Deputy Mayor of Policing and Crime update
To receive a verbal update from the Deputy Mayor, West Yorkshire Policing and Crime on:
1) The Region’s strategic priorities and how they might impact/translate into practice for Dewsbury
2) Plans and measures available to tackle anti-social behaviour in the town centre/public spaces.
Contact: Michelle Illingworth, Project Officer, Town Centre Regeneration.
Decision:
RESOLVED- That the update from the Deputy Mayor of Policing and Crime be noted.
Minutes:
Ms Lowe advised that Tracy Brabin was the Mayor of West Yorkshire Combined Authority who was the legal Police and Crime Commissioner responsible for policing and crime who was able to delegate some legal responsibilities to Ms Lowe who undertook 95% of the role. Ms Lowe in her devolved role was responsible for community engagement, commissioning services and held the police fund. Ms Lowe also had a national role in the association of police and crime commissioners leading on race disparities, equality, and human rights, along with transparency and integrity.
For the strategic priorities of the Mayor of West Yorkshire, there was a legal plan developed to deliver real change no later than 2040 which included five missions. There were three key areas of focus the public asked to be prioritised with one being thriving places. Ms Lowe advised the Board that government policies were aligned with West Yorkshires with an uplift of neighbourhood policing which meant that a named police officer would be in place in all areas due to recruitment of one hundred police officers and forty-five specials. From 1st July to end September 2025 resources had been asked to focus on various town streets, with dedicated resources and initiatives working with local police and businesses around retail crime. The Board noted that out of the crime areas in Dewsbury, many areas had seen a reduction in crime within the last 12 months.
During discussion, the Board asked what message could be put out to the community due to recent murders in Dewsbury. Ms Lowe advised that it was rare a homicide happened in West Yorkshire and requested that residents lived their life as normal. The mayor had just launched her serious violence consultation and requested that residents were encouraged to complete to understand how serious violence affected the community. One life lost was one too many, by completing the consultation it would help shape the serious violence strategy that will work. With regards to drugs, the biggest threat in West Yorkshire was cannabis and cocaine with an increase in ketamine. Communicating with parents and education providers was key, as part of the solution was to give health education to youngsters whilst recognising vulnerability being part in organised criminal activity.
The Board requested that the crime figures for the last 12 months be shared with Board Members.
RESOLVED- That the update from the Deputy Mayor of Policing and Crime be noted.