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Tackling and preventing local crime

Neighbourhood Policing is the way that local police work with local people and others to identify and tackle the issues that make people living and working in a neighbourhood feel unsafe.

This type of policing is provided by teams of police officers and police community support officers (PCSOs), often together with special constables, local authority wardens and other volunteers.

• Find your local Neighbourhood Policing Team (opens new window)

Your neighbourhood

There are plans for every area in England and Wales to be covered by a Neighbourhood Policing Team - most areas are already covered. The team works as part of the community to make the neighbourhood safer. Each team needs residents' help to highlight the issues that are of most concern in the area and to tackle them in the most effective way.

What can be achieved

Neighbourhood Policing Teams are there to make sure that residents are safe and feel safe where they live. This could mean that the team organises for graffiti to be cleaned off local buildings, or that activities are arranged for young people in the area.

Because the teams are involved in working long term within the community, they are not generally able to respond to urgent calls. If you need to report a crime, you should still contact your local police station or, in the case of an emergency, ring 999.

Get involved

You can find out more about the work that is being carried out in your neighbourhood and how to get involved yourself by visiting the Neighbourhood Policing website. Follow the link below to find your local team.

• Find your local Neighbourhood Policing Team (opens new window)
• More on Neighbourhood Policing from the newsroom

More useful links

• Your rights and the justice system
• Support and safety in your home (home and community section)
• Getting involved in your community (home and community section)
• Crime and justice (young people section)