ECINS – Managing ASB and Hate Crime – ECINS’ Heather Ette spoke to Toni Dean, ASB and Hate Crime Co-ordinator for the Neighbourhood Policing Team in Chichester for Sussex Police. 

HE: What does your day to day work entail and what are your main aims?

TD: My main aim is to reduce Hate Crime and Anti Social Behaviour in the Chichester District. My day to day to work entails monitoring the daily calls that are logged and ensuring any which relate to Anti Social Behaviour and Hate Crime are recorded correctly and dealt with efficiently. I also ensure all live cases are updated on a regular basis and liaise with other agencies in order to take joint action against perpetrators of Anti Social Behaviour and Hate Crime.

HE: Which partners do you collaborate with via ECINS, how has it helped you do your job better and has it allowed you to engage with more partners than you did prior to using ECINS?

TD: The partners we collaborate with via ECINS are mainly Chichester District Council and social landlords. Although in Chichester we already have good working relationships with these agencies ECINS has allowed us to manage the cases we are working on more effectively as all partners have access to these cases and can add their actions and updates rather than each agency having their own individual records. ECINS allows for all information to be easily accessible in one place which ensures that everyone is aware of what is going on without the need for numerous phone calls, emails and meetings.

HE: What have you found is the main benefit of using ECINS?

TD: Being able to keep all the information regarding cases in one place which everyone has access to. Access is easily given to all who need it and they can update their own actions and see how cases are progressing. It is also an extremely easy to use system which is a huge benefit as this has meant that everyone who has access to ECINS has been keen and confident in using it.

HE:  ECINS is a complete neighbourhood tool that allows many different departments across organisations to see the bigger picture with regards to victims, offenders and vulnerable persons.  Has your organisation taken advantage of the opportunities it presents by widening its scope to include areas of business outside of ASB and do you personally find this beneficial in your day to day work?

TD: We are using the system not only for ASB but also for Hate Crime. We also use the system to monitor street drinkers on the district and transient traveller encampments which has been really beneficial. Access can also be given to other districts so they can monitor if something is likely to also impact on their area and prepare for this in advance.

HE: Is there a key feature or function on ECINS that you find particularly useful and would you say that it has become integral to your way of working?

TD: The function enabling you to upload documents to cases has been invaluable.

HE: Is there anything Empowering-Communities could do that would help you with your work around ECINS?

TD: An online forum would be great however it has been noted that whenever contact has been made with the ECINS team they are extremely efficient and helpful.