Engaging the Community
The community can play an important role in helping to resolve issues and tensions as well as in identifying priorities. In this, they can be viewed as an additional resource to assist the partnership achieve their objectives. By involving the community in the solutions to problems, the partnership can improve:
- The sustainability of the response – particularly where potential offenders can be involved as a means of preventing crime and disorder.
- Public confidence and reassurance – by ensuring the public are aware of the true nature and level of issues in their community, and the action being taken to resolve these issues.
- Visibility and accountability – by being transparent and open about processes and reasons for actions.
- Future community participation – by increasing awareness and building interest and buy-in to the work that the partnership is doing in the area.
Neighbourhood Policing teams offer an ideal opportunity to engage with the community. There are many examples on the Neighbourhood Policing website (http://www.neighbourhoodpolicing.co.uk - link opens in a new window). One of the key aims of Neighbourhood Policing teams is to engage with local communities to tackle local priorities and as such, partnerships can use this as a valuable approach in their broader work.
