The Overview and Scrutiny Committee (meeting as the Crime and Disorder Committee) is scheduled to convene to discuss community safety and policing in the Maldon district. The meeting will include updates on the Maldon District Community Safety Partnership, police performance, and violence and vulnerability in the area. The committee will also review the minutes from their last meeting.

Maldon District Community Safety Partnership Update

The committee is scheduled to receive an update on the activities of the Maldon Community Safety Partnership (CSP). The report pack includes a report from the Chief Executive regarding the partnership's progress since the last meeting on 27 February 2025.

The report pack states that officers have completed the Maldon strategic assessment, which was endorsed by One Maldon District on 13 March 2025. The assessment identified the following offences as being of highest concern:

• Domestic abuse (high, medium and low risk)
• Death or serious injury caused by unlawful driving
• Rape
• Trafficking of drugs

The strategic group agreed on the following priorities: tackling crime and reducing reoffending; driving down anti-social behaviour; identifying and supporting vulnerable people and communities; tackling rural, neighbourhood and environmental crime; and promoting road safety and challenging irresponsible driving.

The report pack states that the Essex Police Maldon performance figures for the rolling year to 31 August 2025 showed a decrease in all crime by 8.4% and a decrease in anti-social behaviour by 10.8%. Hate crime is also reportedly down 16.95% in the district compared to the same period last year.

The committee will also note that Roger Hirst was re-elected to the role of Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC) for Essex on 2 May 2024. The Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (OPFCC) confirmed that core funding for Maldon in 2025/26 was £9,965.

The report pack states that Maldon District was awarded funding for three projects from the PFCC Safer Streets funding for 2023/24 and 2024/25. These include: safety projects to complement the design of the new Maldon Promenade skate park (£132,252); a women's safety project for Maldon District (£16,000); and a CCTV scheme for Burnham-on-Crouch (£40,874).

The Community Safety Partnership Hub Tasking for Maldon was launched in August 2024. The new style meetings are held monthly and has a tasking process which links to the priorities of the Community Safety Partnership (CSP).

Current project works for 2025/26 include: community engagement events at Promenade Park and Burnham-on-Crouch Riverside Park; funding for a Her Space project for Burnham-on-Crouch; Hoe Mill enforcement patrols; Fails Prevention Hub at Heybridge; and Safe and Well visits with Essex County Fire and Rescue Service (ECFRS).

The report pack also includes performance summaries for a number of districts in Essex, including Chelmsford, Braintree, Uttlesford, Colchester, Tendring, Southend, Castle Point, Rochford, Basildon, Thurrock, Epping Forest, Brentwood and Stansted Airport.

Police Performance Update

Chief Inspector Paul Ballard, Chelmsford and Maldon District Commander, Essex Police, is scheduled to provide a verbal update on police performance.

Violence and Vulnerability Update

Mr James Pearson, Team Manager, Essex Violence and Vulnerability Unit, is scheduled to provide an update and presentation on violence and vulnerability. The Essex Violence and Vulnerability Unit (VVU) aims to reduce violence and exploitation by understanding the root causes and working with partners to deliver effective interventions.

Minutes of the Last Meeting

The committee will be asked to confirm the minutes of the meeting of the committee held on 27 February 2025.