Central Bedfordshire Prospectus June 2012 - "Realising the area's economic potential to be globally connected, deliver sustainable growth ...
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Central Bedfordshire
Prospectus
June 2012
“Realising the area’s economic
potential to be globally connected,
deliver sustainable growth, ensuring
a green, prosperous and ambitious
place for the benefit of all”
Contents of Prospectus Page No
Glossary of Terms 3
Introduction 4
Key Attributes 6
Map of Central Bedfordshire 7
Population & Demographics 8
Housing 11
Deprivation 12
Economy 14
Children & Young People 16
Stronger & Safer Communities 17
Community Safety Partnership 21
Community Safety Delivery 23
Structure of the Community Safety Partnership 25
Appendix A 26
2
Acronym Description
ASB Anti-Social Behaviour
ASBRAC ASB Risk Assessment Conference
BBC Bedford Borough Council
BDAAT Bedfordshire Drugs and Alcohol Action Team
CBC Central Bedfordshire Council
CBT Central Bedfordshire Together, the name for the Local Strategic
Partnership in Central Bedfordshire
CSP Community Safety Partnership
DCLG Department for Communities and Local Government
DFE Department for Education
DWP Department for Work and Pensions
EU European Union
HWB Health & Wellbeing Board
IDVA Independent Domestic Violence Advisor
IOM Integrated Offender Management
JSA Job Seekers Allowance
JSNA Joint Strategic Needs Assessment
LBC Luton Borough Council
LSCB Local Safeguarding Children’s Board
LSOAs Lower Super Output Areas
MARAC Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference
MINI Mental Illness Index
MYE Mid Year Estimate
NEET Not in Education, Employment or Training
ONS Office for National Statistics
SARAC Sexual Abuse Risk Assessment Conference
3Introduction
Central Bedfordshire Prospectus
This prospectus has been developed by Central Bedfordshire Together, which is
the name for our local strategic partnership (CBT). CBT comprises senior
representatives from the Council, Police, Fire, Health, Education, Business, Town
and Parish Councils and the Voluntary and Community Sector. This prospectus is
intended to raise understanding and awareness for anyone standing as a
candidate for the Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner.
Central Bedfordshire – Our Vision
Our Vision - “Realising the area’s economic potential to be globally
connected, deliver sustainable growth, ensuring a green, prosperous and
ambitious place for the benefit of all”
Our vision for Central Bedfordshire is one of greater economic prosperity based on
sustainable growth. We need to ensure that Central Bedfordshire fulfils its
economic potential, and that there are more local jobs for local people.
We will experience considerable population growth over the next 20 years and we
need to make sure that we have the houses and facilities needed to support this
growth, so that Central Bedfordshire remains a desirable place.
Importantly, our vision reflects the views of local people, communities and
stakeholders and responds to their aspirations for Central Bedfordshire. There are
two key themes to delivering this vision:
Creating the conditions for economic success & community prosperity
Raising standards and tackling inequalities
We know that the only way we can achieve our vision is by ensuring that we
continue to listen and respond to what our residents, businesses and communities
are telling us. It is only by all of us working together that we can shape Central
Bedfordshire to be the place we want it to be, both now and in the future
Town & Parish Councils
The Localism Act 2011 and the Open Public Services White Paper supports a
national drive to shift power away from central government to local government,
communities and individuals. This is highlighted through the adopted Community
Engagement Strategy, with a key principle “enhancing the role of town and parish
councils”. Current effective partnership working with the town and parish councils
will grow and develop over the next few years (see appendix A for further details).
4Central Bedfordshire Sustainable Community Strategy Priorities
Maximising employment opportunities and delivering housing growth to
meet the needs of our communities
Ensuring our local people have the skills to prosper
Keeping our communities safe
Nurturing a sense of pride and belonging
Getting around and caring for a green and clean environment
Promoting health and reducing health inequalities
Educating, protecting and providing opportunities for children and young
people
Supporting and caring for an ageing population and those who are most
vulnerable
CBT Priorities for 2011 – 2013
Jobs growth including infrastructure developments, skills, apprenticeships,
and youth unemployment
Anti social behaviour including violence against the person and those who
are repeat victims of violence
Child poverty improving the life chances of our young people
Facilitating and enabling communities to do more for themselves
Links to Related Documents
Bedfordshire Police Authority’s Police and Crime Commissioner Prospectus
http://www.bedfordshirepoliceauthority.co.uk/PCC-&-Police-Reform.html
Central Bedfordshire’s Sustainable Community Strategy 2010 – 2031
http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/strategies-and-
policies/default.aspx
Central Bedfordshire’s Community Engagement Strategy 2010 – 2013
http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/strategies-and-
policies/default.aspx
Central Bedfordshire Community Safety Partnership Plan 2012 – 2013
http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/community-
safety/partnership-community-safety.aspx
Central Bedfordshire’s Economic Development Plan
http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/local-business/business-information-and-
advice/local-economic-information-policy.aspx
Central Bedfordshire’s Delivery of services by Town & Parish Councils (draft
framework)
http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/local-government-in-
central-bedfordshire/town-parish-councils.aspx
5Key Attributes & Projects
Home to world leading eduction institutes such as Cranfield University
Above average new business survival rates
Over 140 languages spoken, and a highly skilled workforce
Vibrant and engaged Voluntary and Community Sector
28,750 new homes planned for Central Bedfordshire by 2031
Investment in the East West rail route from Bedford to Oxford will provide a
new rail route through Central Bedfordshire
A range of excellent leisure & cultural facilities generating an average of
£465 million visitors spend1 – iconic attractions including Woburn Safari
Park, Whipsnade Zoo and Dunstable Downs
Vast areas of green such as Greensands Ridge which provide space for
reflection and outdoor pursuits
High quality rural and village homes close to main employment sites
M1 motorway development at Toddington which will increase the transport
capacity of the area
Center Parcs at Woburn Forest, which opens in the spring 2014
Guided Busway being developed between Luton and Dunstable due to be
completed 2012 and open in 2013
`
1
Source = Business Ambassador Prospectus
6Central Bedfordshire Wards
1. Houghton Hall 8. Dunstable - Watling
2. Tithe Farm 9. Linslade
3. Parkside 10. Leighton Buzzard North
4. Dunstable - Northfields 11. Leighton Buzzard South
5. Dunstable - Central 12. Biggleswade North
6. Dunstable - Icknield 13. Biggleswade South
7. Dunstable - Manshead 14. Stotfold and Langford Sandy
Potton
12
Northill
13
Cranfield & Houghton Conquest
Marston Moretaine & Haynes
Ampthill Shefford
14
Arlesey
Flitwick Silsoe &
Shillington
Westoning,
Aspley & Woburn Flitton
& Greenfield
Barton-
le-
Clay
Toddington
10 Heath & Reach
2
9 1 3
11
4 6
Eaton Bray 5 7
8
Caddington
© Crown Copyright and database right. 2012. Ordnance Survey 100049029.
Central Bedfordshire Council.
7Population and Demography
Current population of Central Bedfordshire: 255,200 (2010). Central
Bedfordshire is the 18th largest unitary council (out of 56) in England by population
size2.
Area of Central Bedfordshire: 716 square kilometers. Central Bedfordshire is
the 11th largest unitary council in England by area3.
Population density: 356 people per square kilometer (2010). Central
Bedfordshire is one of the least densely populated unitary councils, and is
classified as predominantly rural with just over half of the population living in rural
areas4.
Population of the largest towns (2010)5
Town Population
Leighton-Linslade 37,410
Dunstable 35,300
Houghton Regis 16,620
Biggleswade 16,600
Flitwick 13,550
Sandy 11,700
Forecast population of Central Bedfordshire6:
292,100 in 2021
335,000 in 2031
Growth by age group7
Age range 2010 2021 % growth
(mid year estimate) (forecast) 2010-2021
0-15 50,000 55,700 11.4%
16-64 166,100 181,000 9.0%
65+ 39,100 55,300 41.4%
Total 255,200 292,100 14.5%
Numbers may not add up to totals due to rounding
2
Source: ONS, 2009 mid year estimate. Next update: 2012
3
Source: ONS, 2001 Census
4
Source: Defra’s Rural/Urban definition, Local Authority classification based on 2001 census population
figures
5
Source: BBC, CBC & LBC, Bedfordshire Population Model. Next update: 2012
6
Source: BBC, CBC & LBC, Bedfordshire Population Model
7
Sources: 2010 from ONS, Mid Year Estimates, next update: 2012; 2021 from BBC, CBC & LBC, Bedfordshire
Population Model
8Population Estimates of People Aged over 65, 2009-20218
Age Group 2009 2021 % Change
65 – 74 21,100 28,500 35.1%
75 - 84 12,400 18,500 49.2%
85+ 4,400 8,500 93.2%
Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults
From April – March 2012 there were a total of 1,199 Safeguarding Alerts
made in Central Bedfordshire. This is an increase of 10% from 1,086 in the
same time period last year
Neglect and physical abuse account for the highest number of incidents
during 2011-2012. The largest proportion of these alerts relates to incidents
in residential homes, with incidents in people’s own homes the second
largest proportion
From April - December 2011 a total of 76% of referrals relate to White
British people
From April - December 2011 almost half of referrals were for women over 65
years of age
The largest increase in referrals by geographical area during 2011 has been
in Dunstable
Health & Inequalities9
Life expectancy for men (79.5yrs) and women (83yrs) is longer in Central
Bedfordshire than it is in England as a whole10
Geographically there are wide variations of as much as 8.3 years in life
expectancy across Central Bedfordshire
Vulnerable groups such as gypsies/travellers and people with learning
disabilities may experience poorer health and lower life expectancy than
average
People are spending more years at the end of their life in poor health which
has significant consequences for demand upon health and social care
Around 1,100 people develop dementia each year in Central Bedfordshire
Prevalence of dementia in Central Bedfordshire is forecast to rise by 17%
between 2010 - 2015 from 2,530 to 2,970 people
The Mental Illness Index (MINI) ranks the prevalence of mental illness in
small areas against a nationally defined average of 100. There is a wide
range of MINI scores across Central Bedfordshire from as low as 28
(Dunstable Watling ward) to 99 (Dunstable Manshead ward)
People with mental illness are 1.5 times more likely to die prematurely, this
is due to respiratory diseases, strokes and coronary heart disease as well
as suicides
8
Sources: 2009 from ONS, Mid Year Estimates; 2021 from BBC, CBC & LBC, Bedfordshire Population Model
9
Source: The Health of Central Bedfordshire 2012
10
Source: ONS, Male and female life expectancy at birth, 2008-10. Next update: October 2012
9Population by ethnic origin, 200911
Central Bedfordshire is less diverse than England as a whole, and has a greater
proportion of people who are White British.
Ethnicity Central Bedfordshire England
White British 86.7% 82.8%
Not ‘White British’ 13.3% 17.2%
The biggest ethnic minority groups in Central Bedfordshire were White Other (not
White British or White Irish), Indian and Black African, as shown below.
White Other,
3.5%
Indian, 1.9%
White British, Black African,
Other, 13.3%
86.7% 1.3%
Other, 6.6%
More than 97% of pupils of compulsory school age in Central Bedfordshire speak
English as a first language. However, more than 60 different first languages are
recorded among the remaining children12.
11
Source: ONS, Population estimates by ethnic group mid-2009 (experimental). Next update: 2012
12
Source: Pupil level annual school census data for Central Bedfordshire. Next update: 2012
10Housing
Number of occupied households in Central Bedfordshire13
2001 2009
94,300 102,700
Planned housing growth14
2001 – 2021 2021 - 2031
33,000 21,000
Household tenure in Central Bedfordshire, 200115
In Central Bedfordshire, 77% of people owned their own home. This is greater
than the figure for England as a whole (69%).
Privately rented
/ rent free,
8,200, 9%
Owned,
72,800, 77%
Socially rented,
13,300, 14%
In December 2011 the average house price in Central Bedfordshire was £171,200.
This was higher than the England and Wales average of £159,700. House prices
in Central Bedfordshire have generally followed the national trend over the past
few years.16
In Central Bedfordshire, households are more likely to be detached or semi-
detached houses than the England average, and much less likely to be flats.
13
Sources: 2001 from ONS, 2001 Census, next update: 2011 Census; 2009 from BBC, CBC & LBC,
Bedfordshire Population Model, next update: 2012
14
Sources: Milton Keynes sub-regional strategy 2005, East of England Plan 2008 & local housing trajectory
figures
15
Source: ONS, 2001 Census. Next update: 2011 Census
16
Source: Land Registry. Information correct at16/04/2012.Next update: July2012
11Deprivation
Deprivation is a broad measure of poverty, considering social issues such as
crime, education, employment and health. Measured at small area level known as
lower super output areas (LSOAs), there are 154 LSOAs in Central Bedfordshire.
Each LSOA contains around 1,500 people, and is identified using the name of the
ward and a three-digit code.
Overall, levels of deprivation in Central Bedfordshire are relatively low17. However,
three LSOAs are in the most deprived 10 - 20% in England and a further six
LSOAs were in the most deprived 20 - 30% in England. These are listed below,
and shown in the darkest colours on the map on the following page.
LSOAs in the 10-20% most deprived in England
Dunstable Manshead 594 (Downside)
Parkside 602
Houghton Hall / Tithe Farm 618 (Tithe Farm)
LSOAs in the 20-30% most deprived in England
Parkside 601
Leighton Buzzard North 609
Tithe Farm 619
Dunstable Northfields 596
Sandy 433
Flitwick 400
Fuel poverty18
Fuel poverty tends to be more of an issue in rural areas, and those areas with high
levels of private rented accommodation. In Central Bedfordshire, four small areas
(LSOAs) are in the worst 20% in England for fuel poverty. The first area covers
part of Woburn, including Potsgrove, Battlesden, Milton Bryan, Ridgmont and
Eversholt. The other three areas are in Houghton Regis, Cranfield (covering the
university) and Southill and Old Warden. Other parts of rural north Central
Bedfordshire and pockets of Houghton Regis and Dunstable are also in the worst
50% in England.
17
Source: DCLG, Indices of Deprivation, 2010
18
Source Centre for Sustainable Energy, Fuel poverty indicator available from www.fuelpovertyindicator.org.uk
12Map of deprivation in Central Bedfordshire19
IMD National
Rank
0 - 20%
20-40%
40-60%
60-80%
80-100%
© Crown Copyright and database right 2011.
Ordnance Survey 100049029. Central Bedfordshire Council
The most deprived areas are shown in the darkest colour on the map.
In addition to looking at overall deprivation, we can also look at particular aspects
of deprivation, known as ‘domains’. This analysis shows that some LSOAs in
Central Bedfordshire are in the 10% most deprived in England for particular
aspects of deprivation20. These are:
Education, skills and training – a particular issue in eight LSOAs in parts of
Dunstable Manshead, Dunstable Northfields, Flitwick, Houghton Hall,
Leighton Buzzard North, Parkside, Sandy and Tithe Farm wards;
Crime and disorder – a particular issue in six LSOAs in parts of Dunstable
Central, Dunstable Icknield, Dunstable Northfields, Eaton Bray and Parkside
wards;
Barriers to housing and access to services – a particular issue in five LSOAs
in parts of Aspley & Woburn, Caddington, Cranfield & Marston, Eaton Bray,
Heath & Reach, Northill, Potton and Sandy wards.
19
Source: DCLG, Indices of Deprivation, 2010
20
Source: DCLG, Indices of Deprivation, 2010
13Economy
Unemployment – jobseeker’s allowance (JSA) claimant count21
Unemployment is lower in
Central Bedfordshire than in
England. 4,560 people were
claiming JSA in Central
Bedfordshire in March2012 a
rate of 2.7%, compared to the
England rate of 4%.
Claimant count unemployment
in Central Bedfordshire has
followed the national trend over
the last couple of years.
Central Bedfordshire wards with the highest unemployment rates, March 201222
The five wards shown below have had the highest monthly unemployment rates in
Central Bedfordshire since June 2009, with Dunstable Manshead and Tithe Farm
always in the top two. Other wards with consistently high rates of unemployment
include Dunstable Central, Biggleswade North, Sandy and Leighton Buzzard North.
Wards Number Rate
Dunstable Manshead 200 6.5%
Tithe Farm 185 7%
Parkside 195 5.8%
Houghton Hall 260 5.1%
Dunstable Northfields 280 5%
Weekly gross pay and commuting for workers, Central Bedfordshire, 201123
Central Bedfordshire residents, who commute out of the area, earn more than
people who actually work in Central Bedfordshire. This is likely to be a result of
better paid opportunities available out of the area. In relation to commuting 60,900
Central Bedfordshire residents travel outside of the area to work, while 29,300
people travel to work in Central Bedfordshire from other areas. This means that
there is a net out-commuting level of 31,60024.
21
Source: Local calculations based on ONS, Claimant count unemployment, from Nomis. Next update: July
2012, monthly updates are available on the Council website
22
Source: Local calculations based on ONS, Claimant count unemployment, from Nomis. Next update: July
2012, monthly updates are available on the Council website
23
Source: ONS, Annual survey of hours and earnings, resident and workplace analysis, 2010, from Nomis.
Next update: January 2013
24
Source: ONS, 2001 Census, Travel to Work tables. Next update: 2011 Census
14Economically active population (all people aged 16-64), 201025
People in Central Bedfordshire are more likely to be economically active or in
employment than the England average. Economic activity includes both people in
employment and those who are unemployed but actively looking for work.
88%
82% 83% 82%
75% 76% 77% 76%
70% 72% 70%
65%
Male
Female
Total
Central England Central England
Bedfordshire Bedfordshire
Economic activity rate Employment rate
Workforce Skills26
70% of the working age population hold at least level two qualifications, and 29.9%
level four (degree equivalent).
Central Bedfordshire economy is varied with the largest number of people
employed in the education sector (13,300) followed by manufacturing (9,700) and
retail (9,400).
While Central Bedfordshire performs strongly with respect to adult skills, the
challenge faced as part of a more competitive labour market will continue to require
Central Bedfordshire to future enhance its skills base. In achieving the area’s
economic powerhouse potential, Central Bedfordshire must continue to increase
the proportion of the workforce with recognised qualifications and support those
without recognised skills into vocational and academic opportunities.
Comparing Central Bedfordshire to the region, the area has a higher demand for
more highly skilled workers (level four & five) and a lower demand for those with
level one or no qualification.
25
Source: ONS, Annual Population Survey, January-December 2010, from Nomis. Next update: July 2012,
quarterly updates are available through Nomis
26
Source: Sustainable Communities Central Bedfordshire Local Economic Assessment 2011
15Children & Young People
Schools and pupils, by school type, as at January 201227
Type of School Number of schools Number of pupils
Primary school 96 16,608
Middle school 23 10,542
Upper school 10 11,427
Mainstream total 129 38,577
Please note that these figures include two schools that were Academies in January 2011.
Key stage 2, pupils attaining level 4 or above, by subject, 2011 (revised)28
Key Stage 2 test results in Central Bedfordshire are below the national average.
This is partly due to one school boycotting the tests, skewing the figures by around
5%.
Subject Central Bedfordshire England
English 74% 82%
Maths 72% 80%
Science (Teacher assessment) 90% 85%
English & Maths (NI 73) 66% 74%
Key stage 4, GCSE achievement, 2011 (revised)29
Fewer Central Bedfordshire pupils achieved 5+ GCSEs A*-C compared to the
England average. However, when looking at 5+ GCSEs A*-C including English
and Maths, Central Bedfordshire performed slightly better than the England
average.
GCSE Central England
Bedfordshire
5+ GCSEs A*-C 76.8% 79.5%
5+ GCSEs A*-C, including English and Maths (NI 075) 59.4% 58.9%
Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET)
In 2010–2011 Central Bedfordshire Council successfully achieved its performance
indicator for NEET’s at 4.6% against the target of 5%. This year, 2011-2012, the
Department for Education has not set a NEET target, however Central
Bedfordshire’s NEET percentage of 4% is currently lower than that of our statistical
neighbour (5%), regional average (5.8%) and of the national average (6%).
27
Source: CBC Performance Team. Next update: July 2012
28
Source: DfE. Next update: August 2012
29
Source: DfE. Next update: October 2012
16Stronger and Safer Communities
Residents’ priorities30
The recent residents survey asked residents what is important in making
somewhere a good place to live, and also what they feel needs improving in their
local area. The responses to each of these questions are combined to show
residents’ priorities for the Central Bedfordshire area. The following issues, listed in
alphabetical order, were highlighted as priorities:
Activities for teenagers
Job opportunities
Levels of crime & ASB
Road & pavement repairs
Traffic congestion
How residents feel about their area
81% of people are satisfied with their local area31, which is a 6% increase from
2009
How involved are residents?32
23% of people contribute to community life in some voluntary capacity
24% of people think they can influence local decisions
Volunteer Schemes
Examples of active community schemes running in Central Bedfordshire are:
Street Watch33 - There are currently nine active Street Watch schemes
running throughout Central Bedfordshire with a total of 80 volunteers.
Following a successful bid under the Home Office Crime Innovation Grant,
over the next 12 months work will be undertaken in three vulnerable areas
of Central Bedfordshire namely Dunstable Manshead (Downside), Houghton
Hall (Sandringham Drive) and Houghton Regis (Tithe Farm).
Street Pastors – Walk the local streets in Leighton Buzzard and Dunstable
every Friday / Saturday night between 10pm and 4am. With 41 volunteers
the emphasis is on pastoral care rather than Christian preaching. The
initiative sees increased public confidence, increased personal and business
safety, youth engagement and prevention of offences and assaults on our
streets.
Speed Watch – There are currently 13 active Speed Watch groups run by
the community with support from Local Policing Teams. Partnership funded
speed detection radar devices are used to tackle speeding problems in local
communities.
30
Source: Central Bedfordshire Residents’ Survey 2011
31
Source: Central Bedfordshire Residents’ Survey 2011
32
Source: Central Bedfordshire Residents’ Survey 2011
33
Street Watch are members of the community walking their local area as a good citizen, taking responsibility
for their areas and helping tackle low level issues that impact most on their communities
17Serious Acquisitive Crime (SAC) Offences (SAC includes domestic burglary,
robbery, theft from and of motor vehicle)
SAC Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar
2010-11 292 275 275 247 254 272 288 269 243 360 272 265
2011-12 218 242 242 244 208 233 245 247 247 246 197 193
SAC levels are significantly lower when comparing 2010-11 to this year’s
performance. Between April – March 2012 there were 2,762 SAC offences
compared to 3,312 in the same time period last year. This is a reduction of 16.6%.
Domestic burglary levels between April –March 2012 are 34.9% lower than the
same time period last year.
Reoffending
Reoffending has a significant impact on crime rates and public safety, with half of
all adult offenders reoffending within one year of their release from custody.
Nationally the Home Office estimates that 0.5% of offenders commit 10% of
offences and 10% of offenders commit 50%34 of offences. Bedfordshire’s most
prolific 250 offenders, and those which mainly make up the Integrated Offender
Management (IOM) cohort, have been convicted of nearly 4,00035 offences in the
last three years. Local cost analysis estimates that direct costs of offences
committed by this group are in excess of £64m over the last three years.
The IOM programme is an overarching framework that allows local and partner
agencies to come together to ensure that the offenders, whose crimes cause most
damage and harm locally, are managed in a coordinated way.
In Quarter four 2011-2012 there were 33 offenders on Central Bedfordshire’s IOM
cohort. 23 offenders were at liberty (72%), compared to 67% at liberty in Bedford
Borough area and 56% in Luton Borough.
Reoffending rates have reduced from 1.96 re-offences per offender at liberty in
quarter four 2010-2011 to 0.96 re-offences in quarter four 2011-2012. 26% of the
offenders at liberty reoffended in quarter four 2011 – 2012.
Anti-Social Behaviour Incidents
ASB Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar
2010-11 1235 1124 1178 1236 1115 953 1114 866 830 793 768 920
2011-12 1101 966 964 1083 968 847 1000 795 704 749 753 790
Between April – March 2012 there were 10,687 incidents of ASB reported to
Bedfordshire Police. This is an 11.6% decrease on the number of incidents during
34
Home Office PPO Mini-Site
35
Bedfordshire IOM Business Case 2011-12 - BPT
18the same time period in 2010 - 2011. Incidents are reported to a number of
agencies within the Partnership, and work is required to record data from all
agencies to give an overall picture of the levels of ASB currently within Central
Bedfordshire.
Dunstable town centre remains the largest generator of incidents. Further analysis
has shown that a high number of incidents are linked to the Night Time Economy
and to drinking establishments.
Top three ASB issues identified by residents36
1. Teenagers hanging around the streets
2. Vandalism, graffiti and other deliberate damage to property or vehicles
3. Rubbish or litter lying around
Domestic Abuse cases going to the Multi Agency Risk Assessment
Conference (MARAC)
Within Central Bedfordshire high risk domestic abuse victims, including repeat
victims, are referred to the MARAC. These are voluntary meetings where
information on the highest risk cases is shared between local agencies. By
bringing all agencies involved in a case together to share information, a
coordinated safety plan can be put together for the victim more quickly and
effectively.
Cases going through the MARAC
MARAC Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar
2010-11 11 11 12 11 15 10 8 9 12 24 13 16
2011-12 17 8 12 20 7 15 9 13 20 26 16 14
National research37 concludes that for every £1 spent on MARAC at least £6 of
public money can be saved annually on direct costs to agencies such as the Police
and Health Service. It also shows that following intervention by a MARAC and the
Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) service up to 60% of domestic
abuse victims report no further violence.
Between April – March 2012 there were 2,546 incidents of domestic abuse
reported to Bedfordshire Police. This is a decrease of 8.8% on the same time
period last year. Domestic abuse is a crime which is significantly unreported, yet it
still represents approximately 25% of all recorded violent crime.
.
36
Source: Central Bedfordshire Place Survey 2008
37
Saving Lives Saving Money – www.caada.org
19Confidence of residents
47.2% of people thought the Police and local council are dealing with the local
issues that matter most in Bedfordshire. This increases when looking specifically
at Central Bedfordshire, where 72% of residents thought Police and the local
council are dealing with the local issues that matter most in Central Bedfordshire38.
21% of Central Bedfordshire residents feel that crime and ASB are an issue in their
local area.39
Proportion of residents who feel safe outside in their local area40
During the day After dark
Central Bedfordshire 89% 54%
38
Local Confidence Survey Nov 2009 – Sept 2010 by Bedfordshire Police Authority
39
Local Confidence Survey Nov 2009 – Sept 2010 by Bedfordshire Police Authority
40
Source: Central Bedfordshire Place Survey 2008
20Community Safety Partnership (CSP)
Community safety is an area of concern for everyone. We know that it is always a high public
priority that can affect the quality of life not just for individuals but entire communities.
Partnership approaches to tackling crime and disorder are largely built on the principle that no
single agency can be responsible for dealing with complex community safety and crime
problems. This coordinated approach was encapsulated in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998,
which made it a statutory duty for each local authority area to have a CSP, made up of
representatives from six statutory partners.
Central Bedfordshire's CSP comprises Police, the Council, Health Services, Probation Trust,
Fire Service, Police Authority, Drug and Alcohol Agencies, Youth Offending Service, Domestic
Violence Services, and representatives from the Voluntary and Community Sector.
The partnership works together to reduce crime, disorder, antisocial behaviour and other
behaviour that affects the local environment, as well as reducing the misuse of drugs, alcohol
and other substances, reducing the fear of crime and increasing public confidence in the
services we provide.
Every year, we conduct a Partnership Strategic Assessment which highlights priorities and
ensures we are focusing our efforts in the right areas and towards the issues that concern the
community most. For the coming year we have identified these three priorities:
Anti-Social Behaviour – focus on supporting vulnerable and repeat victims
Re-Offending – working with the offenders who commit the most crimes
Domestic Abuse – focus on supporting vulnerable and repeat victims
What are our issues?
In the last three years Dunstable has consistently been the hotspot in terms of ASB incidents,
analysis of data has shown a clear hotspot in the town centre in the High Street North area.
Incidents in this area are generated in or around drinking establishments. There is a clear link
between reported ASB incidents and the Night Time Economy and in turn with alcohol
consumption.
Identification of repeat and vulnerable victims has been difficult due to a high degree of
discrepancy in data recording. Over 19% of calls relating to ASB do not include the address
information of the caller. A study of our top 15 repeat Domestic Abuse victims over the last
year shows that these victims reported 220 separate incidents to Bedfordshire Police. Of
these 15 victims, six had their names spelt in different ways, which hampers research into
repeat victim cases.41
In Domestic Abuse cases, 91% of female victims and 92% of male victims are white.
This is significantly higher than the population figures, with 86.7% of Central Bedfordshire’s
population estimated to be white. Domestic abuse is recognised to be highly under reported
with reports from ethnic minorities even lower. Data suggests that lesbian, gay and bisexual
members of the community are more likely than average to have experienced sexual assaults
41
Source: Partnership Strategic Assessment 2012 – 2013 & HMIC Review of Police Crime Incident reports in
Bedfordshire January 2012
21and domestic abuse during their lifetimes, but are less likely to have reported the incident.
The sensitive nature of sexual violence and abuse means that sexual offences are largely
under reported especially those which happen in a domestic environment. The number of
incidents reported in the area is a fraction of the actual number of sexual offences which are
happening in Central Bedfordshire. This is also the case when we look at Hate Crime across
the area. Workshops and consultations with vulnerable groups has shown that there is a high
level of under reporting due to the stigma attached to either the incident type or the ethnicity,
gender, sexual orientation and or mental health of the victim.
In Central Bedfordshire there is a higher perception of crime and disorder compared with the
actual rate of crime and disorder. 89% of our residents say they feel safe when outside during
the day, but this falls to 54% of residents after dark. Residents of rural areas are more likely
to feel safe outside in their local area after dark (63%) compared to those from urban areas
(48%).
What we are doing:
The Emerald Centre (Sexual Assault Referral Centre) was established and opened in May
2011. During 2012 it will move towards the development of self referrals, offering the
same pathways of support and forensic medical examinations, without any police involvement
from the start. This is a brand new area of work nationally and is the first time victims of rape &
sexual assault will be able to access the same level of service, without engaging in the
criminal justice process.
We will create and provide a Perpetrator Training Programme in Central Bedfordshire, which
will provide a service for perpetrators of domestic abuse and enable them to positively change
their lifestyle and offending behaviour.
To help combat repeat victimisation of ASB we will pull our resources together to support
victims and their families, support vulnerable members of the community, and tackle those
who commit ASB.
We are working to reduce the high number of offences that are committed by the small
percentage of offenders who regularly commit them, in particular those who are substance
users. We fully support and engage with IOM.
Where can we develop?
We understand that Sexual Abuse and Hate Crime incidents are under reported in Central
Bedfordshire. We need to work with our vulnerable communities to understand the scale of
the problem, and provide suitable support for victims, and bring offenders to justice.
We need to analyse alcohol related incidents causing ASB incidents, to fully understand the
root causes and our opportunities for prevention. Analysis will provide evidence in what
support substance uses require, and how we can proactively support and work with the
community to reduce disorder.
We need to ensure data captured by partners is accurate, timely and informative. The
Partnership utilises data to identify vulnerable victims, locations and areas of high risk. We
need partners to improve data quality and data sharing to ensure we can provide the right
level of service to our most vulnerable.
We need to continue to address perception issues, increase confidence and reduce the fear of
crime within our communities, and in particular, with those who are vulnerable.
22Community Safety Delivery
Across Central Bedfordshire we have collaborated, shared services or combined
resources with partners from across Bedford Borough, Luton Borough and those
who opeate on a county basis. Examples of these are:
Integrated Offender Management (IOM) - The IOM programme was
launched across Bedfordshire in 2011. IOM provides a whole system
approach to partnership-led rehabilitation and management of repeat
offenders, in order to reduce crime, make communities safer and address
social exclusion of offenders and their families. Chief Officers in
Bedfordshire agreed this co-ordinated approach in 2010, and provided
funding for two years (2010 – 2012)
The IOM programme continues to be fully supported by the CSP. National
research, and the first quarterly local performance pack, indicates that the
programme is working with reoffending rates having reduced compared to
the same time period last year. Working with the small cohort of individuals
(32 offenders) and successfully rehabilitating them will have a significant
impact on the number of offences that are committed within Central
Bedfordshire.
Domestic Abuse & Sexual Violence – This is a shared service with
Bedford Borough Council, with a service level agreement and funding from
both authorities. The service brings together the main statutory and
voluntary agencies who are working together to provide and improve
services in relation to domestic abuse across Bedford and Central
Bedfordshire.
Central Bedfordshire Health & Wellbeing Board (HWB) - The Health &
Social Care Bill 2011 proposes the establishment of a statutory HWB in
every upper tier local authority, to be fully operative in April 2013. HWB’s
have a duty to encourage integrated working between decision makers and
service providers in health and social care. HWB’s will be the focal point for
decision making about local health and wellbeing facilitating joint working
between Clinical Commissioning Groups, local authorities and community
stakeholders.
The HWB is responsible for leading on production of the Joint Strategic
Needs Assessment (JSNA), an assessment of local health and wellbeing
needs across health care, social care and public health. The HWB will be
responsible for producing a “Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy” in
response to the JSNA. The Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy will provide
a strategic framework for local commissioning plans. These plans need to
be linked to those of the CSP, to ensure a joined up approach to similar
issues and commissioned services.
In Central Bedfordshire a shadow HWB has been set up in preparedness for
operating fully in April 2013.
23 Safeguarding Board - Safeguarding adults services in Central Bedfordshire
are coordinated by the Local Safeguarding Board for Bedford Borough and
Central Bedfordshire. The role of the Board is to promote the safety of
adults by developing robust multi-agency systems for the prevention and
investigation of the abuse of adults. Operationally work is undertaken by
two teams which remain within each organisation.
Local Safeguarding Childrens Boards (LSCB) - LSCBs are in place to
ensure that organisations work together effectively to safeguard children
and promote their welfare. The LSCB’s role includes coordinating and
ensuring the effectiveness of work done by member organisations to
safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people. Individual
organisations and services remain accountable for operational work.
On the 1st April 2010 Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire councils
established their own LSCB’s each accountable to the respective Director of
Children’s Services. A service level agreement is in place, until March
2013, to govern the function of the Business Support Team for the two
LSCB’s.
Emerging Issue
Victim Support Review42 – A national project to identify victim and witness
needs; review what services are in place and what support victims actually
received from those services. In Bedfordshire the focus of the review was
around ASB, Hate Crime, Domestic Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Children and
Young People. The review concluded in May 2012 with five proposed
recommendations / actions:
1. PCC to oversee co-ordination and collection of county-wide data,
victims needs and services available, to address unmet need;
2. PCC to work with commissioners to ensure appropriate service is in
place;
3. PCC to ensure police enage effectively with victims and young
people;
4. PCC should ensure a victim centred approach is taken by services;
and
5. PCC should champion victim needs assessment and handover of
cases.
Cental Bedfordshire CSP supported this review and will ensure they work
with Victim Support, partners and the Bedfordshire Transition Board around
the findings and recommendations.
42
A full copy of the review can be found at http://www.victimsupport.org/About-us/Policy-and-
research/~/media/Files/Publications/ResearchReports/VSA%20reports/Listening%20and%20learning%20-
%20Bedfordshire
24Central Bedfordshire Together (CBT)
* Quarterly meeting
* Provide vision and strategic leadership, to improve the quality of life for existing and future residents of
Central Bedfordshire. Bringing together & encouraging greater partnership working at a local level & with
the different parts of the public, private, community & voluntary sectors; allowing different initiatives &
Central Bedfordshire services to support one another so that they can work together more effectively. To ensure that Sustainable
Community Strategy is delivered & that each partner makes an effective contribution to that delivery
CSP (May 2012) * There are five thematic partnerships of the CBT, the CSP is one.
Community Safety Executive Group
* Quarterly meeting
* Made up of senior officers from the statutory authorities identified in the Crime & Disorder Act 1998
* Manages Performance, Agrees Funding, Authorises Strategic Assessment & Partnership Plans, Reviews
Steering Group Update & Signs off any Recommendations, Ensures Compliance with National Standards,
Manages the Business Plan for the CSP, Gives Direction for the CSP
CSP Steering Group
* Monthly meeting
* Monitors Performance, Scrutinises the Priority/Theme Groups, Reviews Action Plans from Priority
Groups, Manages and Suggests Communications & Messages, Reviews Risks for the CSP &
Recommends Actions to the Priority/Theme Groups/CSP Exec, Supports the CSP Exec by Monitoring the
Business Plan
Priority Groups Theme Groups
Integrated Offender Domestic & Sexual ASB Partnership Group Partnership Tasking Bedfordshire Drugs & Sexual Abuse Group
Management Abuse Strategy Group Alcohol Action Team
Delivery Group Implementation Group * Reviews partnership Board (BDAAT) * County wide group
working around ASB * The operational arm of the working on issues that
* Oversee the IOM * Group ensures a co- CSP, dealing with live time * Monthly meeting surround Sexual Abuse
initiative in ordinated approach to * Collaboration of resources issues that need to be
Bedfordshire domestic & sexual abuse in and partnership working, addressed. * The aim of the group is to * Action Plan in place and
Bedfordshire (ex Luton), that suggests ways forwards and oversee the work of partners work towards
* Deals with resource is agreed & implemented by improvements in ASB work * Reviews where resources BDAAT, ensure direction is common outcomes
decisions, performance all partners & agencies need to be placed, and provided, performance is
and gaps. * Oversees the which areas are in need of monitored and budget * Links with the SARAC
* Identifies key actions implementation of the Action additional support details are reviewed.
required to tackle domestic Plan developed from the
& sexual abuse strategic review of ASB
* Links with the MARAC, * Links with the ASBRAC
SARAC, & the LSCB
* Group is Bedfordshire * Group covers Bedford and * Group covers Central * Group covers Central * Group covers Bedford * Group is Bedfordshire
wide Central Bedfordshire Bedfordshire Bedfordshire and Central Bedfordshire wide
25Appendix A
Towns (Major Service Centre) with Town Councils
Current population between approx 5,000-38,000
A major service centre provides a focus for employment, shopping and community
facilities for the local community and surrounding rural communities.
Ampthill Town Council Houghton Regis Town Council
Arlesey Town Council Leighton Linslade Town Council
Biggleswade Town Council Potton Town Council
Dunstable Town Council Sandy Town Council
Flitwick Town Council Shefford Town Council
Large Villages (Minor Service Centre) with Parish Council
Current population between approx 900 - 4,999
A minor service centre is a large village or small town with good level of services, possibly
including a school, doctor’s surgery, a basic retail offer and frequent public transport links.
Aspley Guise Parish Council Langford Parish Council
Barton-Le-Clay Parish Council Lidlington Parish Council
Blunham Parish Council Marston Moretaine Parish Council
Caddington Parish Council Maulden Parish Council
Campton and Chicksands Parish Council Meppershall Parish Council
Clifton Parish Council Northill Parish Council
Clophill Parish Council Shillington Parish Council
Cranfield Parish Council Silsoe Parish Council
Eaton Bray Parish Council Slip End Parish Council
Fairfield (from April 2013) Stondon Parish Council
Flitton and Greenfield Parish Council Stotfold Parish Council
Harlington Parish Council Streatley Parish Council
Haynes Parish Council Studham Parish Council
Heath and Reach Parish Council Toddington Parish Council
Henlow Parish Council Westoning Parish Council
Houghton Conquest Parish Council Woburn Parish Council
Kensworth Parish Council
26Small Villages with a Parish Council
Current population between approx 150 - 899
Aspley Heath Parish Council Millbrook Parish Council
Billington Parish Council Moggerhanger Parish Council
Brogborough Parish Council Northill Parish Council
Chalgrave Parish Council Parish Council Old Warden Parish Council
Chalton Parish Council Pulloxhill Parish Council
Dunton Parish Council Ridgmont Parish Council
Eggington Parish Council Southill Parish Council
Eversholt Parish Council Stanbridge Parish Council
Everton Parish Council Steppingly Parish Council
Gravenhurst Parish Council Sundon Parish Council
Hockliffe Parish Council Sutton Parish Council
Husborne Crawley Parish Council Tilsworth Parish Council
Hyde Parish Council Parish Council Totternhoe Parish Council
Kensworth Parish Council Wrestlingworth and Cockayne Hatley Parish
Council
Lidlington Parish Council Whipsnade Parish Council
Parish Meetings
Current population between approx 1 - 149
Astwick Parish Meeting Milton Bryan Parish Meeting
Battlesden Parish Meeting Potsgrove Parish Meeting
Edworth Parish Meeting Tingrith Parish Meeting
Eyeworth Parish Meeting
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