Neighbourhood policing under threat

A report headed up by Lord Stevens of Kirkwhelpington, Chancellor of Northumbria University, Newcastle, has warned that neighbourhood policing is under threat.

The Independent Police Commission report, which enlisted support from a nationwide panel of experts including Northumbria Professors Mike Rowe and Sharon Mavin, states that ‘bobbies on the beat’ are disappearing.

Lord Stevens has said that the police are retreating to a reactive model of policing and that neighbourhood policing must be saved. Separate figures from the House of Commons Library also confirms that over 10,000 police officers have now disappeared from the frontline.

The Independent Police Commission also recommends that the law should be changed to make clear that the purpose of policing is to promote public safety and community well-being, thereby preventing crime as well as reacting to crime.

Mike Rowe, Professor of Criminology at Northumbria University said: “The report argues for stronger partnerships between the police and other organisations. This is to ensure that local neighbourhoods are afforded more of a say over the priorities for their neighbourhood police force.

“This would give local councils more power to set priorities for volume crimes and policing in their own areas.”

The Commission will also set out wide ranging recommendations on standards, effectiveness, accountability, structures and efficiencies.

For further information about Criminology at Northumbria University, visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/criminology.