More bobbies on the beat as PM puts people’s priorities first
Every neighbourhood will have a named, contactable police officer in their community, dealing with local issues, as the Prime Minister puts more police on the street at the heart of his mission to tackle crime.
In a speech unveiling his Plan for Change, Sir Keir Starmer says communities can expect to have a “visible and responsive policing presence” that will reconnect with the people they serve.
The Government is boosting its Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee with £100 million, which will place a renewed focus on preventing the criminality plaguing the streets, particularly in town centres.
The Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) joint leads on local policing, Chris Nelson and Matt Storey, said: “We welcome the Government’s commitment to restoring neighbourhood patrols and a guarantee of what people can expect from their neighbourhood policing teams.
“The pledge of a £100 million funding injection demonstrates they understand the value the public places on having more visible local policing in their area.
“Police and crime commissioners (PCCs) know how important neighbourhood policing is to our communities. Residents want to see officers on their streets preventing and robustly tackling the anti-social behaviour, street theft and shoplifting that so devastate areas and that make people feel unsafe.
“The Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee framework includes the promise of a dedicated named officer for every neighbourhood, who understands local issues and will be trained to proactively help resolve problems before crimes are committed.
“On behalf of our communities, PCCs will hold our local forces to account on delivery of this pledge and ensure the quality of officers’ interactions with the communities and victims they serve are effective and the impact measurable.”
The Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee sets out what communities should expect from their neighbourhood policing team. In addition, every force will have a dedicated anti-social behaviour lead who will work with their communities to develop action plans that tackle the concerns seen on their streets every day.
The Government’s aim is to have 13,000 additional neighbourhood policing officers, police community support officers and special constables in dedicated neighbourhood policing roles.
It says these officers must “demonstrably spend time on visible patrol” and not be taken off the beat to plug shortages elsewhere.
The Prime Minister says: “The Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee will deliver 13,000 extra neighbourhood police, visible on your streets, cracking down on anti-social behaviour. A named, contactable officer in every community. A relief to millions of people scared to walk their streets they call home.”
The Home Secretary said the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee is “more than just increasing numbers”.
“It’s about rebuilding the vital connection between the public and the police,” said Yvette Cooper.
“This marks a return to the founding principles of British policing – where officers are part of the communities they serve.
“Through this visible, responsive police presence in every neighbourhood, we will restore the trust and partnership that lies at the heart of keeping our communities safe.”