It is difficult to square last week’s announcement of the first tranche of 13,000 extra neighbourhood police, across England and Wales, with the threat of job cuts that also looms over the 43 forces. As in other public services, there is a risk that launching new projects at a time of overstretched budgets will shift resources rather than increase capacity. That said, an approach to policing that stresses local connectedness has had good results in the past. Labour is right to follow through on its manifesto pledge on neighbourhood teams, but delivery alone is not a substitute for strategy.
Recent rises in shoplifting and robbery offences have alarmed sections of the public as well as businesses. The Greater Manchester scheme, which the prime minister cites as a model, has had good results, with burglaries down by a third between 2021 and 2024 and a renewed partnership with retailers.
Evaluating police tactics can be difficult, as changes in approach are concurrent with broader shifts including increases or decreases in crime. But the neighbourhood policing programme rolled out under the last Labour government had a broadly positive impact on public confidence, and reduced crime and antisocial behaviour in some places. The hope is that an increased police presence, particularly at peak times and in crime hotspots, will have a similar effect now, combining reassurance with deterrence.
Everyday policing should be carried out by officers who are embedded in communities and know their way around local services. Particularly in areas where young men are at higher risk of becoming involved in crime, either as perpetrators or victims, it is an advantage when officers are familiar figures. Vulnerable residents can also benefit. At a time when trust in the police is justifiably low following multiple horrifying revelations of racism, sexual violence and other failures, rebuilding relationships ought to be a priority.
Bobbies on the beat are not the answer to everything. If new targets for arrests are introduced, and prevention is overlooked, there is a danger that the “summer crime blitz” promised by Sir Keir Starmer could lead to people being wrongly criminalised. A heavy-handed approach to antisocial behaviour will only add to existing pressures on courts and prisons.
There are crimes – including serious organised crime, online sexual exploitation and financial offences – to which an increased local police presence is unlikely to make much difference. Another set of reforms, aimed at addressing these threats and others including terrorism, is expected in a white paper later this year. One possibility is the creation of a national force to lead on these areas.
There is a case for such a division of labour, with a national body taking over responsibility for counter-terrorism from the Metropolitan police, while local forces renew efforts to build links on the ground. But reorganisations are always disruptive and the latter could end up worse off if the highest-profile crime-fighting is taken out of their purview (the last two Met chiefs both came from counter-terrorism).
Crime is expected to be a key issue in next month’s local elections. With its new commitment to neighbourhood police, the government wants to draw a contrast with the Conservatives. But more officers should not be viewed as an end in themselves, especially if they are employed despite cuts elsewhere. Ministers must ensure that extra police play a constructive role in communities.
