Forum topic: Ward Panel, its not the Ward Forum, or the CAPE.

Basil reported (8 Feb) on the new-PG’s first Ward Forum. In it he highlights that I’m to chair the new PG’s Ward Panel aka CAPE. So, what’s this all about you may ask? I did.
The Ward Forum, an open session, led by our two councillors will hear (two way) and may discuss whatever are hot PG topics of the moment. Turn up and do your bit. The Ward Panel, which I believe were called CAPE’s in a previous life, probably standing for something like Community and Police Engagement, are pretty much that.
The membership will analyse hard and soft data on local crime alongside other input, such as the ward survey and local police resource availability, and from that agree on local policing priorities for the next period – up to 3 months.
There are two police priorities set from well on high: (to stop) violence against women plus knife crime. Locally, the police must have a priority linked to violence or a driver of violence, often resulting in a priority focused on robbery. After that, the Panel will agree on typically two other priorities. I’m expecting that will include what supporting police actions will be undertaken and what improved outcomes the panel can expect at its next meeting. Come next meeting, we consider, learn and repeat the cycle. My intent.
As well as the (non-voting) Panel Partners – our local police Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT), our two councillors and the borough’s Youth Engagement Office – we now have close to two dozen locals representing variously: some of our key voluntary community groups, such as the friends of Broomfield Park , town centre retailers, street based neighbourhood watches and core community organizations such as our schools, churches and the Ruth Winston Centre. Its not a perfect representation of PG but I reckon it’s in the 90’s. Thanks to all who responded positively to a tap on the shoulder.
The panel operates under terms of reference, with members signing their life away in support of same. Broadly we’ll be looking to:
• Set PG Ward priorities for (and with) the SNT
• Support SNT activity on these where we can
• Scrutinise the work of the SNT – or “hold them to account” as the handbook says.
• Generally, support police efforts, and spread that message.
On the wider sphere the police have made some spectacular own goals; with good two way understanding and interaction, what happens here in PG is hopefully going to show what a useful and necessary part of the infrastructure they are.
Their desire to be intelligence led does mean they need the intelligence, so do report any crime and try to ensure bits of intelligence, which may prove to be a useful part of a wider picture, also find their way to the police. Basil hosts the monthly ward police newsletter on the site, or you can e mail to receive your own - . Enfield also takes part in the free OWL app for phones, which comes with notifications, reporting ability and more. Available free from usual app stores.
The next meeting is towards the end of March. Let’s see how this unfolds.

“We will have the strongest ever neighbourhood policing…. Community policing is the Met’s foundation and needs to be strengthened. This requires the involvement of London’s communities and our partners in decisions about how we keep London safe…. We will overhaul the current neighbourhood policing model. We will give London the strongest neighbourhood policing ever by investing in more local officers and additional PCSOs to create stronger, more capable teams. These teams really know what matters to their own communities; and, can reduce local crime, and build strong and trusted partnerships to fix local problems.”
Which sounds splendid and is lifted from the Mets draft turnaround plan. The full draft version is attached while the link will take you to a brief consultation survey (which closes 17th March, so be quick). The final plan will be published next month.
www.met.police.uk/notices/met/the-turnaround-plan-more-trust-less-crime-and-high-standards/
The PG Ward Panel meets next week to assess and set local priorities for our own local team. I’ll post how that decides and looking further ahead, how this whole adventure unfolds for PG.

This report on last week's meeting of the Palmers Green Ward Panel has been moved to the news section .