Guidance notes

NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED

OFFICE OF THE POLICE & CRIME COMMISSIONER FOR NORFOLK

DATE: 17 September 2014

ORIGINATOR: THE CHIEF CONSTABLE

REASON FOR SUBMISSION: FOR INFORMATION

SUBMITTED TO: POLICE & CRIME COMMISSIONER

SUBJECT: EQUALITY & DIVERSITY, HATE CRIME and STOP SEARCH,

SUMMARY: This report provides updates on the Constabulary’s progress and performance around Equality & Diversity, Hate Crime and Stop Search from January 2014 to July 2014.

RECOMMENDATION: The PCC is asked to note the contents of this report.

DETAIL OF THE SUBMISSION
KEY ISSUES FOR CONSIDERATION:

1.	Equality & Diversity
1.1	The Constabulary’s equality and performance information on stop and search, hate crime and HR has been updated on the Force website.
1.2	The Constabulary is in the process of putting together this year’s Stonewall Workplace Equality Index. The Constabulary has improved its score year-on-year for the last three years. The criteria and marking system has changed somewhat this year but the Constabulary is confident it can maintain its current position within the index, if not improve it.
1.3	The Constabulary continues to progress work within the Norfolk Mental Health and Learning Disability Steering group. The work streams identified as a priority are; Section 136 MHA Mental Capacity Act Control room Custody Resources Training Operational Information sharing Conveyance Suicide prevention Dementia Autism Children and young People In addition a one day training input is being rolled out to all officers with a view to challenging perceptions surrounding mental ill health and changing officers attitudes and behaviour. This training was developed in Essex and features in the Mind booklet ‘Police and Mental Health how to get it right locally’. Funding has been secured for qualified MH staff in the 136 suite to ensure a better quality of patient care and to reduce demand on officer time. In Norfolk less than 10% are taken to police custody which is an excellent position however work continues to improve this further. Norfolk Police Innovation Funds have been secured to develop a fully integrated MH team in the police control room. The mental health nurse supervisor has been in post since March 2014 and three Band 6 nurses will be joining her in the next month. The remit of this team is to ensure a more appropriate and effective response to calls for service where mental health is involved. The team can offer generic or specific advice depending on whether the person is known or not and will address three types of calls; • Critical Calls • Non – Critical calls • Repeat demand An evaluation framework is being written by the UEA in conjunction with the joint performance and analysis department.
1.4	The Safer Places Scheme was launched in 2013 in Norfolk having been identified through members of the Disability Advisory Forum. These ‘safe places’ such as shops, cafes and pubs will display yellow stickers on their windows showing that they are participating in the scheme. The venues will then offer to get in touch with the cardholder’s nominated contact. The project was originally piloted in Cromer and supported by Opening Doors, a local disability charity. The scheme has been rolled out in seven locations across Norfolk including Attleborough, Cromer, Dereham Fakenham, Gorleston, Kings Lynn and Norwich. Plans are in place to look at introducing the scheme in Great Yarmouth and in other areas of South Norfolk. There are currently 35 Safer Places in Norwich. Please see attached at Appendix A for the full list.
1.5	July 2014 saw another successful Pride. The Constabulary had a police village stall outside The Forum which included members of the Diversity Team, Diversity Liaison Officers, Gay Liaison Officers, Hate Free Norfolk, Child Exploitation Team, Force Chaplains, LGBT Advisory Forum and The Harbour centre. The set up was slightly different this year in that it was spread over two locations, The Forum and Chaplefield Gardens. Although the stall was busy having it in the two locations did have an impact.
1.6	During June the Diversity Team arranged a display in the atrium of OCC celebrating Roma, Gypsy and Traveller History Month. The display included information on religion, language, good practise, education, culture and the different groups within Roma, Gypsy Travellers. The display stood for the whole of June and attracted many visitors.
1.7	The Diversity Team continues to arrange training for the Constabulary’s Multi Faith Chaplaincy. The last session included an input on from Occupational Health on what services are available to officers and staff.

1.8 1.9 1.10	The Diversity Team worked with Learning and Development on the Hate Crime Training that is given to Student Officers. As a result of the review it was agreed that the Diversity Team will deliver the next four inputs to Student Officers with L&D trainers observing with a view to them taking it back next year. The diversity Team has been working on a refreshed policy for Staff Support Networks. Norfolk and Suffolk GPA are hosting this year’s LGBT national conference at the Open Venue in Norwich on the 28^th November. Keynote Speakers include His Honour Judge Stephen Holt on his experiences of being openly gay in the judiciary and writer/comedienne/equality advocate Clare Summerskill, who will be presenting her research commissioned by the Metropolitan Police Service and Age Concern on engaging with older members of the LGBT community. The conference will have break-out sessions and will be followed by a winter ball at Norwich City Football Club.
2.	Single Equality Scheme
2.1	The three year Single Equality Scheme 2013-2016 describes how the Constabulary will fulfil its moral, social and legal obligations to put equality at the heart of everything it does.
2.2	The actions in the Single Equality Scheme set out how as an organisation, the Constabulary intends to implement the requirement under The Equalities Act to support the specific and general duties in relation to equality legislation for age, disability, gender, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief and sexual orientation.
2.3	The main functions of the scheme are: To reduce crime and the fear of crime To increase public confidence and satisfaction To treat people according to their needs To put diversity at the heart of everything we do To actively consult our communities
3.	Single Equality Scheme Action plan
3.1 3.2	The Single Equality Scheme Action Plan is devolved to departmental level. Department heads are held accountable for progressing their actions through the Equality Board, chaired by the Deputy Chief Constable. Progress on the Equality Action Plan is reviewed at a quarterly meeting between the diversity team, heads of departments and SPOCs. The diversity team participate in quality review meetings with department heads and diversity SPOCs, the outcome of which are discussed with the OPCC equality lead. The Single Equality Scheme Action Plan progress will be reviewed by the Constabulary’s Equality Board at its next meeting planned for the 1^st October 2014.
4.	Equality Impact Assessments
4.1	The Constabulary continues to undertake equality impact assessments on all its policies, procedures and functions. This includes the assessment of business cases around restructuring and the PCC’s Police and Crime Plan. The Constabulary has carried out equality impact assessment on the following force policies: Joint: Deployment (Police Officers) Maternity, Adoption and Support Leave Secondments (all staff). Communications Data Acquisition Open Source Disclosable Associations Disclosure of Sensitive Material Hostage and Crisis negotiators Procurement Norfolk: Child Protection Distraction Burglary EFIT Policing Sex in Public Places
5.	Hate Incidents and Crime
5.1	Hate crime can cover any offence which is perceived to be motivated by hate by the victim, witness, any other person or officers involved in the case. Hate incidents and crimes are flagged under the following recording categories: Race Religion Sexual Orientation Disability Transgender Hate Other
5.2	The following data is taken from the reporting period January to July 2014. Please see attached Appendix B for a full data set.
5.3	The total number of hate incidents and crimes reported were 556 (230 in Q4 and 326 in Q3 respectively). When comparing the quarterly figures (Q4 and Q1) there is an increase of 41.7.1% compared to the previous period and a 30.9% increase compared to the same period last year.
5.4		The total number of hate incidents and crimes recorded during the reporting period shown by category are as follows: Hate Incident categories Q 4 and 1 Race Faith Homophobic/ Transphobic Disability Other Qtr 4 87 7 25 20 1 Qtr 1 99 15 45 20 6 Hate Crime categories Q 4 and 1 Race Faith Homophobic/Transphobic Disability Other Qtr 4 71 4 10 5 5 Qtr 1 93 9 22 21 11
5.5	Analysis shows that around 49% of victims of hate crime are in the white ethnic category. The ethnic breakdown of the victims of hate incidents and crimes is as follows:
		Hate Incidents – Victims ethnicity - Q 4 and 1 Asian Black Chinese/Other Mixed White Other White British N.Stated Qtr 4 9 11 2 5 17 41 41 Qtr 1 10 19 4 5 23 57 37 Hate Crimes – Victims ethnicity - Q 4 and 1 Asian Black Chinese/Other Mixed White Other White British N.Stated Qtr 4 11 10 1 5 22 20 11 Qtr 1 22 13 0 7 16 57 25
5.6	Hate crime victim profile and reporting methods summary: 30% of victims fall in the 25 – 34 age brackets, 23% of victims fall in the 35-44 age bracket and 15% of victims in the 16—24 age bracket. In the last reporting quarter 62% of victims were male with 38% being female. When analysing victims of hate crime 26% of victims are repeat victims.
6.	Hate Crime Current Activity
6.1	The Constabulary continues to work with partners to raise awareness of hate incidents and crime in order to encourage reporting. The diversity team has participated in celebration events such as the launch of Hate Free Norfolk, LGBT History Month, Gypsy Traveller History Month, PRIDE, Only Gay in the Village Training Programme, LGBT Question Time, Black History Month awareness events, Hate Crime surgeries and various community events including NEESA, Bridge Plus, Future Projects and the Discovery Centre.
6.2	The Constabulary continues to support the Hate Free Norfolk pledge which has been promoted internally and externally and is a member of the Hate Free Norfolk Group. The Constabulary is working on a video podcast in support of Hate Free Norfolk. The Constabulary supported the recruitment of three Victim Advocates to work alongside the Community Cohesion Officer and Norfolk Constabularies Diversity Liaison Officers.
6.3	There have been various Hate Crime events across the county in the last six months, including but not limited to:. Hate Crime stall at the Mile Cross Festival Hate Crime stall at the Norman Centre Hate Crime stall at The Catherine Wheel Police Drop in service at Costessey Library to promote Hate free Norfolk Hate Crime presentation to Over 55 coffee afternoon Hate Crime presentation to residents and staff of mental health hospital. Diversity Team organised a HFN Pledge launch and awareness events across the county attended by DLO’s, local SNT and partners. The Diversity Team were invited to talk on Future Radio regarding youth issues. Topic covered included Stop Search, Hate Crime, Cyber bullying and Anti-Social Behaviour. The show was a good success and the team have been invited to have a regular slot on the youth show.
6.4	The Diversity Team will continue to quality assure hate incident and crime data in compliance to the National Incident and Recording Standards. The recent audit showed a 100% compliance rate. Hate crime is reviewed daily at the Daily Management Meetings at force level and at the Tactical and Tasking Coordination group on a monthly basis. This enables hot spots, emerging trends, community tensions and issues to be recognised and escalated as appropriate.
7.	Stop and Search
7.1	The following data is taken from the reporting period January 2014 to July 2014. A full data set is attached at Appendix C, however to summarise:
	There were a total of 6,942 stop searches recorded during the reporting period which is a decrease of 1370 on the same period in the previous year. 13,531 Stop and searches were recorded during the previous 12 month period July 2013 to June 2014 which is a 19.6% decrease when comparing it to the same period the previous year.
	The likelihood of a person of BME ethnicity being stopped and searched compared to a person of white ethnicity being stopped and searched for the 12 month period is 1.56. For quarter 4 it equates to 1.27 and for quarter 1 1.56. The likelihood of a person of black ethnicity being stopped and searched compared to a person of white ethnicity being stopped and searched for quarter 4 equates to 4.0 and for quarter 1 as 5.37. This varies by district with the greatest likelihood of being stop searched in Gt Yarmouth. In Gt. Yarmouth in Qtr 1 there were 22 low discretion Stops (intelligence led). In Gt Yarmouth during quarter 4 and 1 there were 9 and 22 stop searches respectively in the black category. This shows a decrease in QTR 4 and an increase in Qtr 1. Dip sampling of the 22 Black stops shows that 80% are linked to Operation Debenture targeting gangs from London that were travelling to the area to supply Class A Drugs. In Qtr 4 - 43.4% of stop searches were justified under powers of PACE, with 55.4% using Section 23 powers under the Misuse of Drugs Act. In Qtr 1 – 36.4% of stop searches were justified under PACE with 61.5% using Section 23 powers under the Misuse of Drugs Act. During the reporting period there were no Section 60 but in Qtr 4 there were 4 Section 43 stops. There were 2 stops under the age of 10. There were a total of 2401stop searches where the subject was under the age of 30 which amounts to 70%.
7.4		An audit has been conducted of the Public Complaints recorded between 1 January 2014 to 31 July 2014 and the following cases relate to complaints following stop search. No complaints have been received about stop and search from BME individuals. Month Recorded Allegation Outcome Ethnicity January 2014 Discriminatory Behaviour Breach Code C PACE Not upheld M2 February 2014 Other assault Breach Code A PACE Other assault -Not Upheld Breach Code A PACE - Upheld Unknown March 2014 Oppressive conduct or harassment Local Resolution Unknown April 2014 Breach Code B Not upheld W1
8.	Stop and Search Current Activity
8.1	The Constabulary carried out a stop and search consultations concentrated on the person’s experience regarding effectiveness, fairness and perception, information and complaints with: Gt Yarmouth College College of West Anglia Discovery centre Kings Lynn KLARS
8.2 8.3	A number of recommendations have been made regarding training, supervision and access to available information. The full consultation report is attached at Appendix D. The Constabulary’s quarterly review on Stop Search performance has now been rolled out for the second quarter looking at cradle to grave analysis. The report is disseminated to area commanders with recommendations to improve performance, confidence, accountability and effective use. The Constabulary is working on the implementation of the Best Use of Stop Search Scheme . The principal aims of the Scheme are to achieve greater transparency and community involvement in the use of stop and search powers and support a more intelligence-led approach, leading to better outcomes. The features of the Scheme are: Data Recording – forces will record the outcome of searches in more detail to show the link, or lack of, between the object of the search and its outcome e.g. arrests, cautions, penalty notices for disorder and all other disposal types. Lay observation policies – providing the opportunity to members of the local community to accompany police officers on patrol using stop and search. Stop and search complaints 'community trigger' – a local complaint policy requiring the police to explain to local community scrutiny groups how the powers are being used where there is a large volume of complaints. Reducing section 60 ‘no-suspicion’ stop and searches by – Raising the level of authorisation to senior officer when they reasonably believe that an incident involving serious violence will take place. Ensuring that section 60 stop and search is applied in accordance with case law and only used if necessary – making this clear to the public; Limiting the duration of initial authorisations to 15 hours (from 24); and Communicating to local communities when there is a section 60 authorisation in advance (where practicable) and afterwards, so that the public is kept informed of the purpose and success of the operation.
9.	Community Tension
9.1	The Constabulary’s Community Tension Assessment Process has now been linked with the Community Relations and Equality Board (CREB) and the County Community Safety Partnership. The Constabulary will continue monitoring community tension in line with ACPO and National Community Tension Team (NCTT) guidelines. The weekly assessment of tension includes information on experienced, potential and evidenced data from open source, intelligence, crime and involves the Diversity Liaison Officers (DLOs), Operational Partnership Teams (OPTs) and members of the diversity team. Community tension for the reporting period has remained at level 6 for ‘Experienced, Potential and Evidence’ which is classed as ‘normal’. On a weekly basis a community tension assessment is carried out for Norfolk.

10. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Any work undertaken is within existing budgets.

11. OTHER IMPLICATIONS AND RISKS: None.
ORIGINATOR CHECKLIST (MUST BE COMPLETED)	STATE ‘YES’ OR ‘NO’
Has legal advice been sought on this submission?	NO
Have financial implications been considered?	YES
Have human resource implications been considered?	YES

Have accommodation, ICT, transport, other equipment and resources, and environment and sustainability implications been considered?	YES
Have value-for-money and risk management implications been considered?	YES
Have equality, diversity and human rights implications been considered including equality analysis, as appropriate?	YES
Is the recommendation consistent with the objectives in the Police and Crime Plan?	YES
Has consultation been undertaken with people or agencies likely to be affected by the recommendation?	NO
Has communications advice been sought on areas of likely media interest and how they might be managed?	NO
In relation to all the above, have all relevant material issues been highlighted in the ‘other implications and risks’ section of the submission and have all the relevant officers/staff been consulted?	YES

Contact Officer:
C/Insp Jason Broome

County Policing Command

01603 276098

[e-mail]

Executive Officer:
T/ACC Nick Dean

Are there Background Documents? Yes, see appendices.

Does the Report Contain Exempt Information? No