Jo Coles - York and North Yorkshire Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire and Crime

Jo Coles - North Yorkshire Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire and Crime

011/2014: Rural Watch Patrol Selby District – 29 July 2014

Executive Summary and recommendation:

Sponsorship funding has been identified that would enable NYP to provide a vehicle for utilisation by the Selby District Rural Watch volunteers.  This would enable the development of the existing links with the Selby Rural Watch scheme and support the community in combating rural crime.

It is recommended that the Commissioner:

  • approve the receipt of sponsorship funding for this initiative
  • approve the capital expenditure for the purchase and preparation of the vehicle

Police and Crime Commissioner decision:  Approved

Signature:  signature

Date:  29 July 2014

Title:  Police and Crime Commissioner


Part 1 – Unrestricted facts and advice to the PCC

1. Introduction and background:

1.1    The project will provide a double crewed vehicle, staffed by police volunteers, recruited from the Selby Rural Watch.  This vehicle will be tasked with patrolling “at risk” locations, specifically targeting areas suffering from cross border crime.

1.2    At various times of the year, Selby District conducts “OP Jumbo” evenings, where members of rural watch patrol their own land, in their own vehicles and phone in suspect sightings and occurrences to the FCR, who in turn dispatch officers to these sightings.  This has worked successfully for many years and as a result there is a strong relationship with the rural community.

1.3    This proposal is to develop those existing arrangements into a scheme where official “police volunteers”, would be recruited from within “Rural Watch”.  Once trained they would be paired up, driving a highly visible vehicle, marked up with “Rural Watch” livery.  This vehicle would be police owned, having been sponsored from various sources.  In relation to this particular initiative four sponsors have been identified; Selby South and West Community Engagement Forums, Selby CSP and Northern Power Grid.  Contracts have been drawn up for funds to be transferred to NYP.  It would be police insured and maintained.  The vehicle would not have blue lights or two tone horns fitted and would be driven only  by volunteers who had completed their basic police driving test.

1.4    There are several qualified volunteers in existence already.  They would be rostered to work on certain predetermined evenings / nights and would be managed by the area police volunteer coordinator.  Their patrol area would be tasked by the duty Sgt and would be based on current intelligence and taskings.

1.5    The potential benefits of the initiative are set out in the table below.

Additional visible presence in targeted locations Greater presence, leading to as greater deterrent and /or reporting capability.
Reassurance Increased presence in the neighbourhood providing increased reassurance.
Community involvement Increased number of “volunteers” in the employ of NYP.
Partnership working The buy in of other partners to the project could lead to further partnership working
Additional fleet Dependant on the type of vehicle purchased, when not being used for its main purpose the vehicle could be used by other staff for various tasks
Increased publicity Positive publicity leading to an increased desire for other partners / organisations to work with NYP.  Crime reduction due to deterrent factor.
Additional hours at little cost Massive increase in patrol hours at little cost to the organisation, other than periodic maintenance and fuel .e.g. If 2 volunteers patrolled between 8pm and 2am, 3 times a week then this would equate to an equivalent cost to police, using the lowest paid constables, of £4624 a year.If this was multiplied over the expected life of the vehicle e.g. 8 yrs then on a minimum turnout it would equate to £24K.

1.6       The Capital and Revenue expenditure associated with the initiative is set out below.

Capital Expenditure

Description Narrative Sub Total (£)
Equipment Livery, Bluetooth, mobile phone, sundries 1000
Vehicle Suitable vehicle as suggested and sourced by Transport Dept 8500
TOTAL 9500

Revenue Expenditure

    First Year and Ongoing Costs
Description Narrative Year 1(£) Ongoing annual cost (£)
Employee Costs 100% use of unpaid volunteers 0 0
Fuel 1200 1200
Maintenance   400   400
Mobile phone    
Others – please specify    
TOTALS 1600 1600

2. Matters for consideration:

2.1    Sponsors have been identified and include, Selby South and West Community Engagement Forums and Selby CSP.  Contracts have been drawn up for the money to be transferred to NYP.  The sponsors are aware that at the end of the vehicle’s working life the project would either need to be further funded or that it would potentially end.  It is proposed that sponsorship funding be accepted and utilised as capital expenditure in the purchase of a vehicle.

2.2    It is proposed that the vehicle be liveried in “Rural Watch” logos to differentiate from the NYP patrol vehicles.

3. Other options considered, if any: 

To request the full amount from the PCC’s community fund

4. Contribution to Police and Crime Plan outcomes

4.1    Reducing harm:  The patrol is specifically designed to act as a deterrent in the area, reducing crime and anti social behaviour.

4.2    Putting people first:  The patrol provides a further reassurance to a vulnerable rural community, through a highly visible presence

4.3    Delivering more for less:  With the use of sponsorship and volunteers we are able to put another highly visible resource into the area, for little expenditure.  It will increase crime prevention and assist in crime detection.

5. Consultations carried out

Through NYP all relevant departments have been consulted and their questions answered to their satisfaction.  The project has been taken through the citizens in policing board and the Chief Officer Team meeting and has been met with consistent support.  The Selby Community Safety Partnership and the Selby CEFs have given their support.  Neighbourhood watch has also given its support.

6. Financial Implications/Value for money

NYPs figures show that the vehicle would require a contribution of £1600 a year to maintain and fuel the vehicle.  All initial costs attributable to the purchase of the vehicle would be covered by the sponsorship provided.

The value for money is considerable, as all human resource is provided through the Police Volunteer Scheme.

Chief Constables Chief Finance Officer Comments:

The capital costs are covered by the sponsorship.  The recurring revenue costs could be covered out of the force partnership hub budget.

7. Legal Implications

         Advice concerning insurance issuesand ensuring suitable training with health and safety risk assessments has been provided.

Having read this report and having considered such information as has been provided at the time of being asked to express this view, the Acting Force Solicitor and Head of Legal Services is satisfied that this report does not ask the PCC for North Yorkshire to make a decision which would (or would be likely to) give rise to a contravention of the law. 

8. Equality Implications

Recruitment will be carried out using the current agreed policy and procedure

There do not appear to be any equality implications.

9. Human Resources Implications

It is noted that a volunteer role profile has been submitted in relation to these particular      Rural Patrol roles.  It is also noted that volunteers will be selected from the current  cohort of NYP volunteers who are already vetted.  Training needs analysis, commission of that training and associated costs have not been determined at the point of submission of this notice and must be addressed.  It is understood that the management of individuals assigned to these volunteer roles will be through the existing management structure for volunteers.

Public Access to information

The Police and Crime Commissioner wishes to be as open and transparent as possible about the decisions he/she takes or are taken in his/her name. All decisions taken by the Commissioner will be subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA).

As a general principle, the Commissioner expects to be able to publish all decisions taken and all matters taken into account and all advice received when reaching the decision. Part 1 of this Notice will detail all information which the Commissioner will disclose into the public domain. The decision and information in Part 1 will be made available on the NYPCC web site within 2 working days of approval.

Only where material is properly classified as restricted under the GPMS or if that material falls within the description at 2(2) of The Elected Local Policing Bodies (Specified Information) Order 2011 will the Commissioner not disclose decisions and/or information provided to enable that decision to be made. In these instances, Part 2 of the Form will be used to detail those matters considered to be restricted.  Information in Part 2 will not be published.

Is there a Part 2 to this Notice – NO


 Originating Officer Declaration – Author name: Insp Richard Abbott – Collar number: 1385

  Name      (Collar Number) Date of completion (√)
Head of Department has reviewed the request and is satisfied that it is correct and consistent with the NYPCC’s plans and priorities. ACC Kennedy 21.07.2014
Legal Advice Legal advice has been sought on this proposal and is considered not to expose the PCC to risk of legal challenge or such risk is outlined in Part 1 or Part 2 of this Notice. Jane Wintermeyer3840 13.08.14
Financial Advice The CC CFO has been consulted on this proposal, for which budgetary provision already exists or is to be made in accordance with Part 1 or Part 2 of this Notice. Jane Palmer004364 13/08/2014
Equalities Advice Either there is considered to be minimal impact or the impact is outlined in Part1 or Part2 of this Notice.  Author to complete as Equalities matters are mainstreamed within departments. Richard Abbott 21.07.2014
HR Advice HR advice has been sought in relation to any people related matters   Rosemarie Holmes4647 13/08/14

 

I confirm that all the above advice has been sought and received and I am satisfied that this is an appropriate request to be submitted for a decisionSignature        Richard Abbott                                                                                            Date 21.07.2014

 

Download the Decision notice DN011/2014: Rural Watch Patrol Selby District

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