During the week beginning 23 January 2023, the Police Service of Northern Ireland will be supporting the National Police Chiefs’ Council Neighbourhood Policing Week of Action. Throughout the week the police will be highlighting the amazing efforts of dedicated Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPTs) across Northern Ireland and recognising the vital work they do on a daily basis to tackle the issues that matter to communities, protect the vulnerable and keep people safe.
The week of action will focus on four key themes:
• Early intervention
• Problem-solving policing
• Improving trust and confidence through neighbourhood policing
• Wellbeing
Throughout the Week of Action, there will be a focus on showcasing how neighbourhood teams work collaboratively with partners to problem solve local issues. Find out more at www.psni.police.uk/neighbourhoodpolicing.
Assistant Chief Constable Bobby Singleton for Local Policing said: “Neighbourhood Policing is central to everything we do as a Police Service to keep people safe. The individuals who make up our Neighbourhood Policing Teams are exceptionally skilled at supporting the public and delivering community-focused policing by working closely with various local community groups, associations and charities, as well as dealing with serious issues of crime like drugs, burglary and anti-social behaviour that have a real impact on quality of life for local people.
“In 2022 we marked a significant milestone in our neighbourhood policing journey with the launch our Neighbourhood Policing Hallmarks. These eight Hallmarks set a framework for consistent, high-quality standards that local communities can expect of their Police Service, with the flexibility to develop an approach based on local needs and aspirations of specific communities.
“This Week of Action provides us with the opportunity to showcase these Hallmarks in action within our communities and highlight the work our Neighbourhood officers do to prevent crime through early intervention and problem solving, and celebrate the strong links they build with our communities that help us focus our local policing priorities to make real difference in people’s lives.
“Throughout the week we will be using our social media channels to raise awareness of the work of our NPTs, with focus on some of the excellent engagement and partnership work being undertaken by specific teams across all policing areas. We will also be signposting our communities to the contact information for their local Neighbourhood Team, names and numbers can be found on our website, and we will be asking for community feedback - we want to know what you would like to see us do in your neighbourhood.”
Recognising the work of Neighbourhood Policing Teams, Policing Board Chair Deirdre Toner said: “As a Board we thank all the officers who are working and engaging with local people to respond to issues of concern and improving community safety across Northern Ireland.
“Investing and increasing officer numbers in Neighbourhood Policing Teams has been a priority for the Policing Board.
“Whilst there are now some resourcing pressures, we are determined to make sure this area of policing is maintained as we recognise the real value these teams bring to building community connections and solving issues that are of concern in local areas.
“Working with Policing and Community Safety Partnerships (PCSPs) and a range of partner agencies, these teams ensure people living in local areas are involved and connected to policing on the issues that matter most.”
ACC Singleton continued: “We’ve made a lot of real, tangible progress in policing in recent years and Northern Ireland is now one of the safest places to live with some of the highest levels of trust and confidence in policing in the UK. And that, in large part, is because of what we have achieved working together with local communities at a neighbourhood level. The current financial landscape facing the Police Service will undoubtedly mean that challenges lie ahead and this may impact on how Neighbourhood Policing is delivered in the future however there is a real appetite in our communities for this kind of engaged, targeted policing approach and we remain committed to celebrating the incredible contribution of our teams to the communities they serve.”