The Community Safety Partnership meeting scheduled for 25 January 2024 was set to address critical issues surrounding serious violence, violence against women and girls, and updates from the Metropolitan Police. The meeting's agenda focused on strategic assessments, partnership updates, and the implementation of new duties aimed at enhancing community safety.

Serious Violence Duty

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the Serious Violence Duty, a government initiative introduced by the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022. The report pack detailed the requirements for Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs) to undertake evidence-based analysis of serious violence, develop strategic needs assessments, and implement strategies for prevention and reduction. The definition of serious violence adopted by Haringey, in line with London guidance, encompasses violence and exploitation affecting young people under 25, domestic abuse, and sexual violence. The report highlighted that violent crime rates in Haringey for most categories are above the London average, with particular concentrations of violence in wards such as Noel Park, Northumberland Park, Tottenham Hale, Tottenham Central, and South Tottenham. Young people under 25 were identified as the largest victim and perpetrator group for most violence categories, with peak volumes occurring in the afternoon to early evening. The strategy document outlines six key outcomes: reducing violence and high harm crimes, addressing violence against women and girls (VAWG), tackling exploitation, increasing trust and public confidence, reducing reoffending, and supporting victims of crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB). The implementation of this duty is led by the Haringey Community Safety Partnership (CSP).

Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Updates

The meeting was scheduled to receive updates on Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) from both Haringey and the Metropolitan Police. The Haringey update, presented by Abigail Wycherley, detailed the borough's VAWG strategy, which focuses on developing a coordinated community response, prevention, support for victims and survivors, and holding perpetrators accountable. Key initiatives included the Protect Our Women (POW) educational programme delivered in schools, the development of a directory of VAWG services, and the operation of services such as Independent Domestic Violence Advocates (IDVAs) and the Domestic Abuse Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC). The Metropolitan Police presentation, by Chris Anderson and Andrew Brien, outlined their NA VAWG Action Plan, structured around three pillars: Building Trust and Confidence, Relentless Pursuit of Perpetrators, and Safer Spaces. This plan includes initiatives like the VAWG 100 project to identify and monitor high-risk offenders, Op Dauntless to target repeat domestic abuse offenders, and the Drive perpetrator panels to reduce abuse. Safer Spaces initiatives included Project Vigilant to prevent sexual offences through proactive patrols, Op Verona for visible policing in hot spot areas, and the Walk and Talk scheme for women to discuss safety concerns with officers.

Joint Targeted Area Investigation

A presentation by Beverley Hendricks was scheduled regarding a Joint Targeted Area Investigation. Further details on this item were not available in the provided documents, with a note indicating Report to follow.

Domestic Homicide Review (DHR)

The meeting agenda also included a presentation by Megan Dyson on Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHRs). DHRs are statutory reviews conducted when a domestic abuse homicide occurs, aiming to identify lessons learned and improve the response of agencies to prevent future deaths. The specific details of any DHRs to be discussed were not publicly available in the report pack, as this item was likely to be subject to a motion to exclude the press and public due to containing exempt information.