Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Friday 11th April 2025 at 07:30hrs
Prime Minister Keir Starmer today announced a significant overhaul of policing in England and Wales, promising to “restore confidence” in the service and deliver greater security for working people nationwide.
The ambitious “Plan for Change and Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee” aims to end the current “postcode lottery” of policing standards by introducing named, contactable officers for every neighbourhood and guaranteeing police patrols in busy areas at peak times.
Speaking at a local community centre in Preston, the Prime Minister emphasized that “everyone deserves to feel safe and secure on the streets they call home,” a “basic right” that has been eroded in recent years.
He highlighted a dramatic fall in visible policing, with the number of people regularly seeing officers on patrol halving in the last decade, alongside a concerning 90% unsolved crime rate and one million incidents of antisocial behaviour last year.
The cornerstone of the plan is the deployment of an additional 13,000 neighbourhood officers by 2029, representing an increase of over 50% across the country.
This surge in frontline personnel will focus on establishing dedicated and specialist neighbourhood policing teams in every community, ensuring consistent standards of law and order regardless of location – a move the government says will be the first of its kind in fifteen years.
Key measures outlined in the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee include:
* Named and Contactable Officers: Every neighbourhood will have designated officers that residents can name and contact directly to address local issues, fostering trust and ensuring communities feel heard.
* Guaranteed Peak-Time Patrols: Town centres and other crime hotspots will see guaranteed police patrols during busy periods, such as Friday and Saturday nights, aiming to deter crime and provide reassurance.
* Dedicated Antisocial Behaviour Leads: Each police force will appoint a dedicated lead to work with residents and businesses to develop tailored action plans to tackle the record levels of antisocial behaviour plaguing communities.
The government believes that by putting “prevention at the heart of policing,” these measures will help prevent issues like vandalism and antisocial behaviour from escalating into more serious crimes. To ensure accountability and consistent standards, a new “Police Standards and Performance Improvement Unit” will be established to rigorously measure police performance across forces.
Furthermore, a new online tool will allow the public to check their local force’s performance and hold them to account.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper echoed the Prime Minister’s sentiments, stating that “for too long, too many communities have been feeling abandoned as crime soared and neighbourhood police disappeared.”
She emphasized the government’s determination to “get police back on the beat and into our town centres,” tackling the postcode lottery and restoring trust in community policing.
The announcement has garnered a mixed reaction from policing bodies and community groups. Chief Constable Sir Andy Marsh, CEO of the College of Policing, welcomed the initiative, stating that “good neighbourhood policing reduces crime and builds trust with communities.”
He highlighted the upcoming rollout of specialized training for neighbourhood officers to equip them with the necessary skills.
Emily Spurrell, Chair of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, also welcomed the additional funding for neighbourhood policing but cautioned about “significant pressure on police budgets” and the need for continued government support.
John Hayward-Cripps, Chief Executive of Neighbourhood Watch, highlighted the importance of combining patrols with community engagement for effective crime reduction and noted that a significant portion of their members still feel unsafe in their neighbourhoods, particularly younger people.
The business community also voiced its support. Matt Hood, Co-op Managing Director, emphasized the benefits of partnerships with local police in tackling high-impact offenders and welcomed the commitment to increased police presence.
Kate Nicholls, Chief Executive of UKHospitality, stressed the importance of safe high streets for economic growth and regeneration.
However, Baroness Newlove, the Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales, while welcoming the return of dedicated neighbourhood policing and ASB leads, cautioned that the plan’s impact would depend on ensuring officers have the necessary training and support to respond effectively to all reports, regardless of location.
The government’s plan will be further supported by the Crime and Policing Bill, which aims to provide police with new powers to tackle antisocial behaviour, including Respect Orders and the power to seize vehicles causing community disruption.
The Bill will also address issues like shoplifting and phone theft.
Today’s announcement marks a significant commitment from the government to reshape policing in England and Wales, with the promise of a more visible, accountable, and community-focused service aimed at delivering greater security for all.
The success of the plan will be closely watched as the 13,000 new officers are recruited and deployed over the coming years.
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