PCC and Chief Constable to discuss Hate Crime, Anti-Social Behaviour and PEEL schemes.
The Police and Crime Commissioner’s Performance and Accountability Board will be broadcast live from our Facebook account next Thursday (12th of October) at 4.00pm. Click here to join.
The Performance and Accountability Board (PAB) is a meeting that sees the PCC hold the Chief Constable (CC) of Avon and Somerset to account for delivering policing that is efficient, effective, and legitimate by scrutinising and asking questions about their police performance and priorities.
Each PAB covers three areas:
- Topical
- PCC post bag
Concerns or issues raised the public write to the PCC about - Police Effectiveness, Efficiency and Legitimacy (PEEL)
The primary framework in which police forces are inspected.
Below is a breakdown of the next PAB discussion areas.
Topical: Hate Crime
National Hate Crime Awareness Week, which will take place from the 14th to 21st of October 2023, the PCC will be asking the CC Crew, about hate crime, which are any crimes that are targeted at a person because of hostility or prejudice towards that person’s:
- disability
- race or ethnicity
- religion or belief
- sexual orientation
- transgender identity
They can be committed against a person or property. A victim does not have to be a member of the group at which the hostility is targeted. In fact, anyone could be a victim of a hate crime.
PCC Post Bag: Anti-Social Behaviour
The PCC will be asked questions relating to anti-social behaviour across Avon and Somerset, following requests through the PCC postbag.
Antisocial behaviour is defined as ‘behaviour by a person which causes, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to persons not of the same household as the person’.
PEEL: Disclosure Schemes
Finally, the PCC will question the CC on the PEEL disclosure schemes, which are designed to protect the public. PEEL stands for: Police Effectiveness, Efficiency and Legitimacy and is the primary framework in which police forces are inspected.
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) assesses and reports on the police and their work. Their independent reports are used to drive improvements in the delivery of services and to inform the public about the police and how they work.
The two PEEL disclosure schemes the PCC will be asking the CC are:
- Domestic violence disclosure scheme
The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme, also known as Clare’s Law, enables the police to disclose information to a victim or potential victim of domestic abuse about their partner’s or ex-partner’s previous abusive or violent behaviour.
- Child sex offender disclosure scheme
The Child Sex Offender’s Disclosure Scheme, also known as Sarah’s Law, allows you to ask us if someone with access to a child has a record for child sex offences.
“Hate crime is unacceptable any time of year, but national hate crime week provides a wonderful opportunity to reinforce that Avon and Somerset is no place for hate. Reducing these crimes requires us to all work together, encourage reporting and ensure any victims receive support. I look forward to learning what the force are doing on this national hate crime week and beyond.
“Anti-Social Behaviour can have a long-lasting impact on the lives of victims and communities, and there are a number of fantastic partnership initiatives happening across the county, I am keen to find out what Avon and Somerset Police are doing to reduce anti-social behaviour.
“The two PEEL disclosure schemes are fantastic police policies, which enable you to learn about an individual’s domestic abuse history (if they have one) or if someone has a record for child sex offences. I am interested to find out if these schemes are being accessed.“
PCC Mark Shelford