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The Crime & Disorder Act 1998 placed a statutory responsibility on a number of organisations including the Borough Council to form a Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP). In Elmbridge we call our CDRP the Elmbridge Community Safety Partnership (ECSP) and it is the responsibility of this partnership to reduce crime & disorder in Elmbridge.
As part of the Crime and Disorder Act (1998) review process, a number of changes were made in order to make Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships (CDRPs) more effective. These changes were set out in the Police and Justice Act, 2006.
Key changes included:
- The introduction of Strategic Assessments (to take place annually with 6 monthly refreshes)
- The extension of Section 17 of the Act to encompass anti social behaviour and substance misuse
- Minimum standards set out for CDRPs underpinned by 6 'Hallmarks' of an effective and successful Partnership:
1. Empowered and effective leadership
2. Intelligence led business processes
3. Effective and responsive delivery structures
4. Community engagement
5. Visible and constructive accountability
6. Appropriate skills and knowledge
One of the most significant changes set out in the Police and Justice Act (2006) is the repeal of the three-yearly crime audit and strategy process, which is to be replaced with a yearly Strategic Assessment, including a six-monthly re-fresh.
Similar to the crime audit process, there will still be a requirement to use the findings of the Strategic Assessments to develop strategies and action plans to reduce crime and disorder in the borough, in the form of a 'Partnership Plan'. The Strategic Assessment is an internal document for the partnership; to inform the Partnership Plan.
Strategic Assessments are completed using a bottom-up approach, which are then fed into countywide and national community safety plans.
The Elmbridge Community Safety Partnership Board is made up of:
- Elmbridge Borough Council
- Elmbridge Housing Trust
- Surrey Police
- Surrey Police Authority
- Surrey County Council
- Surrey Fire & Rescue Service
- Surrey PCT
Methodology
The Strategic Assessment assesses crime, disorder, anti-social behaviour and drug/alcohol misuse within the borough which will be updated on an annual basis. We obtained information for the Assessment from police panels, conducting surveys amongst residents associations, attending community forums, consulting partners and Members as well as using the findings from our most recent Residents' Panels.
It emerged that our top priorities are:
-Anti Social Behaviour/Youth Diversion
-Violence/Substance Misuse
-Crime and the Fear of Crime
Contextual Information
Elmbridge is located 17 miles south west of central London in North Surrey, covering an area of over 23,800 acres (9,600 hectares) of which 57% is protected as green belt. There are 1,300 acres (526 hectares) of commons, 2160 acres (874 hectares) of woodland and 23 conservation areas.
The River Thames borders Elmbridge to the north, the M25 motorway to the south, the River Wey to the west and the Royal Borough of Kingston-Upon-Thames to the east. The River Mole runs through the centre of the borough from north to south.
The Borough has 5 main towns: Cobham, Esher, Molesey, Walton-on-Thames and Weybridge. These are interspersed with the villages and communities of Claygate, Hersham, Hinchley Wood, Long Ditton and Thames Ditton, Oatlands, Oxshott and Stoke D'Abernon.
There are a number of commercial estates including Brooklands Industrial Park, The Heights Business Park and the Molesey and Hersham Industrial Estates.
6.1 Population - The Registrar General's mid year population estimate for 2005 was 130,300 (rounded) although the following is based on statistics gained from the census of April 2001, unless otherwise stated. According to National Statistics, the population is increasing and Elmbridge could become the most populated borough in Surrey, however we will only have accurate figures at the next census.
Elmbridge is the third most populated Borough in Surrey.
If you have any comments or suggestions regarding the Partnership Plan or would like a hard copy of it, |please contact us.