Neighbourhood Policing Week gets underway

Leicestershire Police is joining forces up and down the country to support ‘Neighbourhood Policing Week’ – a national campaign aimed at highlighting the work of neighbourhood officers.

Taking place between Monday 17 and Sunday 23 January, it will see the police service across the UK highlight the work officers carry out every single day to prevent crime and keep our communities safe.

Across the week in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, officers will be carrying out their daily work but with a greater emphasis on shouting out about it using force social media channels.

This will include engagement activity such as visiting schools to talk to students, using a knife arch in key locations, carrying out knife sweeps in parks and elsewhere, visiting habitual knife carriers, talking to licensees, holding beat surgeries and walk-abouts with local councillors, visiting areas known for anti-social behaviour, and liaising with partners including health and social care organisation, Turning Point, which works across mental health, substance misuse and learning disabilities.

In addition, there will also be targeted operational activity.

Officers are taking the opportunity to encourage people to sign up to Neighbourhood Link  - a free email alert system from the force, Neighbourhood Watch and other partner organisations, providing relevant news and updates on policing where you live and work.

Superintendent Paul Allen from the force’s Local Policing Directorate (LPD) said: “While this work isn’t out of the ordinary, the week itself gives us the opportunity to highlight what officers and staff are doing in our neighbourhoods every day of the week. In addition to problem solving, our teams are out in communities engaging with people and working with councils, schools, charities and other organisations, to prevent harm, while of course being able to respond to incidents as and when they happen.

“It’s vital that officers are part of the communities they police. The causes of crime are many and varied and no one organisation can solve this on their own – that’s why Leicestershire Police is taking a public health approach and working alongside partners including local authorities, education, health and the criminal justice system to divert people away from crime and tackle its root causes. Our neighbourhoods and the people who live in them also have a part to play in this and therefore fostering strong relationships can only help.

“Our officers work hard every day to make a difference and I’m delighted that this week will give us the chance to show just that, while providing an opportunity for us to promote Neighbourhood Link and other important public safety campaigns led by or supported by the force.”

Rupert Matthews, Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, is supporting the week.

He said: “I know just how valuable good neighbourhood policing is to those living in our communities. Neighbourhood officers, with their local knowledge and intelligence are the bedrock of local policing. Their contribution to community safety must not be underestimated. They are a big part of community life and working with local residents, they boost trust and confidence in the police.

“This week gives us all opportunity to show our appreciation of the work they do, to encourage people to get more involved with their local neighbourhood teams and boost relationships with the diverse communities across the whole force area.”

Follow the campaign on social media via #TeamLeicestershire and #InYourCommunity.