drink/drug driving offences in Sussex throughout the campaign?
3. What was the breakdown of drink-and-drug driving offences? Was this breakdown anticipated? And how do the number of individuals arrested compare to those arrests made in previous years?
4. How many of the arrests were made following reports received from family, friends and members of the public about individuals suspected of drink-or-drug-driving? And how can members of the public with any specific concerns about drink-or-drug-driving report these to Sussex Police?
5. What other initiatives does Sussex Police and the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership have planned to target the ‘fatal five’ and improve road safety in Sussex during 2024?
6. For those who were lucky enough to have received an electric scooter for Christmas, can you clarify exactly where these scooters are permitted to be used? And what are the consequences for any individuals found to be using electronic scooters on public roads, cycle lanes, footpaths and/or pavements?

Sussex Police remains committed to reducing the number of individuals killed or seriously injured (KSIs) on the roads in Sussex and will continue to target and pursue those responsible for drink-and-drug-driving locally. It was also emphasised that this important area remains an ongoing priority area for the Force all year round, with Operation Limit used to amplify the key messages through a dedicated campaign run twice a year [summer and winter] that is supported by a heightened policing response.

The Chief Constable expressed her own personal disappointed at the number of individuals who continue to choose to drive whilst under the influence of either alcohol and/or illegal substances but was proud of what the Force managed the achieve during the latest campaign.

Sussex Police used a combination of high-visibility operational policing [through liveried police cars and motorcycles] to undertake engagement, vehicle stops, checks and testing [where ‘reasonable grounds’ for suspicion were met], together with a more targeted approach [using unmarked cars and motorcycles] to focus on specific individuals and locations based on the intelligence received from members of the public.

Between 1 December 2023 and 1 January 2024, Sussex Police conducted 5,990 vehicle  stops as part of Operation Limit. This equated to an additional 3,560 vehicles stopped compared to the same campaign delivered in winter 2022 [2,430 vehicle stops] and represented an increase of 144%. There was also a 12% increase in the number of arrests made for drink-and-drug-driving offences throughout the campaign period, with 261 arrests recorded compared to 233 arrests the year before – this equated to an additional 28 arrests made.

Throughout the campaign, the Force stopped and breathalysed 1,660 motorists with 109 individuals arrested for drink-driving offences [7%]. A further 413 individuals were stopped and tested for substances [using DrugWipe tests] with 146 individuals subsequently arrested for drug-driving offences [35%]. The failure rates obtained for both offences were recognised to be comparable with the levels of offending recorded in previous years, with many of these individuals having already been to court, fined and banned from driving. It was also highlighted that these failure rates may yet increase further still as more individuals are processed through the criminal justice system.

A further six motorists were arrested during Operation Limit for failing to provide a sample at the roadside, with several other motorists arrested for different offences across the period of the campaign, including driving whilst disqualified; dangerous driving; theft; taking without consent; possession with intent to supply, and breach of court orders.

The increases demonstrated for both the number of vehicles stopped and arrests made were attributed to the enhanced focus and increased resources made available to support the campaign, including the provision of faster toxicology reports where these were prioritised. It was also emphasised that was an increase in members of the public reporting individuals suspected of drink-and-drug-driving to the police which generated additional information and intelligence that was used to plan, target and deploy police resources more effectively.

Members of the public with specific information and/or actionable intelligence about individuals they suspect of drink-and-drug-driving were encouraged to report these to the Force directly. This can be done by telephone to 101, text to 65999 or via the Sussex Police website [www.sussex.police.uk]. Individuals can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. If it is known that someone is drink or drug driving, bystanders should call 999 immediately.

The Chief Constable acknowledged that roadside disqualification [for drug-driving offences] still has some way to go before this becomes commonplace for anyone who provides a positive test for an illegal substance at the roadside. KB acknowledged the reduced risk that would be created if this approach was to be introduced by removing the risk of those driving on the roads in Sussex whilst still impaired by the drugs that remain active within their systems and pledged her support to the Force around this.

It was highlighted that the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership has been refocused to target and pursue those individuals responsible for drink-and-drug-driving alongside the other four components of the ‘fatal five’ [excessive speed, using mobile phones when driving, not wearing a seatbelt, and careless and/or dangerous driving] to try and reduce the number of KSIs recorded in Sussex during 2024. This includes a continued commitment to the support and deliver national road safety initiatives, with these campaign periods set to be extended during the calendar year to maximise their potential impact.

This will include repeating Operation Downsway [on roads and routes that are recognised to present the greatest risk of KSIs] and Operation Apex [targeting irresponsible motorcyclists across the Easter and May bank holiday weekends], alongside the relaunch of BikeSafe [to engage with motorcyclists and explore advanced riding techniques].

Through her role as National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) lead for Roads Policing, the Chief Constable confirmed that Sussex Police remains fully aligned to the National Roads Policing Strategy 2022/25 and the four areas set out within [preventing harm and saving lives; tackling crime; driving technology and innovation and changing minds].

The Force will also seek to tackle community concerns around road safety over the forthcoming year through the practical targeting of speeding, noise and anti-social driving where this is identified. This will include the proactive use of safety camera vans, targeted signs and Road Policing Unit (RPU) resources to maximise the impact and effectiveness of the local policing response.

The Chief Constable concluded by stating that Sussex Police will continue to take appropriate and proportionate action against those found to be using electronic scooters on public roads, cycle lanes, footpaths and pavements.  It was reiterated that the use of electric scooters [outside of the ongoing national trials] remains illegal and that individuals are only permitted to use these electric scooters on private land that is not accessible to members of the public.

BURGLARY 

At the Performance & Accountability Meeting (PAM) in October 2023, I agreed to revisit burglary at this month’s meeting to ensure that performance in this area continues to improve.

6. Sussex Police solved 6.4% of all burglary offences during 2023, compared to 5.5% of all burglaries in 2022. What is the Force doing to improve these solved rates further still?
7. Sussex Police has made significant investments in this area, through Operation Unify, to improve the effectiveness of the policing response provided to burglary offences. What impact has Operation Unify made to the Force response? And what further work is planned to focus on the importance of solving crime, holding offenders to account and improving trust and confidence [in the police] for victims of these crimes across the calendar year?

The Deputy Chief Constable recognised the negative impact that all types of burglaries can have on members of the public and reiterated that reducing the number of burglary offences and detecting more of the burglaries that are committed continues to remain an ongoing priority for Sussex Police.

As highlighted at the PAM in October 2023, Sussex Police has established a monthly Force Burglary Meeting – chaired by the Detective Chief Inspector with lead responsibility for burglary in Sussex – which seeks to improve the policing response to burglary by holding representatives from each of the three policing divisions to account for performance in this area.

Through this meeting, the Force aims to identify patterns, trends and repeat offenders [and those travelling across Sussex to commit burglaries in different areas] to maximise the number of cases submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service for charge, whilst simultaneously sharing any tactical advice, best practice and lessons learned that may be identified.

Sussex Police has made significant investment in this area – through Operation Unify – to create additional opportunities to improve the effectiveness of the policing response by maximising the time spent by officers on investigations. This has included structural changes to the neighbourhood policing model to provide a renewed focus on the importance of solving crime, holding offenders to account and improving trust and confidence [in the police] for victims.

Alongside this, the creation of Response Investigation Teams (RITs) – within the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) – has also sought to improve the quality and timeliness of the policing response provided to volume crime investigations, including burglary offences.

Sussex Police is currently undertaking a review of all forensic activity and the outcomes that are delivered through forensic identifications [i.e. fingerprints and toolmark comparisons] because of the positive correlation that exists between these and the number of burglary offences that are solved by the Force once a suspect is confirmed as being associated with a specific crime(s). This approach also seeks to prioritise the forensic activity around residential burglaries over other types of crimes that are, perhaps, less impactful.

In July 2023, Sussex Police restructured its Crime Management Unit to improve crime recording standards at the first point of contact and to ensure that all offences are recorded accurately according to Home Office Counting Rules – the national standard for the recording and counting of notifiable offences recorded by police forces in England and Wales.

This centralised approach also provides an independent “check and balance” to confirm that all reasonable lines of enquiry have been undertaken before any investigation is closed. For burglary offences, this includes looking at all available CCTV, contact with any witnesses identified, undertaking house-to-house enquiries and performing stolen property checks to try and identify the perpetrators responsible for these crimes.

Further investigative supervision and oversight is provided through a dedicated Detective Superintendent on each of the three policing divisions who is responsible for overseeing the outputs of both the Neighbourhood Response Teams (NRTs) and RITs, and providing appropriate support to enable the teams [and the individuals within] to improve and develop, whilst acknowledging the relative inexperience of some of the workforce.

The Deputy Chief Constable confirmed that Sussex Police attend the scene of ALL residential burglaries reported to them to try and secure the best possible evidence that will support effective investigations and maximise the potential for securing successful outcomes in line with the commitment made by the [previous] Home Secretary.

A recent audit, undertaken in December 2023, highlighted that Sussex Police attended 93% of the 47 burglaries reviewed, with two offences subsequently reclassified as burglaries [having been inaccurately recorded as theft during the initial crime recording process] and valid reasons existing for the other offences that were not attended by frontline officers. Feedback was also provided to the officers involved where appropriate to ensure that these consistently high levels of attendance are maintained.

The Deputy Chief Constable explained that he is still not satisfied with the current proportion of burglary crimes at offence disposal that have a successful outcome in Sussex. The Force was positioned 32 out of 43 police forces, and 6^th within their MSG, in terms of the successful outcomes recorded for all burglary offences across the rolling year period to 31 October 2023.

Sussex Police solved 6.4% of all burglary offences during 2023, compared to 5.5% of all burglaries in 2022, with improvements demonstrated across each of the three policing divisions. It was also highlighted that this solved rate has increased further still to 7.3% across Sussex for the past three calendar months which confirms that Sussex Police is continuing to move in the right direction. KB confirmed that burglary would be revisited again at another PAM later this year to further monitor these initial improvements in Force performance.

The Chief Constable concluded by confirming that the risk of being burgled in Sussex continues to remain low. The Force was positioned 12 out of the 43 police forces in England and Wales, and top of their Most Similar Group (MSG) of 8 forces, in terms of the risk of burglary per 1,000 population across the same rolling year period.

OPERATION SOTERIA

Last summer [July 2023], the Home Secretary announced that all 43 police forces in England and Wales had signed up to Operation Soteria – a transformational change programme to tackle rape and serious sexual offences.

1. How has Sussex Police sought to embed the National Operating Model into local processes and procedures? And what difference has the implementation of this model made to the Force response?
2. What improvements have been demonstrated by Sussex Police in terms of the solved rates and length of investigations for these offences? And how has any enhanced performance and/or successes in this area been promoted and communicated by the Force – both internally and externally?
3. I am pleased to confirm that funding from Round 5 of the Safer Streets Fund, alongside match funding from the OSPCC, has been secured to support Project Fides. This initiative will include investment in new victim coordinator roles to engage with victims, secure best evidence and enable investigators to focus on ongoing investigations. How many victim coordinators are being recruited? How is this recruitment progressing? And when will Project Fides be launched in Sussex?
4. Last month, Sussex Police delivered Operation Hope – the campaign to safeguard victims of domestic abuse and target known perpetrators over the Christmas and New Year period. How have you reflected on this campaign?

The Deputy Chief Constable recognised the importance of providing an efficient and effective policing response to prevent, tackle and solve these “life-changing” crimes because of the detrimental personal impact these offences can have on individuals and the mental and physical scars that are created through this offending behaviour.

Sussex Police has sought to embed the National Operating Model (NOM) developed by the programme which is underpinned by a six-pillar framework to assist all police forces to deliver the transformational change required to improve the response to rape and serious sexual offences and deliver the aims of Operation Soteria, as follows:

• Suspect-focused investigations.
• Disruption of repeat suspects.
• A procedural justice approach to engaging with victims.
• Learning, development and wellbeing of officers.
• Strategic use of police data.
• Digital forensics.

It was highlighted that the previous working practices and investigative approaches used in forces across England and Wales did not hold enough offenders accountable for their actions nor were enough criminal justice outcomes delivered for victims. The NOM seeks to provide all forces with the materials required to improve local policing responses and introduce positive changes to investigative practices that are more evidence-based.

In response to this, the Force has established governance structures that are aligned to the six pillars, with lead officers [selected for their experience and strategic expertise] responsible for the delivery of each of these. This is further supported by Forcewide oversight and scrutiny through existing operational and strategic boards.

Sussex Police has adapted the policies, practices and procedures used for rape and serious sexual offence (RASSO) investigations to ensure that these are victim-centred, suspect-focused and context-led. Alongside this, new suspect interview plans and intelligence development plans have been developed for investigators that focus on bad character material and the identification of offending behaviours/negative attitudes towards women by suspects respectively.

Revised guidance has been issued to investigators about the appropriate use of language when providing updates about investigations, which is further supported by new letter templates created for victims which provide a clear explanation regarding why the police may have been unable to reach the evidential threshold required to charge a suspect and the options available to them should an appeal be requested.

In addition, there is an ongoing requirement for Sussex Police to undertake continuous self-assessments regarding the local delivery of the NOM, with regular feedback provided by the Joint Soteria Unit. It was also emphasised that the significant amount of material required to deliver these changes means that the Force will continue to deliver and embed the NOM further still across 2024.

Sussex Police is currently looking to review and restructure its Public Protection Unit to ensure that dedicated specialist officers are available to investigate all RASSOs, in line with the preferred operating model highlighted by Operation Soteria. At present, officers have a blended approach in Sussex and currently investigate all public protection offences that are handled by the unit. It is anticipated that the Force will be able to start the restructuring process in the summer once the necessary review has been completed.

It was highlighted that Sussex Police has made significant improvements to the quality of its RASSO investigations which is already starting to contribute towards an increased number of solved outcomes and detections [for these offences] and improved victim satisfaction with the whole experience, as follows:

Rape – There was a 76% increase in the solved outcomes for rape during 2023, with 88 solved outcomes recorded compared to 50 solved outcomes in 2022 [+38 outcomes]. The solved rate for rape also increased from 3.3% to 4.7% across the calendar year.

Serious Sexual Offences – There was a 17% increase in the solved outcomes for serious sexual offences during 2023, with 219 solved outcomes recorded compared to 187 outcomes in 2022 [+32 outcomes]. The solved rate remained consistent at 8.0%.

RASSO – There was a 30% increase in the solved outcomes for RASSO during 2023, with 307 solved outcomes recorded compared to 237 solved outcomes in 2022 [+70 outcomes]. The solved rate for RASSOs also increased from 6.2% to 6.6% during 2023.

The Deputy Chief Constable recognised the positive contribution made by the Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner to secure additional funding from Round 5 of the Safer Streets Fund to support Project Fides. It was highlighted that four [of the 8] victim coordinators started their new roles on Monday [15 January 2023], with a further four individuals still awaiting pre-employment checks before they can commence in post.

Sussex Police reflected positively on Operation Hope – the campaign to safeguard victims of domestic abuse and target known perpetrators over the festive period – and confirmed that positive feedback was received from victims about the additional support that was made available to safeguard them during the campaign.

It was highlighted that domestic abuse remains an ongoing priority area for Sussex Police all year round and that the Force continues to prioritise its response to all domestic abuse-related calls to safeguard better victims and arrest a greater number of suspects at the scene, alongside an ongoing focus to tackle repeat offenders.

The Deputy Chief Constable concluded by stating that Sussex Police is planning to run a similar campaign across the summer months during the European Championships because, historically, there is a link between high-tension sporting events and increases in reported incidents of domestic abuse [based on statistical evidence].

NEXT UP:

The next PAM is on Friday, 16 February 2024 at 13:00. Further information can be viewed through the following link: www.sussex-pcc.gov.uk/get-involved/watch-live/

PERFORMANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY MEETING                                                   

DATE: 16 February 2024

LOCATION: Sackville House, Lewes

PRESENT:    

Police & Crime Commissioner – Katy Bourne [KB]

Chief Finance Officer – Iain McCulloch

Deputy Chief Constable – Dave McLaren

Assistant Chief Constable – Howard Hodges

Correspondence and Admin Officer – Elliot Saunders [webcasting]

Head of Performance – Graham Kane [minutes]

POLICING PRECEPT DECISION 2024/25

Last month [26 January 2024], I was pleased to be given Sussex Police & Crime Panel support [by a majority of votes] to increase the policing part of the council tax by an extra £13 for an average Band D property in 2024/25.

25. This increase to the precept has maximised the resources available to Sussex Police in 2024/25. What does this additional funding mean for the Force?
26. What are your financial plans for 2024/25?
27. What difference will members of the public notice during the year? And what are the timescales for the delivery of this?

The Deputy Chief Constable began by thanking the Police & Crime Commissioner and the staff within the Office of the Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner (OSPCC) for the hard work that was undertaken to secure the additional funding for Sussex Police in 2024/25, alongside the residents in Sussex who will be meeting this increased precept through their council tax payments.

It was recognised that Sussex Police has some significant financial challenges to meet over the next three financial years to balance the budget. This includes a savings requirement of £20m over the next three years, with a specific savings requirement of £8.2million in 2024/25.

The additional funding secured through the police precept for the coming year will make this challenge slightly easier and will enable Sussex Police to maintain the police officer numbers and the improvements made to operational policing capacity, capability, visibility and accessibility delivered through precept and Operation Uplift since 2018, whilst continuing to meet the increases to costs, pay and inflation.

The Force has already identified significant savings over the coming year, with further savings set to be delivered through the transformational change programme [to modernise processes and reduce costs over the next three years] and tactical savings programme [to reduce and remove costs within the year] to identify budget reductions and generate the savings required locally.

The Deputy Chief Constable reiterated that he was confident that this savings requirement will be delivered in Sussex through the delivery of these two programmes, alongside the rationalisation of technology throughout the Force and restructuring of the teams that support the police estate and fleet. The Force will also continue to consider any further opportunities that may exist to collaborate with Surrey Police whilst ensuring that the individual identities of both police forces are maintained.

It was highlighted that members of the public should notice improvements in several areas of policing across 2024/25. This will include improved call handling times [for both emergency and non-emergency calls] following the introduction of a new telephony platform in November 2023. This will be further supported by the implementation of a new call grading policy before the summer which will enable the Force to respond better to demand by placing a greater emphasis on the identification of vulnerability and the prioritisation of urgent deployments.

KB was reassured to note that members of the public will also see an increase in police visibility in local communities through the more effective deployment of police officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) as a direct result of this continued investment. This approach will seek to “strike an appropriate balance” between attending calls for service and proactive policing patrols and will seek to look at different ways to engage with the public that is more convenient for individuals, including remote contact.

The Deputy Chief Constable concluded by stating that Sussex Police continues to remain focused on delivering an effective policing response to all reasonable lines of enquiry. It was recognised that taking a methodical and structured approach to all investigations will maximise the opportunities for the Force to identify those responsible for the offending behaviour and secure positive criminal justice outcomes wherever possible, although it was acknowledged that there is still much work to do in this area to improve the policing response.

CALL HANDLING TIMES AND DIGITAL CONTACT 

At last month’s Performance & Accountability Meeting (PAM), I heard about some of the fantastic progress made by Sussex Police in recent months to make it easier for members of the public to contact them.

1. How many 999 calls were received by Sussex Police during January 2024? What proportion of these calls were answered within 10 seconds? And how does this compare to the emergency calls answered in recent months?
2. How many non-emergency calls were received by the Force in January 2024? What were the average waiting times for these 101 calls? And how does this compare to the 101 calls answered in recent months?
3. The abandonment rate for 101 calls also reduced to 4.8% across January 2024, compared to abandonment rates of 9.7% 8.1% recorded in November and December 2023, respectively. Do you expect this abandonment rate to reduce further still?
4. How many webforms – submitted through the Single Online Home – were received by Sussex Police during January 2024? How does this compare to the digital contacts received in recent months/rolling year?
5. What further improvements are anticipated to be delivered through Joint Force Contact and Telephony Programme during 2024/25?

The Assistant Chief Constable highlighted that the performance of Sussex Police has “improved dramatically” in terms of call handling times and digital contact in recent months and highlighted that he was “incredibly proud” of the progress demonstrated by the Force in this important area.

Sussex Police was the best performing police force in England and Wales in terms of 999 call handling performance in January 2024, with 98.0% of the 20,455 emergency calls received by the Force during the month answered within 10 seconds. This represented sustained and continued improvements in performance from the individual months of November [93.9%] and December [95.9%] 2023.

These improvements in performance were directly attributed to the introduction of a new telephony platform in November 2023, supported by a revised operating model, which has transformed the way that the Force is able to operate within the Force Contact, Command and Control Department (FCCCD). This has enabled contact handlers to automatically flex between emergency and non-emergency calls in an agile manner according to demand, without the requirement to continuously log in and out of outdated systems which was the position previously.

This enhanced ability to assess, triage and task these different calls for service has been supported by the implementation of Calabrio – a workforce management system – which uses data as a forecasting tool to ensure that appropriate staffing levels are in place to respond to periods of peak demand. This approach has ensured that supervisors are now spending less time on duty planning and rostering which has enabled them to support better the contact handlers with the calls for service they are responding to.

It was also highlighted that the staff within the FCCCD have embraced the need to improve performance in this area and the enhancements that have been made to the technology that will support them to achieve this. This has created omnicompetence amongst the workforce in the contact centre and maximises the number of individuals available to respond to incoming calls at any one time which has already started to transform the service provided to members of the public.

This has been further supported by the introduction of a dedicated Chief Inspector [Silver Command] role within the FCCCD on a 24/7 basis to maintain these enhanced standards and drive forward further improvements in performance, alongside the routine management of critical incidents.

These collective improvements are also recognised to have contributed to increased staff morale, reduced attrition and improved retention across the department, alongside collective reductions in sickness levels. The Force is in the process of consulting with staff about making further changes to shift patterns to ensure that resources are available to meet and respond to the level of demand received and is currently refurbishing the working environment within the FCCCD to enhance this further still.

Sussex Police received 22,513 non-emergency calls during January 2024 [circa. 726 calls a day] with the average waiting time for these calls reducing to 1 minute and 28 seconds across the calendar month, despite an additional 1,922 calls having been received compared to the December 2023. This represented month-on-month improvements in 101 call handling times from the individual months of November [2 minutes and 56 seconds] and December 2023 [2 minutes and 24 seconds]. The enhancements made to the technology within the FCCCD [referred to above on page 3] were recognised to be a key enabler towards supporting these improvements and have enabled non-emergency calls to be efficiently and effectively routed to all available operators for response.

The Assistant Chief Constable confirmed that the abandonment rate for non-emergency calls reduced to 4.8% across January 2024 and was acknowledged to have almost halved in recent months. These enhanced performance levels were again directly attributed to the introduction of the new telephony platform last year, with further work set to be undertaken shortly which will enable the Force to identify the contributing reasons behind members of the public prematurely terminating their calls to Sussex Police.

The introduction of QueueBuster – a technical solution that offers a call back service to members of the public during periods of peak demand – was also recognised to be positively contributing towards the reductions in the number of abandoned calls recorded. The system provides members of the public calling the non-emergency number with a ‘virtual position’ in a queue before automatically calling them back when the call reaches the front of the queue. This approach is recognised to be a more convenient option for most individuals and removes the necessity for callers to wait on hold, with three separate attempts made to ring an individual back before the call is recorded as abandoned and the system moves on to the next caller.

It was also recognised that any abandoned calls recorded by Sussex Police represents poor customer service for members of the public and directly contributes towards greater inefficiencies because individuals will often contact the Force again which creates an additional demand. KB was pleased to note that these improved performance levels for non-emergency calls and abandonment rates is set to continue moving forwards.

Sussex Police received 4,812 online contacts through the Single Online Home (SOH) during the calendar month of January 2024, which comprised part of the circa. 72,000 contacts received through this platform across the rolling year period to the month end. The SOH provides a nationally approved, structured and consistent online contact platform for reporting non-emergency demand and calls for service by capturing all the information required through populated fields and presenting these in a format that is easier to triage and investigate, reducing the demands placed on the dedicated staff responsible for processing these submissions. It was also highlighted that Sussex Police aim to triage and assess all the contacts received through the SOH within 24 hours.

The Assistant Chief Constable concluded by stating that Sussex Police are only just beginning to realise the potential value of the Joint Force Contact and Telephony Programme. In 2024/25, the Force will seek to create the ability for call handlers to flex between all three contact types [999 and 101 calls and online webforms] to respond better to calls for service, alongside the more efficient and effective management of resources to predict better demand and deploy resources more intelligently.

DATA WASH EXERCISE   

Last year, the Government announced that all police officers, staff and volunteers in England and Wales would be checked against the Police National Database to identify any intelligence and/or allegations that required further investigation.

1. I am pleased to confirm that Sussex Police received a clean bill of health from the data wash exercise, with only two of the 6,116 police officers, staff and volunteers within Sussex Police who were checked against the database required further action. How have you responded to these two individuals?
2. And what investment have you made to promote cultural change towards challenging, reporting and tackling unethical and unprofessional behaviour?

The Deputy Chief Constable welcomed the recent data wash exercise to assess whether Sussex Police has the right type of police officers, staff and volunteers working within the Force and ensure that these individuals continue to serve the communities of Sussex with the high standards and levels of integrity expected.

It was confirmed that only two of the 6,116 officers, staff and volunteers in Sussex who were checked against the Police National Database (PND) required further action, with both recognised to be vetting-related issues. The first related to low-level intelligence about the relative of a member of police staff and a notifiable association that has now been added to their personal record, the second [police volunteer] has now left their role with Sussex Police and no further action is required. It was also acknowledged that no criminal investigation was required for either of these two individuals in Sussex.

The outcomes of this exercise were recognised to be reassuring, although this was only acknowledged to represent a “snapshot in time”. The importance of remaining committed to continuous proactive assessment of the workforce [in respect of professional standards] and not becoming complacent was reiterated.

KB was pleased to learn that Sussex Police runs daily searches on a 24-hour basis for all existing police officers, staff and volunteers against any new information, incidents and reports that have been recorded by the Force using Microsoft PowerBI. This process has been further expanded to ensure that any information generated through these searches is subject to consistent assessment and proportionate action taken by the most appropriate unit. The College of Policing are also interested in looking further into this data development practice with a view to rolling this out across all police force areas in England and Wales.

Sussex Police has invested in a comprehensive programme of cultural change towards challenging, reporting and tackling unethical or unprofessional behaviour. This has included all officers and staff undertaking mandatory training around abuse of position for a sexual purpose, and gender and racial bias. The Force has also introduced a Culture and Standards Board – chaired by the Deputy Chief Constable – to monitor cultural trends, tackle areas of poor behaviour and consider the reports received through the confidential internal Break the Silence system [which is routinely publicised to the workforce]. The importance of taking proactive and timely action against any individuals who fall below the standards of expected behaviour was emphasised.

KB was reassured to note that Sussex Police remains fully committed to ensuring that those who work for the Force are fit for policing and that those who fall below these standards are removed from the service at the earliest possible opportunity. Over the past few years, Sussex Police has continued to strengthen the capacity and capability of its Professional Standards Department [including the Anti-Corruption Unit] in this important area through precept investment. This has included the recruitment of additional staff to process, review and consider the information and intelligence received, alongside the delivery of a robust response to any further investigations required.

CODE OF ETHICS AND CODE OF PRACTICE FOR ETHICAL POLICING   

Last month [24 January 2024], the College of Policing launched a new Code of Ethics and Code of Practice for Ethical Policing to provide chief officers with direction on promoting and supporting ethical and professional behaviour within their police forces.

1. What do the plans look like for implementing and embedding the new Codes throughout Sussex Police? And what are the timescales for this delivery?
2. How will you monitor and measure Force performance against these new Codes to promote and support ethical and professional behaviour in Sussex?

The Deputy Chief Constable explained that the recent launch of the new Code of Ethics and Code of Practice for Ethical Policing replaced the previous versions which have been used by the police service since 2014. It was recognised that the former set of guidelines were complicated and difficult to use which resulted in many police force areas developing their own values and standards of behaviour for their individual workforces.

The launch of the new Codes was recognised to be timely given some of the challenges experienced by the police service in recent years and the damage that has been done to undermine public trust and confidence in the leadership, legitimacy and reputation of policing following several high-profile examples of police failings and corruption.

The new Code of Ethics consists of the Ethical Policing Principles and the Guidance for Ethical and Professional Behaviour products, which are both supported by the new Code of Practice for Ethical Policing. There are three ethical policing principles that everyone involved in policing must commit to – courage, respect and empathy and public service.

• Courage – making, communicating and being accountable for decisions, and standing against anything that could bring our profession into disrepute.
• Respect and empathy – encouraging, listening to and understanding the views of others, and seeking to recognise and respond to the physical, mental and emotional challenges that we and other people may face.
• Public service – working in the public interest, fostering public trust and confidence and taking pride in providing an excellent service to the public.

These principles are recognised to be more straightforward and better explained, with clearly defined expectations and practical advice to support individuals to “do the right things, in the right way, for the right reasons”. This approach also includes a renewed focus around reflection and learning from experience to support routine decision-making.

Accepting that it will take some months to fully embed these revised Codes, Sussex Police are currently in the process of reviewing and updating all relevant policies and procedures to ensure that they reflect the new ethical policing principles. The refreshed expectations of ethical and professional behaviour outlined in the Codes have now been communicated to everyone involved in policing within Sussex Police. Further training will also be delivered to support the workforce with the implementation and application of three policing principles outlined above, alongside the new duties and responsibilities around openness, candour and cooperation.

The Deputy Chief Constable confirmed that the impact of and performance against these new Codes will be monitored and measured by Sussex Police to promote and support ethical and professional behaviour. Strategic oversight will be provided through the Culture and Standards Board where information will be drawn from a range of different metrics and data sources to provide an overarching assessment of Force performance against the Codes. This will include looking at the number of grievances and complaints recorded, the number of misconduct investigations and hearings held across the Force and the responses received to staff surveys and questionnaires, alongside the number of reports of concern received through the confidential internal system, Break the Silence.

It was also emphasised that these metrics are just a small element of a greater ambition to introduce a broader and more holistic approach throughout the Force to improve the overall conduct and standards of police officers, staff and volunteers and ensure that members of the public continue to be treated with dignity and respect.

The Code of Practice for Ethical Policing also provides Police & Crime Commissioners in England and Wales with a checklist of the actions that Chief Constables should take to ensure that they lead an ethical culture within their individual police force. KB agreed to revisit this area [and the checklist] at a future Performance & Accountability Meeting (PAM) in autumn 2024.

ACTION: KB agreed to revisit the Code of Ethics and Code of Practice for Ethical Policing at a future Performance & Accountability Meeting in autumn 2024.

RIGHT CARE, RIGHT PERSON  

In April 2024, Sussex Police will launch ‘Right Care, Right Person’ – a national scheme between local police forces and the National Health Service to identify the most appropriate agency to respond to health-related calls for service.

1. I am committed to freeing up as much time as possible to focus on policing and crime issues in Sussex. What impact is this initiative anticipated to have on Force demand? And how will this be promoted, both internally and externally?
2. The national partnership agreement around the Right Care, Right Person scheme was signed by all police forces in England in July 2023, with many forces implementing this initiative before the end of the previous calendar year. Why has it taken Sussex Police so long to roll this out compared to other areas?
3. How will the Force seek to identify the situations where Sussex Police has a legal duty to respond, alongside the situations that are not within the remit of police and the situations where other agencies are better placed to respond?
4. What training will be provided to police officers and staff to support them with accurately and appropriately assessing the response that is provided to different types of calls for service? And what oversight and scrutiny will exist to support and monitor this decision-making?
5. How will Force performance in this area be measured?

The Assistant Chief Constable confirmed that the Right Care, Right Person scheme is an operational model – developed by Humberside Police – that changes the way the emergency services respond to calls involving concerns about mental health. This approach seeks to ensure that those who are vulnerable receive the right care, from the right agency, at the right time.

It was also highlighted that this is not a case of police forces simply withdrawing support from mental health-related incidents because there will still be many occasions where it is both appropriate and necessary for the police service to be involved.

The Right Care, Right Person scheme will be delivered across two tranches and four separate phases in Sussex. The first tranche will commence on 2 April 2024 and the second tranche will commence on 1 July 2024 as follows:

[Tranche 1] Phase 1. Police attending welfare concerns – This phase will involve the police not routinely attending welfare check calls from members of the public and other agencies where there is a more appropriate agency to respond. Sussex Police currently receive circa. 60,000 requests for welfare checks each year, with more than half of these requests relating to mental health concerns. The Force also deploys officers to over 30,000 of these calls each year with no immediate policing purpose when other agencies would be better placed to respond.

[Tranche 1] Phase 2. Police response to individuals walking out of healthcare facilities – Sussex Police currently respond to circa. 1,000 calls a year where individuals [with sufficient mental capacity] have discharged themselves from healthcare facilities and there is no policing purpose to attend, with other agencies better placed to respond.

[Tranche 2] Phase 3. Transport of patients to places of safety – Sussex Police currently detain and transport circa. 1,200 individuals a year to places of safety under section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983. This task is routinely performed by police officers but should be the responsibility of the other healthcare and partner agencies.

[Tranche 2] Phase 4. Reduced time to hand over section 136 patients to places of safety – It currently takes approximately two police officers an average of 19 hours to hand over an individual detained under section 136 [of the Mental Health Act 1983] to a healthcare provider. There is a national agreement that this process should be completed within a [substantially] reduced timescale of no more than 60 minutes.

The reductions in demand and savings in police officer hours that are anticipated to be realised through this initiative are recognised to be incremental. Whilst these combined improvements and the removal of unnecessary police officer deployments are expected to deliver greater efficiency savings for the Force, the priority for Sussex Police is to ensure that members of the public get the right care, from the right agency, first time.

It was highlighted that there is no mandated timescale for the Right Care, Right Person scheme to be implemented by the police service in England and Wales, with each of the forces currently in a different position. It was also recognised that Sussex Police will still be one of the earlier adopters of the scheme when it is officially launched in April 2024.

Sussex Police has received legal advice at both a national and local level to develop an informed and considered approach about which incidents the Force will be attending and which incidents will be directed to other agencies to respond to.

It was highlighted that Sussex Police will always attend a call for service where there is a core policing need and/or where Article 2 [Right to Life] or Article 3 [Prohibition of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment] of the Human Rights Act 1998 are present. This wider duty of care will also be extended to attendance at incidents where a crime is suspected and/or is in progress, where domestic abuse and violence is involved and/or where a child is present when someone is in a mental health crisis.

It was recognised that it will be a difficult balancing act to identify the situations where Sussex Police has a legal duty to respond, alongside the situations that are not within the remit of the police and the situations where other agencies are better placed to respond. This process will also involve conflicting ethical dilemmas at times too.

KB was reassured to note that comprehensive training has already been delivered to all contact handlers within the Force Contact, Command and Control Department (FCCCD) around triaging calls for service effectively, understanding the risks involved and the situations that should be referred to partner agencies who are better placed to respond.

It was emphasised that this training will shortly be extended to all frontline response officers, Neighbourhood Policing Teams and PCSOs to ensure that they are fully aware of the requirements of the scheme ahead of the launch date. From April 2024, staff from the South East Coast Ambulance Service will also be located within the FCCCD to support contact handlers to make informed decisions regarding police officer and partner agency deployments.

Ahead of the launch date, the Force has developed a baseline of current performance in this area that will allow for comparisons to be made that will [hopefully] demonstrate the improvements the Right Care, Right Person is delivering in Sussex from April 2024 onwards. This will also highlight the areas of performance that are proving more challenging and where further influence may be required.

Sussex Police will review performance in this area by looking at a range of different metrics and measurements. This is expected to include fewer calls for service, reductions in police officer deployments to walkouts from healthcare facilities, fewer individuals requiring transport to healthcare facilities by the police, and reductions in the time spent by officers handing over individuals to healthcare providers. Further deep dive audits into specific areas of performance will also be conducted following the implementation of the scheme.

The Assistant Chief Constable confirmed that robust oversight and scrutiny will exist to support, manage and monitor decision-making in this area. This will be provided by supervisors and the dedicated Chief Inspector within the FCCCD, alongside thematic considerations at the Local Policing Accountability Board and Vulnerability Board, and overarching accountability at the Police Effectiveness, Efficiency and Legitimacy Board.

REMANDS OF CHILDREN AFTER CHARGE 

The law recognises that police cells are not a suitable place for children. However, between 1 July 2022 and 31 July 2023, 37 children were remanded in police custody overnight because none of the local authorities in Sussex had any availability.

1. How is Sussex Police currently seeking to reduce the number of children who are remanded in police custody and not transferred to secure accommodation?
2. What impact is this demand having on the officers and staff in custody who are required to care for and support these young people for longer periods?

The Assistant Chief Constable recognised that the remands of children after charge [where the child has been denied bail] continues to remain a challenging issue for all police force areas in England and Wales and is an area that is currently being reviewed by the Home Office. It was highlighted that approximately three children a month are held in police custody overnight in Sussex instead of being transferred to secure local authority accommodation.

Under the Police and Criminal Evidence (PACE) Act 1984, the detention of a child [who has not been arrested on a warrant or for a breach of bail] in police custody after charge is permissible only where exceptional circumstances prevent movement [such as extreme weather conditions] or where the child is deemed to pose a risk of serious harm to the public between being charged and appearing at court and no local authority secure accommodation is available. As such, the threshold to justify detention in a police cell is very high and, whilst there is no national data held on the overnight detention of children following charge, indicators suggest that this threshold is not always being met.

The Home Office has produced a national concordat for children in custody to try and address these issues and ensure that a consistent approach exists nationally. Sussex Police and each of the local authorities has signed this concordat and endeavour to follow this locally. Further information can be viewed through the following link:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a82211140f0b6230269afee/Concordat_on_Children_in_Custody_ISBN_Accessible.pdf

The issue of children being remanded in police custody overnight is compounded by secure accommodation either not being provided by local authorities or not being readily available in Sussex. There are also instances where the secure accommodation offered is a significant distance away from police custody in another police force area. This lack of availability continues to remain an ongoing challenge for Sussex Police [and partners].

The Assistant Chief Constable confirmed that there is real time scrutiny around the decision-making to keep any child in police custody overnight, including regular meetings with children’s services and the Youth Justice Service to review the appropriateness of the decision taken, with any organisational learning identified shared with local authority partners. Sussex Police will also always seek to try and make arrangements for a child to attend court for an initial hearing at the earliest possible opportunity.

KB was reassured to note that any children detained in police custody will be placed in bespoke juvenile cells that provide a degree of separation from adult offenders within the custody centres. These children also receive enhanced checks throughout the duration of their detention, with routine inspections conducted every 30 minutes [and more frequently should any vulnerability be identified], which was acknowledged to take resources away from caring for other detainees at times.

NEXT UP:

The next PAM is on Friday, 15 March 2024 at 13:00. Further information can be viewed through the following link: www.sussex-pcc.gov.uk/get-involved/watch-live/

PERFORMANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY MEETING                                                   

DATE: 15 March 2024

LOCATION: Sackville House, Lewes

PRESENT:

Police & Crime Commissioner – Katy Bourne [KB]

Chief Executive Officer

Chief Communications & Engagement Officer – Mervin Dadd

Deputy Chief Constable – Dave McLaren

Assistant Chief Constable – Howard Hodges

Correspondence and Admin Officer – Elliot Saunders [webcasting]

Head of Performance – Graham Kane [minutes]

POLICE OFFICER MAINTENANCE GRANT 2023/24 – SECOND CHECKPOINT

Last year, the Home Office introduced a maintenance grant worth £275m to support police force areas to maintain police officer numbers during 2023/24. This was introduced following the Police Uplift Programme which recruited 20,000 new police officers in England and Wales over the past three years.

The grant will be issued to police forces according to police officer headcount at two separate checkpoints and will be distributed according to the existing funding formula.

2023. Sussex Police exceeded the baseline police officer headcount figure of 3,205 set for the Force at the first formal checkpoint for this maintenance grant on 30 September 2023. How many police officers is Sussex Police anticipated to have on 31 March 2024 [the second maintenance grant checkpoint]?
2024. The maintenance grant has now been extended into 2024/25. What do the workforce plans look like to maintain these police officer numbers across the year to ensure that no financial penalties are incurred from the Home Office?

The Deputy Chief Constable confirmed that Sussex Police was on course to meet the baseline police officer headcount figure required by the Home Office ahead of the second formal checkpoint for the maintenance grant on 31 March 2024. The significant and continued contribution made by Adrian Rutherford, Director of People Services, and his team to manage, progress and deliver this recruitment within the prescribed timelines was again recognised.

As highlighted at the Performance & Accountability Meeting (PAM) on 15 September 2023, the maintenance grant for Sussex Police in 2023/24 is £5.9million. To qualify for the full amount, the Force needs to be at [or above] its maintenance level at two points within the year – 30 September 2023 and 31 March 2024. If the Force is below its allocation at either point, then the Home Office will withhold £40,000 per officer below maintenance at that point up to a threshold of 20 officers or 1% officer headcount [baseline plus uplift allocation] below maintenance, whichever is highest.

Sussex Police was originally asked by the Government to maintain a baseline headcount figure of 3,205 officers across 2023/24 but after the Force successfully applied for and recruited 21 additional officers, over and above the numbers previously required in Sussex, a revised target of 3,226 officers was set for the second formal checkpoint [N.B. A supplementary financial reward was received for each additional officer recruited over and above the Uplift target].

The Force is on track to deliver a headcount of 3,259 officers as of 31 March 2024 which would represent an additional 33 officers [headcount] compared to the revised target. This will also be equivalent to 3,165.03 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) officers, based on actual hours worked.

The maintenance grant for Sussex Police in 2024/25 has been confirmed as £9.1million and will again include the requirement for the Force to meet set police officer headcount figures at the same two separate checkpoints. Sussex Police has been asked to maintain a baseline headcount figure of 3,226 officers as of 31 March 2025.

The Force has robust workforce plans in place to maintain these police officer numbers in 2024/25 to ensure that the overall officer maintenance headcount is met and that no financial penalties are incurred. KB agreed to continue to monitor police officer recruitment and performance against the maintenance grant at future PAMs.

It was also emphasised that Night Coppers – the Channel 4 documentary series that reflected on modern day policing in and around the night-time economy in Brighton & Hove – is returning for a second series on Tuesday, 26 March 2024. Sussex Police are hopeful that these 12 episodes – shown in two seasons of six – will achieve the same level of interest and engagement from members of the public that was received following the previous series [which aired in July 2022] to generate increases in applications to become police officers. Further information can be viewed through the following link:

www.channel4.com/programmes/night-coppers

SOUTH EAST PARTNERSHIP AGAINST RURAL CRIME 

Earlier this month, the South East Partnership Against Rural Crime was launched by the police forces in Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire, Kent and Thames Valley to protect better rural communities and to make the region a more hostile environment for countryside offenders.

1. What did Sussex Police do to support the launch of the new partnership?
2. How did the Force work together with the police forces from across the South East to intensify their operations to tackle rural crime during the dedicated week of action?
3. How will the partnership complement the work of the Rural Crime Team in Sussex?
4. How have you reflected on the performance of the Rural Crime Team during 2023/24? And what more can members of the public expect to see from the team in 2024/25?

The Assistant Chief Constable explained that the South East Partnership Against Rural Crime (SEPARC) represents a strong commitment to strengthen the collective efforts of the five police force areas in the region to tackle rural crime.

This approach also underpins collaborative partnership working between the relevant Police & Crime Commissioners, Chief Constables, Environment Agency, National Farmers’ Union, Country Land and Business Association and other partner agencies to build and develop a strategic coalition to enable and support better the prevention and detection of rural crime in the South East. KB was pleased to note that Sussex Police played a pivotal role in the establishment of the SEPARC – both at a strategic and tactical level.

The Assistant Chief Constable explained that the dedicated week of action took place between 26 February – 1 March 2024. Sussex Police positively contributed towards a coordinated response, consistent messaging and mutual support and assistance during this intensification week, with the following activity delivered in Sussex:

• 26/2 – Checks were conducted at local pet shops in Sussex to ensure that no endangered species of animals were being kept or sold under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, alongside the Animal and Plant Health Agency.
• 27/2 – A property marking engagement event was undertaken at four heritage sites across West Sussex.
• 28/2 – A livestock worrying engagement operation took place at Ashdown Forest [East Sussex] with the Ashdown Forest Rangers, in conjunction with the National Sheep Association, South Downs National Park Authority and Neighbourhood Watch.
• 29/2 – A policing operation was conducted on the A23 road network to tackle stolen plant equipment and waste crime offences, alongside targeting modern slavery and human trafficking offences.
• 1/3 – A joint police force operation between Sussex Police, Hampshire Constabulary and Thames Valley Police took place to tackle plant, farm and machine thefts.

KB was reassured to note that the SEPARC will enhance the cooperation, coordination and collaboration between the five police force areas within the region to ensure that the effectiveness of this cross-border work is maximised across the South East. This will include the routine exchange of information and intelligence, sharing of policing resources and the provision of mutual support and assistance, alongside the additional opportunities provided to engage and interact with members of the rural community and those who live, work and visit rural areas.

The Assistant Chief Constable explained that “the Rural Crime Team has delivered far more than the sum of its collective parts” during 2023/24. This has included demonstrating a proactive policing response which remained focused around prevention activity, intelligence gathering, investigations and enforcement across the year.

The Rural Crime Team is a dedicated unit responsible for tackling crime and unlawful behaviour in rural and isolated communities, alongside providing greater protection from, and swifter outcomes to, rural crimes and incidents. The team consists of 23 individuals comprising: one inspector; two sergeants; 12 police constables; six Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and two special constables operating out of bases at Heathfield (East Sussex) and Midhurst (West Sussex).

The team provide specialist knowledge, engagement, intelligence gathering and enforcement activity across the county. The support and reassurance provided to individuals, rural communities and businesses is demonstrated through an increased visible policing presence, including a combination of police officers and PCSOs targeting the crimes and offences that are either prevalent or a concern in these areas and generating community intelligence through proactive policing patrols.

In 2024/25, the Rural Crime Team will seek to build on and maximise the benefits from the SEPARC and work closer with the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROUC) to ensure that the response provided to rural crimes is timely, effective and coordinated in order to catch those individuals and organised crime groups (OCGs) involved and to hold more offenders to account for their actions.

The team will also look to develop their proactive capabilities further still through the delivery of specialised training in the use of unmanned aerial vehicle [more commonly known as drones] and off-road motorbikes which are both recognised to be valuable resources to support the policing response provided across large rural areas.

The Assistant Chief Constable highlighted that whilst the country has experienced its wettest winter in 130 years, this inclement weather has not contributed towards supressing the number of rural crime offences recorded by Sussex Police. This is because the OCGs involved in rural criminality are not deterred by the weather owing to the value of the plant equipment and machinery that is used for agricultural purposes by the rural communities, compared to more opportunistic acquisitive offences.

VICTIMS AND PRISONERS BILL – CODE OF PRACTICE FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME 

The Victims and Prisoners Bill is currently entering the final stages of the Parliamentary process. Once Royal Assent is received, this will place the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime on a statutory footing, with the police responsible for many of the requirements contained within.

1. How do Sussex Police currently ensure that the minimum standards for victims set out within the Code are routinely being met? And how do you monitor and measure performance in this area?
2. How prepared are Sussex Police for the Code of Practice becoming a legal requirement later this summer? And how are you reviewing all existing processes to ensure that the requirements within the Code can be met?
3. How effectively is the Code of Practice currently publicised to all victims of crime in Sussex? And how do you ensure that this process is taking place for every crime that is reported to the Force?
4. The right to make a victim personal statement provides the court with further information about how a crime has affected an individual victim and is taken into consideration during the sentencing of an offender. How confident are you that victims of crime are routinely provided with the opportunity to make a personal statement?

The Deputy Chief Constable confirmed that there is lots of work ongoing within Sussex Police to ensure that the Force is ready for when the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime becomes a statutory requirement for all police force areas in the summer.

KB was reassured to note that Sussex Police remains focused on delivering the minimum requirements and standards set out within the Code for all victims of crime who report these offences to the police service. This is delivered through a combination of initial police officer training and specific contributions provided during investigation courses, alongside ongoing continuous professional development, which includes inputs around the Code of Practice at dedicated training sessions.

Ahead of the Victims and Prisoners Bill receiving Royal Assent [circa. May 2024], Sussex Police remains engaged with the national Ministry of Justice Metrics Working Group to look at the new reporting framework for the Code of Practice and the level of detail that will be required. The detail contained within the technical guidance which has already been issued was recognised to be significant and will present a challenge for most police forces in England and Wales to meet.

The Force is readily able to measure the number of contact contracts agreed and issued between victims and investigating officers for all offences recorded, for which routine compliance of more than 90% is currently achieved. This includes sending out letters at the outset which includes information about the rights of victims, crime recording numbers and contact details for the relevant investigating officers, alongside further details about the updates that will be provided to them at various stages of the investigation and signposting victims to the support services available to them. A further letter is also sent out when a case is closed which includes details about the process for making a complaint if an individual does not consider that their rights have been met throughout the investigation.

At present, this information is all recorded through a text field on the police records management system [Niche] used by Sussex Police to record all reports of crime. This means that it is difficult for the Force to easily understand the frequency and the quality of the contact that is made with victims and the updates that are provided at the various stages of the investigation. Sussex Police is also unable to provide any meaningful or detailed analysis about the information that is currently shared with victims about when a suspect has been arrested, interviewed under caution, released without charge and/or released on police bail.

The Corporate Development Department within Sussex Police are currently looking at a technical solution that has been introduced within Hampshire Constabulary and Thames Valley Police that will assist the Force to demonstrate compliance against the reporting framework when this becomes a statutory requirement later this year.

This technology enables these police forces to keep victims updated regarding ongoing investigations through Niche whilst simultaneously providing a platform for victims to keep in contact with investigating officers directly. Sussex Police are in the process of developing a business case for this new technology and, if approved next month, could be introduced before the end of the summer with delivery recognised to be possible within 10-weeks of installation.

KB was reassured to note that Sussex Police is currently able to check their compliance against the Code of Practice through the process of random dip-sampling although, in the absence of any technical solution, the review of a representative number of cases does not provide the Force with a complete and accurate assessment of the data held and ongoing performance against the 12 rights for victims [set out within the Code].

The Deputy Chief Constable confirmed that all victims of crime in Sussex have the right to make a victim personal statement [Right 7] which tells the court how the crime has affected the individual and is something that is considered when sentencing the offender. A business impact statement is also offered to businesses [where there is no individual victim identified] which provides a structure around the context of the offending behaviour and the wider impact this has may have had on the business and the local community. This approach was recognised to be most useful for instances of shoplifting, for example. KB requested that impact statements [for both victims and businesses] are included within the development of the new reporting framework to enable the Force to accurately record the frequency that these impact statements are offered.

The Chief Communications & Engagement Officer concluded by stating that the Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner has recently launched a campaign – Your Story Matters – on digital hubs across Brighton and Worthing which amplifies the message to victims of crime that their story matters and the support services available to them through Safe Space Sussex. Further information can be viewed through the following link:

https://www.sussex-pcc.gov.uk/about/news/your-story-matters-safe-space-sussex/

STRATEGIC POLICING REQUIREMENT  

The Home Secretary has identified seven national threats which all police force areas in England and Wales must demonstrate that they have the plans and capability to respond to, in addition to regular policing requirements. This is better known as the Strategic Policing Requirement.

1. How is the Strategic Policing Requirement implemented within Sussex Police? And how well do you understand the local policing requirements for each threat type?
2. How have each of the seven threats identified through the Strategic Policing Requirement been assessed locally? And what steps have been taken to ensure that the policing requirement to counter each of these threats is appropriate and proportionate?
3. What assurances can you provide me that Sussex Police is in a state of readiness to respond to each threat? And how do you evidence preparedness against the five areas of capacity, capability, consistency, collaboration and connectivity contained within?

The Assistant Chief Constable confirmed that the Strategic Policing Requirement (SPR) outlines the seven national threats that all police force areas in England and Wales must demonstrate that they have the plans and capability to respond to, in addition to regular policing requirements.

The seven national threats currently included within the SPR include:

• violence against women and girls;
• terrorism;
• serious and organised crime;
• national cyber event;
• child sexual abuse;
• public disorder, and
• civil emergencies.

Sussex Police understand the different requirements associated with each of the seven areas contained within the SPR and the threat, harm and risk posed by each of these, together with the policing response that may be required at a local, regional and national level in response to these.

The Force has a Chief Officer lead for each of the seven threats who is responsible for ensuring that Sussex Police is in a state of readiness to respond to each strand. This includes looking at the capacity, capability, consistency, collaboration and connectivity to establish whether the Force has enough individuals trained with the right skills [both at a command and practitioner level] to ensure that the Force is prepared and able to respond to any potential threat that may be identified.

Ongoing testing, exercising and performance in this area is routinely monitored and reviewed through different accountability boards across the Force to ensure that an effective multi-agency response can be provided.

KB was reassured to note that Sussex Police is adhering to and maintaining its national responsibilities for tackling the seven threats under the SPR, and that the current workforce has the capacity, capability and skillset required to respond to each threat type accordingly.

POLICING PRODUCTIVITY REVIEW

Last year, the Home Office commissioned the National Police Chiefs’ Council to provide an independent review into productivity in policing, with recommendations on how to improve it.

2023. The Policing Productivity Review was published in October 2023. How have Sussex Police sought to use the findings to improve its own productivity? And what difference do you anticipate the maximisation of productivity gains will make towards improving public trust and confidence in policing?
2024. Sussex Police was recognised within the report as one of the police forces in England and Wales which has benefited from the stronger exploitation of data. What more can the Force do to enhance and develop its use of Power BI to improve performance in this area further still? And what work, if any, has been undertaken to look at the products created by Leicestershire Police [also praised alongside Sussex for their data exploitation] to understand better whether any further opportunities exist to strengthen the effectiveness of the approach taken around data analytics?
2025. Following the review, Sussex Police introduced new technology to the Force Contact, Command and Control Department which has contributed towards some significant improvements to make it easier for members of the public to contact the Force. What is the latest Force performance in this area for emergency and non-emergency calls?

The Deputy Chief Constable highlighted that the Policing Productivity Review provided a helpful summary of much of the good practice that is currently being demonstrated by other police force areas in England and Wales.

Following its publication last year, Sussex Police made contact with several of the other forces to understand better the initiatives described within, alongside receiving contact from other forces wanting to learn more about the use of Power BI in Sussex to interface with systems and reports which allows for the automatic updating of performance, risk and management information locally [as referred to on page 55 of the report].

With the current levels of demand and calls for service received by Sussex Police anticipated to continue into 2024/25 and beyond, it is fundamentally important that the Force remains efficient and effective in everything that it does. Sussex Police will seek to use the findings from the review to improve its own productivity through the Right Care, Right Person scheme [set to be launched on 2 April 2024]; improving approach to initial crime recording practices [via the new Crime Management Unit] and remote [desk-based] attendance for low-risk incidents that require a non-urgent response to provide a swifter resolution for victims of crime.

As recognised within the review, Sussex Police has been working closely with Leicestershire Police to understand better whether any further opportunities exist to strengthen the effectiveness of the approach taken around data analytics and to share any best practice identified. This has included the identification of further opportunities to use Power BI differently by automating some of the data that is routinely generated around repeat offenders and victims, by creating rules to automatically produce this information without the need to manually run searches through the system.

KB was interested to note that Sussex Police is already working in partnership with East Sussex County Council to share data around children at risk to make it easier for both organisations to access this information when it is most convenient for individual users through the provision of a ‘self-service’ capability. This approach is recognised to provide a more efficient and effective way to retrieve the information required and, more importantly, ensures that vulnerable children are better safeguarded in a timelier manner.

The Deputy Chief Constable concluded by stating that Sussex Police remains committed to delivering further improvements to its productivity by becoming more efficient and effective in all aspects of policing activity. This approach was recognised to be fundamentally important in terms of making a positive contribution towards the specific savings requirement of £8.2million in 2024/25.

The Assistant Chief Constable confirmed that Sussex Police was the best performing police force in England and Wales in terms of 999 call handling performance in February 2024, with 96.2% of the 20,029 emergency calls received by the Force during the month answered within 10 seconds. This represented a sustained and continued improvement in performance from the individual months of November [93.9%] and December [95.9%] 2023 and January [98.0%] 2024, with call handling performance for March 2024 currently at 97.4% for the first half of the calendar month.

Sussex Police also received 21,909 non-emergency calls during February 2024 and recorded an average waiting time of 1 minute and 57 seconds for these calls across the calendar month. This, again, represented a continued and sustained improvement in 101 call handling times from the individual months of November [2 minutes and 56 seconds] and December 2023 [2 minutes and 24 seconds] and January 2024 [1 minute and 28 seconds], with all 101 calls answered within an average of 1 minute and 44 seconds across the first half of March 2024.  

KB concluded by stating that she was “immensely thrilled” with the progress that Sussex Police has continued to demonstrate in this area in recent months to make it easier for members of the public to contact the Force.

EVIDENTIAL PROPERTY EXHIBITING

I understand that the Sussex Police Evidential Property Store is almost at full capacity, with a low turnover of exhibits allegedly compounding this capacity issue. I have also heard that the workforce has been told to only seize property if it is required evidentially.

1. What are the current challenges for Sussex Police in respect of securing property, evidence and exhibits? And how is the Force responding to these?
2. What capacity does the Evidential Property Store currently have? And how is this capacity managed?
3. What does the process look like for returning seized property once an investigation has concluded? Does this present the Force with any challenges in respect of timeliness? And, if so, how is this process managed and overseen by Sussex Police?

The Assistant Chief Constable began by recognising the ongoing and continued challenges that exist for Sussex Police around the amount of property that is currently being seized and the capacity of the Force to store these items within the central Evidential Property Store.

KB was informed that this “state-of-the-art” store accommodates all different types of property seized, including drugs, weapons and computers, plus any other items that may need to be confiscated whilst a police investigation remains ongoing.

The additional police officers that Sussex Police has recruited in recent years [through increases to the police precept and the Police Uplift Programme] has resulted in more evidence and property being seized and is compounding further the capacity issues for the Force in this respect.

Sussex Police has undertaken a huge amount of work – led by the Chief Financial Officer and supported by a Gold Group – to amend internal processes around the retention of property and the subsequent return of this property when it is no longer required. This has included re-training frontline officers to only seize property when it is required and utilising opportunities for items of evidential value to be retained by members of the public, rather than seizing items that may be required evidentially, with a commitment for individuals to produce these items as and when these are required.

This revised approach should see individual officers exercising their own professional judgement and experience in this process, wherever possible, and is in line with the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime [Right 10 – If any of your property was taken as evidence, you have the Right to get it back as soon as possible].  

Sussex Police are currently in the process of reviewing all the evidence that is held within the Evidential Property Store to ensure that this is being retained and disposed of appropriately. The level of resourcing required by the store and the training provided to frontline officers is also being considered as part of this review to ensure that all evidence seized is secured in the correct manner [i.e., within plastic/paper exhibit bags and knife tubes, for example] to preserve the integrity of the evidence and to keep the staff that work within this environment as safe as possible.

NEXT UP:

The next PAM is on Friday, 19 April 2024 at 13:00. Further information can be viewed through the following link: https://www.sussex-pcc.gov.uk/about/how-we-work/watch-live/

PERFORMANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY MEETING

DATE: 19 April 2024

LOCATION: Sackville House, Lewes

PRESENT:

Police & Crime Commissioner – Katy Bourne [KB]

Chief Executive Officer – Mark Streater

Chief Constable – Jo Shiner

Assistant Chief Constable – Simon Dobinson

Correspondence and Admin Officer – Elliot Saunders [webcasting]

Head of Performance – Graham Kane [notes]

 

FIREARMS LICENSING

Sussex and Surrey Police have a Joint Firearms & Explosives Licensing Unit

(JFELU) is responsible for granting and renewing firearm and shotgun licences

across both police force areas.

 

I have received several complaints to my office that it is taking an excessive

amount of time to grant and renew firearms and shotgun certificates. What is

the cause of these delays? And what are Sussex Police doing to reduce these?

 

What does Force performance currently look like for timeliness in terms of

new and renewal certificates issued within the JFELU? And is there a national

target timescale that these checks should be completed within?

 

What information is currently provided about the waiting times for firearms

licensing on the Sussex Police website? How frequently is this information

updated? And who is responsible for completing this task?

 

The Authorised Professional Practice [developed by the College of Policing]

states that all Chief Constables should develop a strategic demand assessment

to ensure that their force has the appropriate capacity and capability to meet

firearms licensing-related demand. Has the Force developed a strategic demand

assessment? If so, where is this published? If not, when is this strategic

demand assessment anticipated to be completed?

 

In November 2021, new statutory guidance for firearms licensing was

introduced to improve standards and consistency across police forces in

England and Wales. What impact has the introduction of this guidance had on

the workload of the JFELU? And what other third-party stakeholders are

engaged in this process before any firearms licenses are granted?

 

Sussex Police has introduced a new electronic document management

system to enhance the ongoing monitoring of new and existing licence holders.

What improvements, if any, has the introduction of this system made to

licensing practices in Sussex? Has a post implementation review of this and any

other changes within the department been undertaken? If not, when will this

review be completed?

 

Does Sussex Police have an independent advisory group comprising relevant

stakeholders to discuss firearms licensing and any other issues that may be

arising? If not, are there any plans to introduce one?

 

The Assistant Chief Constable began by recognising that it is currently taking longer to

grant and renew firearms and shotgun certificates in Sussex than has been the case

previously. These longer timescales are attributed to changes in the recently published

statutory guidance and revised Authorised Professional Practice – issued by the College

of Policing – that were developed following the publication of the coronial report to

prevent future deaths which was issued in the aftermath of the Plymouth shootings in

August 2021.

 

As a direct result of these changes, the Force is now spending a greater amount of time

considering ‘adverse information’ and undertaking extra checks on the additional

information that is now required from General Practitioners (GPs) and referees. This

more structured process is recognised to be time consuming and resource intensive, with

JFELU staff frequently required to have multiple interactions and two-way exchanges

with applicants, GPs and referees to ask them additional questions to gather all the

information required. This additional due diligence has extended these timescales further

still and is acknowledged to be contributing towards the increased average waiting times

recorded for both grants and renewals.

 

In July 2022, Sussex Police introduced a new electronic document management system

to enhance the ongoing monitoring of new and existing licence holders. However, the

use of this standalone system has increased the amount of time it takes to process the

applications received because it is not interfaced with the National Firearms Licensing

Management System (NFLMS). Although, the new system is recognised to provide

improved tracking, accountability and management of police information capabilities.

 

The Assistant Chief Constable confirmed that Sussex Police is currently granting new

firearms licences in 98 days and new shotgun licenses in 104 days, with a quicker

response time provided for the renewal of firearms licences [76 days] and shotgun

licenses [77 days] as of 8 April 2024. It was also highlighted that each of those

categories has reduced from the timescales recorded in February 2024, apart from

shotgun renewals which has remained consistent. [N.B. The number of days quoted are

from the date the initial application was received to the date the certificates are issued].

Sussex Police is recognised to compare favourably with the other police force areas in

England and Wales in terms of the timeliness of firearms licences granted and renewed.

 

The Force received a ‘GREEN’ grading from the British Association for Shooting and

Conservation (BASC) for its timeliness performance in the most recent report published

by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) lead for firearms licensing, with firearms

and shotgun licences granted and renewed within four months in Sussex.

It was also highlighted that there are no nationally mandated timescales for any aspect

of the grant and renewal of firearms and shotgun licenses in England and Wales. As

such, Sussex Police is not recognised to be an outlier locally, regionally or nationally in

respect of the time taken to process these applications and issue the certificates.

 

The Force is currently in the process of completing a post-implementation review of

several changes that have been made to the JFELU in recent years, including the

introduction of the electronic document management system, to understand better what

improvements these changes have made to licensing practices in Sussex. This will

include the formal completion of assessments around processes, resources and demand

to understand better whether these need to be restructured, amended or enhanced. It is

recognised that the JFELU is currently under resourced in comparison to the number of

applications received for grants and renewals in Sussex [pro rata] compared with other

police force areas.

 

This post-implementation review will also seek to identify a preferred option to replace

the existing electronic document management system used by the Force that will provide

a more agile, flexible platform, interfaced with the NFLMS, to support better the

additional information checks required and to respond most efficiently and effectively to

all applications received. KB was informed that the post-implementation review is

anticipated to be completed within three months [circa. July 2024], before any formal

learning and/or recommendations are identified and implemented as appropriate. The

completion of this review should also enable the Force to understand better the existing

capacity and capability of the unit to respond to current demand levels and whether any

additional resourcing is required.

 

All Chief Constables in England and Wales are required to complete a strategic demand

assessment for 2024/25 to ensure that their police force area has the appropriate

capacity and capability to meet firearms licensing-related demand. Sussex Police are

currently waiting for a standardised template to be created and issued by the NPCC,

alongside any formal communication around the timescales for completing this. Once

completed, a public facing version of the strategic demand assessment will be made

available on the Sussex Police website as part of the Force Management Statement.

Ahead of this template being shared, Sussex Police has introduced a bi-weekly firearms

performance meeting – chaired by a Chief Inspector with oversight and accountability for

the JFELU – to monitor resource allocation within the unit and to prioritise taskings and

workload according to performance data and demand.

 

The Assistant Chief Constable also confirmed that new and robust governance and

accountability processes have been established by Sussex Police which seek to replicate

the guidance set out in the Authorised Professional Practice [firearms licensing] through

the formation of a quarterly firearms governance meeting to monitor performance,

complaints and any appeals received around firearms and shotgun grants and renewals.

Sussex Police does not currently have an independent advisory group (IAG) for firearms

licensing. It was highlighted that the Force is looking to deliver an engagement event

with all relevant stakeholders [including shooting clubs and associations, the National

Rifle Association and BASC] in July 2024 to discuss firearms licensing performance

across 2023/24 and any other issues that may be prevalent locally.

 

It was also emphasised that, whilst an IAG may be formally established following the

completion of the post-implementation review, regular engagement already takes place

between the Force and the same stakeholder groups that would be involved in this group

through local events, online meetings and national conferences held at the Bisley

Shooting Ground [Woking, Surrey]. Alongside this, Sussex Police has established an

internal Ethics Committee which independently considers different operational policing

scenarios and issues to develop policies, procedures and practice within the organisation.

The Assistant Chief Constable confirmed that Operation Titanium is a pilot that is

currently being run by the Metropolitan Police Service, Bedfordshire Police,

Cambridgeshire Police and Hertfordshire Constabulary to strengthen licensing procedures

and protect lives. The pilot involves FELU officers from each of the four police forces

engaging with the partners of applicants to seek additional confidential information about

their suitability for holding a firearm and/or shotgun before any certificates are granted

or renewed. The outcomes and learning from this pilot are still awaited.

 

The Chief Constable concluded by reiterating the importance of undertaking a

comprehensive and thorough assessment of each firearm and shotgun application that is

received by Sussex Police before any certificates are granted or renewed to safeguard

the residents and the families of those who hold weapons within the county. It was also

emphasised that whilst this more considered approach may increase the average time

taken to review and progress the applications received, it will try and prevent some of

the tragic events that have occurred in Sussex and across other police force areas

previously from being repeated.

 

KB agreed to revisit firearms licensing at a future Performance & Accountability Meeting

(PAM) following the conclusion of the post-implementation review.

 

ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR

With the summer months, improving weather and longer evenings fast

approaching there are naturally concerns from residents, communities and

businesses regarding the potential for the number of reports of anti-social

behaviour (ASB) to be exacerbated.

 

What are the key challenges for Sussex Police in terms of tackling ASB? And

how is the Force responding to these?

 

What support is provided to victims of ASB in Sussex? And how effective is

the workforce at identifying repeat or persistent victims and/or locations?

 

How do Sussex Police provide reassurance to members of the public when

there is a spate of ASB within a specific area? And what is the Force social

media plan around ASB?

 

A proportion of ASB is committed by perpetrators who are children and

young people, including recent incidents reported in Arundel and Barnham.

What are Neighbourhood Youth Officers? And how do these officers support the

policing response provided to children and young people?

 

REBOOT is an Early Intervention Youth Programme [established by my office

in 2019/20] which aims to divert away from crime children and young people

at risk of becoming involved in serious violence and those who have already

come to the attention of the police through ASB and low-level criminality. What

is happening with REBOOT in Sussex?

 

In March 2023, Sussex was one of ten trailblazer police force areas to receive

£1million from the Government to develop and deliver Immediate Justice. How

many Immediate Justice cases have Sussex Police delivered? And are there any

key successes that you would like to highlight to date?

 

The Chief Constable explained that ASB is a term used to describe a complex area of

policing that covers a broad range of incidents, behaviours, activities and crimes. It was

also highlighted that ASB is a largely subjective matter and that the key challenges

around this offending behaviour remain the same for all police force areas in England

and Wales.

 

ASB does not exist as a standalone offence and is defined by the Anti-Social Behaviour,

Crime and Policing Act 2014 as: (a) conduct that has caused, or is likely to cause,

harassment, alarm or distress to any person; (b) conduct capable of causing nuisance or

annoyance to a person in relation to that person's occupation of residential premises, or

(c) conduct capable of causing housing-related nuisance or annoyance to any person.

The Chief Constable encouraged any individuals who have or are currently experiencing

ASB to report this to Sussex Police because this information enables the Force to

understand better any emerging trends and patterns that can be addressed and, in some

cases, used to identify more serious criminality that may be taking place alongside this.

It is recognised that ASB can impact victims – either as individuals, groups or

communities – or be centred around a specific location and can, at times, be mistakenly

dismissed as ‘low-level’ offending. The challenge for the Force is to see beyond an

isolated incident or a series of incidents and, instead, identify patterns of repetitive,

persistent or entrenched behaviours that intensify over time.

 

The importance of focusing on the impact of the harm caused when contact is first made

with the Force was also acknowledged, linking in with the most appropriate multi-agency

partner at the earliest possible opportunity to reduce the impact of the behaviour and

put preventative measures in place to try and address the offending behaviour at source.

If ASB is not addressed in a timely manner, it can have a devastating impact on the lives

of individuals, families and communities.

 

Sussex Police has adopted a harm-centred approach to ASB which focuses on the exact

harm being caused, rather than the offending behaviour being reported. This includes

applying a problem-solving approach to crime reduction – using the principles of

scanning, analysis, response and assessment (SARA) – to identify and protect those

being caused harm. This approach is based on the idea that the underlying problems

within an area that lead to crime and disorder should be addressed and involves the

collation and analysis of data about this crime or disorder problem to reduce the ASB.

The 12% increase in the number of ASB incidents recorded in Sussex across 2023/24

was attributed to the significant improvements made by Sussex Police to call handling

times which has made it easier for members of the public to contact them and report

this offending behaviour.

 

The Chief Constable confirmed that Sussex Police was the best performing police force in

England and Wales in terms of 999 call handling performance in March 2024, with 96.8%

of the 22,818 emergency calls received during the month answered within 10 seconds.

This was the third month in the past four that the Force has been positioned in first place

for emergency calls, which only reduced to second position in February 2024.

 

Sussex Police also received 24,411 non-emergency calls during March 2024 and

recorded an average waiting time of 1 minute and 47 seconds for these calls [and an

abandonment rate of 5.6%] across the calendar month. This represents a continued and

sustained improvement in 101 call handling performance from November 2023.

ASB Coordinators within the Force use the Threat, Harm, Risk, Investigation,

Vulnerability and Engagement (THRIVE) risk-assessment to research and assess the

level of ASB, identify repeat or persistent victims and/or locations, including

considerations around previous contact to determine the severity and immediacy of the

policing response required, and ensure that a proportionate response is provided.

Sussex Police also use the nationally recognised problem-solving approach – CHEERS –

to define a recurring set of related harmful events in a community that members of the

public expect the police service to address. This includes the six required elements of a

problem as follows: community; harm; expectation; events; recurring, and similarity.

The improvements made to public contact and crime recording processes in recent

months are recognised to provide victims of crime with a better service and greater

access to victim support services, including Victim Support and Safe:Space Sussex,

when these offences are recorded as a crime and/or the victim is identified as being

vulnerable. Further information about both service providers can be viewed through the

following links: https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/resources/sussex/

https://www.safespacesussex.org.uk/

 

Sussex Police has a wide-ranging plan around communications to provide reassurance to

members of the public when there is an increase of crime and/or ASB within a specific

area. This includes the use of District Engagement Officers to scan, review and assess

different media channels and platforms to understand local sentiment and identify any

concentrated issues that are causing tensions before directing the Neighbourhood

Policing Teams to target these locations and hotspots where the ASB is most prevalent.

The Force also use directed patrol activity to provide an enhanced visible policing

presence within communities, via foot patrols, at specific times and locations to

maximise community engagement activity.

 

The Chief Constable reminded individuals that the police service needs the help and

support of parents, guardians and carers who are responsible for children and young

people to know where their children are, who they are with and what they are up to. It

was also emphasised that parents can be held responsible if their child repeatedly gets

into trouble and/or if they do not take reasonable steps to control their behaviour.

 

Sussex Police currently has 8 Digital Engagement Officers to support and direct police

engagement with local communities and groups using social media channels, online

platforms and messaging systems, including Facebook, Instagram and X [formally known

as Twitter]. These officers are distributed across the county as follows: two on Brighton

& Hove Division, three on East Sussex Division and three on West Sussex Division [which

will increase to four following the conclusion of the recruitment process for the current

vacancy in Arun & Chichester].

 

The Force also has circa. 30 Neighbourhood Youth Officers (NYOs) who remain focused

on delivering preventative initiatives to support the policing response provided to

children and young people, in secondary school settings, to strengthen the approach

demonstrated in this area further still.

 

Further information about what ASB is and what you can do about it can be viewed on

the Sussex Police website through the following link:

https://www.sussex.police.uk/advice/advice-andinformation/asb/asb/antisocial-behaviour/

 

The Chief Constable confirmed that REBOOT – the early intervention youth programme

which aims to divert away from crime children and young people at risk of becoming

involved in serious violence and those who have already come to the attention of the

police through ASB and low-level criminality – is still being used effectively in Sussex.

The programme aims to engage with children and young people aged between 10 – 17

years old at early ‘teachable’ moments, before they become entrenched in crime and

violence. At each of the four-stages of REBOOT, those individuals who are working with

the children and young people [and their families] aim to fulfil the objective of the

programme to reduce the risk of young people becoming involved in crime, violence or

repeat victimisation, with escalation through the stages apparent should anyone

continue to find themselves ‘at risk’.

 

It was highlighted that 859 children and young people have been accepted onto REBOOT

since May 2021. This has resulted in Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and

NYOs making visits to home addresses to identify and support these individuals to access

counselling, coaching and other diversionary activities [i.e., gym memberships],

alongside escalatory referrals to children's services and/or the Youth Offending Service.

A range of support and interventions are also offered to the parents, guardians and

carers of the children and young people who are accepted onto REBOOT to provide

holistic support to the whole family, including mentoring programmes and parenting

support.

 

KB was informed that 567 of these cases were now closed to REBOOT, of which 323

were recorded as either a suspect or offender of crime prior to commencing the

programme, which reduced to 90 individuals following completion of the early

intervention programme as of 31 January 2024 – this represented a reduction of 72%.

REBOOT is recognised to have contributed towards a 75% reduction in the number of

individuals from the cohort who become victims of crime and a further 72% reduction in

the number of individuals [from the cohort] who become suspects or offenders of crime

in the 12-month period since they started the programme. It was also emphasised that

between 1 July 2022 and 31 January 2024, the reduction in the total costs of crime

[before and after completion of the programme] reduced by more than 28% in respect

of the individual members of the cohort.

 

KB was pleased to note that the early intervention youth programme is continuing to

deliver a reduction in the number of victims, offenders and overall costs to policing.

Further information about REBOOT can be viewed on the Sussex Police website through

the following link: https://www.sussex.police.uk/police-forces/sussexpolice/

areas/campaigns/campaigns/reboot/

 

The Chief Constable explained that the £1million of funding received from the

Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (DLUHC) to develop and deliver

Immediate Justice in Sussex was “incredibly welcome” and expressed further gratitude

to the Office of the Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner (OSPCC) for securing this

funding on behalf of the Force.

 

The Immediate Justice scheme in Sussex – led by Temporary Superintendent Andy

Saville – has been implemented to ensure that the perpetrators of ASB are able to pay

back to the community through unpaid work and swiftly repair any harm and damage

they may have caused. The initiative primarily targets children and young people aged

between 12 – 17 years old through out-of-court-resolutions, linked to community

remedy, although the scheme is available to adult offenders too.

 

There are three Immediate Justice Delivery Officers and three Reparative Officers [from

the Youth Justice Service] responsible for coordinating and delivering reparative

activities with offenders locally, alongside the provision of any additional guidance,

support, advice and signposting that may be required, both internally and externally.

It was highlighted that between 1 July 2023 and 31 March 2024, Sussex Police has

delivered 132 Immediate Justice cases, with 119 of these relating to children and young

people [90%] and 14 relating to adults [10%], alongside a gender ratio of 3:1 [male to

female]. The compliance rates demonstrated by the scheme to date were recognised to

be encouraging, with 84% of all cases having already been completed, with a further 4%

of cases currently in progress. Only 12% of individuals have failed to engage with the

scheme and will have a marker placed on their records which means that they will not be

eligible to take part in this initiative again in Sussex.

 

Further information about the Immediate Justice scheme in Sussex can be viewed on the

OSPCC website through the following link:

https://www.sussex-pcc.gov.uk/pcc-priorities/partnershipworking/

immediate-justice/

 

DOMESTIC ABUSE

On 1 April 2024, His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) are reintroducing

Specialist Domestic Abuse Courts for defendants charged with any

domestic abuse offence.

 

How will the Specialist Domestic Abuse Courts work in Sussex? And what

impact is the re-introduction of these specialist courts anticipated to have on

both Sussex Police and the victims of domestic abuse?

 

What role will the Independent Domestic Violence Advisors have at these

hearings? And how will these individuals seek to represent the views of victims

and provide updates as soon as the hearing is dealt with?

 

Last month, a BBC investigation into the Domestic Violence Disclosure

Scheme – better known as Clare’s Law – found that some individuals who have

asked the police for information about their partner’s criminal history to

understand whether they may pose a risk to them are waiting hundreds of days

for a response. How many applications did Sussex Police receive in 2023/24?

How does this number compare to the applications received in previous years?

And how is the Scheme promoted by the Force?

 

How many of these applications comprised “right to ask” requests and “right

to know” requests? How many [and what proportion] of these requests

resulted in successful disclosures? And how does this compare to the

proportion of disclosures made in previous years?

 

The Chief Constable confirmed that Sussex Police will seek to maximise the use of the

Specialist Domestic Abuse Courts in Sussex following their re-introduction earlier this

month.

 

There are four of these specialist courts positioned across Sussex with locations in

Brighton, Eastbourne, Hastings and Worthing. These courts have been re-established for

defendants charged with any domestic abuse offence and bailed to Magistrates’ Court for

the first hearing, including cases relating to restraining orders, non-molestation orders

and other domestic-related matters, including sentencing, breaches and variations to

existing orders. The reprise of these specialist courts is anticipated to have a minimal

impact on Sussex Police but a maximal impact on victims of domestic abuse.

 

The Force will use the Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs) to look after and

support victims at these hearings. This will include attending the pre-hearings on behalf

of victims and/or representing the views of victims at these hearings, alongside the

provision of timely updates as soon as the pre-hearings are completed. The IDVAs will

also support the victims at sentencing at post-first hearings [following any guilty pleas]

and again at trial as required. This will include ensuring that victims understand exactly

what is going to happen and the different expectations of them from His Majesty’s Courts

and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) and the Crown Prosecution Service, together with

answering any individual questions the victims may have throughout the criminal justice

process.

 

The Force is continuing to promote the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme through

campaigns in Sussex, both internally and externally. There are two ways in which a

disclosure can be made under the scheme: right to ask [where a person asks police

about their partner] and right to know [where a police force makes the decision to warn

someone about their partner’s history to protect them from potential abuse].

Sussex Police received 1,797 applications for information under the scheme during

2023/24 which comprised 578 ‘right to know’ applications and 1,082 ‘right to ask’

applications, with a further 137 applications still yet to be finalised. This represented a

50% increase in the total number of applications received from the 1,198 requests

[combined] received the year before and was reflective of the continued year-on-year

increases in applications from 2019/20.

 

Of the applications received during 2023/24, the Force made 650 disclosures to support

these requests [36%], compared to 46% of successful disclosures in 2022/23 [550],

although a further 137 applications are still being considered which could increase this

percentage further still. Sussex Police is currently meeting its statutory obligations to

provide disclosures within the national target of 28 calendar days, with the average

length of time for each disclosure recognised to have been as short as 9 days [March

2024].

 

KB confirmed that the OSPCC has launched a campaign called ‘Your story matters’ to

highlight how victims of crime can access support services in Sussex, including those

who are subjected to domestic abuse. Further information about this campaign can be

viewed on the OSPCC website through the following link:

https://www.sussex-pcc.gov.uk/about/news/your-story-matters-safe-spacesussex/

 

The Chief Constable concluded by stating that individuals with any doubts or concerns

about whether a previous history of violence or abuse exists around a partner or a

potential partner of high-harm and repeat offending should ask Sussex Police to enable

them to make better informed decisions regarding contact and potential relationships.

Further information about the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme can be viewed on

the Sussex Police website through the following link:

https://www.sussex.police.uk/police-forces/sussexpolice/

areas/campaigns/campaigns/clares-law---domestic-violencedisclosure-

scheme-dvds/

 

COMMUNICATION OFFENCES – ONLINE SAFETY ACT 2024

New criminal offences have been introduced to protect people from a wide

range of abuse and harm online after the Online Safety Act gained Royal Assent

on 31 January 2024.

 

Can you briefly summarise the changes introduced as part of the Online

Safety Act 2024 – both offences and potential sanctions?

 

What impact are the introduction of these new criminal offences anticipated

to have on the workforce? And do you plan to respond to these?

 

How many of these offences have been recorded in the first few months?

What training has been put in place to support police officers and staff to

accurately identify, record and investigate these additional offences?

 

The Chief Constable explained that the introduction of the new legislation seeks to

translate some of the current criminal offences under the Malicious Communications Act

1988 and Communications Act 2003 into new offences under the Online Safety Act 2024.

The previous legislation was recognised to be too broad and all encompassing, whereas

the new legislation is acknowledged to reflect better these ‘modern’ crimes and will seek

to provide enhanced protection to individuals from the range of online abuse and harm

that is created by the changing ways that individuals are now living their lives, including

the increased use of social media platforms. This process has included transferring

across all notifiable parts of the previous Acts, including when a threat is made, when a

false message is sent and instances when grossly offensive or indecent messages are

sent, and creating specific offences that would have previously been grouped together.

The Online Safety Act has repealed and replaced two of the three parts of the Malicious

Communications Act and Communications Act, including the two elements of sending a

threat and false message, although the sending of grossly offensive or indecent

messages remains as it was previously. A small number of other offences have also been

transferred across to the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

 

The sentencing for these new offences was acknowledged to vary depending on the

gravity of the offences. This can range from a maximum custodial sentence of 51 weeks

for summary offences and five years in prison for more serious offences that can be tried

on indictment at the Crown Court.

 

The introduction of these new criminal offences will enable Sussex Police to understand

and monitor better online criminality, trends and patterns more effectively which should

provide the Force with greater opportunities to prevent offending behaviour from

occurring in the first instance. This change to the legislation is also anticipated to

contribute towards improved crime recording through greater levels of reporting, with

many of these offences recognised to be ‘signal crimes’ that can escalate to more serious

offences if they are not tackled and addressed in a timely manner.

 

The Chief Constable confirmed that Sussex Police has already recorded 165 of these new

offences under the new classes and descriptions in the first few months since the

legislation was enacted, including:

• Six reports of sending false communication with the intent to cause harm.
• 94 reports of sending communication threatening death or serious harm.
• Two reports of sending or showing flashing images with intent to cause harm.
• 7 reports of encouraging or assisting serious self-harm.
• 18 reports of sending photographs or film of genitals to cause alarm, distress or humiliation.
• 35 reports of sharing or threatening to share intimate photographs or film.
• Three reports of [without specific intent] sharing or threatening to share photographs or film of a person in an intimate state without consent.

 

The Force Crime Registrar has already issued police officers and staff within Sussex

Police with guidance about the legislative changes introduced by the Online Safety Act

2024 through updates on the internal intranet and emails sent to the collective

workforce. This has been shared to enable officers and staff to understand the changes

that have been made to the legislation and support them to correctly identify these new

offences.

 

The College of Policing is also expected to design and develop bespoke training for all

frontline officers and staff in this area to ensure that a consistent approach to policing

exists across England and Wales.

 

The Chief Constable concluded by stating that the complexities of these offences and the

significant impact they can have on the victims of these crimes should not be

underestimated. Sussex Police will continue to seek to understand better these new

offences to ensure that an appropriate policing response is delivered.

 

KB agreed to revisit this area at a future PAM to understand how these new

communications offences are progressing through the criminal justice system and the

positive outcomes that are being delivered for the victims of these crimes.

 

NEXT UP:

The next PAM is on Friday, 17 May 2024 at 13:00. Further information can be viewed

through the following link: www.sussex-pcc.gov.uk/get-involved/watch-live/

PERFORMANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY MEETING

DATE: 17 May 2024

LOCATION: Sackville House, Lewes

PRESENT: Police & Crime Commissioner – Katy Bourne [KB]

Chief Executive Officer – Mark Streater

Chief Constable – Jo Shiner

Deputy Chief Constable – Dave McLaren

Correspondence and Admin Officer – Elliot Saunders [webcasting]

Head of Performance – Graham Kane [notes]

 

POLICE RACE ACTION PLAN

In May 2022, the College of Policing and the National Police Chiefs’ Council

published a Police Race Action Plan to try and improve trust and confidence in

policing among Black communities.

1. Every Chief Constable in England and Wales has signed up to support the plan and achieve its objectives. How have Sussex Police reflected on the publication of the Police Race Action Plan?
2. How is performance against the action plan monitored and measured by the Force to ensure that outcomes for Black people who work within or interact with Sussex Police are improved?
3. How have any of the positive changes made around culture, outcomes and behaviour to date been communicated by Sussex Police, both internally and externally?

 

The Deputy Chief Constable recognised the importance of Sussex Police [and the

individuals who work within it] providing a service that is accessible, engaging and fair to

all members of the public, regardless of their ethnicity, to ensure that no discrimination

is apparent.

 

The Police Race Action Plan sets out changes across policing to improve outcomes for

Black people who work within or interact with policing. The plan aims to address

disparities affecting Black people and the lower levels of trust and confidence in the

police among some Black people. Further information about the Police Race Action Plan

can be viewed through the following link: https://www.college.police.uk/supportforces/

diversity-and-inclusion/action-plan

 

The publication of the plan was acknowledged to be positive for the collective police

service in England and Wales and provides all forces with a consistent framework to

“build an anti-racist police service”. This will be achieved by delivering on the four

individual workstreams contained within the plan and focusing on the areas for

improvement that have been identified. The four workstreams are as follows:

• Represented [internal culture and inclusivity].
• Not over-policed [use of powers].
• Involved [community engagement and relations].
• Not under-protected against victimisation.

It was highlighted that Sussex Police has appointed an Assistant Chief Officer for Trust

and Legitimacy [Anita Grant] who is, ultimately, responsible for delivering the Police

Race Action Plan locally. This role is fully embedded within the senior leadership team to

ensure ongoing challenge and focus on the impact of policing on Black and Black

heritage communities.

 

This process is supported by a Chief Officer leading on each of the individual

workstreams contained within the plan who each report into the Assistant Chief Officer

on a bi-monthly basis through a Race Action Plan Insight and Delivery Board to provide

updates about the work undertaken and the progress made against the plan.

 

This collective progress is reported to the Culture and Standards Board monthly to

understand better the changes made to improve working practices internally and the

delivery of policing services externally, alongside further consideration of the

performance management information that exists around equality, diversity and

inclusion. This Board is chaired by the Deputy Chief Constable which ensures that an

appropriate level of governance, scrutiny and oversight exists in this important area.

 

From an internal perspective, Sussex Police are monitoring performance against the

action plan by looking at the number of police officers and staff from ethnic and diverse

backgrounds who work within the Force, the ranks and grades of these individuals and

ongoing opportunities for promotion, alongside reviewing the number of complaints

received against these individuals and way that these are managed and progressed.

 

Externally, this approach includes monitoring the use of police powers – including stop

and search and any use of force – to ensure that these powers are not being used

disproportionately in terms of diversity and ethnicity, together with reviewing the

number of complaints that are, subsequently, received from members of these

communities following any interactions with Sussex Police.

 

KB was informed that the Chief Officers within Sussex Police have been specifically

focusing on engagement with serving police officers and staff from diverse and ethnic

backgrounds over the past year, following the publication of the Police Race Action Plan.

 

This has included seeking informal feedback about the impact that some of the decisions

taken and changes made by the Force have had on individuals from these communities.

This engagement has been extended to look at internal issues, complaints and workplace

resolutions, with much earlier sight of these grievances before they are escalated and

progressed to more formal processes and/or individuals potentially decide to leave the

workforce. This process has been supported by the introduction of ‘stay in interviews’.

 

The Deputy Chief Constable also chairs a fortnightly ‘Sprints Group’ – comprising all Race

Advocates from across the Force – to look at the areas where ‘quick wins’ and

improvements could be made to better support these individuals and make operational

processes, procedures and practices more efficient. This is supported by a close working

relationship with the internal Race Equality Network which includes police officers, staff

and volunteers who have an interest in equality in the workplace for all individuals who

identify with a particular race, colour and nationality, ethnic or national origin.

 

Sussex Police are continuing to try and communicate some of the positive changes that

have been made around culture, outcomes and behaviour in respect of the action plan,

both internally and externally. This has included the ongoing provision of Chief Officer

blogs on the internal intranet following key policing events during the calendar year and

the delivery of an annual summary report setting out some of the progress that has

been made against the four workstreams [within the plan] and other significant

achievements delivered by the Force.

 

This process has been supported by the delivery of dedicated leadership days with line

managers across Sussex Police to discuss the Police Race Action Plan in more detail and

to encourage these leaders to have the difficult discussions required with members of

their teams about the impact that interactions with the police service can have on

individuals from diverse and ethnic backgrounds [i.e. use of police powers].

 

The Deputy Chief Constable concluded by stating that it is difficult to tangibly quantify

and measure any improvements made to public confidence in this area and recognised

that further progress is required by the Force to communicate some of the positive

changes made by Sussex Police externally. It was highlighted that the Force would place

a greater focus on the delivery of this proactive community engagement with external

groups during 2024/25.

 

It was also highlighted that Sussex Police continue to contribute to the national working

group around the Police Race Action Plan, led by Temporary Deputy Assistant

Commissioner Dr Alison Heydari [the Programme Director]. This collaborative approach

ensures that any best practice identified in England and Wales can be understood better

and implemented in Sussex.

 

ACTION: The Deputy Chief Constable agreed to share a copy of the list of ‘quick

wins’ identified by the Race Advocates within Sussex Police with KB for

information.

 

NO FURTHER ACTION RATES

Individuals who are subject to a police investigation may find that the matter is

concluded by way of no further action. This means that the police have

investigated the allegation(s) made and taken the decision to take no further

action at this stage.

 

The police or Crown Prosecution Service may make this decision if they

consider there is insufficient evidence to charge an individual with an offence

or that it would not be in the public interest to take the matter any further.

 

1. How many police investigations concluded by way of no further action (NFA) in Sussex during 2023/24? What proportion of all investigations did this equate to? And how does this compare to the NFA rates recorded in previous years?
2.  How is the decision to take NFA following a police investigation reached? Who is this decision made by? What is the median timescale from report to investigation to NFA? And how is performance in this area monitored?
3.  What processes are in place to review the decisions taken to conclude an investigation by way of NFA? What happens if an investigation has been incorrectly concluded by way of NFA? And can an investigation previously concluded as NFA be re-opened if further evidence comes to light?

 

The Deputy Chief Constable began by acknowledging that the term no further action

(NFA) is more useful to the Crown Prosecution Service [as a case progression measure]

than it is the police service and that this terminology can, sometimes, be unhelpful to

members of the public when it is used to refer to their cases. As such, the Force does

not routinely use the term NFA in any of its internal performance reports because the

police will either detect a recorded offence after an investigation has been concluded or

the offence will remain undetected following the investigation.

 

In 2023/24, 127,247 investigations were concluded by Sussex Police, with no further

action taken for 48,317 notifiable offences. This comprised 75% of offences where a

suspect was identified and 88% of offences irrespective of whether a suspect was

identified or not, although this was recognised to be consistent with the [undetected]

figures recorded for 2021/22 and 2022/23 [both 89%]. For completeness, successful

outcomes were recorded for 15,222 of these offences [12%] during 2023/24.

 

It was highlighted that a suspect was identified for many of the 48,317 offences where a

decision was taken to use NFA during the year, although there was either a lack of

evidence, absence of viable lines of enquiry or both to enable the investigations to

proceed. This figure also includes circa. 29,000 offences where a suspect was identified

but the victim did not support [or had withdrawn support for] police action and, as such,

there was no reasonable prospect of securing a prosecution.

 

KB was informed that there are several different reasons why a victim might not choose

to support a police investigation, including the reality of having to attend court as a case

progresses through the criminal justice system. Sussex Police are keen to support the

greater use of out-of-court disposals, where appropriate, which are recognised to

provide a faster resolution for victims [and suspects], without the need to attend court.

 

The Deputy Chief Constable highlighted that the Force has increased the proportion of

successful outcomes recorded in Sussex by 2% across the rolling year to date [May

2024], with the Force now in the third quartile in terms of performance in this area

[having been positioned 42nd out of the 43 police forces in England and Wales earlier this

year]. These improvements are attributed to a shift in focus around positive outcomes

and an internal culture change following enhancements made to investigative capacity in

this area through Operation Unify.

 

In July 2023, Sussex Police restructured its Crime Management Unit (CMU) to improve

crime recording standards at the first point of contact and to ensure that all offences are

recorded accurately according to the national standard in England and Wales [Home

Office Counting Rules]. This centralised approach also provides an independent “check

and balance” to confirm that all reasonable lines of enquiry have been undertaken before

any investigation is finalised and, subsequently, closed.

 

Alongside this, the creation of Response Investigation Teams (RITs) – within the

Criminal Investigations Department (CID) – has also sought to improve the capacity of

these teams to respond, alongside providing enhancements to the quality and timeliness

of the policing response provided to all crime investigations.

 

The Deputy Chief Constable confirmed that the decision to NFA a case or not depends on

whether the evidential test is met and, where this has been met, whether there is a

public interest to prosecute. Sussex Police must use one of the 22 Home Office outcome

classification codes used to describe the finalisation of an investigation. These include 13

codes where a named suspect has been identified, as follows:

• Outcome 5 – Offender has died before proceedings could be initiated.
• Outcome 9 – Prosecution not in the public interest [CPS decision].
• Outcome 10 – Prosecution not in the public interest [police decision].
• Outcome 11 – Prosecution prevented with named suspect identified but below the age of criminal responsibility [under 10-years old].
• Outcome 12 – Prosecution prevented with named suspect identified but too ill [physical or mental health] to prosecute.
• Outcome 13 – Prosecution prevented with named suspect identified but victim and/or key witness is dead or too ill to give evidence.
• Outcome 14 – Evidential difficulties with suspect not identified and victim does not support further action to identify the offender.
• Outcome 15 – Evidential difficulties with named suspect identified and victim supports police action but evidential difficulties prevent further action.
• Outcome 16 – Evidential difficulties with named suspect identified but victim does not support [or has withdrawn support from] police action.
• Outcome 17 – Prosecution time limit expired with suspect identified.
• Outcome 18 – Investigation complete, with no suspect identified so case closed pending further investigative opportunities becoming available.
• Outcome 20 – Action undertaken by another body/agency other than the police.
• Outcome 21 – Not in the public interest with suspect identified [police decision].

 

KB was informed that Outcome 16 [named suspect identified but victim does not support

police action] is the most used classification by Sussex Police. However, it was

highlighted that no offences can be closed without the oversight, authority and sign-off

from a supervisor to ensure that one of the outcomes have been met, with further

scrutiny provided by the CMU before any offence is finalised.

 

It was also emphasised that performance in this area is routinely monitored by

supervisors through a dashboard which enables them to understand the workload

assigned to the individual members of their teams and to review the progress made

against each of the assigned investigations, including the timeliness that these

investigations are being progressed within.

 

Any police investigations that are found to have been incorrectly concluded by way of

NFA [by the CMU] are resurrected and sent back to supervisor for progression. This

enables the leadership teams on each of the policing districts across Sussex to monitor

the performance of their supervisors and individual teams and ensure that additional

support and assistance can be provided as required. The same position is apparent for

any investigation that has previously been concluded as NFA and further evidence or

information comes to light, with the case being reopened and sent back to the

investigating officer for review and progression.

 

UPGRADES TO PUBLIC FACING CCTV CAMERAS

Public space CCTV in Sussex is a joint responsibility between the police and 21

local authorities. While the local authorities own and maintain the cameras,

Sussex Police own, maintain, and operate the control rooms where the cameras

are monitored.

 1. What is the latest position in respect of the planned upgrades to the public

facing CCTV cameras in Sussex? And what support and engagement has been

received from the local partnership leads for CCTV during this process?

 

2. In August 2023, the OSPCC was successfully awarded £297,000 through the

Safer Streets Fund – Round 5 to support each of the local partnerships with the

cost of changing the cameras and the technology required to support this, with

the prerequisite this must be match-funded in each area. Has the new solution

now been connected to the police systems within the Force Contact Command

and Control Department?

 

3. How have Sussex Police sought to ensure that all necessary legal

requirements around data protection have addressed taken during this

transition?

 

4. Once connected, who will be able to watch and should be watching the CCTV

cameras within Sussex Police? Will the local authorities be watching this

footage too? And, if so, how proactive are each of the local authorities

anticipated to be in this respect?

 

The Chief Constable began by commending the committed and determined work of

Inspector Jo Atkinson to improve the public facing CCTV cameras in Sussex and credited

her with the significant progress that has been made by Sussex Police and local authority

partners in this important area.

 

The project has sought to upgrade circa. 500 public facing CCTV cameras in Sussex from

a standalone hard-wired system to a wireless, cloud-based system. This technology is

recognised to be cheaper and more cost-efficient to run compared with the former

solution and is anticipated to save police and partners an average of 50% a year on

previous running costs.

 

KB was reassured to note that the upgrades to the cameras are progressing well, with

the enhancements made to the technology already demonstrating greater coverage and

improvements to the images captured. It was acknowledged that there have been a few

delays to the project, mainly caused by inclement weather, although nothing that was

not anticipated and had not already been factored into the planned timescales for

completion.

 

The benefits of working with a local firm [from Kent] to upgrade the CCTV cameras were

recognised, alongside the “good relationships” and proactive support and engagement

that has been received from local authority partners. This collaborative platform has

contributed towards ensuring that the project has been able to progress as efficiently

and effectively as possible.

 

The Chief Constable was “impressed with the progress made” [to date] and confirmed

that the new solution has now been connected to the police systems within the Force

Contact Command and Control Department (FCCCD) with each of the cameras actively

working with a stable connection following some initial snagging issues and

complications with existing firewalls which have each been successfully resolved.

 

It was highlighted that Brighton & Hove City Council has adopted a slightly different

technology to other areas by maintaining some of its previous fibre-based solution,

although it was emphasised that this is not causing any connectivity issues with the

system and that the local authority is looking to work towards a cloud-based solution

moving forward.

 

KB was reassured to note that the suite used by the Silver Commander within the FCCCD

now has full connectivity too, with the cameras able to support the ongoing monitoring

of any incidents and allow operational decisions to be made about how best to use all

available resources to achieve the strategic aims of the Gold Commander.

 

The Chief Constable explained that Sussex Police is now looking at the next stage of the

project with a view to providing access to the cameras across more of the workstations

within the FCCCD and other police stations throughout the wider police estate. The final

phase will see police officers and staff provided with connectivity to the cameras from

their handheld mobile data terminals – better known as smartphones – to support them

with making operational policing decisions in real time.

 

It was highlighted that all the difficulties previously encountered with some of the local

authority partners around software and ownership issues have now been worked through

and successfully resolved. This has resulted in different agreements and arrangements

being made with some partners, although these bespoke positions have been reached

constructively and no additional barriers to collaboration have been created through this

process. The Chief Constable confirmed that no area of Sussex is or will be

without public facing CCTV coverage and that the ability of the Force to use this

technology more intelligently should make all areas of Sussex safer.

 

KB was reassured to note that Sussex Police has undertaken a data protection impact

assessment to ensure that the Force continues to work within the guidelines issued by

the Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner, and that all necessary legal

requirements around data protection have been worked through to support this project.

The Force remains committed in its approach to data integrity and will continue to pause

the project at any time should issues be identified in this area that need to be further

understood.

 

The public facing CCTV cameras are currently able to be viewed from the workstations

nearest to the Force Incident Manager and the Silver Commander within the FCCCD, with

this access set to be widened to more of the workstations as part of the next stage of

the project.

 

It was also highlighted that whilst local authority partners will not be able to watch the

cameras in real time, the Force will provide them with controlled access to retrospective

footage which will enable them to undertake and perform their roles. This remains

subject to careful monitoring arrangements and supports a data democratisation

approach that enables everybody in an organisation, irrespective of their technical knowhow,

to work with data comfortably, to feel confident talking about it and, as a result,

make data-informed decisions that improve the customer experience powered by data.

This approach is anticipated to provide both the police and partners with greater

opportunities to keep members of the public safe in Sussex.

 

The Chief Constable concluded by stating that Sussex Police has invested wisely in this

technology which has several different capabilities that could be added to the platform

over time, including Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and facial recognition.

The Force will need to consider each of these applications on their own merits before any

decisions are taken to increase and expand the use of this technology, working through

any ethical and legitimacy issues and concerns that may be identified, whilst being

supported by national guidance.

 

JOINT FORCE STAFF SURVEY 2023 – RESULTS

In November 2023, Sussex Police undertook a joint staff survey with Surrey

Police to understand better how the workforce is doing and to provide police

officers, staff and PCSOs with an opportunity to shape the future of both forces.

 

1. What were the main outcomes of the staff survey? And how have you

reflected on these results?

 

2. How do Sussex Police plan to use the findings from the survey to improve

working practices and conditions for the workforce? And when are these

improvements anticipated to be realised?

 

The Chief Constable explained that Sussex Police is a “learning Force” that is open to

hearing the truth and realities from the individuals that are working in different roles

across the organisation. It was also recognised that a career in policing is both rewarding

and challenging and, as such, not all the feedback received from the staff survey was

anticipated to be positive.

 

51% of Sussex Police employees completed the survey which provided an insight into

the things that matter most to the workforce, what is impacting workloads and the

overall service provided to members of the public. This comprised 2,080 individual

responses from a combination of police officers, staff, Police Community Support Officers

(PCSOs) and volunteers. This response rate was recognised to be positive and was

acknowledged to be higher than the proportion of the workforce who have completed

similar staff surveys previously.

 

Some positive headlines from the survey results included:

• 91% of respondents knew what was expected of them in their role.
• 74% of the workforce agreed that the Force goals were clear.
• 88% of respondents considered that individuals within their teams were supportive of each other and 86% felt that they worked well together.
• 69% of the workforce agreed that line managers address unacceptable standards and poor performance.

Areas of concern where Sussex Police will be prioritising improvement action included:

• 73% of respondents were not very or not at all confident that the senior leadership team wanted to know the results of the survey and will act on them.
• 23% of the workforce did not feel that they had the necessary uniform and/or personal protective equipment to carry out their roles.
• 11% of respondents felt discriminated against at work and 12% of the workforce felt bullied or harassed at work over the past 12 months.

 

The Chief Constable confirmed that Sussex Police are seeking to communicate as much

as is possible around the results of the staff survey and shared some of the progress and

activity that has already been made. This has included publishing the overarching results

of the survey to the wider workforce and the senior leaders who operate within, with

separate briefings [about the survey] also provided to the Superintendents’ Association,

Police Federation and Unison to better understand what the results mean to the Force.

 

It was recognised that one of the most reoccurring themes of discontent throughout the

responses was in relation to high workloads and demand, with work underway across

both force areas to address this. This has already begun in Sussex through Operation

Unify and a commitment to ensuring the ‘Right demand. Right response. Right

investigation’, alongside the launch of the second phase of ‘Right Care, Right Person’ to

ensure that members of the public get the right response, first time, for calls to service

relating to mental health incidents. All this activity is being undertaken ahead of the

implementation of a new call grading policy.

 

In addition, senior leaders will continue to host tailored engagement events and

leadership days throughout the year on different topics that matter most to the

workforce. A consultation process has been initiated by the Joint Uniform Committee to

try and address concerns raised about the uniform issued too, with a specific focus on

the uniform provided to female colleagues.

 

Sussex Police will also be undertaking some follow-up surveys at a district, departmental

and divisional level to enable the senior leaders to continue to listen to the feedback

received from the workforce and ensure that any changes made [following the survey

results] are making a positive difference.

 

The Chief Constable concluded by stating that the results of the survey, both positive

and areas of concern, provide a good foundation to work from and confirmed that senior

leaders will continue to try and make the Force as supportive and inclusive an

organisation as possible.

 

It is also recognised that it would be difficult to make changes that satisfy and placate

the whole workforce, although an ongoing commitment was made to continue to strive

to make improvements across all areas of policing to reduce high workloads and

demand. This will also be extended to include physical improvements to buildings within

the Sussex Police estate to improve the wellbeing of the workforce through the provision

of more gyms, changing rooms and shower facilities.

 

Sussex Police plan to do a further Forcewide survey in early 2025.

 

DISCLOSURE AND BARRING SERVICE CHECKS – REVISTED

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) helps employers to make safer

recruitment decisions.

 

My office has continued to receive a steady stream of telephone calls and

correspondence from individuals and organisations who have applied for

checks which Sussex Police complete on behalf of the DBS.

 

I am aware that Sussex Police are currently taking longer than the 60-calendar

day target to review and complete the checks required by the Force as part of

the disclosure service, with some applications taking up to 100 calendar days.

These delays are having a detrimental impact on both applicants and employers

and continue to remain a concern for me and the members of the public who

have contacted my office.

 

1. As highlighted at the previous Performance & Accountability Meeting (PAM)

in December 2023, Sussex Police has secured additional funding from the DBS

to recruit a further four posts within the team to help the Force to meet the

sustained and continued increase in demand. How is the recruitment

progressing? And what difference will this increase in posts have on the ability

of the team to process new applications in a timelier manner and to reduce the

current backlog in outstanding applications?

 

2. How many applications were received by Sussex Police across 2023/24? And

how does this compare to the demand in previous years?

 

3. How long are Sussex Police currently taking to process these applications?

What are the current delays to these checks attributed to in Sussex? And what

is the Force doing to improve these processing times?

 

4. How many outstanding cases does Sussex Police currently have? How many

of these checks are more than 25 / 60 / 100 calendar days old? And what

additional resources do you need to clear this backlog / meet the current

volume of checks received moving forward?

 

The Deputy Chief Constable acknowledged that the DBS checks continue to remain a

challenging area for Sussex Police and each of the other police force areas in England

and Wales.

 

As highlighted in December 2023, the DBS is responsible for the overall delivery of these

checks nationally, with the role of Sussex Police to provide local support for a specific

element of this process. The DBS is a national service provided by a non-departmental

public body and funded by the Home Office. All requests for enhanced checks are

submitted to the central DBS in the first instance, rather than individual police force

areas. The checks where no information is held on police systems are answered directly

by the DBS, without referral to police forces and can be turned around very quickly.

 

Those requests which identify results held on local police systems and/or the Police

National Computer (PNC) are sent to local forces to complete on behalf of the DBS.

At the start of each financial year, the DBS forecast the likely demand on all police forces

in England and Wales in relation to the number of checks anticipated to be requested.

This projection is used to determine the resourcing levels locally, with funding based on

the estimated demand.

 

In recent years, Sussex Police has experienced a significant increase in requests for DBS

checks, with the demand for these checks now having overtaken the capacity of the

Force to complete these checks within a reasonable timescale which is contributing

towards some of the delays in the progression of these applications currently being

experienced.

 

In 2022/23, the number of requests for DBS checks received by Sussex Police exceeded

the forecast demand by more than 6,200 applications. In 2023/24, the Force received

47,379 applications which was circa. 1,500 more applications than was predicted and

represented a more than two-fold increase in workload compared to pre-pandemic

levels. Over that period, there has also been no increase in the size of team responsible

for undertaking these, with the unit having experienced a higher-than-expected turnover

of staff too which has compounded these resourcing issues further still.

 

In response to these challenges, Sussex Police successfully bid for a significant uplift in

DBS funding to increase the capacity of the team by four full time equivalent posts to

process these applications. Recruitment for these new posts has now been completed

with two of the individuals already in post and the other two individuals still awaiting

vetting clearance and expected to join the team in the coming weeks. KB questioned

whether these additional posts will be enough to reduce the current backlog and was

informed that the Force has since submitted a further application to the DBS for funding

for another three posts.

 

Sussex Police has also recruited a new leadership team within the Information Access

Team and reviewed the collective working practices of the unit to streamline working

practices and maximise efficiencies and effectiveness wherever possible, whilst never

knowingly compromising the quality of this important safeguarding work.

 

The Force is currently processing DBS checks within an average time of 45 days from

receipt of the applications and had a backlog of 8,541 checks to process as of 6 May

2024. Of these checks, 2,707 applications were more than 25 days old, 3,511

applications more than 60 days old and 849 applications more than 100 days old.

At present, the team responsible for carrying out these DBS checks are currently

focusing on the oldest outstanding applications to try and reduce the backlog and are

now starting to make some progress in this area. Alongside this, the Force has also

arranged a further uplift to increase the capacity of the team to respond to these

requests in the short-term [through paid overtime] to enable the unit to manage

simpler, newer applications in tandem with this work to maintain its average timescales.

 

KB requested to know who the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) lead is for the

Disclosure and Barring Service and, once confirmed, would like to set up a meeting with

this individual, the Deputy Chief Constable and the Government lead to discuss this area.

 

In the meantime, applicants can track the progress of their standard or enhanced

applications using the online DBS tracking service. Individuals will need their application

reference number and date of birth to access this service through the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/track-a-dbs-application

 

It was also highlighted that for cases where the delays are having a financial or other

personal impact, applicants can apply to the DBS directly to be registered as a ‘hardship’

case. Where the DBS grant applicants this status, Sussex Police always respond

expeditiously, often on the same or next working day.

 

ACTION: KB requested to know who the NPCC lead is for the Disclosure and

Barring Service and, once confirmed, would like to set up a meeting with this

individual, Deputy Chief Constable and Government lead to discuss this area.

ACTION: KB agreed to revisit Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks

again at a PAM in six months’ time [circa. autumn 2024].

 

NEXT UP:

The next PAM is on Friday, 21 June 2024 at 13:00. Further information can be viewed

through the following link: https://www.sussex-pcc.gov.uk/about/how-we-work/watch-live/

 

DATE: 21 June 2024

LOCATION: Sackville House, Lewes

PRESENT:

Police & Crime Commissioner – Katy Bourne [KB]

Chief Executive Officer – Mark Streater

Chief Constable – Jo Shiner

Assistant Chief Constable – Paul Court

Digital Content and Campaigns Manager – Izzy FitzGibbon [webcasting]

Head of Performance – Graham Kane [notes]

NATIONAL RETAIL CRIME ACTION PLAN

In October 2023, the National Police Chiefs’ Council published a National Retail Crime Action Plan which outlines how police attendance at the scene for retail crime will be prioritised in circumstances where violence has been used, where a repeat or prolific offender has been detained or where evidence needs to be promptly secured.

1. How has Sussex Police reflected on the publication of the Retail Crime Action Plan? And what does the Force response to this look like?
2. What impact has the plan had on the Force? Are Sussex Police prioritising attendance at all scenes where violence is used, an offender has been detained and where evidence needs to be promptly secured? And what changes, if any, have been made to operational processes and procedures in response to this?
3. Following a national commitment made by all forces last year to follow all reasonable lines of enquiry when investigating crimes. Are you confident that Sussex Police are following all reasonable lines of enquiry for these offences?
4. How is performance against the action plan monitored and measured?
5. In November 2021, Sussex Police launched a Business Crime Team to provide a more focused police response to all reports of business crime. How is the Business Crime Team currently performing? And what impact is this team having in terms of tackling business and retail crime, identifying prolific offenders and providing support to business communities in Sussex?
6. Sussex Police recorded a 65% increase in reports of retail crime across 2023, in comparison to 2022. What strategy has the Force put in place to tackle this?

The Assistant Chief Constable began by acknowledging the high volume of business and retail crime in Sussex with more than 18,000 standalone offences recorded in the latest rolling year period [to 31 May 2024] – this equated to more than 50 individual reports of crime per calendar day.

The complexities of retail crime were recognised too and were acknowledged to vary hugely in terms of both seriousness and scale – from shoplifting by a school pupil through to serious and organised crime undertaken by organised crime groups. The role of other partners in the industry and law enforcement agencies within the criminal justice system was also emphasised, including the need for sentencing to reflect the severity of the offence(s). This is because many sentences for retail crime are currently recognised to be under 52 weeks, with custodial sentences even less common.

The National Retail Crime Action Plan (NRCAP) covers several different areas including police attendance at the scene; reasonable lines of enquiry, prolific or repeat offenders; hotspot patrolling; problem-solving; use of facial recognition technology, and the police response to serious and organised retail crime.

Sussex Police undertook a comprehensive benchmarking exercise in November 2023 to understand and test how the Force was meeting the requirements of the NRCAP and to identify the areas where further improvements are required.

The Assistant Chief Constable confirmed that Sussex Police was in a good position in respect of the Action Plan, with most of the content now fully embedded across the Force. This has included making amendments to operational processes and procedures and the provision of dedicated resources for business and retail crime to enable the Force to respond to this crime type more efficiently and effectively.

Alongside this, several recommendations were also identified that will support Sussex Police to strengthen its approach and performance in response to business and retail crime further still. These initiatives are currently in the process of being developed and/or being considered as part of future change programmes.

Operation Apprentice has been implemented to support Sussex Police in its response to tackle retail crime, identify prolific and repeat offenders and to assist them in the ongoing management of these high-harm individuals. This operation brings together the dedicated Business Crime Team (BCT) with the local policing teams on each of the three divisions to share information and intelligence, gather evidence and ensure that a more focused and aligned police response is provided to all reports of business crime.

The Force has also adopted a problem-solving approach to repeat business and retail crime locations and has incorporated these locations into hotspot patrolling activity, alongside an increased use of facial recognition to retrospectively search for and identify retail crime offenders [see Police National Database for further information – page 4].

These enhancements made to operational practices and closer working with the BCT has assisted the Force to secure numerous arrests, charges, convictions and criminal behaviour orders (CBOs) against some of the most prolific offenders causing the most harm to the business communities in Sussex, with individual success stories in this area routinely published by Sussex Police through its social media channels.

The Assistant Chief Constable explained that Sussex Police demonstrated a solved rate of 28% for retail crime during May 2024, which has increased from the 17% recorded three months previously. This improvement in the positive outcome rate highlights that the revisions made to internal processes and procedures around reasonable lines of enquiry are starting to have a tangible impact on Force performance, with a greater number of offenders now held to account for their actions and more justice received for those victims and businesses who have been offended against.

KB was also reminded that this performance has been achieved by the Force against a backdrop of increasing crime reporting generated from the ongoing and proactive engagement between the BCT and business and retail communities to encourage the greater reporting of these offences.

The Assistant Chief Constable recognised the importance of the police physically attending scenes of retail crime and the positive correlation that exists between prompt attendance and the likelihood of securing a positive conviction.

In April 2024, Sussex Police undertook an audit return for the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) to look at how it is prioritising attendance in accordance with the NRCAP for all instances where violence is used and/or an offender has been detained. The Force reviewed 50 random crimes and found that police were deployed to and attended 100% of all instances where offenders were detained [9 out of 9] and 66% of instances where violence was used by the offender [two out of three] N.B. On closer review, there was justification for this non-attendance because the offender had already left the scene, and this incident was, subsequently, passed to the BCT for further investigation and contact.

The BCT is recognised to be responsible for undertaking the secondary investigations for 55% of all reports of business and retail crime received by Sussex Police where reasonable lines of enquiry are acknowledged to exist. This dedicated response is directly attributed to the improvements made to the arrest, charge and conviction rates for retail crime, with a successful proportion of 15.4% recorded where the BCT has investigated the occurrence, compared to 10.9% when the team was not involved in the investigation [across the rolling year to May 2024]. KB was pleased to note that the detection rates for business and retail crime are anticipated to increase further still across the second half of 2024/25 [N.B. The solved rate for all retail crimes throughout the Force is 12.4% across the same period].

The Assistant Chief Constable confirmed that the 65% increase in reports of retail crime recorded by Sussex Police across 2023, in comparison to 2022, is attributed to the significant work undertaken by the Force to proactively engage with the business community and partners to encourage the greater reporting of crimes.

Sussex Police have also introduced measures to make crime reporting more efficient, including trialling innovative digital reporting software technology – known as One Touch Reporting – which has led to a marked increase in the number of reports being received. The Force is currently piloting One Touch Reporting in conjunction with 22 Co-Op stores which provides these individual outlets with the ability to send crime reports directly to the police in a swifter and timelier manner.

Alongside this, Sussex Police has also expanded the existing channels of reporting for other businesses through the increased availability of DISC – a cloud-based crime management system empowering communities to self-manage low level crimes and anti-social behaviour. This platform enables better engagement between policing teams, businesses and local authorities to support messaging, identification of suspects and awareness raising of the civil orders available to influence changes in offender behaviour, whilst, simultaneously, improving the confidence of local communities in the policing response.

Sussex Police manage all prolific and repeat offenders of retail crime identified locally through Operation Apprentice. This delivered in collaboration with the BCT and local policing teams with bespoke tactical plans in place to target and tackle this offending behaviour.

KB was also pleased to note that the Force has recently increased its investment in the BCT with the available resources set to increase from one police sergeant and 8 police constables to two police sergeants and 14 police constables from July 2024 onwards.

As highlighted at previous Performance & Accountability Meetings, the creation of the Response Investigation Teams (RITs) within the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has improved the available resources and capacity of these teams to respond to reports of crime, alongside making processes more efficient and effective. This revised approach has also contributed to enhancements in both the quality and timeliness of the policing response provided to all crime investigations, including the greater use of facial recognition technology, which is starting to have a positive impact on the successful outcomes recorded for business and retail crime.

ACTION: KB would like to know whether Sussex Police has a dedicated strategy for prolific offenders and, if so, whether this strategy includes retail crime. If available, KB asked whether a copy of this strategy could be shared with the OSPCC.

POLICE NATIONAL DATABASE

The Police National Database is a national data store of operational policing information and intelligence provided by individual forces.

1. For the benefit of the viewers, what is the Police National Database? And what type of information is held on this system?
2. How is the database used by police officers and staff to support operational policing activity on a day-to-day basis? And how frequently is the information held on this system accessed by the workforce?
3. How do you monitor and manage the use of the database by police officers to ensure that this remains appropriate and proportionate?
4. Is facial recognition used by Sussex Police at present, either proactively or retrospectively? If so, how is this technology used by the Force? If not, are there any plans to introduce facial recognition in Sussex to enhance performance and improve productivity in this area? And, if so, when is this anticipated to commence? And how will the Police National Database be used to support this?

The Chief Constable confirmed that the Police National Database (PND) was established following a recommendation made in the Bichard Inquiry after two young girls were murdered in Soham, Cambridgeshire, in August 2002.

The report identified the need to introduce a national IT solution for sharing intelligence quickly and effectively across all police force boundaries after a lack of effective intelligence sharing inhibited adequate safeguarding checks from being undertaken about an offender who had been suspected of offending in multiple police force areas previously.

PND is a nationally hosted system which holds copies of records relating to crime, intelligence, custody, child protection and domestic abuse from all police forces and other law enforcement agencies in the United Kingdom (UK). The database was created to improve the ability of the police service to manage and share intelligence and other operational information, to prevent and detect crime, and make communities safer. The platform allows users to search actual data records covering the following functions: persons; organisations [including organised crime groups]; objects; locations and events.

All Chief Constables in England and Wales must have due regard to the statutory Code of Practice when determining PND policies and procedures locally. Sussex Police routinely use the database in line with this framework, with access prioritised according to the following strategic priority areas:

• Protecting children and vulnerable people, by being better able to understand the risk they are facing, and by more thorough vetting of people in positions of responsibility and trust.
• Understanding the threat posed by terrorism and helping to reduce the risk of terrorist activity.
• Disrupting and preventing major, serious and organised crime, helping to reduce the harm caused by the most dangerous offenders. This includes preventing and detecting crime.

The police service can use the information contained within the PND for any lawful purpose providing that this is necessary and proportionate, and that appropriate ethical grounds exist to do so. The majority of PND data processing is for ‘law enforcement purposes’, as defined in the Data Protection Act 2018, including the prevention, investigation, detection and/or prosecution of criminal offences; the execution of criminal penalties, and the safeguarding against and prevention of threats to national security.

In April 2024, Sussex Police undertook 18,232 checks through the PND. This was recognised to be comparable with the usage demonstrated by Surrey Police and the other seven areas within the most similar group (MSG) of police forces to Sussex, with small fluctuations in usage apparent dependent on the size of the force.

The Corporate Development Department is currently in the process of undertaking an internal audit and analysis around the use of the PND in Sussex to understand better whether any further opportunities to extend the use of this platform exist. KB requested a copy of the finalised audit report once completed.

The management and use of the PND in Sussex is set out in a dedicated Force policy. All police forces in England and Wales are allocated a limited number of PND licences, based on their relative size. This ensures that PND access is strictly controlled, with all users required to demonstrate role-related necessity before access is granted. Furthermore, all PND usage is routinely monitored to ensure that licence holders are making the best use of these, with licenses withdrawn for any users found to not be using their licence for extended periods and/or whose use of the database is unjustifiably low. A copy of the Force policy can be viewed in full through the following link:

https://www.sussex.police.uk/SysSiteAssets/foi-media/sussex/policies/use-of-the-police-national-database-pnd-policy-1148.pdf

The Chief Constable was confident that the PND is being used correctly by Sussex Police [and in line with the Code of Practice] and provided KB with further assurances that the Force is using the database on all occasions when it appropriate to do so, and in a proportionate manner [N.B. This is subject to the findings of the internal audit report].

Sussex Police is currently using retrospective facial recognition (RFR) to assist the workforce with investigations and incidents post event where there is still imagery and/or a short video of an unknown person(s) of interest that can be searched against the custody image database held locally.

The Force has introduced new processes to enhance the accountability of decision-making around this area, with any RFR ‘hit’ that may be flagged on the system reviewed by a human to decide whether it is a positive match. It was also emphasised that this information is always treated as an intelligence product, rather than an evidential product, because it is not 100% reliable given that some images may have to be cropped and/or formatted for compatibility with the system.

The Chief Constable concluded by stating that Sussex Police is not currently using live facial recognition (LFR) and that further research is required before this tactic is considered in an operational context locally.

ACTION: KB requested a copy of the internal audit report around the use of the Police National Database (PND) by Sussex Police once this has been completed.

ACTION: KB requested a breakdown of the 18,232 checks made on the PND during April 2024 by theme/area of work.

WOMEN IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

Women in the criminal justice system are often some of the most vulnerable in our communities, with many having experienced abuse and trauma, mental health challenges or substance misuse. Women also often have caring responsibilities for children and family members.

Policing and partners should be aware of the gender-specific issues related to women in the criminal justice system and deliver approaches accordingly.

1. Earlier this year, the Female Offender Strategy Delivery Plan 2022/25 was published which sets out an ambition for fewer women entering the criminal justice system and reoffending, fewer women serving short custodial sentences with a greater proportion managed successfully in the community, better outcomes for women in police custody, and protecting the public through better outcomes for women on release. What action, if any, has Sussex Police taken in response to the publication of this delivery plan? And how are the Force seeking to address the four priorities contained within the plan to reduce offending by women in Sussex?
2. What mechanisms, if any, do the Force have in place to enable them to assess how effective local measures have been in terms of protecting women from harm and supporting victims?
3. Do Sussex Police have a plan in place to drive improvements in managing women in or at risk of entering the criminal justice system? And has any specific analysis been undertaken in relation to women offenders and/or developing a problem profile for women who offend?
4. What support has been received from local partners in this area? Which stakeholders does this include? And what schemes and initiatives are in place locally to support women offenders?
5. What training has been provided to police officers and staff around responding to and managing female offenders?

The Chief Constable provided a summary of the Female Offender Strategy Delivery Plan 2022/25 and the four key priorities included within which seek to work towards reducing women’s offending as follows:

• fewer women entering the justice system and reoffending.
• fewer women serving short custodial sentences with a greater proportion managed successfully in the community.
• better outcomes for women in custody.
• protecting the public through better outcomes for women on release.

The Delivery Plan can be viewed in full through the following link:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/63d78f63e90e0773e01f8960/female-offender-strategy-delivery-plan-2022-25.pdf

Sussex Police has a clear strategy in place to work towards the delivery of this plan locally, with a specific focus on the appropriate use of out of court resolutions (OoCRs) to divert women away from the criminal justice system at the earliest possible opportunity.

The Force has also worked collaboratively with Brighton Women’s Centre to develop an OoCR pilot scheme for any female offender receiving a conditional caution or community resolution. ‘Care Not Custody’ is a pilot intervention service that is funded by the Ministry of Justice and currently being delivered in partnership with Sussex Police and the Probation Service. The scheme was launched in December 2023, with one-to-one support provided by female caseworkers to identify and address the root causes of offending behaviour for each individual woman, alongside the provision of access to tools [including counselling and mentoring] to try and support them to live a happier, safer and crime-free life [N.B. The pilot is set to conclude on 31 March 2025].

The pilot has received a total of 15 referrals onto the scheme during the first six-months, with these outcomes reported back to the Ministry of Justice at regular intervals. The Chief Constable recognised that these numbers were low and, whilst this was acknowledged to be a complex pilot in a multi-faceted area of policing, there is a need to improve these referral numbers and maximise ongoing participation with the scheme. Sussex Police appointed a dedicated police sergeant in May 2024 who has been tasked with increasing the number of referrals for support throughout the remainder of the pilot. Further information about the intervention scheme can be viewed through the following link: https://womenscentre.org.uk/carenotcustody/

KB was pleased to note that where a woman offender is listed as a suspect, Sussex Police are undertaking specific data analysis to identify whether these individuals are suitable for the ‘Care Not Custody’ scheme. The pilot intervention recognises that the factors which can lead women to commit crime and to, subsequently, reoffend can vary significantly from those factors that impact the offending behaviour of men. The way in which women respond to interventions to address their offending behaviour is also acknowledged to be different than their male counterparts.

The Chief Constable explained that there is currently a gap in the analysis of women offenders within the criminal justice system and, whilst these women do not routinely meet the criteria for integrated offender management (IOM), due to a lower gravity of offending / history of offending behaviour, it is widely recognised that IOM should have a role in managing women at risk of entering the system. Sussex Police has not developed a bespoke ‘problem profile’ for women who offend, although it was highlighted that the IOM Team will continue to use all available data and analysis to inform the pilot and to identify whether any further gaps in service provision exist to address the fourth strand of the Female Offender Strategy Delivery Plan.

Sussex Police continue to receive effective partner support from both the Brighton Women’s Centre and the Probation Service to deliver the pilot scheme locally. Further support is also provided by Sussex Pathways through ‘The Women’s Project – a one-to-one mentoring service for any woman preparing for release, or recently released, from prison back into the Sussex community. This service is subject to a full risk assessment and seeks to align these women with a volunteer keyworker who acts as a link between prison, specialist support agencies and the local community.

Each of the five custody centres within the Force are also supporting female offenders through a relatively new referral pathway around the ‘menopause toolkit’. All women aged 40-years-old and older are asked whether they would like to speak to a healthcare professional about perimenopause, menopause, or post-menopause symptoms on arrival in custody. This ensures that appropriate care plans can be developed to support these women throughout the period of their detention, based on individual needs. These care plans can include the need for specific menopause hygiene packs, replacement clothing and consideration around scheduled interview times. In addition, police custody staff provide detainees with access to welfare leaflets which offer referral contacts, addresses and telephone numbers for support services and diversionary activities.

The Chief Constable confirmed that training has been provided to all custody officers around responding to and managing female offenders, including briefings on the ‘Care Not Custody’ pilot scheme, alongside raising staff awareness of mental health, neurodiversity, autism and speech and language considerations. There are also further plans to deliver this training to the Response Teams and Response Investigation Teams as part of continuing professional development (CPD) sessions.

ACTION: KB to add the Female Offender Strategy Delivery Plan 2022/25 to the agenda for the next Sussex Criminal Justice Board.

ACTION: KB agreed to bring Women in the Criminal Justice System back to a future Performance & Accountability Meeting before the 31 March 2025.

INFORMATION COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE: REGULATORY ACTION

In February 2024, the Information Commissioner’s Office issued Sussex Police with an enforcement notice for continuing to breach the statutory timescales in place to respond to requests for information received from members of the public under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000.

1. What action has been taken by Sussex Police to address the three steps set out within the enforcement notice? What progress has been made by the Force to clear its backlog of late requests? And are Sussex Police on track to address each of these steps before the deadline?
2. What improvements have been made to internal processes to progress all requests for information received in a timely manner and to prevent any further regulatory actions of this nature from being issued in the future?
3. From previous scrutiny of Force performance in this area, I know that the Information Access Team respond to a wide range of requests for information each month. Can you provide me with an updated summary around the volume and scale of the requests for information received by Sussex Police?
4. How is the Information Access Team performing against the statutory timescales provided for all these different types of requests? What backlogs, if any, currently exist for these requests? And what challenges exist to respond within the deadlines?

The Chief Constable explained that Sussex Police took the regulatory action issued by the Information Commissioner’s Officer (ICO) “extremely seriously” and that the Force has made “significant progress” to improve its internal processes in this respect.

KB was informed that the terms of the enforcement notice required Sussex Police to take the following steps by the dates specified:

By 31 August 2024, Sussex Police shall –

(i) in respect of each information request where the response is outside of 20 working days as at the date of this notice, and where a permitted extension has not been applied, comply with section 1(1)(a) of FOIA and, if information of the description specified in the request is held, either:

(ii) communicate that information pursuant to section 1(1)(b) FOIA; or issue a valid refusal notice under section 17 FOIA, unless section 17(6) FOIA applies.

Within 35 calendar days of this notice, Sussex Police shall –

(iii) devise and publish an action plan formalising the measures it will take to ensure it complies with its legal duties under Part 1 of FOIA to respond to information requests in a timely fashion, while also clearing its backlog of late requests by 31 August 2024 as required by this notice.

In response to this notice, Sussex Police created an action plan which was submitted to the ICO and sets out the enhancements required to improve the processes in place for responding to these types of requests. The action plan was approved by the ICO and, at their request, has been published on the Sussex Police website for complete transparency. This action plan can be viewed in full through the following link:

https://www.sussex.police.uk/SysSiteAssets/foi-media/sussex/other_information/foi-action-plan-jan-2024.pdf

Each of the actions contained within the plan has now been completed, except for two actions which are dependent on IT solutions and, more specifically, the use of automated messaging for applicants. The existing software used by the Force cannot be adapted to deliver this function and alternative solutions are currently being explored.

It was highlighted that on the date the enforcement notice was issued [14 February 2024], Sussex Police had a backlog of 753 requests for information. Significant progress has been made to reduce this backlog which has now almost been completely cleared and currently stands at 26 requests [17 June 2024], with the few requests that remain outstanding still requiring some additional work to source and/or verify the proposed disclosure before these responses can be finalised.

The Chief Constable provided KB with assurances that Sussex Police will comply with each of the three steps of the enforcement notice ahead of the prescribed deadlines [31 August 2024].

These significant reductions to the backlogs were attributed to a restructure within the Information Access Team which has resulted in revisions made to internal processes and procedures to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of these and the creation of a subject matter expert post [for FOI requests]. The Force has also expanded its Publication Schedule and started to proactively publish some ‘super responses’ online to some of the most requested information.  

This positive progress has contributed to the total backlog of requests for information currently held by Sussex Police reducing from a high of 883 requests in October 2023 to 192 as of 17 June 2024 – this equates to a 78% reduction. The Chief Constable was confident that this backlog would be completely cleared by the end of the calendar year.

[To provide some context] The Information Access Team respond to a wide range of requests for information each month. This includes circa. 135 freedom of information (FOI) requests; 125 subject access requests (SARs); 85 disclosure requests for family court orders; 125 disclosures to support the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA); 25 ‘fitness to practice’ requests from regulatory bodies, and 25 requests for disclosures from solicitors and insurance companies.

The demand for information was recognised to have increased significantly over the past year, and across each of these workstreams, with the Information Access Team currently managing more than 500 cumulative requests for information each month. The Force is planning for continued and sustained increases across each of these workstreams throughout the remainder of 2024/25 and beyond.  

Of those requests received, Sussex Police is currently demonstrating compliance rates of 48% for FOI requests responded to within 20 working days, and 49% for SARs responded to within 30 calendar days across the rolling year period to 30 April 2024.

Sussex Police has developed plans to increase these compliance rates further still, including the introduction of video redaction software [in July 2024] which is anticipated to assist the Force with responding to SARs in a timelier manner.

As outlined above, the Force has good plans in place to manage these workstreams despite the continued increase in demand that is anticipated. The output for the Information Access Team is now exceeding demand in these areas, with the revised structure and the amended working practices now working effectively to meet this demand.

It was acknowledged that these compliance rates will continue to be impacted on by the existing backlog in the short-medium term, before any more noticeable improvements can start to be demonstrated within the figures for the rolling year.

ACTION: KB requested some further information about the performance and compliance rates of Sussex Police in respect of requests for information against the statutory timescales for each of the forces in the Most Similar Group.

NATIONAL VOLUNTEERS’ WEEK

Earlier this month, I was pleased to be able to recognise, celebrate and thank the  incredible volunteers for all they contribute to our local communities, the voluntary sector, and society as a whole, including my own Independent Custody Visiting Scheme.

1. How did Sussex Police support this week?
2. How are Special Constables and police support volunteers used by the Force to support and complement the duties performed by police officers and staff?
3. What types of volunteers does Sussex Police have? And how many volunteers does this comprise of? And what different roles, tasks and duties do these volunteers perform on a day-to-day basis?
4. Where can individuals find information about volunteering for Sussex Police?

The Assistant Chief Constable began by extending his personal thanks and appreciation to the volunteers for the valuable contribution they collectively make to the Force.

Sussex Police currently has more than 200 volunteers – comprising Special Constables and police staff volunteers – who were collectively recognised to have contributed towards the delivery of more than 25,000 hours over the rolling year period to April 2024 and continue to demonstrate the Force priorities: protect our communities; catch criminals, and deliver an outstanding service.

It was highlighted that National Volunteers’ Week ran between 3 – 9 June 2024 and provided the Force with a chance to celebrate some of the amazing contributions volunteers have made and continue to make to the police service.

During the week, Sussex Police posted several social media posts to recognise and celebrate the work that each of the individual volunteer strands deliver across the Force, including personalised case studies, alongside trying to attract new applicants for these volunteer roles by promoting the opportunities for individuals to work alongside police officers and staff and gain valuable skills and experience. Further information can be viewed through the following link:

https://www.sussex.police.uk/news/sussex/news/news/a-thank-you-to-our-incredible-volunteers

Ahead of this week, Sussex Police also delivered a Long Service Recognition Event for Special Constables and police support volunteers which included presentations from the Deputy Chief Constable, Assistant Chief Constable and the Force Lead for Special Constables and Cadets. Two of the volunteers were specifically recognised for their individual long-service during the celebration event, including a Special Constable with 38-years’ service and a police staff volunteer with 27-years’ service respectively.

The Assistant Chief Constable confirmed that Sussex Police currently has 81 Special Constables. These individuals are deployed to support operational policing within the Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPTs) and Response Teams in Sussex, alongside more specialist roles within the Safeguarding Investigation Unit (SIU), Specialist Enforcement Unit (SEU), Tactical Enforcement Unit (TEU) and Roads Policing Unit (RPU). This includes supporting police officers with the enforcement of warrants and other public order operations.

Sussex Police also currently have 137 police support volunteers who undertake a wide range of roles across the Force, from front-facing roles to administrative support. This includes engaging with members of the public through conducting interviews, taking incident reports and signposting individuals to different service providers, alongside administrative support functions, fundraising and reward activities and chaplaincy roles.

The Assistant Chief Constable concluded by explaining that members of the public who are interested in volunteering for Sussex Police are encouraged to look at the Force website for current vacancies. To volunteer, individuals must be aged 18 or over, and have been a UK resident for a minimum of three years. Further information can be viewed through the following link:

https://www.sussex.police.uk/police-forces/sussex-police/areas/careers/jobs/volunteers/

Anyone under the age of 18-years old, can volunteer as a police cadet. Further information about the volunteer police cadets can be viewed on the Sussex Police website through the following link:

https://www.sussex.police.uk/police-forces/sussex-police/areas/careers/jobs/volunteer-police-cadets-vpc/

NEXT UP:

The next Performance & Accountability Meeting is on Friday, 19 July 2024 at 13:00. Further information can be viewed through the following link:

www.sussex-pcc.gov.uk/about/how-we-work/watch-live/

DATE: 19 July 2024

LOCATION: Sackville House, Lewes

PRESENT:    

Police & Crime Commissioner – Katy Bourne [KB]

Chief Finance Officer – Iain McCulloch

Chief Constable – Jo Shiner

Deputy Chief Constable – Dave McLaren  

Correspondence and Admin Officer – Elliot Saunders [webcasting]

Head of Performance – Graham Kane [notes]

 

UNAUTHORISED ENCAMPMENTS

I am aware of the issues surrounding unauthorised encampments in Sussex and the disruption that has been caused to local communities in recent months.

1. For the benefit of the viewers, what powers are available to the police service to respond to unauthorised encampments in England and Wales?
2. What impact have the new powers [introduced in June 2022] made to both the police and multi-agency response to unauthorised encampments locally? What is the threshold for the use of these police powers? And how do you ensure that any action taken is lawful, balanced and proportionate?
3. How is Sussex Police working with partners [including local authorities and landowners] to proactively respond to unauthorised encampments in Sussex? And how are these responsibilities shared with partners?
4. What policing activity has been delivered in response to the most recent reports of unauthorised encampments in Sussex? How many times were the new powers used alongside existing measures to proactively respond to unauthorised encampments recorded in Sussex across 2023/24? And how does this compare to 2022/23?

The Chief Constable acknowledged that unauthorised encampments is “an incredibly complex and emotive subject” and confirmed that this remains one of the most challenging and difficult areas for the police service to manage.

The statutory guidance issued by the Home Office and the operational guidance issued by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) remains clear that unauthorised encampments “require a locally driven multi-agency response, led by local authorities and supported by the police.” It is also worth emphasising that local authorities have their own set of powers to respond to unauthorised encampments, separate from those powers afforded to the police. Sussex Police will always seek to provide a proportionate policing response to support this approach, working with all partner agencies to achieve positive outcomes.

The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 introduced new powers and made amendments to the previous legislation [Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994] to support and improve the multi-agency response to unauthorised encampments. This included the introduction of a new criminal offence contained within Section 60C of the Act that may be used around trespassing on land without consent.

This new power enables a landowner, their representative and/or the police to request that a person aged 18 years or over to leave if they are residing, or intending to reside, on land without the consent of the occupier of the land, or if they have [or intend to have] at least one vehicle with them on the land, and have caused, or are likely to cause, significant damage, disruption, or distress whilst on that land.

The word “significant” is crucial in establishing whether any criminal offence has been committed under this new legislation, with neither the legislation nor the statutory guidance providing a legal definition of the word. The guidance does, however, state that if the police deem the harms to not be significant, then the offence under Section 60C would not apply, and means that this remains a subjective interpretation for the police to make based on the individual merits and facts of each case.

Section 60C also introduces a new criminal offence relating to residing on land without consent in or with a vehicle. This is committed when all the conditions set out above are met AND a person fails to comply with the request to leave as soon as is reasonably practicable or, a person re-enters or enters the land with intention to reside without consent and had, or intends to have, a vehicle with them, within 12 months of the request being made.

It is important to note that the criminal offence is only committed when an individual has failed to comply with the request to leave and all the other conditions are met. There is also a common misconception among members of the public and elected representatives that the new legislation makes trespassing a criminal offence. This is not the legal position, and trespass continues to remain a civil matter.

N.B. The Crown Prosecution Service are only aware of one case nationally where persons have failed to leave land when directed to do so and have, subsequently, been arrested and prosecuted. The outcome of this case remains ongoing and will be monitored closely for any operational learning that may be identified.

The new legislation has also amended the existing powers under Section 61, broadening the conditions that would enable the police to use that power. Those conditions now state that Section 61 can be used if there are two or more persons trespassing on land, that the police have a reasonable belief that they intend to reside there, reasonable steps have been taken by the occupier and/or on their behalf to ask them to leave, and any of the trespassers have caused damage, disruption or distress, or they have six or more vehicles. It is also worth emphasising that this damage, disruption or distress does not need to be significant, as per the new power introduced under Section 60.

It was highlighted that the European Convention on Human Rights 1950, Human Rights Act 1998 and Equality Act 2010 still underpin the police use of powers in relation to unauthorised encampments, supported by a positive obligation from the State to support the nomadic lifestyle. Further information about the powers available to the police and partners in this area can be viewed through the following link:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62b9d50bd3bf7f6624d03652/E02764577_Unauthorised_Encampments_Accessible.pdf

Sussex has short-stay transit sites for Gypsy, Roma and Travellers who are passing through the county. These sites are located at St Michael's Way [also known as Horsdean] in Brighton & Hove, Bridie’s Tan [Lewes, East Sussex] and Westhampnett [Chichester, West Sussex].

These temporary provisions are recognised to be greater than the availability of sites in many other police force areas in England and Wales and Sussex Police continue to try and redirect any unauthorised encampments to these dedicated short-stay sites, wherever possible. It was, however, estimated that these sites are occupied on more than 90% of all occasions which can present further challenges in terms of redirecting any travelling groups.

The Chief Constable provided KB with assurances that Sussex Police are using all available powers in respect of unauthorised encampments. The Force has used these powers on 39 separate occasions following 122 instances of reported unauthorised encampments [between 28 June 2022 and 15 July 2024] – this equates to police powers having been used on 32% of all occasions and comprised the use of Section 60(C) on 10 occasions, Section 61 on 17 occasions and Section 62(A) on another 12 occasions.

Across the calendar year of 2024 to date, it was highlighted that Sussex Police has recorded fewer instances of unauthorised encampments [29] but have used their policing powers in more instances [10] – this equates to police powers having been used on 34% of all occasions. It was also emphasised that in each case where police powers have been used, those subject to the measures imposed complied with the direction to leave.

Sussex police will continue to respond professionally to all reports of unauthorised encampments in Sussex by delivering a fair, balanced and impartial policing response which supports the local authority response [as the lead agency]. This includes addressing any concerns raised by local communities and taking positive, lawful and proportionate action whenever it is appropriate to do so. It was also emphasised that this can often be a difficult balancing act between perception and reality with the Force required to look at all available information and intelligence received to “strike the right balance” in terms of any response provided.

KB was reassured to note that each reported incident of an unauthorised encampment remains subject to an initial site assessment by a police officer and is further supported by regular reviews from an officer of the rank of Chief Inspector or above to make ongoing assessments as to whether the threshold to use police powers has been met.

Once validated, each unauthorised encampment that is present in Sussex is reviewed on a 24-hour basis through the daily management meetings on each of the three policing divisions to provide ongoing oversight. This is supported by the central collation of a weekly summary of all encampments, alongside the police and local authority partner action taken in response to these, to monitor public confidence and local perceptions in each of the local areas.

In addition, Sussex Police also has a bi-monthly meeting with local authority partners to review and reflect on the action taken and responses delivered previously. This meeting also seeks to understand whether there is any organisational learning and/or lessons learnt that could be shared with frontline officers and staff to improve the policing and partner response provided. This collaborative approach is further supported by Sussex Police taking part in the South East Regional Unauthorised Encampment Meeting with the other police forces from Hampshire, Kent, Surrey and Thames Valley to share data and any best practice that may be identified.

As highlighted at the previous Performance & Accountability Meetings (PAMs), the Force has a lead officer – Detective Superintendent Miles Ockwell – who is responsible for coordinating the Force response to this challenging area of policing and improving the information sharing arrangements that exist between partner agencies.

The Chief Constable concluded by stating that Sussex Police will continue to work closely with communities, local authorities and Gypsy, Roma and Traveller groups to provide a proportionate, balanced and impartial policing response to unauthorised encampments.

OPERATION DOWNSWAY

In April 2024, Operation Downsway recommenced in Sussex with the aim of reducing both the number of individuals killed or seriously injured in collisions and the number of reports of anti-social driving and riding recorded.

1. What changes have been made to the policing operation? And how has the operation been redefined to improve the safety of all road users in Sussex?
2. How has Operation Downsway progressed since it recommenced? How is intelligence generated to identify repeat offenders, vehicles, times and locations which can then be used to coordinate, target and deploy police resources? And how are these deployments monitored, assessed and amended, as required, to maximise the effectiveness of the policing response?
3. Operation Downsway will also comprise a series of sub-campaigns over the summer months. What sub-campaigns does the Force have planned? And how is the Force seeking to align Operation Downsway to other national road safety campaigns and initiatives?
4. Will Sussex Police be running their dedicated summer drink-and-drug-drive campaign – Operation Limit – during the summer period?

The Chief Constable confirmed that improving road safety continues to remain a significant area of focus for Sussex Police and reiterated that the Force remains determined in its commitment to reduce the number of individuals killed or seriously injured (KSIs) in road traffic collisions in Sussex.

It is recognised that many of the road users in Sussex comprise of transient individuals from outside the county who are visiting the beaches, countryside, towns and villages throughout Sussex.

In April 2024, Operation Downsway was relaunched by Sussex Police to include the following five objectives which have been redefined following previous campaigns:

• Reduce KSI collisions involving powered two wheelers through informed and intelligence led deployments to key routes and areas.
• Reduce reports of anti-social riding and driving by responding to areas that have the greatest impact.
• Provide reassurance and confidence in policing by the appropriate and consistent use of engagement and enforcement in key localities.
• Use innovative technology and media strategies to enhance our engagement opportunities.
• Incorporate national campaigns within our own local deployment plans.

The revision to this policing operation is reflective of national statistics which suggest that motorcyclists make up less than 2% of all road users whilst equating for approximately 20% of fatalities on the roads in the UK. It is also worth emphasising that 76% of collisions involving a motorcycle involve another vehicle which further highlights the vulnerability of these road users.

Operation Downsway has been running for several years now and, more recently, has been revised to include a more data-led approach to identify key routes, areas and locations where a higher risk exists for a road traffic collision. These routes are recognised to correlate positively with popular motorcycle routes in the county and well-known locations where individuals gather to meet.

This localised approach is further supported by the intelligence that was gathered from a public survey carried out with road users in 2023 around anti-social riding and driving in Sussex that has been used to assess and plan deployments to prevent this offending behaviour and promote further engagement with roads users.

Sussex Police have several sub-campaigns planned across the summer months to improve road safety which will run alongside Operation Downsway. This includes the ‘One Extra Look’ (1XL) campaign which places an additional emphasis on other road users to take an extra look to avoid becoming involved in a road traffic collision. The Force has created and circulated a promotional video to support 1XL which aligns with the national two-wheel campaign to reduce KSI collisions involving powered two wheelers. This video has also been shared with other police force areas in England and Wales to use as part of their own localised campaigns.

The Chief Constable reminded viewers that it remains a personal responsibility for all road users to drive and ride safely and sensibly on the roads in Sussex. It was recognised that safer roads and communities can be created by working together and sharing the roads responsibly.

Sussex Police and the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership (SSRP) are responsible for tackling and preventing the main causes of serious injuries and deaths on the county’s roads. The key areas of risk remain unchanged and are known as the ‘fatal five’: not wearing a seatbelt; inappropriate or excessive speed; driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs; driver distractions [including the use of mobile phones, satellite navigation systems and tablets], and careless and inconsiderate driving.

Members of the public with any specific concerns about individuals they suspect of driving offences were encouraged to report these to Sussex Police. If it is non-urgent, these reports can be made by telephone to 101, online via the Sussex Police website [www.sussex.police.uk], by text to 65999 or through Operation Crackdown [www.operationcrackdown.co.uk]. If it is urgent, members of the public were asked to call 999 immediately [i.e., it is known that someone is drink-or-drug driving in real time]. Individuals can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 to report any concerns.

Sussex Police and the SSRP have several campaigns and initiatives planned to tackle road safety throughout the rest of the calendar year which are aligned to national campaigns. This includes Operation Limit – the dedicated summer drink-and-drug-drive campaign – which is set to commence in Sussex across the calendar month of July 2024. However, as has been highlighted at previous PAMs, this remains an ongoing area of focus for the Force all year round.

KB outlined initial plans to establish a dedicated Fatal Five Roads Unit in Sussex to tackle anti-social driving behaviour and address the ‘fatal five’ factors behind collisions as stated within her election manifesto ahead of the recent Police & Crime Commissioner elections in May 2024. It was highlighted that a business case to create this unit is currently in the process of being developed with further details set to follow.

The Chief Constable also explained that the road network is well-known for being an enabler of crime. This position is supported by a positive correlation which exists between road traffic collisions and individuals recognised to be either driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, disqualified from driving, driving without insurance or a valid Ministry of Transport (MOT) certificate, and/or involved in other criminal activity.

The Force will continue to deliver proactive and targeted operational activity on the roads in Sussex to reduce the number of KSIs and make the county’s roads a hostile place for offenders to conduct their criminal activities by denying them the opportunity through visible and robust policing. This policing response will be further supported by using unmanned aerial vehicles – better known as drones – to tackle criminality and keep individuals safe on the roads in Sussex.

END OF CUSTODY SUPERVISED LICENSE SCHEME

The End of Custody Supervised License Scheme – better known as the early release scheme – aimed at tackling overcrowding in the prisons in England and Wales has been extended to enable some prisoners to be freed up to 70 days early.

1. What impact is the early release scheme anticipated to have on the Force?
2. Is Sussex Police ready for this shift in the release policies for offenders?
3. How is the Force preparing for and working with criminal justice partners to manage the early release of these prisoners?
4. How will these offenders continue to be supervised under conditions in local communities? And how will this additional workload be managed?

The Deputy Chief Constable recognised that a greater number of individuals are currently being released from prison early as a direct result of the End of Custody Supervised License Scheme having been recently extended.

It was explained that the scheme was first introduced in October 2023 and enabled prisoners in England and Wales to be released up to 18 days early. These timescales were increased to up to 60 days in March 2024, before the scheme was further extended to up to 70 days in May 2024.

Managing the release of [lower risk] prisoners back into the communities of Sussex was acknowledged to remain business as usual for the Integrated Offender Management (IOM) team within Sussex Police and the additional demand created by the scheme having been extended is not currently presenting the Force with any significant issues. Sussex Police already work proactively with His Majesty's Prison & Probation Service to ensure that the Force is sighted on those individuals who are due to be released early so that preventative measures can be put in place to manage any risks identified to prevent reoffending and, more importantly, to keep victims safe.

Since October 2023, it was highlighted that 223 prisoners have been released from prison early back into the communities of Sussex. The Force has continued to manage this increased workload and, whilst this demand was always anticipated, it was acknowledged that this has been brought forward because of the changes introduced by the scheme.

KB expressed her personal concerns at the potential for more individuals to be released from prison up to 70 days early following the recent extension to the scheme. It was also acknowledged that these early releases could be potentially “frustrating” and “disheartening” for the police officers and staff who have worked hard to secure previous convictions and sentences.

Sussex Police are part of a monthly Multi Agency Case Conference (MACC) on each policing division with a range of different criminal justice partners, including the Prison Service, Probation Service, Sussex Pathways, homeless charities and other support services. This forum – chaired by a Chief Inspector – ensures that all relevant information around those individuals who are being released back into the communities of Sussex can be collated, prepared and shared ahead of these planned release dates.

It was also recognised that whilst each of these support services are understood to be stretched by the additional demand that has been created by this early release scheme, no significant issues have been reported to date in respect of the local arrangements currently in place to manage this.

KB asked for the projected number of prisoners set to be released from prison early via this scheme across the remainder of 2024/25. The Deputy Chief Constable agreed to provide this information retrospectively following the conclusion of the meeting.

Sussex Police will continue to monitor the number of prisoners released from prison early, alongside the reoffending rates for these individuals. This approach will ensure that the Force has the necessary information required to provide accurate feedback in terms of the impact this national scheme is having more locally.

The Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000, in conjunction with the Criminal Justice Act 2003, imposed duties on the police, probation and prison services to make arrangements for the identification, risk assessment and management of individuals with convictions for violent or sexual offences in local communities.

The aim of these Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) is to identify relevant offenders, share information about them, assess the risks that they may pose and to manage those risks. MAPPA is intended to promote the sharing of information between all partner agencies, resulting in more effective supervision and better public protection. These arrangements are further assisted by the Violent and Sexual Offenders Register (ViSOR) that was developed to support this.

The Probation Service is recognised to be the lead agency responsible for assessing and managing the release of individuals who present a lower risk back into local communities. This includes identifying the provisions required to support these individuals in this process and whether any additional measures are necessary to try and prevent reoffending.

The Deputy Chief Constable concluded by recognising the importance of updating all victims about the early release of any prisoners that may be planned. These updates are currently provided via a combination of letter, telephone and face-to-face meetings. Further information about the support that is available to victims of crime can be viewed on the Victim Support website through the following link:

https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/resources/sussex/

ACTION: KB would like to know what the projected number of prisoners set to be released from prison early via the End of Custody Supervised License Scheme is in Sussex for the remainder of 2024/25, broken down by individual calendar month.

 

CURRENT AND EMERGING RISKS OF DEEPFAKES

Last month, the [former] Minister of State for Crime, Policing and Fire AND Security Minister wrote to all Chief Constables [and policing colleagues] about the current and emerging risks of deepfakes for a harmful or criminal purpose.

1. For the benefit of the viewers, what are some of the current and emerging deepfake threat areas? And how is the Force responding to these?
2. How prepared are Sussex Police for the potential threat that deepfakes pose? And how are you seeking to raise awareness of the use of deepfakes for criminal or harmful purposes amongst the workforce and to remind them about the importance of increased vigilance?
3. What work is being undertaken to update operational protocols throughout the organisation in response to this current and emerging risk?

The Deputy Chief Constable provided KB with assurances that Sussex Police are aware of the current and emerging risks of deepfakes and the additional opportunities that exist for criminals to exploit the technological advancements that have been created to imitate and/or impersonate others.

Deepfakes are synthetic or manipulated content [image, video, text and voice] which aim to depict individuals or events as actually existing or happening, and pose challenges across a range of different crime types, with their use not simply confined to sophisticated offenders.

The increasing availability and capability of generative artificial intelligence services such as voice cloners, image generators and video editing has raised the risk level in relation to the use of these deepfakes, with some of these risks already manifesting, and further advancements anticipated as technology continues to develop.

It was highlighted that deepfakes are predominantly used to facilitate fraud offences, identity theft and other scams where criminals use this technology to artificially generate deceptive content which depicts individuals presenting as someone they are not to try and gain access to financial information and/or bank accounts.

Child sexual abuse material and non-consensual intimate images can also be artificially generated and/or identities superimposed onto these which has significantly lowered the barrier of entry to these offences and associated violence against women and girls, sextortion and grooming.

The Deputy Chief Constable highlighted that Sussex Police is not seeing many instances of deepfakes having been used in the offences that are currently being reported to the Force. It was, however, acknowledged that many individuals will not even know that they have been the victims of these deepfakes.

It was highlighted that the commercial sector is well-placed to respond to this emerging threat area through the technological countermeasures and identification systems that have been introduced to prevent this type of offending behaviour. Individuals are recognised to be more at risk of becoming the victim of deepfakes and further work is required to raise the awareness of this threat amongst members of the public and increase personal vigilance about the advancements that have been made to technology in this area.

Chief Superintendent Carwyn Hughes is currently in the process of developing a policy for Sussex Police to support any investigations around this type of criminality, alongside updating operational procedures, practices and guidance for the frontline workforce. This has included securing the services of a specialist forensic services provider who can support the Force with the investigation of these types of offences when a deepfake is identified. This work is anticipated to be completed by the end of August 2024.

The College of Policing has also created a 20-minute digital training video around deepfakes to assist police officers and staff to identify what a deepfake is; how deepfakes enable illegal activities; how to spot a deepfake; how frontline officers and staff can respond, and advice around how to provide victim care and safeguarding.

The Deputy Chief Constable confirmed that whilst the completion of this training video is not a mandatory requirement for officers and staff, the workforce has been encouraged to watch the content of this training package as part of their continued professional development (CPD). The Force will continue to review and measure the uptake of this resource, alongside the ongoing monitoring of the different types of offences where deepfake materials are used in Sussex.

KB was reassured to note that Sussex Police recognise the significant risk that this emerging crime type could pose and that the Force is making arrangements to raise both the awareness of the use of deepfakes for criminal or harmful purposes amongst its workforce and to update all relevant protocols across the organisation.

 

POLICE FEDERATION – PAY AND MORALE SURVEY

In March 2024, the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) published the results from their Pay and Morale Survey 2023. The results found that more than one in five police officers are planning on resigning from the police service, with 78% highlighting poor Government treatment as a contributing factor.

1. How have you reflected on the findings of the survey?
2. What work has been undertaken with the Sussex Police Federation to better understand the feelings of officers within the Force about pay and morale?
3. Are you concerned that 22% of respondents [nationally] expressed intentions to resign from the police service within the next two years or as soon as possible? Were there any other findings from the PFEW survey about which you were concerned?
4. How are you seeking to address these concerns locally?
5. Over 9,000 police officers resigned from the service during 2022/23 which was the highest number of leavers in a single financial year since comparable records began. How many officers resigned from Sussex Police across this same period? Did the Force see an increasing trend across 2023/24? And what impact is this greater number of resignations anticipated to have on the ability of the Force to maintain a baseline headcount figure of 3,226 officers [set by the Home Office] to qualify for the full police officer maintenance grant?

The Chief Constable explained that Sussex Police take all feedback received from the workforce “extremely seriously” and highlighted that the senior leaders within the Force are “incredibly proactive” in terms of attending briefings, taking part in policing patrols and listening to police officers and staff from across the organisation on a regular basis.

Sussex Police have sought to triangulate the results of the Pay and Morale Survey with other internal surveys undertaken previously [including the recent Staff Welfare Survey] to understand better whether the national themes and trends are apparent in Sussex and whether any further action can be taken to improve this position locally.

KB was reassured to note that the Force was broadly in line with the national trends set out within the PFEW, with better than average results demonstrated across several areas. The results of the Pay and Morale Survey 2023 can be viewed in full through the following link: https://www.polfed.org/resources/pay-and-morale-survey/

It was highlighted that 17% of police officers from Sussex Police expressed intentions to resign from the police service within the next two years or as soon as possible in response to the survey, compared to 22% of officers nationally.

The Chief Constable recognised the importance of undertaking further work to understand better the responses behind this question and explained that the Force has introduced ‘Stay Conversations’ to identify any issue(s) that may be causing an individual(s) to consider leaving the organisation before seeking to address these wherever possible. This process is further supported by sending individuals an ‘Exit Questionnaire’ when a resignation is formally received, and providing these individuals with the opportunity to discuss their reasons in more detail through an ‘Exit Interview.’

Sussex Police currently has an unplanned turnover rate of 4.4% across 2024/25 to date. This attrition rate has continued to improve from the 128 police officers who resigned from the service in 2023/24 and the 140 officers who resigned in 2022/23 and demonstrates that fewer police officers are leaving the organisation. This attrition rate is also recognised to compare favourably to other police force areas in England and Wales and is closely monitored at the Strategic Planning Board which is chaired by the Deputy Chief Constable. It was also highlighted that a career in policing is not compatible with all individuals and that it can be positive to have some natural turnover within the Force.

The Deputy Chief Constable confirmed that – over the past two years – the Force has sought to improve its efficiency and effectiveness by reducing the workload for its frontline police officers, enhancing working practices and increasing the capacity of these policing teams to respond to this demand through Operation Unify.

Sussex Police will continue to build on the positive progress that has been made in this area by answering calls for service promptly, responding to priority calls in an appropriate timescale and improving both the standard of investigations and the number of positive outcomes delivered for victims of crime.

The Chief Constable confirmed that the Force remains on track to deliver the revised baseline headcount figure of 3,226 officers as of 31 March 2025. It was highlighted that predicted turnover rates are factored into all recruitment and workforce planning to ensure that those police officers who leave the Force are replaced without the overall numbers reducing.

KB was pleased to note that the Force works closely with the Sussex Police Federation and other staff networks within the organisation to ensure that constructive two-way conversations exist across a range of different policing areas and focus. It was emphasised that more than 90% of all police officers within the Force are currently members of the Sussex Police Federation.

NEXT UP:

There is no PAM in August 2024. The next meeting will take place in September 2024, with the date and time to be confirmed. Further information can be viewed through the following link: www.sussex-pcc.gov.uk/about/how-we-work/watch-live/

PERFORMANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY MEETING

DATE: 13 September 2024

LOCATION: Sackville House, Lewes

PRESENT:

Police & Crime Commissioner – Katy Bourne [KB]

Chief Executive Officer – Mark Streater

Acting Chief Constable – Dave McLaren  

Assistant Chief Constable – Peter Gardner

Correspondence and Admin Officer – Elliot Saunders [webcasting]

Head of Performance – Graham Kane [notes]

HMICFRS – OPERATION SOTERIA: NATIONAL OPERATING MODEL

Last month [22 August 2024], His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Service (HMICFRS) published an inspection report on the progress made to introduce a national operating model for rape and other serious sexual offences (RASSO) investigations in early adopter police forces.

The report is separated into the six pillars of Soteria that were used to create the national operating model, as follows:

1. Having a suspect-focused investigation.
2. Targeting and disrupting repeat suspects.
3. Supporting victims by using a procedural justice approach.
4. Improving investigators’ knowledge, learning and wellbeing.
5. Using data and analysis effectively.
6. Improving RASSO investigations through effective use of digital forensics.

 

Having a suspect-focused investigation

“Some forces don’t understand the extent of RASSO in their areas”

Do Sussex Police currently have a problem profile for RASSO in Sussex?

If so, what difference is this profile making in terms of understanding the current and emerging threats to public safety?

The Acting Chief Constable confirmed that Sussex Police has established a problem profile for RASSO to understand the extent of offending behaviour in the county.

The profile has been created to understand better the current and emerging threats to public safety by identifying exactly where, when and how these rape and serious sexual offences are taking place. This information is used by the Force to proactively target and deploy police officer and Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) patrols in specific locations throughout Sussex. N.B. The problem profile was last updated in January 2024.

The problem profiles can also be used to determine where further investment in preventative measures is required to try and reduce instances of  RASSO from occurring. For example, the introduction of night marshals in specific locations around the night-time economy in Sussex now provides an additional visible presence which can identify issues before they escalate and protect better vulnerable individuals.

It was highlighted that through the creation of this profile Sussex Police now know that 83% of rapes occur in private locations, with only 9% of offences [of rape] taking place in public locations and linked to the night-time economy. The remaining 8% of offences relate to other spaces, including hospitality venues, medical facilities and vehicles.

“The detective shortage continues to be a problem”

How are Sussex Police managing the current shortage of RASSO detectives?

And what impact is this shortage having on the ability of the Force to manage demand?

The current shortage of RASSO detectives highlighted within the HMICFRS report is recognised to a national problem for all police force areas in England and Wales. Sussex Police currently have 180 full time equivalent (FTE) detectives working within the Public Protection Teams across Sussex.

This shortfall in detectives is currently being managed by the Force using non-specialist police staff to support ongoing investigations into rape and serious sexual offences. This support extends to providing the detectives in post with basic investigative actions and undertaking basic administrative tasks required to progress the investigations. This has included the combined use of dedicated sexual offences investigation trained officers, rape progression officers, victim coordinators, PIP2 managers, admin support assistants and specialist case workers, alongside police officers from the Specialist Enforcement Unit to prioritise the arrests of offenders wanted by the Public Protection Team.

Externally, Sussex Police still has two different direct entry routes into the Force for individuals who want to become detectives. This comprises the Detective Degree Holder Programme (DDHEP) and the Detective Constable Entry Programme (DCEP) with both entry routes currently taking individuals approximately two years to complete the national investigators exam and associated training required for the role.

The Force is also set to embark on an external campaign to try and recruit transferees from other police force areas. It is acknowledged that there are a substantial number of police officers [with detective qualifications] who live in Sussex but commute outside of the policing area to work for other forces. This represents a positive approach by Sussex Police to try and attract these officers to work for their home county police force.

Internally, the Force is encouraging existing PIP2 managers to take the national investigators exam to become detectives. This proactive approach is also being supported by the offer of detective incentive payments to attract and retain individuals in this area. Further information about the different entry routes available for detectives in Sussex can be viewed on the Sussex Police website through the following link:

https://www.sussex.police.uk/police-forces/sussex-police/areas/careers/jobs/police-officers/police-officer-and-detective-entry-routes/

KB was reassured to note that Sussex Police is working hard to try and manage and address the current shortage of RASSO detectives and acknowledged that this continues to remain a challenge for all police forces.

“Most forces face challenges in managing demand in RASSO units”

Are Sussex Police using non-specialist personnel to oversee RASSO cases?

And, if so, how is this risk being managed?

Sussex Police are currently in the initial stages of undertaking a formal review into Public Protection which will look at all RASSO demand and the future operating model required to meet this locally. This review remains work in progress and is anticipated to be completed by April 2025.

In 2023/24, the Force successfully applied for and recruited 39 additional police officers, over and above the baseline numbers required by the Home Office, in Sussex. It has been agreed that these additional officers will be disseminated across the Public Protection Teams in Sussex once the review is completed and the new operating model is finalised to enhance the resources available to respond to the RASSO investigations.

The Acting Chief Constable also confirmed that all RASSO investigations in Sussex are currently overseen by specialist trained officers, including any ongoing engagement with the victims of these offences. As described on page 2, non-specialist personnel are used to undertake basic investigative actions and administrative tasks for the Safeguarding Investigation Units within the Public Protection Teams, including the collection of medical records and recovery of CCTV footage. KB was informed that these non-specialist personnel do not have responsibility for overseeing any of the RASSO cases.

It was highlighted that all police forces in England and Wales are currently seeing an increase in demand in terms of the number of rape and serious sexual offences recorded. This was recognised to be a positive challenge for the Force to manage with victims now having greater confidence in the police service to respond which has been supported by making crime reporting more accessible and straightforward in recent years. Further information about reporting a crime can be viewed through the following link: https://www.sussex.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/

Targeting and disrupting repeat suspects

“There is no consistent approach to identifying and disrupting repeat suspects across forces”

How do Sussex Police actively target repeat RASSO suspects?

And what multi-agency arrangements, if any, are used to support these processes?

The Acting Chief Constable confirmed that daily GRIP meetings are held by the senior officers within the Public Protection Teams across Sussex to look at all the priority crimes and other offences recorded in the past 24-hours, alongside the different individuals involved, to identify whether any of these individuals are known and/or repeat offenders. This process is supported by the provision of a weekly analytical report to the investigative teams which looks at each of the crimes reported over the previous 7-days, together with looking at those offences with a similar modus operandi [method of offending or behaviour].

Operation Denver [a Sussex Police Power BI dashboard] has also been developed to routinely look at all nominals recorded on the police records management system [Niche] where repeat suspects are identified and the number of instances this relates to. This information looks at all recorded offences, regardless of whether these relate to RASSO investigations, and provides the Force with additional opportunities to disrupt and deter individuals from committing rapes and serious sexual offences through the progression of investigations into other offences.

Sussex Police work closely with partners to identify, target and disrupt repeat offenders through the established arrangements that exist around information sharing. This includes the use of multi-agency public protection arrangements (MAPPA) to support the police and partners in the ongoing management of violent and sexual offenders. It was emphasised that these effective arrangements are not just for those individuals who have been charged and/or convicted with a rape or serious sexual offence and that these can still be applied to potentially dangerous individuals based on any information and/or intelligence received or held on the police system.

East Sussex County Council and West Sussex County Council also have access to several [Sussex Police] Power BI dashboards through the provision of a ‘self-service’ capability to facilitate the sharing of data and to make it easier for these organisations to access this information when it is most convenient for individual users. This approach is recognised to provide a more efficient and effective way to retrieve the information required for the local authorities and, more importantly, ensures that victims are better safeguarded in a timelier manner.

“The police could use protection orders more effectively to safeguard victims”

How many sexual harm protection orders and sexual risk orders have been granted in Sussex?

How does this compare to previous years? And 2024/25 to date?

And what systems are in place to monitor the use of these protection orders?

The Acting Chief Constable confirmed that Sussex Police have, historically, been good at using protection orders to safeguard victims. This has extended to issuing the following sexual harm prevention orders [both criminal and civil], sexual risk orders and notification orders for foreign convictions in recent years:

Performance Plan Year	Sexual Harm Prevention Order [Criminal]	Sexual Harm Prevention Order [Civil]	Sexual Risk Orders	Notification Orders for Foreign Convictions
April 2021 to March 2022	176	16	7	3
April 2022 to March 2023	165	6	6	3
April 2023 to March 2024	186	15	10	1
April 2024 to August 2024	60	4	4	1

The Violent and Sex Offender Register (ViSOR) Team within Sussex Police is responsible for managing each of the offenders who are issued with a protection order. These orders are overseen and managed by individual officers from the ViSOR Team which includes making regular and unannounced visits to the home addresses of these offenders to monitor ongoing compliance against the individual orders and the conditions set out within [i.e. to ensure that these individuals do not have access to electronic devices]. Each order is also mapped on the police system which creates an automatic alert should any further reports of offending be received against an individual with a protection order.

ACTION: KB would like to know what proportion of sexual harm prevention orders [both criminal and civil], sexual risk orders and notification orders for foreign convictions issued in Sussex are, subsequently, breached by offenders.

Supporting victims by using a procedural justice approach

“Soteria is helping to create a new victim-centred culture”

What changes have Sussex Police made to the operational practices and procedures used for RASSO investigations to ensure that these are victim-centred?

Sussex Police have made several changes to the operational practices and procedures used for RASSO investigations to create an improved and victim-centred approach which makes these processes as simplistic as possible for victims of crime.

This has included making enhancements to digital forensic practices to ensure that mobile telephones and other digital devices submitted for recovery are returned to victims in much shorter timescales, and within 24-hours, wherever possible.

The introduction of specialist sexual offences investigation trained officers for diverse and minority communities who are often reluctant to engage with the police service was provided as another example of what the Force is doing to try and widen the support network available to victims of crime in Sussex.

The supervisors within the Public Protection Teams also undertake regular dip-sampling of individual cases to ensure that ongoing contact with victims is being maintained throughout the course of investigations, in line with the victim contracts in place.

“Police communication with victims is improving but varies across forces”

What does Force communication with victims look like in terms of the timeliness and quality of the updates provided?

The Acting Chief Constable acknowledged the importance of keeping victims of crime updated regarding ongoing investigations and recognised that this position was even more significant for victims of rape and serious sexual offences.

Sussex Police seek to provide regular updates to all victims about how their cases are progressing and when important decisions are taken, alongside proactively sharing information with them about some of the realities and complexities involved with investigations into these types of offences.

The Code of Practice for Victims of Crime in England and Wales sets out the minimum standard that organisations must provide to victims of crime. Right 6 of the Code focuses on the right to be provided with information about an investigation and/or prosecution,  including the requirement to agree a contract with the victim regarding the regularity of contact that will exist throughout the duration of the investigation [i.e. contact is requested by the victim every 1 – 28 days]. N.B. No victim should go more than 28 days without receiving an update from the police.

As highlighted on page 4, this contact with victims is regularly reviewed by supervisors to ensure that this is being maintained in line with the contracts created. These compliance rates are also reviewed at the monthly Sussex Police Performance Board which is chaired by the Deputy Chief Constable. Further information about the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime in England and Wales and a summary of the individual victims’ rights contained within can be viewed through the following link:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/60620279d3bf7f5ceaca0d89/victims-code-2020.pdf

“The police don’t always explain to victims’ decisions to take no further action”

How effective is this communication [with victims] when a case is closed and no further action will be taken?

The Acting Chief Constable recognised the comments made by HMICFRS in the inspection report and acknowledged that complaints have been received from victims of rape and serious sexual offences previously in relation to decision-making processes and some of the terminology that is used in communication with victims.

It was highlighted that [since December 2023] any letters that are drafted by Sussex Police which confirm that no further action (NFA) will be taken to progress a RASSO investigation are now reviewed by a detective inspector to ensure that an appropriate explanation has been provided which succinctly sets out the rationale why NFA will be taken in the case. The letters also now provide victims of crime with the opportunity to make further contact with the Public Protection Team should they have any further and/or unanswered questions about the process or the decisions taken.

“Forces don’t always use victims’ feedback to make improvements”

How is victim feedback used by Sussex Police to inform and support investigative improvements?

Sussex Police have proactively undertaken a small number of telephone interview surveys with victims of rape and serious sexual offences each month since February 2022. The Force is also recognised [by the Home Office] to be one of only a small number of police force areas in England and Wales who conduct these surveys with RASSO victims as a matter of routine.

Whilst not a mandatory requirement, the Force took the proactive decision to introduce this platform to ensure that the voice of the victim is heard by measuring victim satisfaction, receiving feedback about existing processes and understanding better how the approach and services provided for victims of these crimes can be improved.

Further feedback is also sought from the partner agencies who provide support services for those individuals who have been the victim of these offences to positively influence changes to operational practices and procedures and make amendments to the processes to support investigative improvements. All the work undertaken in this area is overseen by the Organisational Reassurance Board which is chaired by the Deputy Chief Constable.

Improving knowledge, learning and wellbeing of investigators

“High workloads can harm investigators’ wellbeing, but some forces are making positive changes”

How are workloads monitored across the RASSO investigative teams in Sussex?

And what wellbeing support is provided to the police officers and staff responsible for undertaking RASSO investigations?

The Acting Chief Constable explained that the overall balance of workloads held by all police officers and staff across the workforce is routinely monitored at a strategic level through the monthly Performance Board.

The individual caseloads held within the Public Protection Teams across Sussex continue to remain high as demand continues to increase. These workloads are continuously reviewed and monitored locally to understand better what demand exists at any given time and whether any further opportunities exist to redistribute some of these investigations, develop them and/or secure charges and convictions through the criminal justice system.

The Force has made some positive changes in this area to try and realise some marginal gains. This has included using the Crime Management Unit to provide the Public Protection Teams with some additional support in the completion of standard administrative tasks, and increasing the number of PIP2 managers available to build the casefiles for ongoing investigations by bringing in recently retired police officers with knowledge of the Safeguarding Investigation Units. Both initiatives have been introduced to enable specialist trained officers to spend more time on the actual investigations by reducing some of the associated administrative burden.

The future operating model that will be developed following the formal review into Public Protection is anticipated to improve the volume and distribution of caseloads held by individual RASSO investigators by enhancing the resources available locally to complete these.

It was highlighted that there is a range of wellbeing support provided to the police officers and staff responsible for undertaking RASSO investigations in Sussex. This includes the requirement for all specialist individuals involved in this area of work to undertake an annual psychological assessment which can identify issues at any early stage, alongside regular discussions with individuals about their ongoing workloads, wellbeing and the welfare support provisions that are available to them. This is all supported by a Forcewide Wellbeing Strategy 2023/25 which is updated each year to ensure that it includes any identified and emerging needs. 

“New specialist training shows early signs of improving RASSO investigations”

What training is provided to investigators about the psychology of sex offending and its impact on victims?

And are RASSO personnel given protected time to complete this training, away from their usual working tasks?

Specialist training is provided to all individuals who provide an initial response to rape and serious sexual offence investigations through the First Responders Programme. The content of this training includes sex offender and victim psychology; myths and misconceptions; communication skills; victim support, and providing an effective policing response to secure positive criminal justice outcomes for victims. KB was pleased to note that more than 330 first responders have received this training to date.

The heighted levels of demand currently being experienced in this complex area means that this training must be completed alongside day-to-day workloads, balancing ongoing caseloads to ensure that this is completed in a timely manner. This approach in Sussex provides further support to the observation made by HMICFRS that RASSO personnel are not given protected time to complete this training away from their usual working tasks. It is anticipated that one of the outcomes of the Public Protection review will be the creation of a new shift pattern where dedicated time for training is included.

Using data and analysis effectively

“Forces must make sure they are using qualitative and quantitative data to measure their performance on Soteria”

What measures do Sussex Police currently use to recognise success around RASSO?

And what impact are the key performance indicators [still to be finalised by the Operation Soteria Joint Unit] anticipated to have on the strategic analysis undertaken by the Force to improve investigations and prevent offending behaviour?

As was highlighted within the HMICFRS report, Sussex Police use numerical measures to understand whether they are tackling RASSO effectively. These measures include volume of recorded offences; volume of cases charged; volume of successful disposals; volume of victim withdrawal outcomes; referrals to the Crown Prosecution Service, and the average number of days taken for the police to charge an offender.

In addition to these quantitative measures, the Force also use qualitative metrics to measure success in this area, including specific recognition of the positive contributions made by individual police officers, staff and collective Safeguarding Investigation Units to secure charges and convictions against the offenders responsible for these crimes through the provision of awards made by the Chief Constable and Public Protection Teams. 

The introduction of a national performance framework and the creation of a set of key performance indictors developed by the Operation Soteria Joint Unit is anticipated to deliver consistency of reporting throughout England and Wales. This approach will also enable the Force to benchmark its own performance by understanding better how it is performing compared with other police force areas nationally, alongside its most similar group.

The Acting Chief Constable concluded by recognising that Sussex Police can still make enhancements to its strategic analysis and approach in this area which should contribute towards further improvements being made to investigations and the prevention of offending behaviour.

“Forces still have major gaps in their data”

What gaps, if any, exist in the current data held by Sussex Police in this area?

And what is the Force doing to improve data quality and accuracy?

The Acting Chief Constable began by providing KB with assurances that Sussex Police does not have any significant gaps in the data that is held by the Force around this area of policing.

It was acknowledged that further improvements could be made to improve its crime recording processes around RASSO [and overall crime data integrity] to ensure that these offences are accurately recorded at the first point of contact with the victim, rather than having to be corrected during the investigation. It was highlighted that training is regularly provided to the contact handlers within the Force Contact, Command and Control Department around the positive and accurate identification of rape and serious sexual offences when telephone or webform contact is first received. This training is recognised to be particularly important to ensure that the contact handlers understand the different types of offences that comprise RASSO in their non-specialist roles.

Additional improvements were also recognised to be apparent in terms of the demographic data that is collected about individual victims within the police records management system. Performance in this area is anticipated to be improved further still when Sussex Police introduce The Citizen Portal next year. The portal is a customer relationship management platform which provides a digital contact service between the public and the police and ensures that the public are kept informed and digitally enabled. Once introduced, the Force will initially use this platform to encourage individuals to record their own demographic data, alongside supporting the Force with the delivery of the minimum standard that organisations must provide to victims of crime [as set out within the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime].

Improving RASSO investigations through effective use of digital forensics

“Forces have invested in technology to improve RASSO investigations”

Does Sussex Police have a digital forensics strategy?

What investment has been made by the Force to meet the forensic standards required in RASSO investigations?

The Force has invested in technology to improve its response to RASSO investigations in Sussex. This has included the development of a digital forensics’ strategy with a specific focus on the investigations of rape and serious sexual offences and significant investment in technology which enables the Force to access mobile telephones and other electronic devices seized as part of police investigations in a timelier manner.

The introduction of this technology has also enabled investigators to download the key information required to support the investigations from the handsets directly, rather than spending a disproportionate amount of time on sifting through non-important and irrelevant information stored within.

Sussex Police remains linked in with the national work around this area to understand better whether any further technology and software exists to improve access to digital devices and assist with redaction and disclosure activity. An ongoing commitment was made to invest further in any technology that could improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the policing response to deliver the forensic standards required for RASSO investigations as and when this is identified.

KB was informed that the work in this area is led on by Chief Superintendent Carwyn Hughes who remains dedicated to monitoring and improving the police response to RASSO investigations and the outcomes that are delivered for victims.

“Digital media investigators can help forces recover digital evidence in a proportionate way”

How do you prioritise digital forensics for RASSO cases?

And are digital media investigators used to support these processes?

Sussex Police use digital download kiosks to help police officers and staff recover digital evidence in a proportionate manner which is in line with many other police force areas in England and Wales as highlighted within the HMICFRS report. The download kiosks are desktop computers with specialist software which enables digital media investigators to download basic evidence from mobile devices, including messages/photos sent/received across a specific period, rather than completing a full evidential download straight away.

The prioritisation of digital forensics was acknowledged to be business as usual for all investigations undertaken by Sussex Police because [almost] all modern-day offences recorded now have a digital footprint of some description.

KB was reassured to note that the Force has a forensic gateway – overseen by the Digital Forensics Team – which is available to all police officers and staff to seek further information, advice and assistance around the assessment process before any digital devices are submitted for full examination and recovery. This can include the rejection of exhibits at the submission stage of the process based on set criteria.

When the report was published, it was highlighted in the national media that specialist investigators are diverted away from their core policing duties when demand surges [i.e. the policing response to support public order incidents].

Were any RASSO investigators in Sussex removed from their duties to support the national policing response provided to address the violent protests and riots experienced last month?

The Acting Chief Constable confirmed that no RASSO investigators were abstracted from their duties to support the national policing response provided to address the violent protests and riots recently experienced across England in August 2024.

It was acknowledged that police officers from Public Protection have been used to support and respond to other incidents in Sussex during periods of heightened demand previously. This redistribution of policing resources was recognised to have a detrimental impact on the ability of the RASSO teams to manage and progress their workloads. It was also emphasised that any officers and staff abstracted from these teams would continue to prioritise the policing response provided for rape and serious sexual offences, wherever possible.

HMICFRS made 14 recommendations to help improve the policing response provided to victims of RASSO and the ongoing investigations into these offences across England and Wales.

What plans are in place to progress the FIVE recommendations identified for chief constables?

Sussex Police has made an initial assessment of each of the five recommendations identified for chief constables in the HMICFRS report.

The Acting Chief Constable provided KB with assurances that each of these recommendations has been allocated to the most appropriate individuals/teams within Sussex Police to consider and progress, with action plans developed to ensure that each of these are progressed and delivered within the prescribed timescales.

The ongoing management of Force performance against these recommendations will be monitored through the Operation Soteria Board.

PROJECT FIDES

Earlier this year, my office provided funding from Round 5 of the Safer Streets Fund to support Project Fides by creating 8 victim coordinator posts to engage with female victims of rape in a public place, secure best evidence and enable investigators to focus on ongoing investigations.

1. With each of the 8 victim coordinators now in post, what impact has Project Fides had to date?
2. What improvements have been demonstrated for victims of rape in a public place because of this additional funding?
3. And what are the next steps planned for Project Fides?

The Acting Chief Constable began by recognising and thanking the Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner for the positive contribution made to secure additional funding from Round 5 of the Safer Streets Fund to support Project Fides.

Whilst still in their relative infancy, the victim coordinators are already recognised to have had a significant impact to date. These posts act as a specialist point of contact for female victims of rape [which occurred in a public place] with a specific focus on those individuals who no longer want to engage with the criminal justice process following their initial report to the police.

The coordinators seek to build rapport with the victims of these crimes to keep them engaged and involved in the criminal justice system to try and secure criminal convictions against those offenders responsible for these crimes, alongside seeking to gain a better understanding of the barriers that exist to stop these victims from supporting the police with these prosecutions.

The coordinators are also recognised to provide critical support to police officers to ensure that contact with these victims is maintained in line with the victim contracts in place. This included 67 separate taskings where the coordinators engaged with victims across the month of July 2024 which meant that the detectives responsible for the overall investigations could focus on putting together the best possible case against the offenders responsible to try and secure more charges and convictions.

Since their introduction in February 2024, the victim coordinators have collectively contributed towards ensuring that more than 130 victims have remained in the criminal justice system across the calendar year of 2024 to date.

KB confirmed that the funding received from the Home Office is for a two-year period and that Project Fides will continue to be funded until 31 March 2026. It was also highlighted that the national Operation Soteria Team has been informed about this work in Sussex and that they have been complementary about the approach in place locally.

The Acting Chief Constable concluded by reassuring KB that Sussex continues to remain a safe place to live, work and visit and reiterated that the risk of experiencing a rape or serious sexual offence is low. Sussex Police are continuing to look at the support provided to all RASSO victims to maximise the efficiency and effectiveness of the policing response provided and to hold more offenders to account for these offences.

 

USE OF ELECTRIC SCOOTERS

My office continues to receive correspondence from members of the public concerned about the illegal use of private electric scooters on the roads and pavements in Sussex.

1. For the benefit of the viewers, can you outline the legal position in respect of the use of private electric scooters in Sussex?
2. What powers do Sussex Police have if an electric scooter is found to be used illegally in Sussex? And what enforcement action, if any, was undertaken by the Force in relation to the use of these scooters in Sussex in 2022, 2023 and across 2024 to date?
3. What guidance has been issued to police officers and PCSOs about the legislation and powers available to them around the illegal use of electric scooters in Sussex to ensure that the response remains appropriate ?
4. How can members of the public report any specific concerns about individuals suspected of using private electric scooters illegally?
5. The recently published ‘Scoot Aware’ report from the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association highlighted that the use of e-scooters is recognised to have a significant and detrimental impact on the lives of people with sight loss, as well as causing further difficulties for wheelchair users, children and older people. How is Sussex Police seeking to ensure that members of the public understand the law around electric scooter use, including the negative impact that the anti-social use of these private electric scooters can have on all pedestrians?

The Assistant Chief Constable began by confirming that the use of electric scooters [outside of the dedicated national trials currently taking place in areas across England] remains illegal and that it continues to be a recognised offence to use these scooters on any public roads, cycle lanes, footpaths and/or pavements. Electric scooters are only permitted to be used on private land that is not accessible to the public.

It was highlighted that guidance has been issued to all police officers and PCSOs about the use of electric scooters in Sussex to raise awareness of the legislation and to improve their understanding of the powers that are available to them to tackle their illegal use.

The approach demonstrated locally should be an escalating one and will vary depending on the individual circumstances involved. This comprises a range of different actions including a verbal warning; formal warning; prosecution, and/or seizure of the electric scooter(s).

It was recognised that the level of police enforcement around this area has increased in recent years with appropriate, proportionate and robust action taken as required. The Force seized 81 electric scooters in 2022, 127 electric scooters in 2022 and 107 electric scooters in 2023. Sussex Police has already seized a further 60 scooters across 2024 to date [July 2024].

The Assistant Chief Constable encouraged members of the public to report all incidents of illegal electric scooter usage to Sussex Police because this approach enables the Force to develop intelligence regarding repeat offenders, times and locations which can be used to plan, target and deploy police resources.

These reports can be made by telephone to the non-emergency number [101] or via the Sussex Police website [www.sussex.police.uk]. It was also highlighted that individuals should telephone 999 immediately if there is a crime in action which involves an electric scooter.

KB was reassured to understand that Sussex Police is currently targeting the ‘hotspots’ identified through the reports received from members of the public where electric scooters are being illegally and/or repeatedly used.

The local policing teams across Sussex are also seeking to engage with, educate and explain further the legislation around the illegal use of these electric scooters to individuals, local communities and the retailers who sell these powered transporters. This includes highlighting the harmful impact these electric scooters can have on the lives of people with sight loss and all other pedestrians [including wheelchair users, children and older people].

Further information and advice about the use of electric scooters in Sussex can be viewed on the Sussex Police website through the following link:

https://www.sussex.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rs/road-safety/advice-escooters/

ACTION: KB agreed to share a copy of the ‘Scoot Aware’ report received from the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association with Sussex Police for information.

NEXT UP:

The next Performance & Accountability Meeting is on Friday, 18 October 2024 at 13:00. Further information can be viewed through the following link:

www.sussex-pcc.gov.uk/about/how-we-work/watch-live/

 

PERFORMANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY MEETING                                                   

DATE: 18 October 2024

LOCATION: Sackville House, Lewes

PRESENT:

Police & Crime Commissioner – Katy Bourne [KB]

Chief Finance Officer – Iain McCulloch

Chief Constable – Jo Shiner

Acting Assistant Chief Constable – Rosie Ross   

Correspondence and Admin Officer – Elliot Saunders [webcasting]

Head of Performance – Graham Kane [notes]

 

POLICE OFFICER MAINTENANCE GRANT 2024/25 – FIRST CHECKPOINT

The Home Office has continued the maintenance grant introduced previously to support police forces to maintain police officer numbers during 2024/25, following the Police Uplift Programme (PUP) which recruited 20,000 new officers in England and Wales over the past three years to 31 March 2023.

 

As in 2023/24, the grant will be issued to police forces on a bi-annual basis according to police officer headcount at two separate checkpoints – 30 September 2024 and 31 March 2024 – and will be distributed according to existing funding formula shares.

 

1. What is the baseline headcount figure for Sussex Police? And how many police officers, both Full Time Equivalent (FTE) and headcount, did the Force have on 30 September 2024 – the first checkpoint for the 2024/25 maintenance grant?

 

1. How will the Force seek to maintain these police officer numbers ahead of the second maintenance grant checkpoint [31 March 2025] to ensure that no financial penalties are incurred from the Home Office?

 

The Chief Constable reiterated the importance of maintaining the additional police officer numbers recruited across Sussex and the rest of England and Wales over the past three years during 2024/25 because of the tangible impact this has on the ability of Sussex Police to deliver operational policing and protect local communities.

Sussex Police was originally asked by the [previous] Government to maintain a baseline headcount figure of 3,166 officers across 2024/25 and, after successfully applying for and recruiting additional police officers over and above the numbers previously required in Sussex [that other police force areas were unable to recruit to] an enhanced baseline target of 3,226 officers was set for the Force.

The maintenance grant for Sussex Police in 2024/25 is £9.1million. To qualify for the full amount, the Force needs to be at [or above] its maintenance level at two points within the year – 30 September 2024 and 31 March 2025. If the Force is below its allocation at either point, then the Home Office will withhold £40,000 per officer below maintenance at that point up to a threshold of 20 officers or 1% officer headcount [baseline plus uplift allocation] below maintenance, whichever is highest.

Sussex Police has met and exceeded both the baseline and enhanced baseline police officer target headcount figures required by the Home Office following the first formal checkpoint for the 2024/25 maintenance grant. The Force had a headcount figure of 3,263 police officers as of 30 September 2024 which represented an additional 97 officers [headcount] than the baseline target and 37 more officers [headcount] than the enhanced baseline target. This position was also equivalent to 3,165 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) police officers, based on actual hours worked.

The continued and significant contribution made by Adrian Rutherford, Director of People Services, and the Attraction and Recruitment Team to manage, progress and deliver this recruitment within the prescribed timelines was again recognised, both in terms of the quality and the quantity of the officers successfully recruited.

KB was reassured to note that Sussex Police has robust workforce plans in place to maintain these police officer numbers across the remainder of 2024/25. This position has been supported by the reduced attrition rate currently being recorded across the Force, with 34 fewer police officers having left the organisation than were originally predicted in the calendar year to date.

Two further intakes of [circa.] 60 and 70 officers are planned for January and March 2025, respectively, to ensure that both the baseline and enhanced baseline police officer targets are met ahead of the second formal maintenance grant checkpoint [31 March 2025] and that no financial penalties are incurred from the Home Office.

The Force is also continuing to undertake regular recruitment campaigns at colleges, universities, job centres, career fairs and at armed forces events across Sussex to try and target under-represented groups, demographics and diverse communities through the delivery of its Attraction Strategy [in partnership with the Positive Action Team] to highlight the opportunities that are available to all individuals within the police service.

KB agreed to revisit police officer recruitment and the Force performance against the maintenance grant targets for 2024/25 at the Performance & Accountability Meeting (PAM) on 20 March 2025.

NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING

Neighbourhood Policing Teams

Local policing in Sussex is delivered across three divisions, each comprising Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPTs) based within district teams. The NPTs provide community engagement, foot patrols and assist local problem-solving in partnership with other agencies and support services to protect communities and catch criminals.

1. How many police officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) do Sussex Police currently have within the NPTs throughout Sussex, both FTE and headcount?
2. Has there been an uplift in these numbers in recent years? And how frequently are these numbers reviewed and amended on each policing district?
3. I understand that all trainee officers are now being attached to NPTs as part of their tutorship and ongoing initial training through a new initiative introduced by the Force. What happens to these officers once they have reached independent patrol status? And how has the Force reflected on the first few weeks of this scheme having been in operation?
4. How is the Neighbourhood Policing Review progressing? And what are the timescales for this review?

 

The Acting Assistant Chief Constable confirmed that Sussex Police has an establishment of circa. 580 police officers and PCSOs within its NPTs across the three policing divisions [Brighton & Hove Division, East Sussex Division and West Sussex Division]. Of which, 86% of officers and PCSOs are currently in post against this establishment.

KB was informed that the NPTs are embedded in local neighbourhoods throughout Sussex and that these teams perform a range of different functions to try and provide an outstanding policing service for local residents and communities. This holistic approach to policing includes seeking additional support from the Response Teams, Response Investigation Teams (RITs), Tactical Enforcement Units, Roads Policing Teams, and other operational policing resources from across the county according to need and demand.

The first phase of the Neighbourhood Policing Review began in Sussex on 8 October 2024 and included the integration of the Divisional Coaching Units (DCUs) within the NPTs. This approach is anticipated to bolster the overall number of officers in the NPTs by increasing their visible policing presence in local communities [through enhanced foot patrol activity] and enhancing the resources available to attend the crimes and incidents reported in more remote areas of the county. N.B. The student officers cannot be officially counted in the deployable numbers until they achieve independent patrol (IP) status.

This change in working practice means that when all new student officers complete their initial 12 – 15 weeks of foundation training they will now be posted to one of the 10 DCUs located across the Force, rather than remaining within the central training unit. This change in approach is expected to broaden the individual skill sets of these new officers and provide them with greater opportunities to proactively engage with local communities, problem solve, undertake prevention activity and respond to ongoing investigations as they work towards gaining their IP status.

KB was informed that there are currently 76 student officers distributed amongst these DCUs across Sussex. The initial feedback received from local communities about these changes has been positive with the additional levels of resources available and the enhanced support provisions already making a tangible difference in terms of improving the response times provided and the ability of the NPTs to target and arrest the prolific offenders operating in local communities.

Once IP has been secured, these officers will be redeployed to the Response Teams and RITs across the three divisions to gain further experience in other areas of policing and to ensure that these individuals become omnicompetent across a range of different roles and responsibilities. This process will then be repeated with the next cohort of student officers commencing within the NPTs across Sussex to ensure that this enhanced visibility and increased policing resources is maintained.

Alongside this change to the training of new student officers, a new grading policy was also implemented on 8 October 2024 with the aim of managing calls for service more effectively to ensure that the most appropriate response is provided, supporting the delivery of an efficient and effective service, and improving investigations and outcomes for communities in Sussex.

This approach has been supported by the introduction of an Initial Investigation Team (IIT) within the Force Contact, Command and Control Department (FCCCD) to arrange routine appointments within 72-hours for any instances where an emergency response is not required. N.B. The Business Crime Team (BCT) is now encompassed within the IIT as part of these broader changes to neighbourhood policing.

The Acting Assistant Chief Constable explained that the second phase of the Neighbourhood Policing Review will look at a range of different areas to try and improve the response that is provided to local communities through the NPTs. This will include looking at the overall establishment of the NPTs by undertaking a demand analysis to ensure that Sussex Police has the right resources, in the right place, at the right time. The full review is expected to be completed within the next 6 – 12 months.

Neighbourhood Policing Pathway

Last month [September 2024], the Government confirmed that specialist neighbourhood policing training is currently being piloted in 11 police forces across England and Wales.

1. What impact is the Neighbourhood Policing Pathway anticipated to have on the effectiveness of the neighbourhood policing that is delivered in Sussex?

The Acting Assistant Chief Constable confirmed that whilst Sussex Police was not selected as one of the 11 police force to pilot the Neighbourhood Policing Pathway, the Force remains fully integrated with the College of Policing and any, subsequent, learning that may be identified and shared with all police force areas.

The Neighbourhood Policing Pathway pilot commenced in June 2024 and is focused on the delivery of specialist neighbourhood policing training to assist the police officers and PCSOs who work within NPTs to build on the core policing skills required to respond effectively to the issues local communities face on a day-to-day basis. This will include helping officers and PCSOs to develop sustainable relationships across local communities, demonstrate effective problem-solving activity and give them the skills and confidence required to tackle and solve the issues that affect residents most.

The pilot is scheduled to run until 31 March 2025. Once completed, the College of Policing will work with the pilot forces to refine the training materials before these are disseminated to all police forces across England and Wales.

The Acting Assistant Chief Constable concluded by stating that the outcomes of this pilot around the Neighbourhood Policing Pathway will also be included within the ongoing Neighbourhood Policing Review ahead of this being finalised in 2025/26.

Operation Sunshine

In July 2024, Sussex Police launched Operation Sunshine to try and get NPTs back out on foot in key areas within local communities across Sussex.

1. What are the aims and objectives of Operation Sunshine?
2. How many individuals and businesses has the Force engaged with since the operation began? And what difference has this proactive engagement made?
3. How will you measure the success of Operation Sunshine?

The Acting Assistant Chief Constable explained that Operation Sunshine is the name of the operation that was used to describe the enhanced policing response delivered in Hastings across the summer months through increased visibility and hotspot patrol activity. This activity was delivered in the areas of the policing district where anti-social behaviour (ASB) was most prevalent and comprised early intervention around those individuals causing harm to local communities, proactively tackling high-harm criminality within the district, and collaboratively working in partnership with the local authority and other statutory partners in the Community Safety Partnership (CSP) to have a positive impact.

KB was reassured to note that there have been a series of further policing operations delivered across the other areas of East Sussex Division, Brighton & Hove Division and West Sussex Division, including Operation Confront, Operation Respect and Operation Hotspot, respectively. Each of these initiatives sought to provide an enhanced policing response through increased foot patrols, focused events and partnership working.

The initial findings from these proactive police operations have confirmed that Sussex Police engaged with almost 50,000 local residents and more than 2,200 businesses across the summer months where there was evidence of higher levels of crime and ASB to deter this type of criminality and offending behaviour.

This contributed to a 20% reduction in the number of ASB crimes recorded, a 22% reduction in the number of violent offences committed and a further 22% reduction in knife offences across the summer period. The Force also made almost 230 stop and searches, nearly 120 arrests and seized more than 30 weapons as part of these proactive deployments.

A summary report around the positive impact that Operation Sunshine and the other policing operations delivered in Sussex in summer 2024 is currently in the process of being written and is expected to be finalised by the end of January 2025.

ACTION: KB requested a copy of the Operation Sunshine summary report when this is finalised in January 2025.

Operation Apprentice

Earlier this year, Operation Apprentice was introduced to support Sussex Police in its response to tackle retail crime, identify prolific and repeat offenders and to assist them in the ongoing management of these high-harm individuals.

1. How is Operation Apprentice progressing? And what positive results have been demonstrated in terms of targeting and tackling this offending behaviour?
2. How are prolific and repeat offenders of retail crime being targeted through this operation? And what impact is this enhanced policing response having on the management of high-harm individuals?
3. What does the backlog in the number of reports of crime received by the Business Crime Team currently look like for the Force?
4. Has there been any increase in the number of reports of retail crime committed by children and young people? If so, what does the Force response look like to tackle this?

The Acting Assistant Chief Constable explained that Operation Apprentice was first launched on Brighton & Hove Division, before this initiative was formally expanded across the rest of Sussex at the beginning of 2024. The operation brings together the dedicated Business Crime Team (BCT) with the local policing teams on each of the three policing divisions to share information and intelligence, gather evidence and ensure that a more focused policing response is provided to all reports of business crime.

On 8 October 2024, a new grading policy was implemented in Sussex Police with the aim of managing calls for service more effectively to ensure that the most appropriate response is provided, supporting the delivery of an efficient and effective service, and improving investigations and outcomes for communities in Sussex. This approach has been supported by the introduction of an Initial Investigation Team (IIT) within the Force Contact Command and Control Department (FCCCD) to arrange routine appointments within 72-hours for any instances where an emergency response is not required. The BCT has also now been embedded within the IIT as part of the first phase of the Neighbourhood Policing Review.

The Acting Assistant Chief Constable explained that the BCT delivered almost 3,650 positive outcomes in relation to business and retail crimes over the past 12-month period to 31 August 2024. This is recognised to more than double the number of positive outcomes recorded in the previous rolling year period [nearly 1,600] and includes a combination of arrests; charges; applications for criminal behaviour orders; out-of-court disposals; participation in diversionary schemes and attendance on rehabilitation programmes. It was also emphasised that not all these positive outcomes are criminal justice related and that these out-of-court disposals can be equally effective.

The success of the BCT is attributed to the dedicated single point of contact (SPoC) for each of the three policing divisions who is responsible for reviewing the information and intelligence received by the FCCCD about business and retail crimes, before coordinating the policing activity delivered locally through the NPTs, Response Teams and RITs.

KB was reassured to note that there is currently no significant backlog of recorded business and retail crimes held by the BCT. This position is anticipated to be maintained now that the team has been embedded within the IIT and will ensure that the team is able to respond efficiently and effectively to each of the circa. 60 additional offences that continue to be recorded by Sussex Police each day.

The Acting Assistant Chief Constable also explained that there has been a 10% increase in the number of reports of business and retail crime committed by children and young people, with much of this attributed to an increase in shoplifting offences. Following the introduction of the IIT, these crimes will now be dealt with by the BCT to ensure that a consistent approach exists to all business and retail crime offences recorded in Sussex.

Anti-Social Behaviour

With daylight saving time set to end at 02:00 on 27 October 2024 and the darker evenings fast approaching, there are naturally concerns from residents, communities and businesses regarding the potential for the number of reports of anti-social behaviour (ASB) to increase.

1. What are the key challenges for Sussex Police in terms of tackling ASB at this time of year? And how is the Force planning to respond to these?
2. How will Sussex Police seek to use directed ‘hotspot’ patrol activity to provide an enhanced and visible policing presence within communities to try and target the specific times and locations where ASB is most prevalent?
3. What support is provided to victims of ASB in Sussex? And how effective is the workforce at identifying repeat or persistent victims and/or locations?
4. How do Sussex Police seek to provide reassurance to members of the public when there is a spate of ASB within a specific area? And how are any successes or positive outcomes communicated locally?
5. In March 2023, Sussex was one of ten trailblazer police force areas to receive £1million from the [previous] Government to develop and deliver Immediate Justice. How many Immediate Justice cases have Sussex Police delivered across 2024/25 to date? What compliance rates have been demonstrated by the scheme across this period? And how do the number of cases and compliance rates achieved compare to 2023/24?

The Acting Assistant Chief Constable confirmed that, historically, Sussex Police have not experienced an increase in reports of ASB when the clocks change in the autumn months, although the potential fear of crime that may be created by the impending longer and darker evenings was recognised by the Force.

The NPTs throughout Sussex are responsible for providing a proactive policing response and problem-solving approach to the challenges that may exist around ASB at this time of year to ensure that local residents and businesses continue to have trust and confidence in the ability of the Force to respond to any reports received. It was emphasised that the end of daylight savings time coincides with the beginning of the half-term school holidays for many areas in Sussex this year, with Halloween also occurring during the middle of the week. The Force plan to address this specific aspect through increased visibility, enhanced hotspot patrol activity and proactive campaigns through social media.

The Acting Assistant Chief Constable encouraged any individuals who have or are currently experiencing ASB to report this to Sussex Police because this information enables the Force to understand better any emerging trends and patterns that can be addressed and, in some cases, used to identify more serious criminality that may be taking place alongside this.

It is recognised that ASB can impact victims – either as individuals, groups or communities – or be centred around a specific location and can, at times, be mistakenly dismissed as ‘low-level’ offending. The challenge for the Force is to see beyond an isolated incident or a series of incidents and, instead, identify patterns of repetitive, persistent or entrenched behaviours that intensify over time.

The importance of focusing on the impact of the harm caused when contact is first made with the Force was also acknowledged, linking in with the most appropriate multi-agency partner at the earliest possible opportunity to reduce the impact of the behaviour and put preventative measures in place to try and address the offending behaviour at source. If ASB is not addressed in a timely manner, it can have a devastating impact on the lives of individuals, families and communities.

Sussex Police has adopted a harm-centred approach to ASB which focuses on the exact harm being caused, rather than the offending behaviour being reported. This includes applying a problem-solving approach to crime reduction – using the principles of scanning, analysis, response and assessment (SARA) – to identify and protect those being caused harm. This approach is based on the idea that the underlying problems within an area that lead to crime and disorder should be addressed and involves the collation and analysis of data about this crime or disorder problem to reduce the ASB.

ASB and Hate Crime Coordinators within the Force use the Threat, Harm, Risk, Investigation, Vulnerability and Engagement (THRIVE) risk-assessment to research and assess the level of ASB, identify repeat or persistent victims and/or locations, including considerations around previous contact to determine the severity and immediacy of the policing response required, and ensure that a proportionate response is provided.

Sussex Police also use the nationally recognised problem-solving approach – CHEERS – to define a recurring set of related harmful events in a community that members of the public expect the police service to address. This includes the six required elements of a problem as follows: community; harm; expectation; events; recurring, and similarity.

The Acting Assistant Chief Constable confirmed that there are currently 29 specific ‘hotspot’ locations in Sussex which are each recognised to have above average levels of ASB and violence and, as such, remain subject to increased policing activity. These areas were identified through data analytics as being the locations in Sussex which had relatively high concentrations of crime and represented the highest risk of harm across the county.

KB was pleased to note that Sussex Police delivered more than 10,000 hours of dedicated patrol activity across these 29 hotspot locations between April and September 2024 which resulted in almost 20% fewer reports of ASB and serious violence crimes recorded, compared to the same [six-month] period the year before.

The improvements made to public contact and crime recording processes in recent months are recognised to provide victims of crime with a better service and greater access to victim support services, including Victim Support and Safe Space Sussex, when these offences are recorded as a crime and/or the victim is identified as being vulnerable. Further information about both service providers can be viewed through the following links: https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/resources/sussex/

https://www.safespacesussex.org.uk/

Sussex Police has a wide-ranging plan around communications to provide reassurance to members of the public when there is an increase of crime and/or ASB within a specific area. This includes the use of District Engagement Officers to scan, review and assess different media channels and platforms to understand local sentiment and identify any concentrated issues that are causing tensions before directing the Neighbourhood Policing Teams to target these locations and hotspots where the ASB is most prevalent. The Force also use directed patrol activity to provide an enhanced visible policing presence within communities, via foot patrols, at specific times and locations to maximise community engagement activity.

Sussex Police also has 9 Digital Engagement Officers to support and direct police engagement with local communities and groups using social media channels, online platforms and messaging systems, including Facebook, Instagram and X [formally known as Twitter]. There are two of these officers on Brighton & Hove Division, three on East Sussex Division and four on West Sussex Division.

The Force also has circa. 30 Neighbourhood Youth Officers (NYOs) who remain focused on delivering preventative initiatives to support the policing response provided to children and young people, in secondary school settings, to strengthen the approach demonstrated in this area further still.

Further information about what ASB is and what individuals can do about it can be viewed on the Sussex Police website through the following link:

https://www.sussex.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/asb/asb/antisocial-behaviour/

The Acting Assistant Chief Constable confirmed that Sussex Police managed 125 Immediate Justice cases in 2023/24, with 111 of these relating to children and young people [89%] and 14 relating to adults [11%]. A compliance rate of 82% was achieved for those who have fully completed their reparative activity.

N.B. Most of the referrals to the Immediate Justice programme in Sussex came through the existing out of court disposal framework used by Sussex Police, including community resolutions and conditional cautions.

Across 2024/25 to date, Sussex Police has managed a further 195 Immediate Justice cases, with 157 of these relating to children and young people [81%] and 38 relating to adults [19%]. A compliance rate of 86% has already been achieved for those who have fully completed their reparative activity which is recognised to be four percent more than the compliance rate recorded for 2023/24.

In total, Sussex Police has managed 320 Immediate Justice cases, with 268 of these relating to children and young people [84%] and 52 relating to adults [16%]. A combined compliance rate of 84% has been achieved for those who have fully completed their reparative activity in Sussex.

KNIFE AMNESTY – SURRENDER AND COMPENSATION SCHEME

Last month [24 September 2024], new legislation came into force which banned the possession of zombie-style knives and machetes as part of a new law created by the [previous] Government.

Prior to the legislation being enacted, individuals in England and Wales were urged to surrender these weapons to police stations as part of a national scheme where they would not be arrested or face prosecution and may have been eligible to receive compensation. Surrender bins were also made available for anyone who wanted to remain anonymous.

1. For the benefit of the viewers, what changes have been made to the legislation in place around zombie-style knives and machetes?
2. What message do you have for anyone who may still be in possession of these weapons now that it is illegal to possess them? And what potential sanctions could individuals face for being caught in possession of these weapons?
3. How many zombie-style knives and machetes were surrendered across Sussex following the commencement of the knife amnesty on 26 August 2024? And what types of other weapons were recovered through this process?
4. Are members of the public still able to surrender any weapons that may be held? If so, where are the designated police stations in Sussex where these knives and machetes can be surrendered? And what advice can you give to members of the public about how to package these weapons and bring them in safely?

The Chief Constable began by recognising that knife crime can have serious and tragic consequences for victims, families, friends, and local communities. It was also highlighted that any knife held in the wrong hands can be used to kill or seriously injure other individuals, regardless of whether it is categorised as a zombie-style knife or machete, and that a Stanley knife, vegetable knife, screwdriver, or any other bladed instrument can have equally serious repercussions if used inappropriately.

On 24 September 2024, zombie-style knives and machetes were added to the list of prohibited weapons in the Criminal Justice Act 1988 as part of Government crackdown on the possession and selling of dangerous weapons with no legitimate purpose. The new legislation is recognised to have extended the offence of possession that was already in place around knives in a public place and now makes it illegal to possess these weapons in a private place.

It was explained that ‘zombie-style’ is the street name given to weapons which are over 8 inches in length and often have a serrated edge, spikes or more than two sharp points.

Further information about the changes to the legislation can be viewed through the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/zombie-style-knives-banned#:~:text=Zombie%2Dstyle%20knives%20and%20machetes%20have%20this%20week%20(24%20September,weapons%20with%20no%20legitimate%20purpose.

The consequences of being found in possession of a zombie-style knife or machete now means that individuals could be sentenced to a maximum of four years in prison and an unlimited fine, alongside the provision of a criminal record that may prevent individuals from travelling to certain countries worldwide [including the United States of America and Canada]. It was also emphasised that ‘self-protection’ is not recognised to be a valid defence for carrying a zombie style knife, machete or other bladed item. It was highlighted that an automatic prison sentence is handed to anyone convicted twice of carrying a knife, and that you could get the same sentence if someone you are with uses a knife while you are with them.

Sussex Police continue to encourage members of the public to dispose of any dangerous or unwanted knives and blades safely and anonymously in the knife amnesty bins located in police stations across Sussex. These bins are available all year round and no questions will be asked of the individual disposing of the weapon(s) nor will there be any consequences for doing so.

The Chief Constable confirmed that more than 150 knives and machetes were surrendered in these amnesty bins across Sussex throughout the duration of the scheme [26 August – 23 September 2024], although not all these weapons were recognised to have met the Home Office criteria. Any weapons that were surrendered locally were checked for evidence [i.e., blood and fingerprints] to confirm that they had not been used in any unsolved offences committed in the county previously before they were professionally destroyed.

Members of the public who may still be in possession of zombie-style knives, machetes or any other dangerous and unwanted weapons and want to surrender these items were asked to ensure that these articles are properly wrapped and packaged before they are safely brought into one of the dedicated police stations in Sussex. The list of locations where these knives and blades can be surrendered includes [alphabetical order] Battle; Bexhill; Bognor Regis; Brighton; Chichester; Crawley; Crowborough; Eastbourne; Hailsham; Hastings; Littlehampton; Midhurst; Rye; Shoreham; Steyning and Worthing. Further information about the Sussex Police response to violence and knife crime can be viewed through the following link:

https://www.sussex.police.uk/police-forces/sussex-police/areas/campaigns/campaigns/serious-violence/

The Chief Constable concluded by stating that the individuals who surrendered these items previously were also able to claim compensation under the national knife amnesty scheme, although the confirmed number of knives that were accepted and the amount of compensation that was paid out to individuals in Sussex is still awaited from the Home Office.

ACTION: KB would like to know how many of the knives surrendered in Sussex throughout the duration of the national knife amnesty scheme were accepted by the Home Office, and the amount of compensation that was paid out to these individuals. 

HMICFRS – AN INSPECTION INTO ACTIVISM AND IMPARTIALITY IN POLICING

Last month [10 September 2024], His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) published an inspection report on the extent to which police involvement in politically contested matters may be having an impact on operational policing, by influencing policing policy, priorities and practice.

1. What guidance is currently made available to police officers and staff across the Force to provide them with greater clarity around the impartiality duty?
2. What work is undertaken by Sussex Police to assess how effective the workforce is at maintaining impartiality?
3. What guidance and direction is given to the workforce about wearing and displaying visible representations, including badges, patches on uniforms, lanyards, flags, signage on police vehicles and digital badges on online profiles?
4. HMICFRS highlighted inconsistencies in the way that police forces have responded to the Code of Practice for Non-Crime Hate Incidents (NCHI) and the implementation of the associated authorised professional practice (APP). Has Sussex Police adopted the APP? How effective is the Force at the assessment and recording of, and response to, hate-related incidents? And how is the information and intelligence from these NCHIs used to identify vulnerable individuals, those being victimised, and anyone who may need safeguarding?
5. HMICFRS made 22 recommendations to provide clarity for police forces to be, and appear to be, impartial, and to improve the public trust and confidence in the ability of the police to respond effectively when involved in politically contested matters. What plans are in place to progress the 8 recommendations identified for chief constables and police forces?

The Chief Constable confirmed that Sussex Police have considered the findings from the HMICFRS report thoroughly because of the importance that is placed on the police service in terms of being seen to be impartial and acting with impartiality, both internally [amongst the workforce] and externally [amongst the communities the force serves].  

The inspection took place between October and December 2023, with fieldwork carried out in 12 police force areas across England and Wales, including Sussex Police. The publication of the report provided the Force with an opportunity to reflect on and consider the ethical questions raised by HMICFRS to ascertain where the Force is at in terms of its ability to increase public confidence around the policing style used locally, actions taken, and the ongoing perceptions around being seen to be impartial and acting with impartiality. A copy of the report can be viewed through the following link:

https://hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/publications/activism-and-impartiality-in-policing/

It was highlighted that a Culture & Standards Board sets the strategic direction for Sussex Police in this important area with operational practices, procedures and guidance cascaded to rest of the workforce to ensure a consistency of approach. This is further supported by an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Policy and which ensures that individuals are treated fairly, respectfully and with impartiality, alongside the Code of Ethics and Code of Practice for Ethical Policing which provides practical direction around promoting and supporting ethical and professional behaviour within police forces.

Additional support is provided through the EDI RAPID Board which provides advice and guidance to line managers and supervisors, and the Race Action Plan which ensures that police officers, staff and PCSOs remain impartial [and unbiased] when making any operational policing decisions. Individual integrity reviews are also undertaken with the workforce as part of 1-2-1 meetings which focus on the importance of being seen to be impartial and acting with impartiality all times.

It was highlighted that the Deputy Chief Constable has overall responsibility for ensuring that the organisational strategy around this area is routinely delivered by frontline officers and staff and for assessing how effective the workforce is at maintaining this impartiality through the different boards, policies, plans and meetings in place to promote this throughout the Force.

The Chief Constable recognised the subjective decision-making that exists around this area of policing and acknowledged the comments made in the inspection report that “Forces find it difficult to maintain the appearance of impartiality. It is not always easy to assess whether the police are being impartial. It is even harder to judge how effectively forces maintain the appearance of impartiality. There are differing perceptions of what impartiality is across various groups and communities.”

It was reiterated that Sussex Police will continue to endeavour to be impartial and being seen to act with impartiality across all areas of policing in an open and transparent manner, maintaining the highest standards of honesty and integrity as part of this process. It was also emphasised that whilst the Force will not always get things right in this challenging area, it remains committed to learning from and reflecting on these experiences to try and improve the policing response provided to the residents in Sussex.

Sussex Police celebrates and welcomes all forms of individualism, with police officers, staff and PCSOs recruited to the Force for who they are, what they stand for and how they represent local communities, and that all members of the workforce are encouraged to be themselves whilst undertaking their professional duties.

The Chief Constable confirmed that the workforce is provided with clear policies, guidance and direction around the use of visible representations as a form of communication and expression, to show membership and support of specific groups, create a sense of belonging and community, and to reflect their beliefs and affiliations. This includes highlighting some of the badges, lanyards and patches on uniforms which would not be appropriate in terms of maintaining an appearance of impartiality, accepting that these judgements can often be subjective too.

Sussex Police and Surrey Police have a joint Uniform Policy which applies to all uniformed staff and is guided by the Code of Ethics and Code of Practice for Ethical Policing. The policy confirms that police officers are permitted to wear small badges and pins on their clothing, whether this is uniform or not, providing that this does not support an identified political party; support any proscribed organisation; contain any symbol or other material that is racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, violent, crude, lewd, rude, is associated with crime or gangs or is intimidating.

It was also highlighted that the placing of any such badge, pin or flag should not obscure any other fixed thing or required element of the item of clothing. For example, a small pin should not be placed on a police badge, or on the blue and silver chequered band on body armour. It should also not damage any police property, must be capable of being easily removed and must not be too large nor interfere with the operation of that item of clothing. Further information about the policy can be viewed through the following link:

https://www.sussex.police.uk/SysSiteAssets/foi-media/sussex/policies/uniform-policy-surrey-and-sussex-1219.pdf

The Chief Constable confirmed that Sussex Police has adopted the authorised professional practice (APP) around the Code of Practice for Non-Crime Hate Incidents (NCHIs) and that the workforce is required to complete a mandatory National Centre for Applied Learning Technologies (NCALT) package around this area of policing.

It was also highlighted that any NCHIs recorded by the Force are subject to formal validation by the Crime Management Unit, and that any risk assessments created as a result are reviewed by the ASB and Hate Crime Coordinators on each of the policing divisions to identify any vulnerable individuals, those being victimised, and anyone who may need safeguarding. This process is further supported by the creation of bespoke flags and markers on the police records management system as required. This approach is also recognised to be contributing positively towards the delivery of a consistent and improved policing response throughout Sussex. KB was reassured to note that the safeguarding of victims continues to remain an intrinsic and integral part of the policing response delivered in this important area.

The Chief Constable explained that Sussex Police is recognised to be one of the more progressive police force areas in England and Wales in terms of the information that is recorded around crimes and incidents locally, including shared access to data held by other partner agencies. The Force uses Power BI – an interactive data visualisation software product – to identify, map and analyse all the crimes and incidents recorded in Sussex, alongside the proactive identification of any hotspots that may exist across the county where there is an increased prevalence of offending behaviour and/or any apparent increase in community tensions.

Sussex Police has assessed each of the 8 recommendations identified for chief constables and police forces in the HMICFRS report to provide clarity for forces to be, and appear to be, impartial, and to improve the public trust and confidence in the ability of the police to respond effectively when involved in politically contested matters.

KB was reassured to note that these recommendations have been allocated to the most appropriate individuals within the Force to progress, with action plans developed and governance structures in place to address each of these recommendations within the prescribed timescales. It was also highlighted that the Force has already addressed 88% of the recommendations [7/8] with updates submitted through the Monitoring Portal which are now awaiting formal sign-off from HMICFRS.

The only area that currently remains outstanding is Recommendation 20:

By 31 March 2025, forces should make sure they clearly define in policies the requirements for recording personal data for non-crime hate incidents. If the force approach differs from ‘Non-Crime Hate Incidents: Code of Practice on the Recording and Retention of Personal Data’, the force should record the rationale for this.

The Force will continue to monitor the progress made against this recommendation through the Organisational Reassurance Board until this is marked as completed.

NEXT UP:

The next Performance & Accountability Meeting is on Friday, 15 November 2024 at 13:00. Further information can be viewed through the following link:

www.sussex-pcc.gov.uk/about/how-we-work/watch-live/

PERFORMANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY MEETING                                                   

DATE:           15 November 2024

LOCATION:  Sackville House, Lewes

PRESENT:    

Police & Crime Commissioner – Katy Bourne [KB]

Chief Executive Officer – Mark Streater

Chief Constable – Jo Shiner

Temporary Assistant Chief Constable – Steve Rayland  

Correspondence and Admin Officer – Elliot Saunders [webcasting]

Head of Performance – Graham Kane [retrospective notes]

 

DISCLOSURE AND BARRING SERVICE CHECKS: REVISTED

My office continues to receive contact from individuals and organisations who have applied for checks from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Many of these checks are completed by Sussex Police [on behalf of the DBS], although I am aware that the Force is currently taking longer than the 60-calendar day target to review and undertake the checks required, with some applications taking more than 100 calendar days to complete.

These delays are recognised to be having a detrimental impact on both the applicants and employers who require these disclosures and continues to remain an area of focus and concern for me in my role as Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner.

1. How long are Sussex Police currently taking to process these applications? What are the current delays to these checks attributed to in Sussex? And what is the Force doing to improve these processing times?
2. Earlier this year, Sussex Police secured additional funding from the DBS to recruit a further four posts within the team, plus a dedicated training post, to help the Force to meet the sustained and continued increase in demand. What difference are these additional posts having on the ability of the team to process applications in a timelier manner and reduce the current backlog?
3. How many outstanding cases does Sussex Police currently have? And how many of these checks are more than 25 / 60 / 100 calendar days old?
4. What additional resources do you need to clear this backlog / meet the current volume of checks received moving forward? When do you expect that the time taken to complete these checks will return to the target levels?
5. How can members of the public check on the status of their DBS applications? And what is the process for registering a ‘hardship’ escalation if the delay to an application is causing an applicant financial difficulties?

The Chief Constable recognised that the current performance of Sussex Police in respect of DBS checks was “not good enough” and acknowledged the significant and adverse impact being felt by those individuals who work with vulnerable adults, children or both in educational, healthcare and voluntary sectors and are continuing to wait for outstanding applications to be completed and returned.

As was highlighted at the Performance & Accountability Meeting (PAM) in May 2024, the DBS is responsible for the overall delivery of these checks nationally, with the role of Sussex Police to provide local support for a specific element of this process. The DBS is a national service provided by a non-departmental public body and funded by the Home Office. All requests for enhanced checks are submitted to the central DBS in the first instance, rather than individual police force areas.

The checks where no information is held on police systems are answered directly by the DBS, without referral to local police forces, and can be turned around very quickly. Those requests which identify results held on local police systems and/or the Police National Computer (PNC) are sent to local forces to complete on behalf of the DBS.

Sussex Police is currently processing DBS checks within an average time of 92 days from receipt of the applications. This is recognised to be considerably more than the 60-day target suggested for police forces in England and Wales to complete these checks within [as an upper limit]. It was emphasised that this position has been negatively impacted by a historical decision taken by the Force to prioritise the outstanding applications in chronological order from when they were first received to try and reduce the backlog. This approach is recognised to have contributed to the average day figure appearing far greater than it is.

It was also highlighted that 48% of all DBS applications received in Sussex are still being completed within 15 days of receipt for less complex cases where there is either no information held about an individual on the police records management system used by the Force and/or where any information held is recognised to be irrelevant in respect of the application received.  

KB provided some further context for members of the public by explaining that 7.4million DBS checks were processed by all police forces areas in England and Wales across 2023/24, with an average turnaround time of 12.2 days recorded for these checks nationally.

At the start of each financial year, the DBS forecast the likely demand on all police forces in England and Wales in relation to the number of checks anticipated to be requested. This projection is used to determine the resourcing levels locally, with funding based on the estimated demand. In recent years, however, Sussex Police has experienced a significant increase in requests for DBS checks, with the demand for these checks now having overtaken the capacity of the Force to complete these checks within a reasonable timescale which is contributing towards some of the delays in the progression of these applications that is currently being experienced.

The Force has been working “incredibly hard” to try and both recruit individuals into the team and to provide these individuals with the necessary training required to undertake these checks independently. The resourcing, recruitment and retention of experienced and skilled staff within this team is recognised to be the main contributing factor behind the increased average times to process these applications in Sussex, with the unit having experienced a higher-than-expected turnover of staff in recent months which has compounded these resourcing issues further still and remains an ongoing challenge.

Sussex Police have introduced several measures to try and attract applicants for the vacant positions within the team and to reduce the amount of staff attrition in this area. The Head of Information Management for the Force is continuing to ensure that the team responsible for undertaking the DBS checks feel valued and have the right working environment in place to review these applications in an efficient and effective manner. This is position is supported further by the provision of appropriate line management and supervision to try and improve the working culture and morale that exists within the team.

The introduction of case management software is anticipated to assist Sussex Police with making improvements to its response times for DBS applications by enabling more efficient and effective processes to be created within the team using automation. KB was pleased to note that the purchase of this software has been expedited, although concerns were raised that this technology is not expected to be implemented within the Force until April 2025.

In the meantime, the Force is continuing to proactively engage with the DBS Strategy and Compliance Unit regarding its performance in this area and has now created a detailed recovery plan to try and improve its response times for processing DBS applications, utilising best practice that has been identified within other police force areas throughout the country.

The Chief Constable confirmed that Sussex Police currently has an establishment of 21 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) posts who are responsible for completing these DBS checks. However, only 8 FTE individuals are fully trained at present, with a further seven FTE individuals still being trained and unable to complete these applications independently.

The Force has also recruited five additional individuals into the team since April 2024 [that are currently being progressed through vetting], although this position has been offset by the resignation of five caseworkers, two further individuals transferring to specialist posts within the Information Access Team and a vacant post that has been created by an individual embarking on maternity leave. As such, there are currently six FTE vacancies being held in the team.

KB was pleased to note that Sussex Police has successfully completed the recruitment of a further four individuals into these caseworker roles, with a further recruitment process currently ongoing to try and fill the other two vacant posts within the team. Further information about this role can be viewed through the following link:

https://www.lumesse-engage.com/policejobssurreyandsussex/job-search/?

The Force has introduced some temporary arrangements to try and increase the capacity of the team to respond to these DBS applications in the short-term. This has comprised making amendments to the triage processes in place by reversing the chronological system used previously to start responding to those applications received within the past five days. This is anticipated to reduce the number of complaints and hardship cases received, alongside reducing the overall backlog of applications held.

Internal staff from the Force Intelligence Bureau and the Information Access Team will also be seconded into the team to provide additional resources to complete the more simplistic checks, alongside the continued use of paid overtime for existing staff and outsourcing some checks to other Lincolnshire Police and Warwickshire Police to enable the unit to respond to newer applications faster and to work towards improving its overall average timescales.

Sussex Police currently has a backlog of more than 12,500 applications to process as of 11 November 2024, with month-on-month increases in the number of ‘live’ cases recorded by the Force since the summer months. Of those requests received, it was highlighted that almost 6,900 applications are currently more than 60 days old and almost 3,800 applications are more than 100 days old.

Applicants can track the progress of their standard or enhanced DBS applications using the online tracking service. Individuals will need their application reference number and date of birth to access this service through the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/track-a-dbs-application

It was also highlighted that where the delays to a DBS application are causing an applicant financial difficulties or are starting to have a personal impact [60 days or more], the applicant can apply to the DBS directly to register for a ‘hardship’ escalation.

To make a hardship escalation, the individual will need to telephone 03000 200 190 or send an email to customerservices@dbs.gsi.gov.uk for consideration. The individual will need to explain to the DBS that they cannot work without their certificate and that they are currently experiencing financial hardship as a direct result.

Where the DBS grant applicants this status, Sussex Police will respond expeditiously to prioritise these applications, and usually within 24-48 hours. N.B. Please note that the individual who has submitted the original DBS application is the only person who can request a hardship escalation.

The Chief Constable concluded by stating that it remains the aspiration of Sussex Police to complete all DBS checks received as soon as is practicable, although it was not recognised to be helpful to try and predict when the time taken to complete these checks is expected to return to the target levels locally.

ACTION: The Chief Constable requested an opportunity to check the backlog figures provided for DBS applications at the PAM on 17 May 2024.

ACTION: KB agreed to revisit Disclosure and Barring Service checks at the PAM on 16 January 2025 to understand better what progress has been made by the Force to improve performance in this area.

EARLY RELEASE SCHEME

 

Last month [22 October 2024], the Government confirmed that it would be releasing more than 1,200 additional prisoners early, as part of its emergency plan to ease overcrowding in the prisons throughout England and Wales.

1. What impact is the Early Release Scheme continuing to have on Sussex Police and the Integrated Offender Management Team within?
2. How many additional prisoners are set to be released from prison early back into the communities of Sussex as part of the latest Government announcement? What is the projected number of prisoners set to be released from prison early via the End of Custody Supervised License Scheme in Sussex for the remainder of 2024/25? And how many prisoners have now been released from prison early since the scheme first began in October 2023?
3. How is the Force continuing to prepare for and work with criminal justice partners to manage the early release of these prisoners, alongside the ongoing supervision of these individuals in local communities following their release?
4. The recent Ministry of Justice decision taken to cap the number of crown court sitting days in England and Wales is anticipated to have a detrimental impact on victims who face further delays for trial dates. What impact do you anticipate this latest decision will have on the confidence of victims and witnesses to report crimes to Sussex Police and the, subsequent, support for progressing these offences through the criminal justice system?

The Chief Constable confirmed that the Early Release Scheme [formally known as the End of Custody Supervised License Scheme] was first introduced in October 2023 to tackle overcrowding in the prisons throughout England and Wales and to ensure that the prison estate still has capacity for the individuals who present the greatest risk to members of the public.

Following its introduction last year, a mandate was initially created for prisoners to be released up to 18 days early as part of this scheme, with these timescales extended to up to 35 days in March 2024 and up to 70 days in May 2024.

In September 2024, the scheme was renamed the Standard Determinate Sentences 40% (SDS40) Early Release Scheme to allow certain prisoners serving a standard determinate sentence to be released from prison on license after competing 40% of their sentences, subject to predetermined eligibility criteria, through two separate tranches:  

• Tranche 1 – comprised 1,889 eligible prisoners who had served sentences of ‘less than five years’ in prison, with these individuals released on 10 September 2024.
• Tranche 2 – comprised 1,223 eligible prisoners having served sentences of ‘five years or more’ in prison, with these individuals released on 22 October 2024.

Further information about the two tranches can be viewed through the following link: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/672b9306094e4e60c466d247/Transparency_data_-_SDS40_tranches_1_and_2_day_one.pdf

The Chief Constable stated that Sussex Police “do not underestimate” the impact that is being felt by victims and witnesses following the early release of some prisoners through this scheme nationally and highlighted the complexities that exist for the Force and other partner agencies in terms of managing the early release of prisoner through these different schemes and the individual tranches contained within.

As was highlighted at the PAM in July 2024, Sussex Police already work proactively with His Majesty's Prison & Probation Service to ensure that the Force is sighted on those individuals who are due to be released early so that preventative measures can be put in place to manage any risks identified, prevent reoffending behaviour and, more importantly, to keep victims safe.

Managing the release of prisoners back into the communities of Sussex is acknowledged to be business as usual for the Integrated Offender Management (IOM) Team within Sussex Police and the additional demand created by the scheme having been extended is not currently presenting the Force with any significant issues, other than the coordination of specific policing activity around the individual surge release dates.

KB was informed that 32 prisoners were released from prison early in Sussex through tranche 1 of SDS40 [in September 2024], with a further 20 prisoners released through tranche 2 of the same scheme in October 2024. Since October 2023, 302 prisoners have been released from prison early on license back into the communities of Sussex, with 58 individuals having reoffended to date [19% reoffending rate]. It was also highlighted that a further 178 individuals are projected to be released from prison early in Sussex across the calendar year of 2025, with most of these individuals anticipated to be released as part of the SDS40 Early Release Scheme.

Sussex Police are part of a monthly Multi Agency Case Conference (MACC) on each policing division with a range of different criminal justice partners, including the Prison Service, Probation Service, Sussex Pathways, homeless charities and other support services. This forum ensures that all relevant information around those individuals who are being released back into the communities of Sussex can be collated, prepared and shared with partners ahead of any planned release dates. The overarching impact of this increased workload is currently being managed through the Reducing Reoffending Board workstream of the Sussex Criminal Justice Board (SCJB).

The Force has continued to maintain its communication with all internal and external stakeholders through a coordinated response plan, named Operation Drakeful. It was also recognised that whilst each of these support services are understood to be stretched by the additional demand created by the Early Release Scheme, no significant issues have been reported to date in respect of the local arrangements in place to manage this.

As was highlighted previously, the Probation Service is recognised to be the lead agency responsible for assessing and managing the release of individuals who present a lower risk back into local communities. This includes identifying the provisions required to support these individuals in this process and whether any additional measures are necessary to try and prevent reoffending.

KB was reassured to note that a robust governance structure is in place to manage the early release of these prisoners throughout the Force. Sussex Police are continuing to monitor the number of prisoners released from prison early at Daily Management Meetings, alongside any reoffending behaviour committed by these individuals and the associated reoffending rates for these cohorts. This will include proactive and targeted policing activity where any information and/or intelligence about criminal offending is identified to tackle this at the earliest possible opportunity. This approach will also ensure that the Force has the necessary information required to provide accurate feedback about the impact this national scheme is having locally.

The importance of updating all victims about the planned early release of any prisoners was, again, recognised, with these updates currently provided by the Probation Service via a combination of letter, telephone and face-to-face meetings. Further information about the range of support services available to victims of crime in Sussex can be viewed on the Victim Support website through the following link:

https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/resources/sussex/

The Chief Constable stated that the courts in Sussex are recognised to be some of the “best performing” nationally in terms of their court listings and availability. As such, the recent decision taken by the Ministry of Justice to reduce the number of crown court sitting days throughout England and Wales, including within the South East, to try and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of other court areas nationally, was recognised to have a detrimental impact on court listings in Sussex,

In response to this revised position, the Witness Care Unit within the Force will continue to support all victims and witnesses in Sussex who may now face further delays whilst they wait for trial dates to be confirmed and/or see their scheduled trials deferred to a later date with the overall aim of trying secure positive outcomes for those individuals involved and to bring more offenders to justice.

KB expressed her own personal “frustrations” at the decision that has been taken nationally with Sussex “effectively being penalised for its better performance and being forced to wait while others [court areas] catch up.” It was also highlighted that subject to the discussions at next month’s SCJB meeting, KB intends to write to the Secretary of State for Justice to express her displeasure at the decision taken to reduce the number of court listings in Sussex on behalf of all victims and witnesses in the county.

ACTION: KB to write to the Secretary of State for Justice to express her displeasure at the decision taken to reduce the number of court listings in Sussex on behalf of all victims and witnesses in the county.

 

PREVENTION OF DEATHS IN POLICE CUSTODY

Last month [17 October 2024], the Independent Office for Police Conduct confirmed that 24 individuals died either in or following police detention during 2023/24. This was the highest figure recorded nationally for 17 years.

The number of individuals to die in apparent suicides after being released from police custody also reached a 9-year high, with a further 68 deaths recorded. The total, which included deaths that took place within two days of being released from custody, increased by 14 from the previous year [to 68], when 54 suicides were recorded.

1. How many, if any, of these deaths in police custody or immediately following release from police detention were recorded in Sussex? And what were the circumstances surrounding these deaths?
2. What measures are in place in Sussex to divert vulnerable individuals away from police custody? And are there adequate risk assessment procedures in place to prevent deaths in custody and following release?
3. What support is provided to detainees at risk of suicide in Sussex throughout the custody journey and at the point of release?
4. In recognition of the fact that the police service is not best placed to safeguard detainees following release from custody, how is the Force working with partners, including local authorities and voluntary service organisations, to connect detainees with appropriate support services in a timely manner?
5. Does Sussex Police have a policy in place to review and embed any organisational learning identified following a death in police custody or any near misses? If so, how does this process work in practice?

 

The Temporary Assistant Chief Constable began by highlighting that any death in police custody or immediately following release from police detention is recognised to have a long-lasting and significant impact on the families and friends of the individuals involved. It was also acknowledged that the individual circumstances surrounding each of these deaths should be thoroughly reviewed and investigated as appropriate.

Any deaths that occur in Sussex Police custody, take place immediately following release from police detention [within two days] or have a causational factor linked to the time spent in police custody [again, within two days] are proactively referred by the Force to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) for investigation, in line with their national guidance.

KB was reassured to note that no individuals died in police custody in Sussex during 2023/24, although 7 individuals were found to have died following apparent suicides after being released from police detention in Sussex across the same period. Two of these individuals were female [29%] and five of these individuals were male [71%], with all these previous detainees having declared their ethnicity as White British. It was also recognised that each of these individuals had mental health-related issues and/or were vulnerable because of mental health conditions, and that there was no positive correlation or pattern of offences that these individuals were being held in custody for.

Sussex Police have a range of measures and activities in place to prevent the risk of suicide throughout the time individuals spend in police custody and to divert vulnerable individuals away from criminal activity [and a return to police custody] at the point of release. This includes providing all individuals who are detained by the police with access to outsourced liaison and diversion services whilst they are held in custody to identify whether any additional and/or complex needs exist. This also extends to supporting these individuals to address any preexisting issues such as homelessness, substance misuse and mental health-related conditions.

Alongside these provisions, the custody sergeants in each of the five custody centres throughout Sussex [Brighton, Crawley, Eastbourne, Hastings and Worthing] receive specialist training around the monitoring, triaging and risk assessing the safeguarding and welfare needs of the individual detainees held in police custody to ensure that a “safe detention” is delivered whilst the facts surrounding the offences the individuals have been arrested for can be established and investigated. 

The IOPC will review all referrals made to them about deaths that occur in police custody, take place immediately following release from police detention or have a causational factor linked to the time spent in police custody before making a decision as to whether an independent investigation should be undertaken, or whether the circumstances surrounding the death should be investigated by the Force locally.

Should the IOPC retain responsibility for this investigation, the non-departmental public body will work with the Professional Standards Department (PSD) within each police force area to understand better the facts and circumstances surrounding the death, before compiling a final written report that is shared with the coroner. Any organisational learning opportunities identified are shared with the individual police force for review, consideration and implementation as appropriate. In Sussex, any recommendations identified through this oversight process are monitored through the Organisational Reassurance Board, chaired by the Deputy Chief Constable.

This same practice is also completed for any investigations that are referred to the Force to complete [alongside any near misses] to improve the safeguarding arrangements in place around police custody and to try and prevent any further deaths from occurring in police custody and/or immediately following release from police detention.

The Temporary Assistant Chief Constable provided KB with assurances that Sussex Police provide support to all bereaved families following any deaths that occur in police custody, take place immediately following release from police detention or have a causational factor linked to the time spent in police custody.

This accountability includes the investigators from within PSD making contact with the families to provide them with further information about the circumstances surrounding the deaths and any actions that were taken and/or not taken, alongside seeking to understand better any learning that may be highlighted by them which could be used to improve further the services provided to members of the public in Sussex and secure public trust and confidence in the police response.

The Office of the Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner (OSPCC) manages approximately 40 dedicated volunteers who undertake unannounced visits to each of the five custody centres in Sussex at varying times of the day and night to ensure that those detained in police custody are being properly cared for in accordance with the Police & Criminal Evidence Act 1984 [and the associated codes of practice].

The Independent Custody Visiting (ICV) Scheme is a statutory function for all Police & Crime Commissioners in England and Wales and exists to uphold the dignity, rights, entitlements and welfare of those individuals detained in police custody. After each visit is completed, the pair of ICVs complete a short, written report about their findings which is passed to the ICV Scheme Manager for consideration and action as appropriate.

Further information about the role, work and remit of the ICV Scheme in Sussex can be viewed on the OSPCC website through the following link:

https://www.sussex-pcc.gov.uk/get-involved/independent-custody-visitors/independent-custody-visiting-scheme/

 

CODE OF ETHICS AND CODE OF PRACTICE FOR ETHICAL POLICING

Earlier this year [24 January 2024], the College of Policing launched a new Code of Ethics and Code of Practice for Ethical Policing to provide chief officers with direction on promoting and supporting ethical and professional behaviour within their police forces.

1. Has Sussex Police now fully implemented and embedded the new Codes throughout the Force?
2. What impact has the introduction of these Codes had on Sussex Police in terms of promoting and supporting ethical and professional behaviour? And how is the Force monitoring and measuring performance against these?
3. As discussed at the PAM in February 2024, the Code of Practice also sets out the specific expectations for how chief officers should lead and organise their forces to support the positive reinforcement and development of ethical and professional behaviour and policing practice. What action has been taken within Sussex Police to ensure that:

 

1. Ethical and professional behaviour exists within the Force.
2. Unprofessional behaviour is challenged throughout the Force.
3. Staff welfare is understood and managed across the Force.
4. Continued professional development occurs throughout the Force.
5. Misconduct is recognised and responded to across the Force.
6. Openness and candour exist within the Force.

 

The Chief Constable explained that the Code of Ethics and Code of Practice for Ethical Policing replaced the previous versions which had been used by the police service since 2014. The new Code of Ethics consists of the Ethical Policing Principles and Guidance for Ethical and Professional Behaviour, which are both supported by a new Code of Practice for Ethical Policing.

There are three ethical policing principles that everyone involved in policing must now commit to – courage, respect and empathy and public service – as follows:

• Courage – making, communicating and being accountable for decisions, and standing against anything that could bring our profession into disrepute.
• Respect and empathy – encouraging, listening to and understanding the views of others, and seeking to recognise and respond to the physical, mental and emotional challenges that we and other people may face.
• Public service – working in the public interest, fostering public trust and confidence and taking pride in providing an excellent service to the public.

These principles have clearly defined expectations and practical advice to support individuals to “do the right things, in the right way, for the right reasons” and are recognised to be more straightforward and easier to use than the former set of guidelines which resulted in many police force areas taking the decision to develop their own values and standards of behaviour for their individual workforces. This revised and consistent approach also now includes a renewed focus around reflection and learning from experience to support routine decision-making.

The launch of the new Codes was recognised to be timely given some of the challenges experienced by the police service in recent years and the damage that has been done to undermine public trust and confidence in the leadership, legitimacy and reputation of policing following several high-profile examples of failings and corruption.

Sussex Police are currently in the process of reviewing and updating all relevant policies and procedures to ensure that they reflect the new ethical policing principles. The refreshed expectations of ethical and professional behaviour outlined within the Codes have now been communicated to everyone involved in policing in Sussex.

Training is currently being delivered to support the workforce with the implementation and application of the three policing principles outlined above, alongside the new duties and responsibilities around openness, candour and cooperation. This comprises three mandatory online National Centre for Applied Learning Technologies (NCALT) modules [launched in July 2024], and one in person training package [which is currently being developed] that all police officers and staff are required to complete. The compliance rates for these training packages are routinely monitored across each of the different policing divisions and departments.

KB explained that the Code of Practice for Ethical Policing provides Police & Crime Commissioners in England and Wales with a checklist of the actions that Chief Constables should take locally to ensure that they lead an ethical culture within their individual police force and asked for an update on performance across the six different strands.

 

1. a) Ethical and professional behaviour exists within the Force.

 

Sussex Police ensure that ethical and professional behaviour exist throughout the Force through the delivery of ongoing leadership training, the use of Break the Silence [the confidential internal reporting system] and Signa [the recording tool to increase the reporting of sexual harassment, sexism and misogyny] and the routine completion of annual integrity reviews for all police officers and staff [to ensure that any changes in personal circumstances are captured accurately]. This approach also extends to recognising and rewarding positive behaviours and attributes demonstrated by the workforce through the Chief Constable Awards, Divisional Awards, commendations and any letters/emails received from members of the public.

 

1. b) Unprofessional behaviour is challenged throughout the Force.

 

The Professional Standards Department (PSD) within Sussex Police investigate and respond to any complaints and allegations of misconduct made against police officers, both internally [from within the workforce] and externally [from members of the public]. This extends to trying to understand better any themes, trends or patterns of unprofessional behaviour and the reasons why these behaviours may exist, alongside the proactive use of reflective practice to encourage individual officers and staff to reflect on the actions taken to improve the way they work and the policing service provided locally.

 

1. c) Staff welfare is understood and managed across the Force.

 

Sussex Police has a Wellbeing Team within People Services who are responsible for undertaking the initiatives that support the delivery of the five different areas set out within Force Wellbeing Strategy [including mind health; physical health; leadership; financial health, and workplace wellbeing]. Sussex Police is also linked in with the national police wellbeing and trauma scheme, Oscar Kilo 9, which delivers sessions, workshops and emergency interventions to those individuals affected by major trauma, including the use of wellbeing and trauma dogs to support police officers, staff and volunteers.

 

1. d) Continued professional development occurs throughout the Force.

 

The Force has ensured that continued professional development is now fully embedded across each of the different entry routes into the organisation [both for new recruits and any transferees], alongside proactively featuring this in the leadership programmes used by existing officers and staff. The Code of Ethics also remains at the forefront of all training packages that are provided to the workforce, including updates made to the National Decision Model (NDM) which now reflect and include the current ethical policing principles.

 

 

1. e) Misconduct is recognised and responded to across the Force.

 

The PSD provide training inputs to all new police officers, staff and transferees around the minimum standards of professional behaviour that are expected in Sussex and information about the investigations into misconduct when these standards are not met. The Force has trained appropriate authorities to assess all allegations of misconduct received and provide operational advice to supervisors and line managers to ensure that a proportionate response is delivered. Each division and department also attend a monthly intelligence meeting with PSD and the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) to provide oversight around the complaints received from members of the public.

 

1. f) Openness and candour exist within the Force.

 

The Force has considered the duty of candour for policing and has encouraged the workforce to have open discussions amongst itself about what this means for Sussex Police and how this can be communicated most effectively to all police officers and staff. This open approach means that student officers are now being more forthright in terms of challenging instances of unprofessional and/or inappropriate behaviour committed by more experienced colleagues and reporting these incidents to supervisors which is starting to contribute towards tangible improvements to standards of behaviour and the overall culture within Sussex Police.

The Temporary Chief Constable concluded by stating that Sussex Police performance against the recommendations contained within the independent review into the culture and standards of behaviour in the Metropolitan Police Service [completed by Baroness Casey] and the Angiolini Inquiry into how an off-duty police officer was able to abduct, rape and murder a member of the public have both been considered at the Culture and Standards Board, chaired by the Deputy Chief Constable, with any generic learning that has been identified considered by the Force with a view to amending any existing policies, practices and procedures.  

The proactive use of an analyst within PSD has also enabled the Force to understand better what the highest risk themes and trends are in terms unprofessional behaviour and workforce misconduct and to make targeted interventions [through briefings, reminders and electronic learning, etc.,] to tackle this unwanted and inappropriate conduct.

NEXT UP:

There is no PAM in December 2024. The next meeting is on Thursday, 16 January          2025 at 13:00. Further information can be viewed through the following link:

www.sussex-pcc.gov.uk/about/how-we-work/watch-live/

 

 

PERFORMANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY MEETING

DATE: 16 January 2025

LOCATION: Sackville House, Lewes

PRESENT: 

Police & Crime Commissioner – Katy Bourne [KB]

Chief Executive Officer – Mark Streater

Chief Constable – Jo Shiner

Chief Financial Officer – Peter Appleton  

Correspondence and Admin Officer – Elliot Saunders [webcasting]

Head of Performance – Graham Kane [notes]

 

POLICING PRECEPT INVESTMENT 2024/25

Last year, I was given public support to increase the precept for 2024/25 by £13 for a Band D property. This enabled Sussex Police to maintain police officer and Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) numbers and meet the increased costs of pay and inflation, whilst preserving the improvements in operational capacity, visibility and accessibility made through investment since 2018.

 

1. How have Sussex Police sought to maintain police officer, staff and PCSO numbers locally during 2024/25?
2. What will the total number of individuals be for each of the three employee categories [police officers, staff and PCSOs] on 31 March 2025 – both Full Time Equivalent and Headcount? And how will this compare to the establishment levels for each of the categories?
3. What work has been undertaken to improve the recruitment of specialist police staff and PCSOs over the past year?
4. What further improvements in operational capacity, visibility and accessibility have been delivered and/or maintained by Sussex Police during 2024/25 as part of this precept investment?

 

The Chief Constable began by recognising the continued and significant contribution made by Adrian Rutherford, Director of People Services, and the Attraction and Recruitment Team within the Human Resources Department, to manage, progress and maintain the police officers recruited locally through Operation Uplift across 2024/25, both in terms of the quality and the quantity of the officers successfully recruited.

Sussex Police has developed robust workforce recruitment plans which estimate the number of police officers who are likely to leave the Force over the year, alongside the level of officers required to replace them to maintain the number of officers required. These plans remain flexible according to local need and are routinely monitored by the Strategic Planning Board, chaired by the Deputy Chief Constable.

The Chief Constable reiterated the importance of maintaining the additional police officer numbers recruited across Sussex [and the rest of England and Wales] over the past three years during 2024/25 because of the tangible impact this has had on the ability of Sussex Police to deliver operational policing and protect local communities.

Sussex Police was originally asked by the [previous] Government to maintain a baseline headcount figure of 3,166 officers across 2024/25 and, after successfully applying for and recruiting additional police officers over and above the numbers previously required in Sussex [that other police force areas were unable to recruit to] an enhanced baseline target of 3,226 officers was set for the Force across the financial year.

As a result of this enhanced activity, Sussex Police had 3,214.87 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) police officers on 31 December 2024 based on actual hours worked [and a headcount of 3,309 officers]. This represented an additional 143 officers [headcount] over the baseline target and 83 more officers [headcount] compared to the enhanced baseline target.

Police officer numbers are predicted to increase further still before the end of 2024/25, following the recent intake of 74 officers on 14 January 2025, with another similar sized intake planned in March 2025. This approach will ensure that both the baseline and enhanced baseline targets are met ahead of the second formal maintenance grant checkpoint [31 March 2025] and that no financial penalties are incurred from the Home Office.

The Force also had 2,194.22 FTE police staff, against an establishment of 2,354.31 FTE, on 31 December 2024. This was recognised to represent a vacancy rate of 6.8% [against an agreed Force target of 10%] and is contributing positively towards the overall savings requirement for the year. The Force is continuing to manage this vacancy rate through the Strategic Planning Board and will always seek to fill any vacancies where the posts remain essential to frontline delivery.

Sussex Police had 257.00 FTE PCSOs against an establishment of 295.00 FTE on 31 December 2024 – this represented a vacancy rate of 12.5%. It was highlighted that despite recognising the “outstanding service that PCSOs provide to local communities in Sussex, application numbers continue to remain low for this role in the Force despite significant attraction activity having been undertaken locally to try and address this position. KB also acknowledged that it continues to remain a national challenge for all police force areas in England and Wales to attract and recruit candidates who want to become PCSOs.

The Chief Constable confirmed that the maintenance grant for Sussex Police in 2024/25 is £9.2million. To qualify for the full amount, the Force must be at [or above] its maintenance level at two points within the year – 30 September 2024 and 31 March 2025. If the Force is below its allocation at either point, then the Home Office will withhold £40,000 per officer below maintenance at that point up to a threshold of 20 officers or 1% officer headcount [baseline plus uplift allocation] below maintenance, whichever is highest.

Sussex Police met and exceeded both the baseline and enhanced baseline police officer target headcount figures required by the Home Office at the first formal checkpoint for the 2024/25 maintenance grant. KB was reassured to note that the Force remains on target to maintain these police officer numbers across the remainder of 2024/25 [and the ahead of the second formal checkpoint], whilst simultaneously replacing those officers leaving the organisation through retirement, resignation or as transferees to other force areas throughout the year.

The Chief Constable confirmed that Sussex Police has continued to make improvements to its operational capacity, visibility and accessibility across 2024/25 to date, including:

• Enhancements in police officer numbers, with frontline policing having increased by 489 FTE officers since 2018 following the Police Uplift Programme and local precept investment.
• Significant improvements in 101 and 999 call handling times and reductions in the number of abandoned calls following the delivery of the Joint Force Contact and Telephony Programme which has made it easier for members of the public to contact Sussex Police.
• Introducing a new call grading policy to manage calls for service more effectively to ensure that the most appropriate response is provided, supporting the delivery of an efficient and effective policing service, and improving investigations and outcomes for communities in Sussex.
• Enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of crime investigation processes by launching a new Initial Investigations Team to improve the quality and timeliness of police investigations, through Operation Unify.
• Launching the Right Care, Right Person scheme in Sussex to identify the most appropriate agency to respond to health-related calls for service [see pages 11-13 for further information].
• Modernising and maximising the use of technology, platforms and systems to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the policing response provided to individuals and communities.

The Chief Constable highlighted that in the rolling year to 30 September 2023, Sussex Police solved 35% more crimes than in the previous 12-month period, despite an 8% increase in crime having been recorded. A further 14% increase in the number of crimes solved by the Force was demonstrated across the rolling year period to 30 September 2024.

It was also emphasised that across the calendar year of 2024, Sussex Police solved 52% more crimes than it did two years ago across the calendar year of 2022, despite recording a 7% increase in actual crime over the same period.

BUDGETARY PRESSURES AND SAVINGS REQUIREMENT 2025/26

The Government expects all police forces in England and Wales to deliver hundreds of millions of pounds in efficiency savings by 2029/30.

1. What are the budgeted costs for Sussex Police during 2025/26? And how will you seek to manage any increased costs for policing and continued inflationary pressures during the year?
2. What is the savings requirement for Sussex Police in 2025/26? And how is the Force planning to deliver this?
3. How will the continued use of reserves and vacancy management be used to find the cashable savings required to deliver a balanced budget?

The Chief Financial Officer confirmed that the gross budget for Sussex Police in 2025/26 is £426.5million, including £30million of externally driven inflation costs to pay, supplies and services. Most of these additional cost pressures are recognised to be employee-related, comprising national pay awards, price inflation, pay increments and an increase to the rate of employer National Insurance contributions.

The specific cost pressure relating to the planned increase in National Insurance contributions [which is set to increase from 13.8% to 15.0% in April 2025] has been exacerbated by the Force receiving a £700,000 shortfall in funding from the Government. Sussex Police is set to receive a one-off grant of £5.5million to mitigate against these additional costs [and the changes in thresholds within], although the actual costs of implementing these changes are forecast to be £6.2million. The deficit is attributed to the impact of these enhanced National Insurance contributions on overtime and other allowances not having been factored into the original grant calculations which have created further budgetary pressures for the Force.

Sussex Police has robust controls and processes in place to monitor and scrutinise its budgetary pressures and savings plans across 2025/26. These structured plans are routinely monitored and updated by the Chief Financial Officer, with regular oversight provided by the Deputy Chief Constable.

The total savings requirement for Sussex Police in 2025/26 is yet to be determined and will only be confirmed once a decision is taken by KB around the police precept for the year. If the annual council tax bill for Band D properties in Sussex is increased by £14 [the maximum amount permitted without triggering a referendum] the savings requirement for Sussex Police in 2025/26 will be £5million. However, if no additional investment is received from the precept, the savings requirement for Sussex Police will be £14million in 2025/26 [N.B. This position would improve by £0.65million for each £1 that is raised through the precept].

The Force has established an ambitious multi-year transformational change programme [to modernise processes and procedures to reduce its operating costs] and an ongoing tactical savings programme [to maximise efficiency and effectiveness of all spending activity across the year] to identify budget reductions and generate the savings required locally.

If a precept of £14 is taken by the Police & Crime Commissioner to maximise the resources available to Sussex Police, the savings requirement for the Force will be minimised at £5million for 2025/26. This is anticipated to be delivered in Sussex through the delivery of these two programmes, alongside any further opportunities that may exist to collaborate with Surrey Police, whilst still ensuring that operational policing remains responsive to the needs of members of the public and that the priorities set out within the Sussex Police & Crime Plan are delivered.

Sussex Police continues to use vacancy rates as a financial tool to reflect the “time lag” that exists to recruit and fill any individual posts that may become vacant which avoids overfunding employee budgets and allows these resources to be used for other policing priorities. This approach is recognised to assist the Force with closing the budget gap further still.

It was also highlighted that whilst Sussex Police has used earmarked reserves to balance the budget previously, the Force has opted to maintain its general reserve at 4% of the total police budget [the nationally recognised level] for 2025/26. The use of these reserves for “one-off” spending should be kept to a minimum because this does not represent a sustainable way to deliver a balanced budget, and that these reserves will continue to diminish if the funds within are not replenished.

KB was informed that the use of any reserves across the coming year will be undertaken as a temporary measure to fund the enhancement and modernisation of technology, platforms and systems to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Force, alongside funding change management programmes which seek to reduce overall operating costs.

The Chief Financial Officer concluded by stating that Sussex Police will continue to look at what has worked [and what has not worked] within other police force areas in England and Wales to try and enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the local policing response, whilst simultaneously maximising the potential to generate additional savings.

The Chief Executive Officer asked whether Sussex Police are maximising the use of the apprenticeship levy [set at a rate of 0.5% of total pay for those organisations where this exceeds £3million a year] following national commentary that any funds which are not spent within two years are being returned to the Treasury. The Chief Financial Officer agreed to provide KB with some additional information in respect of the use of apprenticeship levy funds in Sussex.

ACTION: The Chief Financial Officer agreed to provide KB with some additional information in respect of the use of apprenticeship levy funds in Sussex.

PROVISIONAL POLICE GRANT SETTLEMENT 2025/26

The provisional police grant settlement was announced by the Government last month [17 December 2024] and confirmed that resources worth £254.1million are available to Sussex Police in 2025/26.

This comprises Home Office grant funding worth £243.5million which is equivalent to an extra £13.9million [6.1%] compared with 2024/25. The balance of £10.6million is predicated on me, in my capacity as Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner, increasing the annual council tax bill for Band D properties by £14 [the maximum amount permitted without triggering a referendum].

If taken in full, the local precept would see the proportion of policing paid by taxpayers in Sussex reach 42%. Ten years ago, the proportion paid for through taxation was 31%.

1. Should I decide to set a precept of £14 and maximise the resources available to Sussex Police, would this meet the forecasted expenditure for 2025/26? If not, what is the shortfall anticipated? And how do you propose to balance the budget for next year and beyond?
2. The new Government has also made a £100million commitment to provide police forces in England and Wales with an additional 13,000 neighbourhood police officers, PCSOs and special constables to support the delivery of the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee. How much additional funding will be allocated to Sussex Police to support this Neighbourhood Policing Programme?

And how many extra officers, PCSOs and special constables in neighbourhood policing roles is Sussex Police anticipated to receive funding for?

The Chief Financial Officer confirmed that a £14 increase to the police precept in 2025/26 is fundamental to Sussex Police in terms of minimising the savings that will be required over the medium-term.

It was also highlighted that increasing the precept by the maximum amount permitted would still not meet the expenditure forecast for Sussex Police during 2025/26. This is because the budgeted costs for the police service [referred to above] have increased at a faster rate than the increase in Government funding.

If the precept is increased by £14, Sussex Police would still have a savings requirement of £5million to find during 2025/26. This position would increase by another £0.65million for each £1 less [than the maximum permitted] that is raised through the precept.

As highlighted on page 4, the Force has established an ambitious transformational change programme [to modernise processes and reduce costs over the next three years] and a tactical savings programme [to reduce and remove costs within the year] to identify budget reductions and generate the savings required locally.

The Chief Financial Officer confirmed that the Government has allocated £2.1million to Sussex Police to support the delivery of the Neighbourhood Policing Programme locally, although the parameters and workforce mix for this funding, in terms of the number of additional neighbourhood police officers, PCSOs and special constables set to be recruited in Sussex, have yet to be agreed and confirmed.

The Force continues to await further guidance and direction from the Home Office in respect of this funding activity and the timescales in place to support the delivery of the individual phases of the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee. Further information is anticipated to be provided to all police force areas in England and Wales shortly.

DISCLOSURE AND BARRING SERVICE CHECKS: REVISITED

At the Performance & Accountability Meeting (PAM) in November 2024, it was highlighted that Sussex Police was processing Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks within an average time of 92 days from receipt of the applications. This was recognised to be much longer than the 60-day [upper limit] target suggested for police forces in England and Wales.

1. Can you provide me with an update regarding performance in this area? How long are Sussex Police currently taking to process these applications? What is the current backlog of outstanding applications? And how many of these checks are more than 60 and 100 calendar days old?
2. What interim arrangements have been made to improve the triage processes in place to respond to these applications in a timelier manner and/or increase the resources available to process these?

The Chief Constable began by recognising the “huge amount” of work that has been undertaken by the Head of Information Management within Sussex Police to improve performance in this area, including the significant enhancements made to the processes and procedures in place to support the Force response since November 2024.

On 25 November 2024, Sussex Police had a backlog of 13,123 outstanding applications following month-on-month increases in the number of ‘live’ cases recorded since the summer months, with this benchmark position now used to monitor and measure any improvements in performance against.

The Force currently has a backlog of 9,682 applications to process as of 13 January 2025, which is recognised to have reduced by 3,441 applications in comparison to the benchmark [November 2024] – this equates to a 26% improvement in performance. Of those outstanding DBS requests, it was highlighted that 5,782 of these applications are currently more than 60 days old [and a 16% reduction compared to the 6,896 recorded previously] and that 3,497 applications are now more than 100 days old [and an 8% reduction compared to the 3,797 recorded previously] which includes some of the more complex and challenging cases.

Sussex Police is currently processing DBS checks within an average time of 34 days from receipt of the applications across the preceding four-week period, which is recognised to be within the 60-day target suggested for police forces in England and Wales to complete these checks within [as an upper limit].

The Force has introduced some temporary arrangements to try and increase the capacity of the team to respond to these DBS applications in the short-term. This has comprised making amendments to triage and operational delivery processes by reversing the chronological system used previously to start responding to those applications received within the past five days. This is anticipated to reduce the number of complaints and hardship cases received, alongside reducing the overall backlog of applications held.

Internal staff from the Force Intelligence Bureau and the Information Access Team have also been seconded into the team and trained to provide additional resources to complete the more simplistic checks, alongside the continued use of paid overtime for trained staff and outsourcing some checks to Lincolnshire Police and Warwickshire Police to enable the unit to respond to newer applications faster and work towards improving its overall average timescales.

The introduction of case management software in April 2025 is anticipated to assist Sussex Police with making further improvements to its response times for DBS applications by enabling more efficient and effective processes to be created within the team through automation.

The Force is continuing to proactively engage with the DBS Strategy and Compliance Unit regarding its performance in this area to monitor this against the detailed recovery plan that was created to try and improve the response times for processing DBS applications, utilising any best practice identified within other police force areas in England and Wales.

KB was informed that Sussex Police use a national quality assurance framework to support them with the assessment and decision-making processes for all DBS applications received locally to ensure that these are prioritised appropriately and that the correct information is disclosed. As such, the Force has limited discretion available to expedite any applications received without compromising the safeguarding activity that these checks were introduced to provide.

Applicants can track the progress of their standard or enhanced DBS applications using the online tracking service. Individuals will need their application reference number and date of birth to access this service through the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/track-a-dbs-application

It was also highlighted that where the delays to a DBS application are causing an applicant financial difficulties or are starting to have a personal impact [60 days or more], the applicant can apply to the DBS directly to register for a ‘hardship’ escalation.

To make a hardship escalation, the individual will need to telephone 03000 200 190 or send an email to customerservices@dbs.gsi.gov.uk for consideration. The individual will need to explain to the DBS that they cannot work without their certificate and that they are currently experiencing financial hardship as a direct result.

Where the DBS grant applicants this status, Sussex Police will respond expeditiously to prioritise these applications, and usually within 24-48 hours. N.B. Please note that the individual who has submitted the original DBS application is the only person who can request a hardship escalation.

The Chief Constable concluded by reiterating the positive and significant improvements that have been demonstrated by the Force to enhance its performance in this area since November 2024. However, it was acknowledged that further enhancements are required to maximise the effectiveness of the changes made to triaging processes, deployment of additional resources and the more efficient use of technology to reduce the overall backlog and time taken to process these applications further still.

KB recognised that Sussex Police is moving in the right direction in respect of its performance around DBS checks and confirmed that this area would continue to remain a standing agenda item on future PAMs to understand better what further progress has been made by the Force to improve its performance further still.

ACTION: KB agreed to revisit Disclosure and Barring Service checks at the PAM on 20 February 2025 to understand better what further progress has been made by the Force to improve performance in this area further still.

OPERATION LIMIT – WINTER DRINK-AND-DRUG-DRIVE CAMPAIGN 2024

Sussex Police took part in Operation Limit – the national policing response to target and detect incidents of drink-and-drug-driving across the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

1. How many drivers were stopped, breathalysed and/or tested for substances and subsequently arrested for drink-or-drug-driving offences in Sussex throughout the duration of the campaign?
2. What was the breakdown of drink-and-drug driving offences? And how do the number of individuals arrested compare to arrests made the year before?
3. How can members of the public with any specific concerns about drink-or-drug-driving report these to Sussex Police now that the campaign has concluded?
4. What other initiatives do Sussex Police have planned to target the ‘fatal five’ and improve road safety in Sussex during 2025?

Sussex Police remains committed to reducing the number of individuals killed or seriously injured (KSI) on the roads in Sussex and will continue to target and pursue those responsible for drink-and-drug-driving locally. It was also emphasised that this important area remains an ongoing priority area for the Force all year round, with Operation Limit used to amplify the key messages through a dedicated campaign run twice a year [summer and winter] which is supported by a heightened policing response.

The Chief Constable reflected on another “hugely successful” campaign, although her own personal disappoint was expressed at the number of individuals who continue to choose to drive whilst under the influence of either alcohol and/or illegal substances.

Sussex Police used a combination of high-visibility operational policing [through liveried police cars and motorcycles] to undertake engagement, vehicle stops, checks and testing [where ‘reasonable grounds’ for suspicion were met], together with a more targeted approach [using unmarked cars and motorcycles] to focus on specific individuals and locations based on the intelligence received from members of the public.

Between 1 December 2024 and 1 January 2025, Sussex Police conducted 8,621 vehicle stops as part of Operation Limit. This equated to an additional 6,191 vehicles stopped compared to the same campaign delivered across the calendar month of December 2023 [2,430 vehicle stops] and represented an increase of 71%.

However, there was also a 6.5% reduction in the number of arrests made for drink-and-drug-driving offences throughout the campaign period, with 244 arrests recorded compared to 261 arrests the year before – this equated to 17 fewer arrests made. Of those arrests made, 43% were for drink-driving-related offences [105] and 57% were for drug-driving-related offences [139], compared to 44% for drink-driving-related offences and 56% for drug-driving-related offences in 2023.

Throughout the campaign, the Force stopped and breathalysed 1,518 motorists with 112 of these individuals providing a positive breath test at the roadside [7%]. A further 620 individuals were stopped and tested for substances [using DrugWipe tests] with 217 of these individuals providing a positive sample at the roadside [35%]. The failure rates obtained for both offences were recognised to be comparable with the levels of offending recorded in previous years, with many of these individuals having already been to court, fined and banned from driving. It was also highlighted that these failure rates may yet increase further still as more individuals are processed through the criminal justice system.

A further 24 motorists were also arrested for different offences across the period of the campaign, including theft of a motor vehicle, possession of drugs with intent to supply and criminal damage, alongside several outstanding warrants.

The increases demonstrated in the number of vehicles stopped made was attributed to the enhanced focus and increased resources made available to support the campaign. It was also emphasised that was an increase in members of the public reporting individuals suspected of drink-and-drug-driving to the police which generated additional information and intelligence that was used to plan, target and deploy police resources more effectively.

 

Members of the public with specific information and/or actionable intelligence about individuals they suspect of drink-and-drug-driving were encouraged to report these to the Force directly. This can be done by telephone to 101, text to 65999 or via the Sussex Police website [www.sussex.police.uk]. Individuals can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. If it is known that someone is drink or drug driving, bystanders should call 999 immediately.

Sussex Police will continue to target and pursue those individuals responsible for drink-and-drug-driving during the calendar year of 2025, alongside the other four components of the ‘fatal five’ [excessive speed, using mobile phones when driving, not wearing a seatbelt, and careless and/or dangerous driving] to try and reduce the number of KSIs recorded in Sussex further still.

Through her role as National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) lead for Roads Policing, the Chief Constable also confirmed that Sussex Police continues to remain fully aligned to the National Roads Policing Strategy 2022/25 and the four areas set out within [preventing harm and saving lives; tackling crime; driving technology and innovation and changing minds].

RIGHT CARE, RIGHT PERSON SCHEME – EVALUATION

Last month [3 December 2024], the Home Office and the Department for Health and Social Care published their evaluation on the Right Care, Right Person (RCRP) initiative – a national scheme between local police forces and the National Health Service to identify the most appropriate agency to respond to health-related calls for service.

1. How have you reflected on the launch of the four individual phases within the two tranches of RCRP in Sussex to date?
2. Ahead of the launch, Sussex Police developed a baseline of performance in this area to enable comparisons to be made, both pre-and-post-implementation. What impact has this initiative had on Force demand?
3. How much police officer time is anticipated to have been saved through RCRP to date? And which areas of performance are proving to be more challenging and/or remain areas where further influence is required?
4. What impact is the introduction of staff from the Southeast Coast Ambulance Service within the Force Contact, Command and Control Department having on the ability of contact handlers to make informed decisions regarding police officer and partner agency deployments?
5. How have you reflected on the findings from the national evaluation report? Are the same ‘good practices’ and ‘barriers’ identified for the five police force areas evaluated in the report recognised to be apparent in Sussex too?

The Chief Constable began by reiterating that the Right Care, Right Person scheme is an operational model – developed by Humberside Police – that changes the way the emergency services respond to calls involving concerns about mental health. This approach seeks to ensure that those who are vulnerable receive the right care, from the right agency, at the right time.

The Right Care, Right Person scheme was delivered across two tranches and four separate phases in Sussex. The first tranche commenced in April 2024 and the second tranche commenced in September 2024, as follows:

Tranche One –       

 

Phase 1. Police attending reports of concern for welfare.

Phase 2. Police response to individuals walking out of healthcare facilities and mental health establishments.

Tranche Two –

Phase 3. Transportation of detained and voluntary admissions.

Phase 4. Handover times for mental health patients under Section 136.

The Chief Constable provided KB with some performance headlines around the reductions in demand and savings in police officer hours that have been realised through Tranche One and Tranche Two of the scheme to date, as follows:

Tranche One

• 17% reduction in incidents of concern for welfare calls [5,658 fewer welfare check incidents attended in comparison to the same period in 2023] – this equates to a reduction of 20 incidents per day and a collective saving of 6,671 police officer hours.

 

• 27% reduction in the number of reports of missing persons from healthcare settings across 2024 [719 reports] compared to 983 reports recorded in 2023.

Tranche Two

• 7-hour reduction in the average handover times for mental health patients under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983. These average handover times have reduced from 19.5 hours in April 2024 to 12.5 hours in November 2024.

 

• Reductions in the number of detentions made under Section 136 each month since July 2024, with Sussex Police having recorded its lowest number of detentions [53] in 10-years during the calendar month of September 2024, in comparison to the average of 100 individuals detained each month previously. This equates to a collective saving of 2,700 police officer hours which is calculated by the average handover time multiplied by the reduction of detentions [N.B. October 2024 was the only exception to this reduction with an additional three detentions recorded compared to the same month in 2023 [+4%].

It was also highlighted that these improvements in performance should be considered in the wider context of an increasing demand for calls for service relating to mental health, with mental health referrals for adults and children and young people having increased by 3% and 12%, respectively, in 2024, compared to the year before.

The Chief Constable confirmed that she was pleased with the progress made by Sussex Police in this area since the RCRP scheme first began in April 2024 and explained that the Force is continuing to evaluate the impact of the two tranches and the individual phases within. It was recognised that there are further opportunities to improve the effectiveness of the policing response provided to vulnerable individuals in Sussex. The Force remains committed to ensuring that members of the public get the right care, from the right agency, first time.

The temporary introduction of staff from the South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) within the Force Contact, Command and Control Department (FCCCD) is recognised to have had a positive impact on the ability of contact handlers to make informed decisions regarding police officer and partner agency deployments.

From April 2024, the presence of the SECAmb staff in the FCCCD supported the workforce with the introduction of Tranche One and is recognised to have assisted staff with their triaging and decision-making processes, alongside directly contributing to improvements in the confidence of the contact handlers to accurately and appropriately assess the response required for different types of calls for service. This has contributed towards a more consistent approach and is now fully embedded within the FCCCD.

The Chief Constable also confirmed that part of this staff exchange was to understand better whether any procedural challenges and/or barriers exist between the two organisations, alongside supporting both parties to identify areas where further improvements to service levels and performance can be realised.

It was emphasised that it remains a difficult balancing act to understand the risks involved and identify the situations where Sussex Police has a legal duty to respond, alongside the situations that are not within the remit of the police and where other agencies are better placed to respond. This process is acknowledged to create conflicting ethical dilemmas for the police service when considering and making informed decisions about which incidents the Force will attend or otherwise.

To assist with the policing response, all officers must now telephone a blue light line before anyone can be detained under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act. This dedicated line is a mental health emergency number – operated by the NHS – where the officers relay the circumstances, and the person involved is checked across all NHS records by a mental health practitioner. At the end of the call, officers are provided with guidance as to whether a detention would be appropriate in the circumstances or whether outreach services would support the vulnerable individual better.

Sussex Police have reflected positively on the findings from the national evaluation report, with many of the positive elements identified within the five police force areas evaluated in the report already evident in Sussex following the phased approach to implementation. This has included the establishment of multi-agency strategic and tactical groups to improve the police and partner response and to share any learning identified; provision of internal communications to raise the awareness of and improve the understanding of RCRP amongst the workforce; delivery of a comprehensive training programme for key frontline staff and operational police officers; daily meetings with blue light emergency service partners to monitor safety protocols and formally escalate matters where adverse incidents have occurred, and the ongoing monitoring of police data to measure the successes and improvements delivered through the scheme.

It was also recognised that the barriers around capacity and resourcing limitations and incompatibilities with systems and implementation timescales identified within the report are also apparent in Sussex. NHS England have not made any additional funding available to implement RCRP, with local bodies having to find this funding from within existing budgets. This position is not sustainable and is creating resourcing challenges within integrated care boards and local authorities which is contributing further towards the increased demand pressures for frontline officers and staff caused by those in mental health crisis not being able to access the health and social care services required.

KB was pleased to note that constructive working relationships are in place between Sussex Police and NHS Sussex, although further influence is required with commissioning services nationally [including NHS England] to make greater levels of funding available to partner agencies to enable additional services to be commissioned for those who require them, alongside supporting improvements to staffing levels.

The Home Office and Department for Health and Social Care report to evaluate the implementation of RCRP nationally can be viewed through the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/evaluating-the-implementation-of-right-care-right-person/right-care-right-person

The Chief Constable concluded by stating that health-related calls for service continues to remain a challenging area for the police service, NHS England and other partner agencies. It was also highlighted that the introduction of the RCRP scheme is not a case of police forces simply withdrawing support from mental health-related incidents because there are still many occasions where it is both necessary and appropriate for the police service to attend.

Sussex Police will always respond to and attend those calls for service where there is a core policing need and/or where the individual(s) presents a danger to themselves or others in accordance with the Human Rights Act 1998 [Article 2 – Right to Life and Article 3 – Prohibition of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment]. This wider duty of care has also been extended to attendance at incidents where a crime is suspected and/or is in progress, where domestic abuse and violence is involved and/or where a child is present when someone is in mental health crisis.

ACTION: KB requested further information about how much police officer time has been saved through the Right Care, Right Person scheme in Sussex to date.

ACTION: KB agreed to revisit Right Care, Right Person at the PAM on 19 June 2025 to understand better what impact this scheme is continuing to have on Force performance.

NEXT UP:

The next PAM is on Thursday, 20 February 2025 at 13:00. Further information can be viewed through the following link:

www.sussex-pcc.gov.uk/about/how-we-work/watch-live/

PERFORMANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY MEETING                                             

DATE:           20 February 2025

LOCATION:  Sackville House, Lewes

PRESENT:    

Police & Crime Commissioner – Katy Bourne [KB]

Chief Executive Officer – Mark Streater

Deputy Chief Constable – Dave McLaren  

Assistant Chief Constable – Steve Rayland

Correspondence and Admin Officer – Elliot Saunders [webcasting]

Head of Performance – Graham Kane [notes]

NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING GRANT

The new Government has made a £200million commitment to provide police forces in England and Wales with an additional 13,000 neighbourhood police officers, police community support officers (PCSOs) and special constables over their term to support the delivery of the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee.

Last month, it was confirmed that Sussex Police would be eligible to receive an additional £4.297million to support the Force with strengthening its number of officers, PCSOs and special constables in neighbourhood policing roles.

1. What are your plans for recruiting these additional posts? And what are the timescales for the delivery of this activity?

The Deputy Chief Constable acknowledged the additional funds made available by the new Government to strengthen neighbourhood policing in police force areas across England and Wales and explained that this commitment was both “welcome and well-received” in Sussex. 

Sussex Police has been allocated £4.297million for 2025/26 and has applied to the Home Office to use this funding to recruit an additional 43 police officers [police constables] and 20 special constables over the financial year to strengthen its neighbourhood policing capacity locally. The Force has taken the decision not to recruit any PCSOs in Sussex through this additional neighbourhood policing grant funding in 2025/26. 

KB was pleased to note that these additional police officers are set to be recruited in Sussex before 30 September 2025, with the special constables anticipated to be in post before 31 March 2026. This planned approach has enabled the Force to increase its intake of 20 student officers through the Detective Constable Entry Programme (DCEP) planned for March 2025 by a further 16 police constables.

Sussex Police will also use a further £50,000 of the funding to strengthen its own recruitment capacity and capability to bring in these additional police officers and special constables in an efficient and effective manner.

HMICFRS – POLICE RESPONSE TO PUBLIC DISORDER IN 2024

In December 2024, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) published their inspection report into the police response to the public disorder in July and August 2024.

1. How have you reflected on the findings of the report? And how have you assessed the effectiveness of the policing response provided locally during this time, including the use of any public order tactics/outcomes of these?
2. What was the financial impact of resourcing the local policing response to the recent disorder in Sussex? Has the Force submitted a claim to the Home Office to request that the costs incurred are reimbursed? And, if so, when do you anticipate that a decision will be received from the Home Office regarding these additional costs?
3. It was highlighted in the report that “the police service has missed opportunities to prepare for times when it has to deal with widespread disorder.” Has Sussex Police maximised previous opportunities to prepare for incidents of widespread disorder to ensure that it remains ready to respond?
4. HMICFRS made three recommendations for chief constables and the National Police Chiefs’ Council in the latest report. What plans are in place to ensure that each of the recommendations are addressed within the prescribed timescales?

The Deputy Chief Constable confirmed that Sussex Police were not one of the eight police force areas where violent disorder took place in July and August 2024 that were reviewed by HMICFRS as part of this inspection. It was highlighted that there was no public disorder recorded within Sussex during this period, although it was emphasised that all police forces need to be cognisant of the learning contained within the report.

The impact felt by Sussex Police was, instead, more noticeable in terms of the mutual aid support provided to Hampshire Constabulary [Aldershot and Portsmouth areas] and as part of Operation Infusion [co-ordinated by North Yorkshire Police, before officers were re-deployed to the police force areas in the North East] as part of an ongoing commitment to respond to the national threats identified within the Strategic Policing Requirement.

Members of the public saw an increased police presence in some areas locally, with the Force ready and prepared to keep individuals safe from any criminal disorder that was seen across other areas of the country. This included actively engaging with local communities to provide messages of reassurance, a clear point of contact and to discourage anyone from taking part in the disorder by reminding them that the ramifications for those involved would stretch far beyond the conclusion of any incidents.

Fortunately, only a small number of peaceful [counter] protests took place across areas of Sussex in response to the original anti-immigration stance [i.e., Brighton & Hove, Hastings and Crawley] and each of these protests passed without incident. KB was also reassured to note that no police officers from Sussex were injured as part of the policing response provided to the national disorder which was, principally, assisted by no officers having been deployed to any of the locations where significant violent disorder was recorded.

The Deputy Chief Constable confirmed that all public order deployments in Sussex are routinely reviewed retrospectively by the Force to understand better whether any opportunities for organisational learning exist. This includes proactively seeking feedback from the police officers and staff involved in the public order deployments around the use of police tactics, personal protective equipment and the provision of wellbeing support, together with considering any issues that may have arisen. The debriefs from other public order policing activity throughout the rest of England and Wales are also captured and shared with police forces to ensure that any best practice or organisational learning identified can be considered and/or adopted locally as appropriate.

KB was reassured to note that Sussex Police is well prepared, trained and exercised to respond to any public order incidents that may take place locally, including the provision of support for routine demonstrations and regular Premier League football matches in the county. This collaborative support has also extended to assisting Surrey Police with the management of ‘Just Stop Oil’ protests around the M25 motorway previously.

Sussex Police currently has 150% of the necessary public order capacity and capability required to respond to public order, as set out in the Strategic Policing Requirement. Nationally recognised training exists for all public order activity in England and Wales to ensure that a consistent policing response is delivered regardless of whether this comprises a local response or mutual aid support from other police forces. This approach also ensures that the Force can mobilise and deploy an effective public order response to support any police force area nationally as required. 

This is further supported by the regular training and testing of police officers and tactics which exists around the police response to public order in Sussex, including monitoring the time it takes to mobilise public order resources and making enhancements to these timescales to improve the policing response as appropriate.

The Assistant Chief Constable confirmed that the roles and skills for each public order trained police officer in Sussex are captured and recorded on Mercury – a standardised platform operated by the National Police Co-ordination Centre (NPoCC). This enables each police force area to understand better its own capacity and capability to respond to public order events, alongside identifying where any gaps may exist locally. This central database is used by the NPoCC to manage and coordinate any inter-force mutual aid that may be required to support public order incidents, including the most recent police response to the national public disorder experienced in July and August 2024.

Sussex Police routinely assess and monitor all information and intelligence received by the Force regarding protest activity and any other similar events planned as standard through the weekly protest intelligence assessment meetings, chaired by a trained public order commander and attended by the Protest Intelligence Team, alongside representatives from each of the three policing divisions in Sussex.

This approach ensures that each potential demonstration or event receives an early assessment around any emerging threats and/or potential risks identified to local tensions which can be triaged and addressed at the earliest possible opportunity. This allows Sussex Police to engage with all stakeholders, whilst ensuring that a dedicated command structure can be established where information and intelligence suggests this may be required. This also extends to overseeing any information and intelligence received from regional and national partners to inform local decision-making in this area.

Sussex Police submitted a claim of £113,000 to the Home Office in November 2024 for reimbursement of the costs incurred by the Force to mobilise a policing response to the national disorder locally through Operation Skylark. These costs were incurred after standing up nine police support units [comprising nine inspectors, 27 sergeants and 189 police constables] alongside the payment of overtime. The Deputy Chief Constable concluded by stating that these costs have not been reimbursed by the Home Office to date.  

KB was reassured to note that Sussex Police has already assessed each of the three recommendations identified for chief constables and the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) in the inspection report [working with the Home Office and College of Policing] and acknowledged that each of these recommendations will be progressed and addressed by the Force with immediate effect.

POLICE USE OF BAIL AND RELEASED UNDER INVESTIGATION

The introduction of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 encouraged the use of pre-charge bail in every case where it is necessary and proportionate by removing the perceived presumption against pre-charge bail.

This reversed the position introduced previously through the Policing and Crime Act 2017 to favour released under investigation rather than police bail to prevent suspects from being released on bail for extended periods of time whilst police investigations were undertaken.

1. What is the difference between being ‘released on bail’ and ‘released under investigation’? And what are the timescales involved for each?
2. How many individuals were released on bail and released under investigation in the calendar year of 2024? How do these figures compare to previous years?
3. How regularly do Sussex Police review all cases where individuals are released under investigation? Who is responsible for undertaking these reviews? And how is released under investigation used to manage children and young people under the age of 18-years old?
4. How are the safeguarding responsibilities for victims satisfied in respect of those suspects released on bail? And what more can be done to reduce the number of individuals who are released under investigation by using bail conditions to prevent further offending and protect vulnerable people?

The Assistant Chief Constable provided some context around the changes made to the use of pre-charge bail in England and Wales from 2017 onwards. This included highlighting the latest position introduced by the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 which encourages the use of pre-charge bail in every case where it is necessary and proportionate by removing the presumption against pre-charge bail introduced previously through the Policing and Crime Act 2017.

It was highlighted that following arrest, a suspect must be released from police custody when it is no longer necessary to detain them to secure or preserve evidence and/or obtain evidence by interviewing the suspect. Where an investigation cannot be finalised at this stage, the suspect is released from custody with or without police bail as follows:

• Released under investigation – The suspect is released without police bail which is referred to as ‘released under investigation’. There is no set date for that individual to return to a police station and no conditions are placed on the suspect. This will remain the position until the police investigation is concluded; o
• Bail conditions – The suspect is released on police bail with set conditions applied whilst the investigation remains ongoing, where this is necessary and proportionate. These conditions are applied to reduce the threat, risk and harm of further offending and/or support the safeguarding of all involved and can be imposed by the police for a maximum of nine months. At this point, the police can apply to the Magistrates’ Court for another three-month extension, with this process repeated for any further extensions that may be required at each rolling three-month interval thereafter.

Across the calendar year of 2024, Sussex Police had circa. 4,100 individuals released under investigation and circa. 13,000 individuals released on police bail. These figures compared favourably to the circa. 4,900 individuals released under investigation and circa. 13,000 individuals released on police bail across the calendar year of 2023. This position was in direct contrast to the circa. 9,000 individuals released under investigation and circa. 3,900 individuals released on police bail across the calendar year of 2019 which demonstrates how the presumption towards the use of police bail has shifted across this period.

Sussex Police have a Crime Management Strategy which sets out the processes and procedures used by the Force locally around the management of victims and suspects. This strategy is exhaustive and covers every eventuality from the moment a crime is first reported to the police, through to when a crime is finalised, and all the individual stages in between.

A decision to release an individual under investigation is made by a supervisor, police sergeant or detective sergeant in the first instance, in conjunction with the officer in the case (OIC), when it is not possible to finalise an investigation in police custody following interview. Sussex Police then continue to review all cases where individuals are released under investigation at specifically defined periods, thereafter, including further reviews at 72-hours, 28 days and 90 days, respectively.

Each of the initial reviews [72-hours and 28-days] are undertaken by a supervisor or sergeant to ensure that the staff members they are responsible are progressing these cases in a timely manner. The review at 90 days is undertaken by an inspector to ensure that the continued released under investigation status remains necessary and proportionate to the ongoing investigation. Should any further offences be reported and/or discovered whilst a suspect is released under investigation, the police can rearrest the suspect and impose bail conditions on the individual where this would be in the best interests of the victim(s) and/or members of the public to do so. 

KB was informed that the Force is currently in the process of considering proposals to expedite these standardised timescales to increase the frequency that these reviews are undertaken and to reduce the length of time that individuals can be released under investigation as part of an ongoing review into neighbourhood policing. The finalised proposal for these revised review periods will be taken to the Deputy Chief Constable for approval in March 2025.

For completeness, if bail is granted for a suspect, it is set for a maximum time limit of 28 days and needs to be authorised by a police officer at the rank of inspector or above [who provides the rationale]. This bail period can be extended for up to three months by a police officer at the rank of superintendent or above, with any further extension to the bail term sought through the courts thereafter. It was also highlighted that there may be cases where an individual is initially bailed before this status is later amended to released under investigation whilst further enquiries continue to be made.

The Assistant Chief Constable recognised that police custody is not an appropriate place for children under the age of 18-years old because any detention of a young person is recognised to be an adverse childhood experience. It was highlighted that Sussex Police will always seek to prioritise the cases involving children in custody to try and reduce the length of time these young people are detained for.

The Force also prefer to use released under investigation to manage these young people, wherever possible, accepting that this is completely dependent on the severity of the offence(s) being investigated. Bail conditions will still be used by Sussex Police to manage children and young people, where appropriate to do so, to protect individual victims, prevent reoffending and safeguard members of the public.

KB was reassured to note that the safeguarding responsibility for all victims remains a fundamental priority for Sussex Police in respect of those suspects released on bail. In respect of victims, these provisions can include referring individuals to local support services; offering crime prevention advice; placing information markers on the police records management system and making applications for civil orders [including stalking protection orders and domestic violence protection orders].

Further protection for victims can also be delivered by imposing specific bail conditions on suspects released on police bail. This can include prohibiting suspects from contacting any individuals connected to the matter under investigation, ensuring ongoing compliance with home detention curfews and/or electronic monitoring [tagging] and the requirement for suspects to report to a police station at set dates and times.

Any bail conditions imposed on an individual are clearly communicated to both the suspect and the victim(s) to ensure that all parties understand the specific terms and requirements. It was also highlighted that the views of the victim are considered as part of this process, including the provision of any additional safeguarding arrangements that may be required to protect vulnerable victims and prevent further offending.

FIREARMS LICENSING

I continue to receive correspondence from the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) and other members of the public locally about the waiting times for processing applications and renewals of firearms licenses.

1. Can you provide me with an update regarding Force performance?
2. Earlier this month, the firearms licensing fees increased nationally. How will the additional funds be used to resource the Joint Firearms & Explosives Licensing Unit? And will this funding be ring-fenced for the unit?

The Assistant Chief Constable explained that Sussex Police has a deliberate and risk-adverse approach to firearms licensing in Sussex. This includes ensuring that thorough processes, procedures and checks are in place around the suitability of those individuals who are granted and hold firearms licenses locally because the consequences of getting these decisions wrong and/or when mistakes are made are severe.

Sussex Police is now spending a greater amount of time reviewing and assessing the appropriateness of applicants and undertaking extra checks on the additional information required following revisions made to the statutory guidance and Authorised Professional Practice [issued by the College of Policing] after the inquest and Coronial Review into the Plymouth shootings in 2021.

It was also emphasised that Sussex Police is not in control of all the information required to undertake these checks and that the Force is reliant on third party individuals, including General Practitioners (GPs) and nominated referees, responding to requests for medical information and other intelligence around suitability in a timely manner to complete the necessary background checks and reviews before any licenses can be granted and/or renewed.

This structured process is recognised to be time consuming and resource intensive, with staff in the Joint Firearms & Explosives Licensing Unit (JFELU) frequently required to have multiple interactions and two-way exchanges with applicants, GPs and referees to ask them additional questions to gather all the information required. The additional due diligence in place for all applications has extended the timescales for processing applications and is acknowledged to be a contributing factor behind the increased average wait times experienced by some for firearms grants and renewals in Sussex.

There are currently 19,965 firearms licence holders in Sussex for 75,106 individual firearms weapons, comprising 2,740 coterminous firearms licences [for more than one firearm] and 17,225 shotgun licences [February 2025]. The reducing number of license holders in Sussex is attributed to the continued increased costs of living and the additional requirements placed on applicants to obtain pre-medical information from GPs before applying for firearms licenses.

Sussex Police is currently granting new firearms licences in an average of 91 days and new shotgun licenses in 105 days, with a faster response time provided for the renewal of firearms licences [77 days] and shotgun licenses [78 days]. It was also highlighted that 79% of all firearms licenses in Sussex are currently granted within the 120-day target set by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) lead for firearms licensing [N.B. The number of days quoted above are from the date the initial application was received to the date the certificate(s) is issued].

The Assistant Chief Constable acknowledged that the firearms licensing fees increased nationally on 5 February 2025, with police forces only informed of these increased costs a few days before the announcement was made. As such, Sussex Police has commissioned a review of this income stream to try and forecast what impact these increased costs are likely to have on certificate holders locally, accepting that some individuals will decide not to renew these when their current license(s) expire.

Once this position is ascertained, the Force will look at what changes are required within the JFELU to ensure that any applications for firearms certificates received can be processed in an efficient and effective manner, without compromising the safeguarding arrangements that exist around the important area.

At this point, a business case will be developed around any investment and/or improvements required to the Firearms Licensing Team [i.e., an uplift in firearms and explosives enquiry officers and/or greater automation of existing processes] before this is presented to the internal Change Board within Sussex Police [chaired by the Deputy Chief Constable] for ratification or amendment(s). This approach will ensure that any additional income received from the increased licensing fees can be ring-fenced for the JFELU in Sussex and Surrey.

As highlighted at the Performance & Accountability Meeting (PAM) in April 2024, all Chief Constables in England and Wales are required to complete a strategic demand assessment (SDA) to ensure that their police force area has the appropriate capacity and capability to meet firearms licensing-related demand. Sussex Police completed and submitted their SDA to the national Firearms Licensing Team in December 2024 and are currently awaiting feedback on the numbers, analysis and interpretation contained within before a national position is consolidated for all police force areas in England and Wales. Once this guidance is received, a public-facing version of the SDA will be made available on the Sussex Police website as part of the Force Management Statement.

The Assistant Chief Constable concluded by reiterating the importance of undertaking a comprehensive and thorough assessment of each firearm and shotgun application that is received by Sussex Police before any certificates are granted and/or renewed to safeguard members of the public in Sussex.

It was also emphasised that whilst a more considered approach may increase the average time taken to review and progress the applications received, it will try and prevent some of the tragic events which have occurred in Sussex and across other police force areas in England and Wales previously from being repeated.

ACTION: KB requested further information about the average timescales taken by the most similar group of police forces to Sussex Police to progress grant and renewal applications for firearms and shotgun licenses.

DISCLOSURE AND BARRING SERVICE CHECKS – REVISITED

At last month’s Performance & Accountability Meeting (PAM) on 16 January 2025, it was highlighted that Sussex Police had made significant improvements to reduce the backlog for Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks.

1. Can you provide me with a further update regarding Force performance?

The Deputy Chief Constable recognised the significant contribution made by the Head of Information Management [within Sussex Police] to reduce the backlog for DBS checks and improve Force performance in this area. This has included notable enhancements made to the processes and procedures in place to develop the Sussex Police response to these checks since November 2024.

On 25 November 2024, the Force had a backlog of 13,123 outstanding applications following month-on-month increases recorded across the summer period, with this benchmark now used to monitor and measure any improvements in performance against.

The Force had a backlog of 8,429 applications to process as of 10 February 2025. This is recognised to have reduced by 4,694 applications in comparison to the benchmark [November 2024] and equates to a 36% improvement in performance.

Sussex Police is currently processing DBS checks within an average timeframe of 30 days from receipt of the applications across the preceding four-week period. This position is recognised to be favourable compared to the 60-day target suggested for police forces in England and Wales to complete these checks within [as an upper limit] and is much improved from the average of 92 days recorded in November 2024.

It was also highlighted that 60% of all DBS applications received in Sussex are now being completed within 15 days of receipt for less complex cases, where there is either no information held about an individual on the police records management system used by the Force and/or where any information held is recognised to be irrelevant in respect of the application received [N.B. This position is set against a national target of 65%].  

Sussex Police has continued to try and increase the capacity of Information Access Team to respond to these DBS applications in a timelier manner. The Force has successfully completed the recruitment of a further four caseworkers in recent months, with the first of these individuals having joined the team last week, two further individuals set to commence in post next week, before the fourth individual joins the team in March 2025. 

The Force is continuing to proactively engage with the DBS Strategy and Compliance Unit regarding its performance in this area to monitor this against the detailed recovery plan created locally to improve the response times for processing DBS applications, utilising best practice identified within other police force areas in England and Wales.

KB concluded by recognising the positive progress made by Sussex Police in this area, including specific praise for the contribution made by Superintendent Jim Collen, Head of Information Management. This area will continue to remain a standing agenda item on future PAMs to understand better what additional progress has been made by Sussex Police to improve its performance further still.

ACTION: KB agreed to revisit Disclosure and Barring Service checks at the PAM on 20 March 2025 to understand better what additional progress has been made by the Force to improve performance in this area further still.

TRACKING THE PROGRESS OF DBS APPLICATIONS:

Applicants can track the progress of their standard or enhanced DBS applications using the online tracking service. Individuals will need their application reference number and date of birth to access this service through the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/track-a-dbs-application

It was also highlighted that where the delays to a DBS application are causing an applicant financial difficulties or are starting to have a personal impact [60 days or more], the applicant can apply to the DBS directly to register for a ‘hardship’ escalation.

PROCESS FOR MAKING A HARDSHIP ESCALATION:

To make a hardship escalation, the individual will need to telephone 03000 200 190 or send an email to customerservices@dbs.gsi.gov.uk for consideration. The individual will need to explain to the DBS that they cannot work without their certificate and that they are currently experiencing financial hardship as a direct result.

Where the DBS grant applicants this status, Sussex Police will respond expeditiously to prioritise these applications, and usually within 24-48 hours. N.B. Please note that the individual who has submitted the original DBS application is the only person who can request a hardship escalation.

COMMUNICATIONS OFFENCES: ONLINE SAFETY ACT 2024 – REVISITED

In January 2024, new criminal offences were introduced in England and Wales to protect individuals from a range of abuse and harm online through the Online Safety Act.

1. What impact has the introduction of these new offences had on Sussex Police to date? And how is the Force responding to these?
2. What training has been put in place to support the workforce to accurately identify, record and investigate these new offences?
3. At the PAM on 19 April 2024, it was highlighted that Sussex Police had recorded 165 of these offences during the first few months of the new legislation having been enacted. How many of these offences have now been recorded by the Force? And under which new classes and descriptions have these offences been recorded?
4. How many, if any, of these new communications offences have progressed through the criminal justice system to date? And what positive outcomes have been delivered to support the victims of these new criminal offences?

The Deputy Chief Constable explained that the introduction of the Online Safety Act in January 2024 sought to translate some of the criminal offences recorded under the Malicious Communications Act 1988 and Communications Act 2003 into standalone offences within the new legislation.

As was highlighted at the PAM in April 2024, the introduction of this legislation is acknowledged to reflect better these ‘modern’ crimes and seeks to provide individuals with enhanced protection from the range of online harm and abuse created by the changing ways that individuals are now living their lives, including the increased use of social media platforms, compared to the broader legislation that was in place previously.

The new legislation has transferred across all notifiable parts of the previous two acts, including when a threat is made, when a false message is sent and instances when grossly offensive and/or indecent messages are sent, alongside the creation of standalone offences that would have been previously grouped together.

The Online Safety Act 2024 has repealed and replaced two of the three parts of the Malicious Communications Act and Communications Act, including the two elements of sending a threat and false message. This has created four new offences as follows:

• Sending communication threatening death or serious harm.
• Sending or showing flashing images with intent to cause harm.
• Encouraging or assisting serious self-harm.
• Sending false communication with the intent to cause harm.

It was also highlighted that the sending of grossly offensive and/or indecent messages remains as it was under the legislation previously, with a small number of other offences having been transferred across to the Sexual Offences Act 2003 for completeness.

Sussex Police has recorded a 64% reduction in the number of offences recorded the Malicious Communications Act, Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 and the Sexual Offences Act since 2022/23, since the new legislation was introduced last year.

To support the workforce to accurately identify, record and investigate these new offences, the Force Crime Registrar issued all police officers and staff within Sussex Police with guidance about the legislative changes introduced by the Online Safety Act 2024 to enable officers and staff to understand the changes made to the legislation and to support them to manage any reports that may be received.

This approach has been further supported by the provision of briefings to all supervisors and first line managers for wider dissemination to their respective teams, updates provided through the internal intranet system and emails sent to the collective workforce. This revised legislation is also now included within the foundation training delivered to all new student officers, with all existing police officers and frontline staff having dedicated time built into their individual shift patterns to complete continuous professional development, including training around any new and/or revisions made to legislation.   

Sussex Police has already recorded 836 of these offences under the new classes and descriptions since the legislation was first enacted [January 2024]. This has included:

• 741 reports of sending communication threatening death or serious harm.
• One report of sending or showing flashing images with intent to cause harm.
• 32 reports of encouraging or assisting serious self-harm.
• 62 reports of sending false communication with the intent to cause harm.

The Force has also achieved a successful outcome rate of 5% for the offences recorded under the Online Safety Act to date, with a further 372 offences still under investigation and many of these anticipated to receive successful outcome disposals too.

The Deputy Chief Constable concluded by acknowledging the complexity of these offences and the greater investigation timescales that are required to meet the ‘full code’ test for prosecutors [both evidential and public interest].

N.B. The term successful outcome is used by the police service when a suspect is charged with an offence(s), is issued with a caution and/or is given a community resolution or diversionary, educational or intervention activity.

NEXT UP:

The next PAM is on Thursday, 20 March 2025 at 13:00. Further information can be viewed through the following link:

www.sussex-pcc.gov.uk/about/how-we-work/watch-live/

16 January 2025

Themes raised: Policing Precept Investment 2024/25; Budgetary Pressures and Savings Requirement 2025/26; Provisional Police Grant Settlement 2025/26; Disclosure and Barring Service Checks: Revisited; Operation Limit – Christmas Drink-And-Drug-Drive Campaign 2024 – Results, and Right Care, Right Person Scheme – Evaluation.

20 February 2024

Themes raised: Neighbourhood Policing Grant; HMICFRS – Police response to the public disorder in July and August 2024; Police use of bail and released under investigation; Firearms Licensing; Disclosure and Barring Service Checks – Revisited, and Communications Offences: Online Safety Act 2024 – Revisited.

20 March 2024

Themes raised: Police Officer Maintenance Grant 2024/25 – Second Checkpoint; Burglary; Business Crime Team – Theft from Shop; Rural Crime Team; Planning for Unauthorised Encampments, and Disclosure and Barring Service Checks – Revisited.

23 April 2025

Themes to be raised: TBC

22 May 2025

Themes to be raised: TBC

19 June 2025

Themes to be raised: TBC

17 July 2025

Themes to be raised: TBC

11 September 2025

Themes to be raised: TBC

16 October 2025

Themes to be raised: TBC

20 November 2025

Themes to be raised: TBC

18 December 2025

Themes to be raised: TBC

19 January 2024

Themes raised: Policing Precept Investment 2023/24; Provisional Police Grant Settlement; Budget Pressures 2024/25; Operation Limit – Christmas Drink-And-Drug-Drive Campaign 2023: Results; Burglary, and Operation Soteria.

16 February 2024

Themes raised: Policing Precept Decision 2024/25; Call Handling Times and Digital Contact; Data Wash Exercise; Code of Ethics and Code of Practice for Ethical Policing; Right Care, Right Person Scheme, and Remands of Children After Charge.

15 March 2024

Themes raised: Police Officer Maintenance Grant 2023/24 – Second Checkpoint; South East Partnership Against Rural Crime; Code of Practice for Victims of Crime; Strategic Policing Requirement; Police Productivity Review, and Evidential Property Exhibiting.

19 April 2024

Themes raised: Firearms Licensing; Anti-Social Behaviour; Domestic Abuse [including Specialist Domestic Abuse Courts AND Clare’s Law], and Communications Offences.

17 May 2024

Themes raised: Police Race Action Plan; No Further Action Rates; Upgrades to Public Facing CCTV Cameras; Force Staff Welfare Survey Results 2023, and Disclosure and Barring Service Checks – Revisited.

21 June 2024

Themes raised: National Retail Crime Action Plan; Police National Database; Women in the Criminal Justice System; Freedom of Information – Information Commissioner’s Office: Regulatory Action, and National Volunteers’ Week 2024.

19 July 2024

Themes raised: Unauthorised Encampments; Operation Downsway; End of Custody Supervised License; Current and Emerging Risks of Deepfakes, and Police Federation – Pay and Morale Survey 2023.

No PAM is held in August.

13 September 2024

Themes raised: Operation Soteria [including HMICFRS report – Progress to introduce a national operating model for rape and other serious sexual offences investigations]; Project Fides, and Use of Electric Scooters.

18 October 2024

Themes raised: Police Officer Maintenance Grant 2024/25 – First Checkpoint; Neighbourhood Policing [to include Neighbourhood Policing Teams; Neighbourhood Policing Pathway; Operation Sunshine; Business Crime Team, and Anti-Social Behaviour]; Knife Amnesty – National Surrender and Compensation Scheme, and HMICFRS – An inspection into activism and impartiality in policing.

15 November 2024

Themes raised: 

Disclosure and Barring Service Checks: Revisited; Early Release Scheme; Prevention of Deaths in Police Custody, and Code of Ethics and Code of Practice for Ethical Policing.  

20 January 2023

Themes raised: Policing Precept Investment 2022/23; Draft Police Grant Settlement and Budget Pressures 2023/24; Operation Limit – Christmas Drink-And-Drug-Drive Campaign 2022 – Results, and Policing and Mental Health.

17 February 2023

Themes raised: Policing Precept Decision 2023/24; Police Officer and Staff Data Wash Exercise and Vetting Arrangements; Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Scheme; HMICFRS – Digital forensics: An inspection into how well the police and other agencies use digital forensics; HMICFRS and HMIP – Unannounced inspection of police custody [Revisited], and General Data Protection Regulation.

17 March 2023

Themes raised: Police Officer, Staff and PCSO Recruitment Update; Call Handling Times and Digital Contact (101); Joint Transport Service; Operation Safeguard, and Children in Custody.

21 April 2023

Themes raised: HMICFRS – PEEL Assessment 2021/22; Baroness Casey Review – An independent review into the standards of behaviour and internal culture of the Metropolitan Police Service; Burglary; Firearms Licensing; Business Crime and HMICFRS – An inspection of how well the police, and National Crime Agency tackle the online sexual abuse and exploitation of children.

No PAM was held in May.

7 June 2023

Theme raised: HMICFRS – PEEL Assessment 2021/22.

21 July 2023

Themes raised: Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan; Public Order Act 2023; Policing of Dog Attacks; Domestic Abuse; Operation Radcott; Decarbonisation of the Sussex Police Fleet, and Non-Crime Hate Incidents – Code of Practice.

No PAM is held in August.

15 September 2023

Themes raised: Policing Challenges - August 2023; Sussex Police Response to Shoplifting; Force Management Statement; Police Officer Maintenance Grant 2023/24; Stop and Search Powers; Call Handling Times and Digital Contact (101), and Sussex Police Custody – New Operating Model.

20 October 2023

Themes raised: Reassurance to Sussex Communities: Israel-Hamas Conflict; Baroness Casey Review; Burglary; Vehicle Write Offs and Motor Insurance Claims; Artificial Intelligence in Policing, and Information and Records Management Code of Practice.

No PAM was held in November 2023. 

15 December 2023

Themes raised: Provisional Police Grant Settlement 2024/25; Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Scheme; Firearms Licensing; Operation Hope – Domestic Abuse Campaign 2023; Scams and Fraud, and Nitrous Oxide.

No PAMs were held in January or February 2022.

18 March 2022

Themes raised: Policing Precept Decision 2022/23; Budget Pressures 2022/23; Early Intervention and Youth Violence; Violence Reduction Units and HMICFRS – Police and Crown Prosecution Service response to rape.

22 April 2022

Themes raised: HMICFRS – Metropolitan Police Service’s Counter-Corruption Arrangements; Electronic Monitoring Tags; Street Safe Tool; Call Handling Times and Digital Contact and Information Access Requests [including Freedom of Information and Subject Access Requests].

20 May 2022

Themes raised: Police Officer Recruitment Update; Tackling County Lines; Modern Slavery and CIPFA – Asset Management Health Check [of the Sussex Police estate].

17 June 2022

Themes raised: Code of Practice for Victims of Crime; Domestic Abuse; Stalking and Harassment and Outstanding Warrants.

22 July 2022

Themes raised: Firearms Licensing; Police Use of Firearms; Road Safety [including Killed and Seriously Injured; Sussex Safer Roads Partnership; Operation Crackdown and Cyclists] and Burglary Solved Rates.

No PAMs were held in August or September 2022. 

21 October 2022

Themes raised: Police Officer Recruitment Update; Unauthorised Encampments; Anti-Social Behaviour; HMICFRS – Police Response to Burglary, Robbery and Other Acquisitive Crime and Criminal Justice Scorecards.

18 November 2022

Themes raised: Budget Pressures 2022/23 and Beyond; Call Handling Times and Digital Contact (101); HMICFRS – An Inspection of Vetting, Misconduct and Misogyny in the Police Service and Business Crime Team.

16 December 2022

Themes raised: Provisional Police Grant Settlement 2023/24; Operation Limit – Christmas Drink-And-Drug-Drive Campaign 2022; Operation Hope – Domestic Abuse Campaign 2022; Stalking and Harassment and Information Access Requests [including Freedom of Information and Subject Access Requests].

22 January 2021*

Themes raised: Policing Precept Investment 2020/21; Budget Pressures 2021/22; Reassurance to Sussex Communities – Coronavirus; IOPC – Police Complaints Statistics for England and Wales 2019/20; Operation Dragonfly – Christmas Drink-and-Drug-Drive Campaign – Results and Taser Usage in Sussex and Surrey.

26 February 2021*

Themes raised: Reassurance to Sussex Communities – Coronavirus; Policing Precept Decision 2021/22; Specialist Enforcement Unit; Dog Thefts in Sussex; Domestic Homicide Reviews; Using Mobile Phones when Driving and HMICFRS – Effectiveness of the Regional Organised Crime Units.

* These PAMs were not webcast in accordance with national lockdown restrictions in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

19 March 2021

Themes raised: Reassurance to Sussex Communities – Sarah Everard Vigils; Reassurance to Sussex Communities – Coronavirus; Victims Code of Practice – Updated; Road Safety (including Sussex Safer Roads Partnership; Operation Crackdown; Excessive Speed and Speed Cameras; Community Speed Watch and Cyclists).

16 April 2021

Themes raised: Reassurance to Sussex Communities – Coronavirus; Call Handling Times and Contact; Outstanding Warrants; Operation Hydrant - Non-Recent Child Sexual Abuse; Dog Thefts in Sussex - Revisited and Planning for the Policing of the Local Elections.

21 May 2021

Themes raised: Reassurance to Sussex Communities – Coronavirus; Operation Uplift – Police Officer Recruitment Update; HMICFRS – Disproportionate Use of Police Powers; Reflections on Protests (including HMICFRS – An inspection of the Metropolitan Police Service’s policing of a vigil held in commemoration of Sarah Everard) and Collaboration with Surrey Police.

18 June 2021

Themes raised: Reassurance to Sussex Communities – Coronavirus; Use of Electric Scooters; Anti-Social Behaviour and Crime Data Integrity. 

16 July 2021

Themes raised: Reassurance to Sussex Communities – Coronavirus; HMICFRS – Review of policing domestic abuse during the pandemic; HM Government – End-to-end rape review and Summer Drink-And-Drug-Drive Campaign 2021.

17 September 2021

Themes raised: Investment Areas Following Precept Increase; Neighbourhood Policing; HMICFRS – A review of fraud: Time to choose [to include Operation Signature]; Stalking [to include Stalking Protection Orders] and Forensics.

22 October 2021

Themes raised: Reassurance to Sussex Communities – Sarah Everard; HMICFRS – Violence Against Women and Girls; Predictive ‘Micro Hotspot’ Policing and Modern Slavery.

16 November 2021

Themes raised: Firearms Licensing; Domestic Abuse; Abuse of Authority; Police use of bail and released under investigation and PEEL Assessment 2021/22 [to include a revisit of the 2018/19 inspection].

17 December 2021

Themes raised: Reassurance to Sussex Communities – Terrorism Threat Level; Provisional Police Grant Settlement 2022/23; Operation Hope – Domestic Abuse Campaign 2021 [to include Safety of Women at Night Fund]; Reassurance to Sussex Communities – Death of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes and Star Hobson and Operation Dragonfly – Christmas Drink-and-Drug-Drive Campaign 2021.

24 January 2020

Themes raised: Reassurance to Sussex Communities – Recent Murder and Violent Incidents; Operation Dragonfly – Christmas Drink-and-Drug-Drive Campaign 2019 – Results; Children in Custody; HMICFRS – Policing and Mental Health – Revisited; Hate Crime and Policing Precept Investment 2019/20.

21 February 2020

Themes raised: Reassurance to Sussex Communities: Coronavirus; Policing Precept Decision 2020/21; Better Use of Technology; HMICFRS - PEEL Assessment 2018/19 and Stalking and Harassment.

20 March 2020*

Theme raised: Reassurance to Sussex Communities: Coronavirus.

17 April 2020*

Theme raised: Reassurance to Sussex Communities: Coronavirus, including: Public confidence and reassurance; Additional enforcement powers; Recorded crime and changing demand; Personal Protective Equipment; Expenditure and Use of technology.

22 May 2020*

Theme raised: Reassurance to Sussex Communities: Coronavirus, including: Public confidence and changing demand; Domestic abuse; Recorded crime and enforcement activity; Personal Protective Equipment; Expenditure and Easing of lockdown measures.

19 June 2020

Theme raised: Reassurance to Sussex Communities: Coronavirus, including: Sussex Police response to COVID-19, public confidence and hate crime; Stop and search powers; Domestic abuse; Public contact and resilience; Personal Protective Equipment and Expenditure.

31 July 2020

Themes raised: Road Safety; HMICFRS - Roads Policing Inspection; Anti-Social Behaviour and Stalking and Harassment.

18 September 2020

Themes raised: Reassurance to Sussex Communities: Coronavirus; Investment Areas Following Precept Increase; Tactical Enforcement Unit; Call Handling Times and Contact; HMICFRS - Police Contact Management Through Call Handling and Control Rooms; Solved Rates and NPCC and COP - Officer and Staff Safety Review.

23 October 2020

Themes raised: Vehicle Registration Offences (Penalty Points) Bill; Reassurance to Sussex Communities: Coronavirus; Impact of COVID-19 on the Courts and Victims of Crime; Efficiency and Productivity Savings and Hate Crime.

20 November 2020

Themes raised: Reassurance to Sussex Communities: Terrorism Threat Level; Reassurance to Sussex Communities: Coronavirus; Preparedness of Sussex Police for EU-Exit; Policing of Hunts and Information Management: Freedom of Information and Data Protection.

18 December 2020*

Themes raised: Police Grant Settlement 2021/22; Reassurance to Sussex Communities: Coronavirus; Scams and Fraud - Operation Signature; HMICFRS - Police-to-Police Collaboration; Burglary Crimes and Solved Rates; Operation Dragonfly - Christmas Drink-and-Drug-Drive Campaign.

* The webcasting of these PAMs was suspended to provide senior officers with time to focus on operational matters in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

18 January 2019

Themes raised: Operation Trebor – Drone Disruption at Gatwick Airport; Policing Costal Borders; Operation Dragonfly – Christmas Drink Drive Campaign 2018 – Results; Police Officer and PCSO Recruitment Update and Proposed Precept Increase 2019/20.

15 February 2019

Themes raised: Policing Precept Decision; Proceeds Of Crime Act; Operation Ribbon – Results; 101 – Non-Emergency Call Handling Times; Response Times and Unannounced Inspection of Police Custody.

15 March 2019

Themes raised: Reassurance to Sussex Communities – New Zealand Mosque Attacks; Reassurance to Sussex Communities – London, Oxford and Manchester Knife Attacks; Serious and Organised Crime; Acquisitive Crime; HMICFRS – Police Response to Domestic Abuse; Police Federation – Demand, Capacity and Welfare Survey 2018 and Information Management – Freedom of Information and Vetting Standards.

12 April 2019

Themes raised: HMICFRS – Stalking and Harassment; Cross-Border Cooperation; Police Use of Pre-charge Bail; Sussex Police Budget 2018/19 and Victims Code of Practice.

17 May 2019

Themes raised: Police Officer and PCSO Recruitment Update; 101 – Non-Emergency Call Handling Times; Single Online Home; Sussex Police Response to Schools and Other Educational Establishments; Anti-Social Behaviour and Police Officer and Staff Training.

21 June 2019

Themes raised: Road Safety; Crime Data Integrity; Serious Violence Strategy; County Lines – Drug Gangs and Organised Criminal Networks; Serious and Organised Crime Strategy – Modern Slavery and Outstanding Warrants.

19 July 2019

Themes raised: Police Officer and PCSO Recruitment Update; Operation Dragonfly – Summer Drink-And-Drug-Drive Campaign 2019; Home Office – Front Line Review; NSPCC – Child Sexual Exploitation; 101 – Non-Emergency Call Handling Times; Firearms & Explosives Licensing Unit and Anti-Social Behaviour.

13 September 2019

Themes raised: HMICFRS – Fraud: Time to Choose; Stop and Search Powers; Police Officer Recruitment Update; 101 – Non-Emergency Call Handling Times and Improving Public Confidence.

18 October 2019

This PAM specifically focused on the Sussex Police response to the drone disruption at Gatwick Airport in December 2018.

Other themes raised: HMICFRS – National Child Protection Post-Inspection Review; Operation Merrywood – Reassurance to Sussex Communities – BREXIT; Operation Magpie – Burglary and Empowering Communities Inclusion and Neighbourhood management System.

15 November 2019

Themes raised: Operation Uplift – Police Officer Recruitment Update; Operation Peel – Policing of the Bonfire Celebrations; Modern Slavery; Sexual Offence Investigation Trained Officers and Staff; 101 – Non-Emergency Call Handling Times and Economic Crime.

13 December 2019

Themes raised: Crown Prosecution Service; Operation Ribbon – Domestic Abuse Campaign 2019; Operation Dragonfly – Christmas Drink-and-Drug-Drive Campaign 2019; Special Constable Recruitment Update; Solved Crime Rates and HMICFRS: Value for Money Profile 2019.

26 January 2018

Themes raised: Operation Dragonfly – Christmas Drink Drive Campaign 2017 – Results; Operation Ribbon – Results; HMICFRS – PEEL Legitimacy Report – Treating People it Serves with Fairness and Respect; HMICFRS – PEEL Legitimacy Report – Ensuring Workforce Behaves Ethically and Lawfully; HMICFRS – PEEL Legitimacy Report – Treating Workforce with Fairness and Respect; Investigations Framework – Shoplifting and Policing Precept Decision.

23 February 2018

Themes raised: Police Disclosures to the Crown Prosecution Service; Her Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate – CPS South East; Forensic Services; Knife Crime – Operation Sceptre; Wildlife, Heritage and Environmental Crime and Prescription-Only Medicines and Organised Crime.

23 March 2018

Themes raised: Reassurance to Sussex Communities – Nerve Agent Attack; Outstanding Warrants; Missing Sex Offenders in Sussex; Child Sexual Exploitation Awareness Day; Anti-Social Behaviour; Action Counters Terrorism Campaign and 101 – Non-Emergency Call Handling Times.

20 April 2018

Themes raised: Sussex Police 2018/22 Transformation Strategy; HMICFRS – PEEL Effectiveness Report – Preventing Crime and Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour; HMICFRS – PEEL Effectiveness Report – Investigating Crime and Reducing Re-Offending; HMICFRS – PEEL Effectiveness Report – Preventing the Vulnerable and Supporting Victims; HMICFRS – PEEL Effectiveness Report – Tackling Serious and Organised Crime and Use of Community Remedy.

18 May 2018

Themes raised: Drugs in Brighton & Hove; Stop and Search Powers; Sussex Police 2018/22 Transformation Strategy; Information Management; 101 – Non-Emergency Call Handling Times; Serious Violence Strategy and Average Working Days Lost to Sickness.

15 June 2018

Themes raised: Road Safety; Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR); Gypsies and Travellers; Operation Magpie – Summer Burglary Prevention Campaign; HMICFRS – Rape Monitoring Group Digest Report; Mental Health Provisions and World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

20 July 2018

Themes raised: Operation Dragonfly – Summer Drink-And-Drug-Drive Campaign 2018; Operation Ribbon – World Cup 2018; Abuse of Authority; Recorded Crime; Homicide and Knife Crime.

21 September 2018

Themes raised: Police Officer Recruitment; Policing of Large-Scale Events; 101 – Non-Emergency Call Handling Times; Investigations and Resolution Centre; Rural Crime; Public Engagement – Sussex Police Transformation Strategy 2018/22 and Road Policing Unit.

19 October 2018

Themes raised: Policing of Hunts; County Lines – Drug Gangs; Grade 1 and 2 Response Times; Domestic Abuse; Solved Crime Rates; Children in Custody; Police Officer and PCSO Recruitment Update and Brexit.

16 November 2018

Themes raised: Policing of the Bonfire Celebrations; Use of the ‘THRIVE’ Decision-Making Model; Modern Slavery; Operation Magpie – Burglary Crime Prevention Campaign; Home Office: Arrest Figures for England and Wales; Home Affairs Select Committee: Policing for the Future; Information Management: Breach of Freedom of Information Act and HMICFRS: Value for Money Profile 2018.

14 December 2018

Themes raised: Police Grant Settlement 2019/20; Operation Dragonfly – Christmas Drink-and-Drug-Drive Campaign 2018; Operation Ribbon; HMICFRS – Nation Child Protection Inspection; HMICFRS – Policing and Mental Health and 101 – Non-Emergency Call Handling Times.

27 January 2017

Themes raised: Operation Dragonfly – Christmas Drink-And-Drive Campaign 2016 – Results; Operation Ribbon – Update; Burglary Dwelling; Office for National Statistics (ONS) – Public Order Offences, Possession of Weapons Offences and Robberies; South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU); Local Policing Programme; Policing Precept Decision and Operational Delivery Budget 2017/18.

24 February 2017

Themes raised: Rural Crime; Policing and Crime Act 2017 – Pre-charge Bail; Assaults on Police Officers; Use of Spit Guards; Proceeds of Crime Act; Payments to Informants and National Police Air Service.

24 March 2017

Themes raised: HMIC – PEEL Effectiveness Report – Overview; HMIC – PEEL Effectiveness Report – Preventing Crime and Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour; HMIC – PEEL Effectiveness Report – Investigating Crime and Reducing Re-Offending; HMIC – PEEL Effectiveness Report – Preventing the Vulnerable and Supporting Victims; HMIC – PEEL Effectiveness Report – Tackling Serious and Organised Crime; 101 – Non-Emergency Call Handling Times; Child Sexual Exploitation Awareness Day and Using Mobile Phones when Driving.

21 April 2017

Themes raised: Road Safety; HMIC – Overall Assessment of Policing in England and Wales 2016; Burglary Dwelling; Earned Autonomy; Joint Force Vetting Unit; Investment Areas Following Precept Increase and Average working days lost to sickness.

19 May 2017

Themes raised: Stop and Search Powers; Operation Sceptre – Action Against Knife Crime; Business Crime – 2016 Commercial Victimisation Survey; Planning for the Policing of the General Election; Operation Rogue Trader and Operation Edmond – Anti-Oil Exploration Protests.

16 June 2017

Themes raised: Reassurance to Sussex Communities (following the Manchester and London terrorist attacks); Wildlife Festival; Street Drinking; Operation Dragonfly – Summer Drink-And-Drug-Drive Campaign; Direct Entry and Fast Track Programmes and Out-of-Court Disposals.

21 July 2017

Themes raised: Operation Dragonfly – Summer Drink-And-Drug-Drive Campaign – Results; Central Ticket and Summons Unit; Policing Vision 2025; Harassment and Stalking; Monitoring of Sex Offenders; Assaults Involving Corrosive Substances – Acid Attacks and Investment Areas Following Precept Increase.

15 September 2017

This PAM specifically focused on neighbourhood policing with questions raised under three separate areas: Local Policing Programme; Crime (Recorded Crime and Investigations Framework) and Contact (101 – Non-Emergency Call Handling Times; Resolution Centre and Contact Campaign).

27 October 2017

Themes raised: Planning for the Policing of the Bonfire Celebrations; Operation Magpie – Burglary Crime Prevention Campaign; Scale of Multiple Abuse in Sussex; Hate Crime Awareness Week 2017; Psychoactive Substances; Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles – Drones.

17 November 2017

Themes raised: HMICFRS – PEEL Efficiency Report – Overview; HMICFRS – PEEL Efficiency Report – Understanding of Demand; HMICFRS – PEEL Efficiency Report – Using Resources to Manage Demand; HMICFRS – PEEL Efficiency Report – Planning for Future Demand; Office for National Statistics – Violent Crime and Sexual Offences; Home Office – Arrest Figures for England and Wales and National Police Air Service.

15 December 2017

Themes raised: Operation Albion – Brighton & Hove Albion .v. Crystal Palace; Operation Dragonfly – Christmas Drink Drive Campaign 2017; Operation Ribbon; Policing of Hunts; Policing and Crime Act 2017 – Mental Health Provisions; 101 – Non-Emergency Call Handling Times; Vehicle Crime and Investment Areas Following Precept Increase.

15 January 2016

Themes raised: Operation Dragonfly – Christmas Drink Drive Campaign 2015 - Results; Burglary Dwelling and Burglary OTD; Operation Ribbon – Update; HMIC – Harmful Traditional Practices; Operation Limelight; Home Office – Arrest Figures for England and Wales; HMIC – Digital Crime and Policing and Police Grant Settlement.

19 February 2016

Themes raised: 101 – Non-Emergency Call Handling Times; Homelessness, Begging and the Street Community; International Fund for Animal Welfare – Trail of Lies; Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse; Stonewall Workplace Equality Index; HMIC – PEEL Legitimacy Report; HMIC – PEEL Effectiveness Report and Policing Precept Decision.

18 March 2016

Themes raised: Burglary Dwelling Solved Rate in Brighton & Hove; Operation Crackdown; Child Sexual Exploitation; HMIC – PEEL Assessment, State of Policing Report 2015 and Leadership Statement; Sussex Elders’ Commission Report – Nuisance calls and scams; Operational Delivery Budget and Police Officer Recruitment.

15 April 2016

Themes raised: Violent Crime; Street Drinking; Satisfaction of Victims of Domestic Abuse; Reassurance to Sussex Communities; Local Policing Programme – PCSOs in Crowborough and Automatic Number Plate Recognition.

20 May 2016

Themes raised: Possession of Drugs – Cannabis; Outstanding Warrants; 101 – Non-Emergency Call Handling Times; Revenge Pornography; Management of Police Information; Mental Health Awareness Week and Home Office Grant Funding – Mental Health Crisis Care Concordat.

17 June 2016

Themes raised: Street Drinking; Policing Costal Borders; Resolution Centre; Operation Wagtail – Domestic Abuse; Witnesses at Court; Relationship Between the Police and the Media and Estates Strategy.

22 July 2016

Themes raised: Reassurance to Sussex Communities – Nice Attack; Operation Dragonfly – Summer Drink Drive Campaign 2016; 101 – Non-Emergency Call Handling Times; Hate Crime – EU Referendum; Local Policing Programme – PCSOs; Scams Awareness Month 2016 and Police Grant Settlement 2016/17.

16 September 2016

Themes raised: Policing of the Pride celebrations; Violence against the person; 101 – Non-Emergency Call Handling Times; Home Office Justice Select Committee – Restorative Justice Report; HMIC – Crime Data Integrity; Resolution Centre and Average working days lost to sickness.

21 October 2016

Themes raised: Children in Custody; Planning for the Policing of the Bonfire Celebrations; HMIC – Rape Monitoring Group Digest Report; Local Policing Programme – Investigations Framework; Local Policing Programme – Duty to Consult; Investment Areas Following Precept Increase and Police Officer Recruitment.

18 November 2016

Themes raised: Burglary Dwelling; Using Mobile Phones when Driving; 101 – Non-Emergency Call Handling Times; HMIC – PEEL Efficiency Report – Overview; HMIC – PEEL Efficiency Report – Understanding of Demand; HMIC – PEEL Efficiency Report – Using Resources to Manage Demand; HMIC – PEEL Efficiency Report – Planning for Future Demand and Joint Force Vetting Unit.

16 December 2016

Themes raised: Operation Dragonfly – Christmas Drink Drive Campaign 2016; Operation Ribbon; Independent Police Complaints Commission – Police Complaints; Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse in Football; HMIC – PEEL Legitimacy Report and HMIC – Value for Money Profile.

16 January 2015

Themes raised: Operation Dragonfly – Christmas Drink-Drive Campaign 2014 – Results; Homicides in Sussex; Operation Ribbon – Update; Reassurance to Sussex Communities; Drug Related Deaths and Estates Strategy Update.

20 February 2015

Themes raised: Business Crime Strategy; Squatters in Brighton & Hove; Killed or Seriously Injured (KSIs); Female Genital Mutilation (FGM); Unauthorised Drone Usage; Independent Police Complaints Commission – Complaints Against the Police and Investment Areas Following Precept Increase.

18 March 2015

Themes raised: Missing Sex Offenders in Sussex; Policing of Hunts; Child Sexual Exploitation; Financial Performance Report; Counter Terrorism – Prevent and Channel Panels; Sussex Local Policing Model and Planning for the Policing of the General Election.

17 April 2015

The PAM was dedicated to the HMIC report, “Stop and Search Powers 2: are the police using them effectively and fairly”. Questions relating to the following areas identified in the report were asked to the Deputy Chief Constable: Overview; Progress against the 2013 recommendations; Recommendations 2 and 3 – Fairness; Recommendation 5 – Impact of stop and search on communities; Recommendation 8 – Formal dissatisfaction complaint route; Recommendation 10 – Better use of technology; Other powers to stop and search – Road Traffic Act 1988; Plans in place to meet the 2015 recommendations and Sussex Youth Commission.

Other themes raised: Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Campaign and Chief Constable’s Registry.

22 May 2015

Themes raised: Local Alcohol Action Area; HMIC Report – “Everyone’s business: Improving the police response to domestic abuse”; Restorative Justice; Local Policing Programme; Increased reporting and Police Innovation Fund.

26 June 2015

Themes raised: Operation Magpie – Summer Burglary Prevention Campaign; Operation Dragonfly – Summer Drink Drive Campaign; Sexual Offence Liaison Officers; World Elder Abuse Awareness Day; Sussex Youth Commission – Independent Advisory Group; Police Officer Recruitment; Special Constable Recruitment update and Joint Procurement Service.

31 July 2015

Themes raised: Local Policing Programme – Update; Sussex Safer Roads Partnership – National Rural Crime Survey Results; Female Genital Mutilation (FGM); Office for National Statistics (ONS) – Violence against the person; HMIC Report – Building the picture and Estates Strategy – Update.

18 September 2015

Themes raised: Major Incidents; Burglary Dwelling; “The Nick” Documentary; Psychoactive Substances; 101 – Non-Emergency Call Handling Times and Migrant Crisis in Calais – Strategic Policing Requirement.

16 October 2015

Themes raised: Retail Crime Partnership; Use of Community Remedy; Planning for the policing of the bonfire celebrations; Hate Crime Reporting App; Independent Police Complaints Commission – Complaints; Continuity of case management and Investment Areas Following Precept Increase.

20 November 2015

Themes raised: Reassurance to Sussex Communities - Paris; Operation Magpie – Burglary Crime Prevention Campaign; Local Policing Programme – Resolution Centre; Local Policing Programme – Stakeholder Engagement; International Restorative Justice Week; HMIC – PEEL Efficiency Report; HMIC – Building the Picture Report – Progress update; HMIC – Rape Monitoring Group Digest Report and Police Knowledge Fund 2015.

16 December 2015

Themes raised: Comprehensive Spending Review and Autumn Statement; Operation Dragonfly – Christmas Drink Drive Campaign 2015; All-Party Parliamentary Group for Children – Building Trust Report; HMIC – Regional Organised Crime Units; Operation Ribbon; Children in Custody and HMIC – Witness for the Prosecution report.

17 January 2014

Themes raised: Christmas Drink Drive Campaign 2013; Out-of-court disposals; Stop and search; 20mph enforcement; Rape detection rate; Satisfaction; Operation Cranberry; Estates strategy and Recruitment.

21 February 2014

Themes raised: Major crime investigation; Sussex Resilience Forum; Honour Based Violence; Female Genital Mutilation; Vehicle crime in Brighton & Hove; Independent Police Complaints Commission – Upheld Appeals and Policing Precept decision.

21 March 2014

Themes raised: Anti-Social Behaviour – Street Drinking; Scams and Fraud – Operation Signature; Voluntary Tagging – Operation Magpie; Homophobic and Racist Abuse in Football; Reassurance of Crawley Communities – Syria Suicide Bombing; Police Information Notices and Operation Mansell/Stade.

25 April 2014

The PAM was dedicated to the HMIC report, “Everyone’s business: Improving the police response to domestic abuse”. Questions relating to the following areas identified in the report were asked to the Chief Constable: First Contact – Identifying Victims; Initial Response – Victim Contact; Action Taken – Training, Hasanovic Jury Inquest Outcome, Body Worn Video; Working with Partners – Partnership Working; Management of Risk – Risk Assessment and Domestic Violence Protection Notices and Orders.

16 May 2014

Themes raised: Action Fraud; Acquisitive Crime – Detection Rates; Anti-Social Behaviour – Street Drinking; Missing Persons; Re-victimisation; Resilience of CID in Brighton & Hove; College of Policing – Code of Ethics; Operation Mansell and Joint Procurement Services.

20 June 2014

Themes raised: Devils Dyke Rave; Children in Custody; Crime Data Integrity; Police Officer Fitness; Exercise Citizen; 101 – Non-Emergency Call Handling Times; Recruitment Update and Estates Strategy Update.

25 July 2014

Themes raised: Summer Drink Drive Campaign 2014; Killed or Seriously Injured; Burglary and Burglary OTD; Unlicensed Events – Raves; Operation Kite; Impact of FIFA World Cup 2014 – Domestic Abuse; Gypsies and Travellers; Absconders from Open Prisons; Response times; HMIC – Valuing the Police Report and Investment following Precept Increase.

26 September 2014

Themes raised: 101 – Non-Emergency Call Handling Failures; HMIC – Core Business Report; Unannounced Inspections of Police Custody – (Mental Health Concordat); Direct Entry (Superintendent) Programme and Fast Track (Constable to Inspector) Programme; Best Use of Stop & Search Scheme; Policing of the Pride Celebrations; Planning for the Policing of the Bonfire Celebrations; Confiscation Orders; Violent Crime; Rotherham Borough Council – Child Sexual Exploitation and Operational Delivery Budget.

22 October 2014

Themes raised: UK Threat Level; Introduction of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime & Policing Act 2014; Domestic Abuse & Violence Action Plan; National Crime Agency: Apology to Children at Risk of Abuse; Victim Satisfaction – Kept Informed; HMIC – Undercover Policing in England & Wales Report; Threat of an Ebola Epidemic; Investment Areas Following Precept Increase and Hybrid Vehicles.

21 November 2014

Themes raised: Regional Burglary Campaign; Pop-Up Hubs for the Street Community; Launch of Domestic Abuse Campaign; Equality and Diversity; HMIC – Crime Data Integrity; Prevent Strategy; Sussex Youth Commission; HMIC – Value for Money Profile and College of Policing: Cost of Training.

19 December 2014

Themes raised: Operation Dragonfly – Christmas Drink Drive Campaign 2014; 101 – Non-Emergency Call Handling Times; Operation Ribbon; Homophobic Hate Crimes; HMIC – PEEL Assessment; Police use of Pre-Charge Bail and Provisional Police Grant Settlement.

26 July 2013

Themes raised: Response times; Frontline policing; 101 – Non-Emergency Call Handling Times; Stop and search powers; Leadership; Firearms licensing; Visibility; Recorded crime; Burglary; Domestic Abuse; Special Constables; Estates strategy; Collaboration and Strategic Policing Requirement.

20 September 2013

This PAM specifically focused on the policing of the anti-fracking protests in Balcombe.

Other themes raised: Burglary; 101 – Non-Emergency Call Handling Times; Response times and Recruitment.

18 October 2013

Themes raised: Burglary; Cyber crime; Serious sexual offences; Response times; 101 – Non-Emergency Call Handling Times; Operation Crackdown; Operation Fresco; Complaints against officers; Overspend on agency and temporary staff and Estates strategy.

22 November 2013

The PAM was combined with a Youth Takeover Day which saw four young people put questions to the Chief Constable, Superintendent and Chief Inspector.

20 December 2013

Themes raised: Response times; 101 – Non-Emergency Call Handling Times; Operation Crackdown; HMIC Quarterly Review; Overview of Hate Crime in England and Wales; Crime Recording (Data Integrity); Domestic Abuse & Violence Attrition Rates and HMIC – Value for Money Profile.