HMIC publishes Thematic
report on Neighbourhood Policing and developing citizen focus
HOME OFFICE News
Release (HMIC-04/2008) issued by COI News Distribution Service. 28
November 2008
Neighbourhood
Policing is now a core part of policing across England and Wales
but progress varies considerably between forces, a new report by
Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary said today.
The report followed an inspection of all 43 police forces to
assess the progress made in embedding the Neighbourhood Policing
programme since it began in 2005, until its full roll-out in March 2008.
The inspection found that the programme has been adopted across
the country, with 3,600 teams now dedicated to Neighbourhood Policing.
It praises several forces for their "excellent" work
and says that all forces have now achieved the basic standard of
making sure Neighbourhood Policing is a core part of their work.
But the inspection concluded that progress in Neighbourhood
Policing varies considerably between forces and that more work
needs to be done to fully embed the programme.
Key findings of the report include:
- a 2.1 percentage point increase of people who think their
local police do a good or excellent job;
- strong corporate governance, led by a chief officer with
Police Authority engagement, ensuring consistency across force
areas and between Basic Command Units, but taking account of local
needs and national governance;
- engagement with communities through meetings and using other
engagement opportunities so local people help shape their local
policing priorities;
- the forces with the most embedded Neighbourhood Policing apply
the same weight to measures of confidence and satisfaction as to
their performance in crime reduction and detection; and
- progress varies considerably between forces, possibly due to
the extent they engage with their local community and joint
problem solving.
Sir Ronnie Flanagan, HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary, said:
"This report clearly shows just how much has been achieved
by the Police Service, together with its partners, since the start
of the Neighbourhood Policing programme.
"There are now over 3,600 neighbourhood teams working to
improve public satisfaction and confidence while working with
local people. They also work with other agencies to solve local
problems and secure lasting changes.
"It is encouraging to note that there is an increase in the
number of people who think their local police do a good or
excellent job.
"However, there is no room for complacency. A good start
has been made but there needs to be a continued effort to
capitalise on the investment made so far."
The report also looked at the development of Citizen Focus
Policing - a newer approach designed to take the needs of the
citizen into account when designing and delivering policing services.
It said that Citizen Focus Policing had led to improvements in
satisfaction with the overall policing service but that there was
potential for higher satisfaction levels.
NOTE TO EDITORS
1. The report can be found at http://inspectorates.homeoffice.gov.uk/hmic/.
020 7035 3852