Reducing Crime

PPO

A scheme to target the most prolific, anti-social and harmful offenders was launched in Lincolnshire in September 2004. The scheme is part of a national initiative, which focuses on Prolific and Other Priority Offenders (PPO). The PPO strategy aims to get to grips with a relatively small number of people who cause a disproportionate amount of crime and disorder in local communities.

Andrew Hodder who is currently co-ordinating the strategy across the county  believes the outcome of the strategy should be felt in a reduction of crime at a local level.

"Home Office research in 2001 found that 0.5% of the active offending population was responsible for 10% of recorded crime, and it is this small group of highly active and prolific offenders that the strategy seeks to deal with," said Mr Hodder. Mr Hodder explains that the Lincolnshire PPO scheme uses the Police National Intelligence Model (NIM) to identify a small number of individuals who pose the greatest threat to the crime levels and confidence of Lincolnshire's communities. Unlike the Persistent Offender Scheme, which preceded the PPO strategy, there is no centrally imposed definition of a PPO, with Lincolnshire's schemes using a framework of local priorities to identify the individuals to be managed within the scheme.

Mr Hodder was appointed by the Lincolnshire Criminal Justice Board to co-ordinate and oversee the scheme and says that it is an opportunity to help to reduce crime within Lincolnshire and to impact positively on the quality of life in local communities. "The scheme is an excellent example of partners working in a number of areas coming together to focus their efforts on a small group of people," he added. "This includes criminal justice agencies as well as partners engaged in education, training and employment (ETE), drug treatment, and housing. This allows the scheme to target a variety of aspects of these individual's lives in order to help move them away from offending and to become more productive members of society. It's about the rigorous use of criminal justice processes where appropriate, but also recognising that there are often other factors behind an individual's offending behaviour which if addressed can reduce the need for committing crime"

There are 3 strands to the PPO Strategy:

  • Prevent and Deter (Youth Offending Service is the lead agency): Stopping the supply of new prolific offenders by reducing re-offending; reducing, in particular, the numbers of young people who become involved in crime, by providing support to those at high risk of criminality.
  • Catch and Convict (Lincolnshire Police is the lead agency): Delivering robust and proactive criminal justice processes, to ensure effective investigation, charging and prosecution; consistent prioritisation to ensure targeted approach.
  • Rehabilitate and Resettle (National Offender Management Service – Prison / Probation – is the lead agency): Managing offenders — whether in the community or in custody; including multi-agency, pre-release support for those serving custodial sentences and monitoring individuals on release (using surveillance and other intelligence methods).

Local schemes have identified about 100 Prolific and Other Priority Offenders in Lincolnshire who are managed and supported by the multi-agency teams across the county.

MAPPA

The annual report on the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA), which manage potentially dangerous offenders in the community, is published every autumn.

Those ‘critical few’ offenders who pose the highest risk in the county are referred to a panel of senior staff from the Police, Probation, Prison Service, Social Services, Mental Health Services, Housing and Education authorities. Cases are assessed regularly. Action includes court orders which, if broken, can ensure an offender is arrested before a member of the public is harmed.

In 2005 two members of the public were appointed to the Management Board for Public Protection. These lay advisers bring an ordinary person’s perspective, are able to question what is done and to suggest improvements.

Click here for a copy of the latest MAPPA report.

To apprehend drug dealers and other persistent offenders

Lincolnshire Crimestoppers Group has launched its "Rat on a Rat" campaign in Boston - the first scheme of this kind in the county. The Crimestoppers Group brings together the police, media, local authorities, communities and businesses in the fight against crime.

Boston was chosen following the success of Operation Gascon, which resulted in the arrest of 23 local drug dealers, but Lincolnshire Police now want information on all types of crime and criminal activity.
Many people have information on criminals and want to inform the authorities, but are fearful of retribution. Calls to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 are guaranteed anonymity and could provide the vital piece of information to put offenders before the court.

Organisations which are joining forces on this campaign include the Lincolnshire County Council, Boston Community Safety Partnership, Lincolnshire Co-operative and the Target Newspaper Group.

The aims of the Lincolnshire Crimestoppers Group are:

  • The advancement, promotion and preservation of public law and order.
  • The advancement and promotion of efficient, intelligence-led policing.
  • The promotion and encouragement of good citizenship.
  • Greater public participation in the prevention and detection of crime.
  • The furtherance of the administration of Justice and a reduction in the fear of crime.

Rat on a Rat! - Make that call on 0800 555 111.
Contact Sergeant Andy Lockyer on 01522 558059 or 07986 971803


To apprehend suspected or known criminals

Crimestoppers is a national freephone telephone scheme involving the Police, media and the community in the fight against crime.
People can call anonymously and give information which might lead to the arrest and conviction of a criminal. The information is forwarded to the relevant Police Force for further investigation.
Rewards: If your information leads to the arrest and charge of a suspect, you may claim up to £500 reward - more for very serious or violent crimes. Only 4% of callers actually claim their rewards.

If you believe you have information about a crime in your area, please call Crimestoppers.

Tel No.: 0800 555 111, Website: www.crimestoppers

 

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