PSNI celebrates partnership innovation at 2026 Problem Solving Awards

Held in partnership with the Northern Ireland Policing Board (NIPB), award recipients were recognised for their problem-solving initiatives taken forward between the PSNI, the local community, and external partners.

They were recognised across a number of categories including Delivering for Communities, Enhancing Service Delivery, Policing and Community Safety Partnerships, Innovation, Serious Crime, and Partners.

Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said: “I was delighted to attend this year’s Problem Solving Awards, and to see first-hand the fantastic work taking place across the organisation and throughout Northern Ireland.

“These awards, delivered once again in collaboration with the NIPB, highlight the power of collaboration in developing innovative solutions that make our communities safer, and ultimately improving well-being and public confidence.

“They are a true celebration of our officers, staff and partners whose creative, evidence-based approaches have made a real difference to people and communities across Northern Ireland.

“I would like to commend all those who submitted entries this year, and congratulations to our very worthy winners. The dedication, professionalism and commitment to partnership working are a credit to the PSNI and communities we serve.”

Justice Minister Naomi Long said: “Congratulations to all the winners and the nominees for their outstanding efforts working together for fairness, justice and safety. All the projects are making a real difference to people who experience anti-social behaviour, domestic abuse, vandalism and crime.

“I’ve been so impressed with the creativity and enthusiasm of local and specialist policing teams keen to confront challenging problems and deliver for victims of crime. They exemplify the very best in policing and the true power of genuine partnership and dedicated public service.”

NIPB chair Mukesh Sharma said it was important to highlight the “exceptional work” across Northern Ireland and projects that “have changed and have had enormous impacts on people’s lives”.

“By working with communities and partner agencies to address and resolve problems, these projects are making a real difference. Problem solving together in partnership is the best way to achieve long-term results,” he said.

“On behalf of the Board, I would like to record thanks for the outstanding efforts of police officers, staff, Policing and Community Safety Partnerships (PCSPs) and all those who work with and within policing to make Northern Ireland a safer, better place to live.”

Seven projects were announced as winners on the night of the awards, including the Broadway Action Plan which won the category for Delivering for Communities.

This project covered south and west Belfast with an officer led problem-solving process to tackle frequent anti-social behaviour in the area.

Working with partners through engagement, diversion and environmental design, this strategy helped to reduce levels of disorder in the area.

The City Quays Gardens project, led by the Harbour Police in Belfast, was also awarded in the Delivering for Communities category for transforming a once-troubled public space into a safe, well-used area through improved lighting, landscaping and design.

An initiative addressing a rise in burglaries targeting Chinese and Asian communities, specifically cash-based businesses and households was highly commended in this category.

The project identified that language barriers, cultural perceptions of authority, and lack of awareness regarding crime prevention tools – such as Neighbourhood Watch and Property Marking – contributed to under-reporting and repeat victimisation.

Meanwhile, the PSNI’s Video Officer Attendance Team (VOAT), which introduced innovative video technology allowing officers to resolve non-emergency calls remotely, saving time and improving service to victims, took the award within the Enhancing Service Delivery category.

The Power to Change campaign, a strategic initiative by the Police Service and the NIPB to combat violence against women and girls (VAWG), was the winner within the Innovation category.

This project specifically targeted men and boys to foster behavioural change and encourage ‘active bystander’ intervention.

Public Protection Arrangements NI Threshold Panels, a new process aimed at reducing delays and improving offender management through multi-agency cooperation, was the winner in the Serious Crime category and winner of the overall Chenery Award.

This process addressed significant delays in managing sexual and violent offenders – and in just five months, the initiative stabilised the growing problem.

Policing the Harlander Project: Managing the UK’s First Autonomous Bus Pilot scooped the award within the Partners category.

By integrating Belfast Harbour Police into the multi-agency consortium from the outset, this project shifted from a reactive to a proactive policing model, effectively reducing operational demand.