Letter: Making Merton Safer

Report: 1a
Letter to the Domestic and Sexual Violence Board
Date: 13 April 2010
By Chris Bourlet, Borough Commander

Date: 10 March 2010

Dear Kirsten Hearn and Valerie Brasse,

I am writing in follow up of Merton Borough’s presentation to the Board on 6th October 2009 and to address the issues raised in your letter sent at the conclusion of the meeting.

Firstly, I would like to thank the Board for recognising the excellent work that has been undertaken by my staff and from the Safer Merton Partnership in addressing domestic and sexual violence. We continue to strive to improve the service delivery and positive outcomes. The One Stop Shop project continues and further resources are being invested in the coming financial year. The Sharp Project has been expanded into further schools with the assistance of police funding.

The specific issues raised are addressed below:

Data across domestic and sexual violence in relation to disability and sexuality of victims and perpetrators to be provided as requested in the Commissioning Brief.

Advice from the Performance Information Bureau and Violent Crime Directorate is that Local data is unreliable and cannot be compared like for like with other boroughs. VCD have confirmed that all future requests for diversity data will be made through the CSU Service Delivery Team.

An update on the use of the email reporting system in schools and any increased reporting of sexual exploitation through this process.

The SHARP (Self Help Advice Reporting Page) was introduced to the Harris Academy in January 2008 as a pilot scheme for pupils, parents and the public to report confidentially matters of concern. Reports can be made by text, email or anonymously through the public access SHARP website (http://www.thesharpsystem.com/london.php). Key areas for reporting via the Website include bullying, problems at home and health. There is a strong emphasis on confidentiality with reports being directed to the Safer Schools Officer who is mandated to disclose to statutory agencies only for matters requiring a Child In Need Meeting with the Child Abuse Investigation Teams or Children, Schools and Families. Since introduction the Harris Academy SHARP link had had 2648 hits and the perception of success, reported through anecdotal feedback from the Safer Schools Officers, has prompted the scheme to be extended to three other schools in Merton. Because of the confidential nature of the pilot system there has been no central review or monitoring of trends or outcomes.

Examination of the unusually high proportion of males (approximately a third) in the recorded incidents of domestic violence, which is then not reflected in the proportion of males represented in figure for domestic violence crimes

As discussed at the Board Meeting all incidents of non-crime domestic violence should show both parties as victims/witnesses. The crime data shows the proportion of male victims as 24% which is in line with average figures across the MPS.

An exploration of the volume of serious sexual offences resulting in a caution (13%) and consideration of how this might be reduced

The CPS authorise all cases of Serious Sexual Assault. As such the Board can be reassured that these cases are subject to scrutiny as to their suitability for this disposal. A small sample of crime shown as detected by way of caution have been reviewed and it was clear that the CPS and Crime Manager were fully and properly consulted and that full consideration was given to:

• The views, wishes and safety of the victim
• Capacity and impact on the victim to give evidence
• The nature and severity of the offence
• Public Safety and Confidence
• The extent of the available evidence

An assessment of the success of the CSU email system pilot

Over the period covered by the report 52 emails were recorded on the public access CSU email address from partner agencies. There is no process available to monitor the email exchange between officers and victims although an adhoc survey of CSU staff confirms that where appropriate investigators will use email as the preferred method of contact if agreed by the victim/witness. The introduction and use of email as a means of communication is in itself a success and offers an alternative way to contact and update victims of domestic and/or sexual violence.

Any outcomes relating to policing (e.g. increased reporting or criminal justice outcomes) to date of the project exploring identification and awareness of inappropriate sexual behaviour.

The purpose of the joint training in March 2009 was to raise awareness across partner agencies and subsequently children/young persons. No effective process was identified to monitor whether this initiative had a direct influence on increased reporting.

The issue has been discussed with partners at the Merton Children’s Trust and a seminar on crime affecting young people in partnership with Merton Voluntary Services Council is being planned for later in the year. It is hoped that this work will further inform the Borough’s response to inappropriate sexual behaviour amongst young people.

An overview of how specific groups are being engaged with, for example the LGBT community.

Merton has an established LGBT forum and has established protocols for engaging with agencies that support vulnerable, disabled, and older members of the community. Specific agencies include Age Concern and Merton Vision and the CSU has an established relationship with the Local Authority Safeguarding Adults Team. The wider diversity strategy has been discussed with the BOCU diversity coordinator, John Wilson and specific LGBT considerations have been discussed with Dee Caryl from the MPS Diversity Directorate. There is a visible LGBT liaison officer whose contact details are advertised widely on posters at all three police stations across the BOCU. The police, together with the Safer Merton Partnership, also support national events such as LGBT History Month that has included a comedy quiz night and film festival.

Yours sincerely

Chris Bourlet
Borough Commander

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