Neighbourhood policing provides high visibility, reassurance policing in all communities, establishing local priorities with local people by engaging with the community on the issues which matter most to them.
We know that a neighbourhood policing approach works. The Home Office evaluation of the National Reassurance Policing Programme (NRPP)—the precursor to neighbourhood policing which was trialled in 16 sites in England between 2003 and 2005—demonstrated that crime and antisocial behaviour were positively affected by a neighbourhood policing approach and that public confidence increased fivefold.
There are now around 3,600 dedicated teams in place across England and Wales consisting of over 13,500 sergeants and constables and 16,000 police community support officers. For the first time ever, every household across the country now has a dedicated police team to solve local problems and has a name and contact number for their local team.
The Home Office is monitoring and evaluating these new teams across England and Wales, through a three-year research programme, due to be completed in autumn 2009.
Early indications show the positive impact of neighbourhood policing on crime and antisocial behaviour, as well as feelings of safety and confidence in the police. The Home Office also continues to assess police performance, including the impact of neighbourhood policing, through the Assessments of Policing and Community Safety (APACS) framework, while inspections by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary also provide a qualitative assessment of neighbourhood policing delivery.