Communicating with the public
How do you get members of the community interested in what you are doing? How can you persuade them to participate in shaping policy, problem-solving, setting priorities etc? How do you let them know what you did with their input? Find out how others have tried to do this by reading the examples in this section.
Northumbria - the Beat Project
The Beat Project links local communities in Wooler and Chevington, both in Northumberland, with their local police officers to improve public participation in local policing and ensure that problems are identified and dealt with.
Each area also has its own newsletter to keep local people informed about local crime, how the Action Plan is being delivered, and when and where local meetings will be held.
The Wooler Beat project
A wide range of community organisations and groups are involved in the Beat project, including parish councils, schools, churches, local businesses and young peoples' and voluntary groups, to establish local people's main policing and safety concerns.
Once those local issues have been identified, the project will bring the community and local Police officers together to agree an Action Plan addressing those concerns during the following twelve months.
The issues raised by local people will also help to inform the overall planning process which ensures that future policing resources are directed where they are most needed.
The Chevington Beat Project
The Chevington Beat Project focuses on involving residents and householders in identifying local policing priorities. All residents receive a monthly newsletter and are invited to attend a monthly beat meeting at Chevington Community Centre in Hadston. These meetings bring the local beat officers face to face with the community. At each meeting, key issues of concern are raised and discussed and action agreed to impact on the issues.
- Chevington Beat Newsletter October 2004 (405K)
- Chevington Beat Newsletter November 2004 (125K)
- Chevington Beat Newsletter December 2004 (500K)
- Chevington Beat Newsletter January 2005 (173K)
For further details of the beat project, please see the website: www.northumbria-police-authority.org/beatproject.htm
Metropolitan Police Authority Safer London Panel
The Metropolitan Police Authority wants to consult people about a wide range of issues to
do with policing and community safety, to help formulate its
priorities for future years. To help it consult effectively, the MPA
recruited 3,000 residents from the population of
Greater London, who will be asked to give their views on a wide range
of issues about how London is policed. First MPA Safer London Panel newsletter (pdf, 45kb; opens in new window)
