Decision

(Report of the Chief Executive)

The report presented the Community Safety Partnership Plan for 2026/27, which set out the work undertaken during 2025/26 and the priorities identified for the forthcoming year.

The report highlighted the positive work delivered during 2025/26 through partnership working across the Borough, including support for victims of domestic abuse, targeted action on anti-social behaviour through the ASB Enforcement Team, support for youth initiatives and crime prevention events.  Members were advised that Tonbridge and Malling remained one of the safest districts in Kent, with victim-based crime reducing by 5% during 2025/26 and the Borough continuing to have the third lowest victim-based crime rate in Kent.

The Community Safety Partnership had agreed three priorities for 2026/27: anti-social behaviour, including environmental crime; exploitation, including gangs, modern slavery, child exploitation, cuckooing, online safety and Prevent; and safeguarding people at risk of harm, including domestic abuse, violence against women and girls, stalking, serious violence, fraud, scams and hate crime.  These priorities would be supported by the cross-cutting themes of prevention, young people, substance misuse and mental health.

Detailed action plans had been developed with partners for each priority area and would be monitored by the Community Safety Partnership Strategy Group throughout the year.  It was noted that funding was received from the Police and Crime Commissioner and that activities arising from the Plan would be delivered within existing resources.

Following consideration by the Communities and Environment Scrutiny Select Committee, the Cabinet Member for Community Services resolved that

(1)        the Community Safety Partnership Plan 2026/27, as set out at Annex 1, be supported and endorsed.