- We aim to maintain and develop Operation Tranquility where pubs and clubs pay for additional police presence over the weekend, this has been running since 2005.
- We will continue to support Pubwatch, a scheme that is run by licensees and is operational across the Borough. they have quarterly meetings to discuss issues that are affecting them. The Volume Crime Coordinator works closely with this group receiving refferals from them when they have banned someone from one of their venues because of violent or other criminal behaviour. Since the scheme began in 2007 five CRASBOs have been given by the Court banning individuals from entering member pubs and clubs. In some instances this resulted in them being banned from all 200 member pubs in the Borough.
- Directions to leave will be used relating to disorder in or around a licensed premise, or through causing disorder on the street. The powers within Licensing Act 2003 will be used to review and if necessary revoke licences. We will also use Alcohol Disorder Zones when and where appropriate.
Domestic Violence
Background
National research continues to show that domestic violence remains a hidden crime. In Stockton an average of 250 incidents are reported to the Police every month. In June 2007 we introduced Mulit Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARAC). Led by the police, this provides a multi agency response for repeat and vulnerable victims of domestic abuse. High-risk victims are refferred through to the MARAC process by all agencies and a monthly meeting ensures appropriate measures are put in place to protect the victim. In any one month there is an average of 20 victims who are being monitored using this approach.
In 2007 we recieved money from the Home Office to appiont an advocate to work with victims to help them navigate through the Court process. We aim to maintain this project that provides additional and valuable support to victims.
As part os the commitment outlined in the DV Strategy 2005/08 the Council had developed a DV Policy, which employs a confidential reporting process to provide support to employees who may be affected by domestic violence.
The Police will continue to maintain a positive arrest policy whereby an arrest is made whenever they have the power to do so. Police DV workers work closely with harbour (formerly North Tees Women's Aid) to also offer support to victims.
In November 2007 Cleveland Police launched CHOICE helpline to help us to deal with honour based violence and forged marriage. This provides a free 24 hour telephone number for anyone who may need help and support. Telephone: 0800 5999365.
We will continue to maintain the joint DV Coordinator post with Hartlepool Borough Council. Working across both Boroughs, this post monitors performance against the DV Strategy and the Targets within this plan and draws in additional funding for operational work.
harbour will continue to deliver domestic vilence services across our Borough providing:
- harbour Perpetrator Programme is a voluntary programme for male perpetrators that recieves around 12 referrals a month. Since harbour took over this project in 2006 23 men successfully completed this rolling programme.
- Adult Outreach works with those who have or are experiencing domestic abuse, giving them a tailored support plan to meet their specific needs.
- Children's Outreach offers theraputic support in either one to one group work sessions for children with experience of situations where there is domestic abuse.
- The Women's Refuge offers self contained accomodation to women and children who are fleeing domestic abuse. Over the last three years the refuge has had an average occupancy rate of 93%. During 2007/08 demand for a place outstripped supply and we are looking at how we can increase the number of accomodation places available in Stockton.
- Women's Safety work offers support to the partners of perpetrators attending the Probation Service's Court mandated perpetrator programme. Since October 2005, when this programme was introduced, 137 individuals have recieved this additional support .
- SEARCH provides a sexual vilence counselling service for any adult who has been raped or sexually abused.
- Freedom Program offers a 12 week group work programme for women to improve self assurance and assertiveness.
- Safe at Home is run by the Council's Community Safety Team offering additional security measures for victims of domestic abuse who want to remain in their home. Since 2007, when the scheme was formally launched, 99 properties recieved improved security.
The second Domestic Violence Strategy produced in May 2008, provides full details of the work we have undertaken over the last three years and development proposals for 2008/2011.