Our response to the Government’s neighbourhood policing guarantee

In a statement today, the Prime Minister, Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer, revealed plans to restore neighbourhood policing. This includes plans to ensure that specialist neighbourhood officers will be present in every area, providing a visible and responsive presence.

This will reconnect policing with the communities they serve. In addition, a new performance framework for neighbourhood policing will set out the standards that the public can expect from the police who work in their communities.

• Read the Government’s announcement on neighbourhood policing

Neighbourhood policing is a vital foundation of any police force if they are to be effective in cutting crime and helping people feel safe in their communities. The evidence on the effectiveness of neighbourhood policing is both strong and compelling.

A visible neighbourhood police presence serving the public to a more consistent standard will improve confidence in police. This is an ambition which all of policing wants to see delivered in partnership with communities.

Chief Constable Sir Andy Marsh QPM, College of Policing CEO

Evidence review

While there are many important areas of policing, for most people, what they actually see day to day is neighbourhood policing – police officers out in communities, talking to residents, and solving local problems. Widespread international evidence tells us that neighbourhood policing builds trust and confidence in the police. It also encourages people to report crimes and share information and to feel safer in their communities.

• Go to our evidence review on neighbourhood policing

Neighbourhood policing guidelines

We used the evidence and research to form our national neighbourhood policing guidelines. They contain information, guidance, and advice on how to understand communities and build trust. You can also find out how to work with communities, supported by private, public and voluntary sector partners.

• Go to our neighbourhood policing guidelines

Professionalising neighbourhood policing

In September, the Government announced funding for the College to rollout our new dedicated training for officers and staff in neighbourhood policing teams across forces in England and Wales.

The training aims to develop the knowledge and skills of neighbourhood policing teams and professionalise this vital area, driving up standards of policing in communities across the country. This marks the first national training developed for this area of policing. It will provide evidence-based learning for officers and staff, and aims to equip them with the specialist knowledge and skills required to:

• make communities safer
• prevent crime and anti-social behaviour
• solve local problems
• build and improve relationships with communities

We began trialling the enhanced training in June 2024 and it is anticipated it will be rolled out to all Home Office forces from 2025.

• Go to the nationwide rollout for neighbourhood policing training
• Find out about our new training for neighbourhood policing