Neighbourhood Panels
In April 2005 the Home Office launched a national policy to introduce Neighbourhood Policing into the constabulary by 2008. The Southern Division of Cambridgeshire Constabulary was chosen to be a "pathfinder" force and introduced neighbourhood management of the police in the District last year.
An important aspect of Neighbourhood Policing is citizen engagement and the constabulary have launched E-cops along with other initiatives, to involve people in the local community. As well as this, the police have worked with the Local Strategic Partnership (Which includes the District Council) to set up 'Neighbourhood Panels.'
At the moment the Panels are running as a pilot project in the Soham Area which covers Soham, Isleham, Fordham, Kennett, Wicken, Chippenham and Snailwell.
The Panel is made up of Parish, District, County Councillors along with community representatives. Their role is to talk about the concerns in their area such as policing, health, housing, children and young people and to decide which issues are the most important. The Panel also agree what work needs to be completed between meetings and who will be responsible.
The introduction of Neighbourhood Panels to the District is an important initiative, which could provide improved citizen engagement between public services and the community. The Pilot has now been extended for a further 12 months across the District through 5 Panels. Each Panel will hold an inaugural meeting in January and meet again in April, July and October 2008
Everyone is welcome at the meetings, so please come along and give your views.
For further information please contact Jane Fletcher or Julie Cornwell on 01353 616352 or e-mail
For dates and locations of Neighbourhood Panels go to the Forthcoming Events (page 6) of this website.
East Cambridgeshire District Council
Issued by: Press and Public Relation Services The Grange, Nutholt Lane, Ely, Cambridgeshire, CB7 4PLTelephone: 01223 718000 Email: press@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
Ref: 054/08
Author: Tony Taylorson
Date: 07/04/08
Press Release -
WORKING TOGETHER TO TACKLE CRIME AND DISORDERA plan to tackle crime and improve community safety in East Cambridgeshire for the next
three years has been revealed today.
The East Cambridgeshire Community Safety Partnership are publishing their new three
year Community Safety Plan for 2008-11 this week.
The plan sets out community safety priorities for the District and what actions will be taken
to reduce crime and disorder. The plan is based on both local and national concerns and
identified priorities through public consultation, robust data analysis and by following
national government initiatives.
The priorities for East Cambridgeshire are:
Alcohol related anti-social behaviour
Household Burglary
Vehicle Crime
Reducing re-offending
Domestic Violence
Communities TogetherThe Partnership will also be considering wider issues surrounding drug and alcohol
misuse, the importance of the positive involvement of young people in the community,
and the role that the Neighbourhood Panels will be able to play in dealing with community
issues.
Councillor Peter Cresswell, Chairman of East Cambridgeshire District Council’s
Community Services Committee, said: “This plan has been developed using research and
consultation, over the last 4 – 5 months. It is vital that we work in partnership otherwise
we would have little hope of success. The plan for the next three years builds on the
success of previous strategies and looks to provide ongoing support for projects tackling
crime and disorder in the district.
“The key is to make sure that this plan is not just a collection of ideas which never come
to pass, so we have to back up its priorities with action. We are all determined to make a
positive impact on people’s lives and we will also be working closely with the East
Cambridgeshire Local Strategic Partnership to tackle issues that make living in the District
better for us all.”
The East Cambridgeshire Community Safety Partnership is made up of the Police, Fire
Service, the Primary Care Trust and East Cambridgeshire District Council. There is also
participation from Non Governmental Organisations in East Cambridgeshire.
ENDS
For further information contact Tony Taylorson in the Press and Public Relations Office on
01223 718000.
Political contacts: Councillor Peter Cresswell (Con), Chairman of the Community Services
Committee 01638 661138 or 07960 733420; Councillor Hazel Williams (Lib Dem) on
01638 743897 or 07747 022431; and Councillor Derrick Beckett (Ind) on 01638 780476.