National Community Safety Network

Conference 201318 September 2013

Middlesex University

Nick Payne

RURAL SERVICES NETWORK

• Representing the case for a better deal for rural service provision

• Exchanging useful and relevant information

• Developing and sharing best practice

RURAL SERVICES NETWORK

Why do we need a Rural Crime Network?

• Fighting rural crime effectively requires:-• building effective partnerships across sectors• better sharing of information & best practice• new mechanisms for engaging rural communities• building resilience within rural communities to

improve deterrence and prevention • a strategy beyond just farm and wildlife crime • applied in an appropriate local context

RURAL SERVICES NETWORK

What objectives would it have?• Act as a think tank on rural crime strategy

• Facilitate region by region comparison of operational techniques in rural areas, to seek out and share best practice

• Develop and target good publicity to encourage a stronger local response from the rural public

RURAL SERVICES NETWORK

Objectives contd.• Facilitate a national discussion between

relevant rural partners and national organisations/watch groups

• Act as a forum to consider effective Community Safety initiatives across rural areas.

RURAL SERVICES NETWORK

Who might be our partners?• Network needs to be multi sectoral and multi

agency• Strategic group with strong links to top policy

and decision makers• Committed partners with P&CCs and RSN:• Countryside Alliance• Farmers Weekly magazine• National Community Safety Network• NFU Mutual

RURAL SERVICES NETWORK

Who else might be involved?• Association of PCCs and ACPO• Country Landowners Association/NFU• Fire and Rescue Services• National Association of Local Councils• National reps of Watch organisations/Crimestoppers• Local Government Association• National Federation of Small Businesses• Action with Communities in Rural England - (ACRE)

etc.

RURAL SERVICES NETWORK

What are the benefits?• A forum which sits outside of but remains

complimentary to the objectives of PCCs and their Association/ACPO

• Enables confidential information/intelligence sharing to continue across police personnel/ACPO without risk of compromise

• RSN already has strong established links/credibility with many rural organisations & partners – early momentum assured.

RURAL SERVICES NETWORK

Benefits Contd.• Potential commercial sponsorship – low cost, low risk

for many benefits accruing• Opportunity to engage across web based knowledge

hub as well as through meetings• Powerful alliance of rural stakeholders and interests

through which policy/practice can be refined, honed & shared by practitioners/professionals

• Direct link to the All Party Parliamentary Group on Rural Services – annually?

RURAL SERVICES NETWORK

What might it look like?

Police Forces

PCCs

Rural Crime

Network

RURAL SERVICES NETWORK

Potential Issues• Relationship with wider function of the APCCs

& ACPO? – not a deal breaker• Funding concerns for rural policing –

analysis/lobbying for resources - where does this role best sit?

• Rural crime is not a key issue for every P&CC • Resourcing the Network to make it sustainable

RURAL SERVICES NETWORK

Summary and suggested next steps?

• Establish a steering group• Draft and consult on some terms of reference• Identify a Chair• Invite other potential key partners incl. NCSN• Scoping meeting – late 2013?• Agree an initial work programme

RURAL SERVICES NETWORK

RURAL SERVICES NETWORK

David Inmannick.payne@sparse.gov.uk

07432 599167

www.rsnonline.org.uk