NEW neighbourhood policing guidelines have been published and are out for public consultation.

The opportunity for the public to express their views on the delivery of neighbourhood policing has been welcomed by Hampshire Constabulary.

The force is encouraging people to read and respond to the consultation on evidence-based guidelines for chief officers on how they should deliver, support and develop neighbourhood policing.

The Modernising Neighbourhood Policing Guidelines are being put forward in response to a 2016 Police Effectiveness Report, undertaking by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services, which found that neighbourhood policing was being eroded.

The report made a recommendation for the development of guidance setting out the essential elements which all forces should provide. They include:

•Being accessible to, responsible for and accountable to communities

•Engaging with communities to build trust and develop understanding of needs

•Collaborative problem solving with communities.

They recognise that officers, staff and volunteers working in neighbourhood policing need to be allowed to work in a proactive and preventative way.

They set out essential elements for how it should be delivered through community consultation, problem solving and targeted activity.

And for how it should be supported; by having the right culture within policing; by providing sufficient capability to analyse problems – and by developing the people carrying it out.

Superintendent James Lunn, from the College of Policing, explained further: “Neighbourhood policing has changed and diversified over the years, and forces will always have the independence to deploy their resources according to their own local needs.

“However, from the start of the work there was a sense that some focus had been lost on what is effective and what works.

“The new guidelines identify what chief officers should do, explain in detail those essential elements needed and describe the outcomes and benefits that can be achieved.”

The guidelines were developed using a new process in which the College of Policing worked closely with frontline officers and senior leaders involved in neighbourhood policing, as well as subject matter experts from outside of policing.

The college also worked with the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) lead for Neighbourhood Policing, Deputy Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, as well as the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) in developing the guidelines.

DCC Stephens said: “Neighbourhood Policing is a foundation of British policing and essential in building trusting relationships with communities that allow us to police by consent.

“Over time, the nature of crime and disorder that undermines our communities’ changes, and it is essential that we keep our practice up to date.

“Neighbourhood teams, including police community support officers, staff and volunteers, can now sometimes have a broad range of responsibilities.

“The Modernising Neighbourhood Policing Guidelines reflect these changes, but also recognise that at the heart of our policing practice are some essential elements, which are well-grounded in evidence of what works.

“As there have been significant reductions over recent years in the numbers of police officers and PCSOs it is important that we spend our time wisely on activities that are known to be effective.”

The guidelines, supporting material and further details of the consultation can be found at college.police.uk/neighbourhood-policing

•The public consultation is open until Thursday, August 9.