The Barnet Safer Communities Partnership Board convened to discuss crime and community safety initiatives in the borough. Key topics included a performance update with a focus on domestic abuse and violence against women and girls (VAWG), safeguarding adults, combating drug-related issues, and updates from Barnet Homes. The board endorsed the Domestic Abuse and VAWG Strategy 2025-2029, which outlines the borough's commitment to preventing and responding to these issues.

Community Safety Performance Update

Chief Inspector Paul Condren of the Metropolitan Police presented the Community Safety Partnership (CSP) Performance Update for the first quarter of 2025-26. The report detailed crime statistics and trends within the borough, comparing Barnet's performance against the Triborough area (Harrow and Brent) and other London boroughs.

Key highlights from the report included:

• Domestic Burglary: Barnet experienced a 0.6% increase in domestic burglary offences over the past year, which Chief Inspector Paul Condren attributed to organised criminal groups targeting the borough. However, the most recent quarter saw a 23% drop in burglary offences, resulting in approximately 100 fewer victims. The police have made 25 arrests and secured 107 charges for burglaries in Barnet related to these groups.
• Burglary in the Business Community: There was a 13.9% decrease in burglaries affecting businesses compared to the previous year. This was attributed to operations targeting prolific offenders and increased collaboration with retailers to improve reporting and security measures.
• Personal Robbery: Robbery of personal property saw a significant decrease of 36%, equating to 250 fewer victims compared to the previous year. The police have been targeting addresses involved in the phone theft chain and using tactics to target known robbers.
• Violence Without Injury: There was a slight increase of 0.6% in violence without injury offences. Barnet has the third lowest rate among London boroughs. A new patrol strategy has been developed for the Colindale South ward, which has a slightly raised offending figure.
• Violence With Injury: Violence with injury saw a 12.5% decrease, resulting in 230 fewer victims compared to the same time last year. Barnet has the second lowest rate for violence with injuries in London.
• Knife Crime: Knife crime saw a 17.9% decrease, with 15 fewer people injured with knives. Barnet has the fourth lowest rate among London boroughs.
• Possession of Weapons: There was a 15.2% increase in possession of weapon offences, which Chief Inspector Paul Condren stated was a positive trend, as it indicated proactive efforts to detect and remove weapons from the streets.
• Drug Trafficking and Supply: There was a 125% increase in supply and trafficking offences, with 301 more incidents detected compared to the previous year.
• Domestic Abuse: There was a slight increase of 0.2% in reported domestic abuse incidents. Chief Inspector Paul Condren cautioned that these figures should be interpreted with care, as domestic abuse is often underreported. Response team officers are tasked with domestic violence arrests within 24 hours of the offence being reported.
• Hate Crime: Reported hate crime decreased by 25.4%. Chief Inspector Paul Condren noted that hate crime figures are significantly affected by events occurring elsewhere in the world.
• Stop and Search: Stop and search activity saw a 21% decrease compared to the previous year, which was attributed to a large number of police officers who don't normally work in the borough coming into the area the previous year. There has been a 25% increase on the previous quarter versus last quarter.

Councillor Sara Conway, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Community Cohesion and Ending Violence Against Women & Girls, requested a one-page summary of the statistics to share with the public.

CCTV Incidents

Nicholas Licardo, Community Safety, CCTV & Intel. Senior Manager, Assurance and Public Protection, presented data on incidents recorded by the CCTV control room. There were 1,893 incidents recorded, with the peak period between 8pm and 9pm. The ward with the highest number of incidents was Burnt Oak, accounting for 23% of the total.

Prevent Referrals

Perryn Jasper, Prevent Coordinator and Hate Crime Lead, provided an update on Prevent referrals. There was a decrease in total referrals, with a notable increase in far-right referrals and a decrease in referrals related to no ideology.

Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Update

Leslie Hutchinson, the Barnet Safeguarding Adult Board independent chair, presented the board's annual report for 2024-25. The report detailed the board's strategic priorities, safeguarding activity, and key achievements.

Key points from the report included:

• An increase in safeguarding concerns per 100,000 population.
• A slight dip in the number of section 42s¹ in comparison.
• A higher conversion rate, indicating a greater understanding of the criteria for submitting a safeguarding concern.
• Good performance in making safeguarding personal, with a focus on hearing and involving the person throughout the process.

Leslie Hutchinson highlighted the importance of addressing hate crime and ensuring that individuals who are subjects of hate crime and have care and support needs are referred for safeguarding procedures and interventions. She also noted the need for further conversations with the children's safeguarding partnership regarding modern slavery.

Combating Drugs Partnership Board Report

Councillor Moore, chair of the Combating Drugs Partnership Board, introduced the board's annual report. The report detailed the progress made over the past year in addressing substance misuse in the borough.

Key achievements included:

• The recommissioning of drug and alcohol treatment services for young people and adults.
• The implementation of three subgroups focusing on enforcement, treatment and recovery, and prevention.
• A continued focus on increasing drug tests and arrests.
• The use of the police referral app to refer individuals in need of support into Change Grow Live (CGL).

Janet Djomba, Director of Public Health, highlighted the upcoming recovery film screening in September and encouraged attendance.

DA and VAWG Strategy 2025-2029

The committee endorsed and noted the Domestic Abuse and VAWG Strategy 2025 to 2029.

Councillor Sara Conway thanked everyone for their work on the strategy, including survivors, residents, and community groups. She emphasised the council's commitment to preventing and responding to domestic abuse and VAWG.

Barnet Homes Update

Declan Khan from Barnet Homes provided a verbal update on anti-social behaviour (ASB). He reported that there had been 27 new ASB cases across the borough in quarter one, with harassment being the biggest issue. Barnet Homes have developed a QR code and online reporting system for residents to report ASB. There has been an increase in ASB reports and cases compared to the same period last year. Barnet Homes are also focusing on noise nuisance and working to improve noise insulation in properties.