STREET PATROLS FOR NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH (NHW) Developing a Police Service Position Paper

Transcription

1 STREET PATROLS FOR NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH (NHW) Developing a Police Service Position Paper BACKGROUND In the more than 25 years since the first NHW scheme in England and Wales was created in Cheshire, NHW has grown to a membership of over 6 million people, the largest group of volunteers in England and Wales. It is led nationally by the National Strategy Group for Watch Issues and the Neighbourhood and Home Watch Network (NHWN). Additionally, the Police Service has a national body and representation at regional and Force level. The subject of a national policy regarding NHW members and other community volunteers engaging in street patrols has been raised recently in the Police Neighbourhood Watch Group, along with the question, would the Police Service wish to encourage this type of activity and, if so, is there any guidance around this? There currently appears to be no such policy or guidance. The purpose of this paper is to highlight some street patrol activities already happening around the country and to seek a view on whether the Police Service would wish to encourage a form of street patrol for NHW or other community volunteers. If the answer is yes, would the Police Service recommend development of a generic policy and guidance document to assist those Forces that would wish to support such activity. Recent media publicity (February 2008) around the distribution of an ACPO briefing paper entitled Neighbourhood Watch in Context: a Strategic Tool for the Neighbourhood Policing Agenda illustrates that this topic is likely to attract considerable media interest. It is stressed that the street patrols being highlighted here are not those carried out either by Special Constables or by Volunteer Police Community Support Officers (should this concept itself win support) but by NHW members and other volunteers who would NOT be part of such formal, uniformed bodies. CURRENT SITUATION At present, each Police Force makes its own arrangements if it chooses to have street patrols for NHW members or community volunteers. These arrangements range from ad-hoc and unstructured with a greater or lesser degree of support from the Police, though to some very structured arrangements that are very well supported by the Police. Three examples are shown below:- Force A Had a problem on a Housing Association estate with ASB and young people. It allowed 14 NHW members to patrol at night, but book in with Police first and state where they were operating. Members were to patrol in pairs, with torches, radios and wearing high visibility jackets. The Purpose was to make contact with and reassure local people and report crime to Police. It was stressed that the patrols were not a vigilante group and were strictly non-confrontational. - Page 1 -

2 The result was that for the first time in years there was a waiting list to live on the estate. Force B Has 3 groups who patrol as follows:- Group 1 patrols in high visibility clothing. Group 2 patrol in everyday wear and maintain contact with others on patrol by mobile phone and with the local Police Station. Group 3 patrol in a high visibility jacket with NHW emblazoned on it. Force C Created an Operational Order and risk assessment for street patrols by NHW members who were treated as community volunteers. This ensured they were covered by Police insurance, in the same way other community volunteers are covered. The area they patrolled suffered low level criminality and anti-social behaviour, patrol was in pairs, no confrontation was expected and patrols were for 2 hours in daylight. Patrols were scheduled in the Operational Order and avoided hotspot times. Volunteers carried identity cards issued by the Police, carried mobile phones for contact and booked on-duty with the Police before commencing patrols. Dress - high visibility jacket, baseball caps with NHW and partnership logos on them. Police patrols were always available nearby. The Purpose of the patrols was to reassure and make contact with the residents, report crime and distribute crime prevention leaflets. Subsequently, these volunteers and their activities were included in a generic volunteers policy with all volunteering activity in that Force. The example shown at Force C above might be a suitable starting point for a way ahead, should the Police Service support the need. POSSIBLE BENEFITS OF SUPPORTING NHW STREET PATROLS Support to Neighbourhood Policing Teams. An opportunity to give NHW members a wider, more proactive role in their neighbourhood. A chance to provide reassurance and to make contact with local people. Another opportunity for the reporting back of concerns to the Police. PERCEIVED DIFFICULTIES IN SUPPORTING NHW STREET PATROLS A perception that NHW are acting as vigilantes. Some may see such patrols as Policing on the cheap (as per recent Press reports). Public Liability Insurance, provided by The Home Office to registered NHW schemes does not cover NHW street patrols. NHW members are not ready for such patrols. It is not necessary in my Force area. NHW could become targets of ASB or violence in my Force area. Too many health & safety issues to make it feasible. - Page 2 -

3 THE FUTURE? NHW members and community volunteers are currently engaged in a small number of street patrols in England and Wales, even if in some Force areas they are referred to by a different name such as High Visibility Walkabouts. There is no stated position by the Police Service on such patrols. This has contributed to ad-hoc arrangements for street patrols with varying degrees of support from Forces. It may also be the case that some existing patrols are not captured by Police service or any other insurance. It is anticipated that street patrols would be the exception rather than the rule, where sanctioned in the first place by the Chief Constable. It is proposed that a consultation takes place on this issue as follows. Views are sought from Chief Officers. In order to do this, please find attached a questionnaire at Appendix B which should be returned by Friday 9 th May 2008 Views are sought from members of Neighbourhood Watch via the Neighbourhood and Home Watch Network (NHWN) Views are sought from the wider membership of the National Steering Group for Watch Issues (NSGWI) which includes the Home Office and other key stakeholders. Following completion of this consultation process, it is envisaged a formal position paper will be submitted to Chief Constables Council later in F N Whiteley Chief Constable - Page 3 -

4 APPENDIX A CONSULTATION QUESTIONNAIRE (See separate document) APPENDIX B - HOW NHW / COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER STREET PATROLS COULD WORK Force agrees it will use NHW / Community Volunteer street patrols, where appropriate. When appropriate circumstances arise NHW are asked, or approach Police themselves, to assist with a specific problem. An Operational Order and Risk Assessment, shown at appendices B & D is prepared, outlining exactly what NHW will and will not do. Police Force Insurance Policy checked to ensure it covers community volunteers, such as NHW street patrollers. Street patrols are linked into Neighbourhood Policing Teams and are timebounded in terms of lifespan. Additionally, agreement would be needed on the following issues:- Visibility reflective clothing, ordinary clothing? Identification badges / cards. Patrol day / night? Or both? How long patrol could last. Communications method, (mobile phone, radios). Protective equipment. Patrolling in pairs. Booking on and off with the Police. Purpose of patrols listed. No confrontation. - Page 4 -

5 APPENDIX C Operational Order RESTRICTED (when complete) (NAME OF FORCE) From: Contact Tel No: To: Your Reference: Our Reference: Station: Date: SUBJECT : Operational Order Area High Visibility Neighbourhood Watch Volunteer Patrols 1. INFORMATION 1.1 The (Named) areas periodically suffer from low level criminality and instances of nuisance and anti-social behaviour. 1.2 Analysis conducted by the Divisional crime analysts has identified several potential hotspot areas along with the days and times that this type of behaviour is most prevalent. 1.3 The communities suffering this type of behaviour have requested some form of high visibility presence on the streets to deter the offenders. 1.4 Members of the Neighbourhood Watch organisation within these areas have volunteered to assist the Community Beat Officers and Police Community Support Officers to provide a visible presence. 2. INTENTION 2.1 Volunteers from the (Named) area Neighbourhood Watch organisation will deploy to nuisance hotspot areas within the (Named) areas on the days and during the times identified by the Local Policing Unit Commander to provide a visible presence. 2.2 To monitor the affect this presence has on the levels of nuisance and antisocial behaviour in the designated areas. 2.3 To monitor the affect this presence has on the Community re-assurance within the designated areas. 2.4 To gather and collate any community intelligence that may be offered to the volunteers during the presence. 3. METHOD 3.1 The volunteers will meet at a designated place and time prior to providing a presence to receive an up-to-date brief from either the on-shift CBO or PCSO. - Page 5 -

6 3.2 The volunteers will provide a presence in groups of not less than two. 3.3 The volunteers will wear high visibility jackets emblazoned with the (Named) Community Safety logo on the back or high visibility tabards with the Neighbourhood Watch logo emblazoned on the back. The volunteers will wear baseball caps with the Neighbourhood Watch logo emblazoned on the front. Sheet No The volunteers will engage wherever possible with members of the local community to explain their role and gather information that may be useful in reducing low level criminality, nuisance and anti-social behaviour. 4. ADMINISTRATION 4.1 Periods of high visibility presence have initially been planned for the following days and times: Wednesday 21 st June 15:00-16:30 PC A Thursday 22 nd June 18:00-20:00 IMU Friday 30 th June 18:00-20:00 PC B Tuesday 4 th July 18:00-20:00 Sgt C Friday 7 th July 18:00-20:00 PC A 4.2 The Police will be informed of the volunteers presence and the times and areas in which they will be active prior to the commencement of the presence. 5. COMMUNICATIONS 5.1 Volunteers will be supplied with the mobile telephone number of the officer to which they are providing support, they are to ensure that at least one of the groups is carrying a serviceable mobile phone and that the number of that phone is supplied to the on shift officer prior to the presence commencing. 5.2 Should the volunteers need to contact the police urgently, they should use the 999 emergency number. 6. HEALTH and SAFETY 6.1 At all times the volunteers are to remain vigilant to their surroundings and avoid any form of confrontational situation. 6.2 When providing a presence the volunteers are to take all necessary safety precautions when in the vicinity of roads and road traffic. 7. HUMAN RIGHTS 7.1 (Named) Police confirm that this Operational Order is compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights. It is reasonably believed that the Operational Order does comply with the European Convention at this time. SIGNED : Crime Reduction Unit Manager - Page 6 -

7 APPENDIX D RISK ASSESSMENT FOR Neighbourhood watch active volunteers Upon completion this form should be checked by the active member s coordinator and then approved by the senior officer on duty prior to deployment. Copies of risk assessments should be sent to the Neighbourhood policing commander To improve the quality of life by working together to provide public reassurance, make and reinforce links within the community and help to fulfil the joint responsibility for reducing crime and disorder within those neighbourhoods. Risk Assessment for: Assessment undertaken on: Assessment reviewed on: Undertaken by (signature): Print name: Position: Hazards: (eg. related to: setting, activity, weather, area) Associated Risks: (eg. risk of injury) Who is at Risk? List existing controls or attach information. Identify action needed for risks for which these controls are not adequate: (eg. deployment policy, accident procedures) Responsibility: (this could relate to specific neighbourhood officers) - Page 7 -

8 They will do this by: obtaining information from local neighbourhood officers to identify areas of concern within the neighbourhood carrying out high visibility walk-abouts into the neighbourhood at the direction of the officers maintaining contact with local officers whilst out in the neighbourhood reporting accurately suspicious incidents directly to local officers identifying and removing means to commit crime whilst out wear high visibility jackets at all times whilst out, supplied to them by the community safety partnership engage with members of the public, inform them about what is happening in their community to make them feel safer distribute crime prevention advice in a way which will help promote a greater sense of security carrying whilst out an identification card issued to them by Blankshire Police assisting with local surgeries within their neighbourhood and fostering a community spirit encouraging greater vigilance by all members of the community that they engage with. They will not: walk about singly at any time become involved in any confrontational situation that arises wear any other high visibility clothing not supplied by the community safety partnership walk about without the knowledge of the local neighbourhood officer on duty at the time be out at times identified as being a hotspot for crime and disorder do anything over and above, that has not been identified within the role description. ACTIVE MEMEBRS WILL BE ISSUED WITH ALL CONTACTS OF THEIR LOCAL OFFICERS AND SUPERVISON AND WILL BE ABLE TO CONTACT THE OFFICER ON DUTY AT THE TIME OF THEIR WALK ABOUT DIRECT BY A DEDICATED MOBILE PHONE. ACTIVE MEMBERS WILL AT ALL TIMES ABIDE BY THE CODE OF CONDUCT AND ROLE DESCRIPTION. THEY WILL BE SUBJECT TO THIS RISK ASSESSMENT FOR THEIR DEPLOYMENT, ACTIVE MEMBERS WILL ONLY PARTICIPATE IN MEDIA OPPORTUINITES WITH THEIR EXPRESS PERMISSION. - Page 8 -