Policy into practice Partnerships with police
Anne Longfield
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
The issue: Media attention and government policy continues to search for ways of tackling youth crime and antisocial behaviour.
While high-profile antisocial behaviour initiatives are often hailed as the solution, experiences tell us that it is often through local community partnerships with the police that local behaviour and relationships can be improved.
Police engagement with children and young people in their community can build trusting relationships with the authorities, help break down negative stereotypes and support those most at risk.
Whether it is the presence of police officers in schools or local police events in the community, getting to know each other certainly seems to reap benefits.
CASE STUDY 1
Developing and maintaining good relationships with young people is a key focus of Essex Police. The 2Smart roadshows started 13 years ago and around 90 per cent of all Year 7 students have attended in 2009. 2Smart tours the county over a three-month period each year with a dedicated crew of radio presenters and performers, and provides Essex Police with a great opportunity to deliver important messages regarding knives, bullying, drugs and alcohol.
- Smart started life as the brand that covers Essex Police's preventative and educational work with young people but is fast becoming the main avenue for children wishing to access the police for all their concerns.
- Smart is supported by teachers and school officers back in the classroom with an interactive website.
CASE STUDY 2
When it comes to youth engagement, Cleveland Police Authority is working closely with children and young people to make sure that their views are heard. Working with the agency West Middlesbrough Neighbourhood Trust, a group of young people aged between 14 and 21 from the more deprived areas are recruited to help police officers with their annual policing plans.
Youth-friendly questionnaires and summaries are then distributed to all secondary schools and colleges in the area, which has resulted in more than 2,500 replies from young people this year alone. The responses feed into the annual consultation report and are used to make sure any concerns young people have around topics such as safety form part of next year's policing priorities.
Cleveland Police also seeks the views of younger children in their last year of primary school in other ways such as Crucial Crew, a safety initiative organised by the police aimed at 10- and 11-year-olds in the area.