Why I continue to advocate for local, visible policing 

Neighbourhood Policing Week of Action (15 – 19 June) is a time to recognise the importance of neighbourhood police officers, Police Community Support Officers, and special constables. 

The public tell me, in so many conversations, how important visible policing is to them.  

Visible policing plays an important role in making people feel safe, improving communication with the public, and building trust and confidence in the police. People want to know their communities are being listened to, and that their concerns are taken seriously. 

Neighbourhood officers provide this significant link between the police and the public. They embed themselves into a community and become a consistent, dedicated contact, bringing people together and supporting community cohesion and safety.   

Strengthening neighbourhood policing is one of the five priorities in my Police and Crime Plan and I continue to consistently advocate for local, visible policing.  

It remains a national priority for the government, too, which has committed to an additional 13,000 officers, Police Community Support Officers, and special constables for neighbourhood teams across England and Wales, through its Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee – something I am working with Avon and Somerset Police to deliver locally.  

But neighbourhood policing isn’t just about being visible – it’s also about meaningful engagement, long-term problem-solving, and strong partnership working. This is key to tackling local criminality and anti-social behaviour (ASB).  

ASB and local criminality have complex causes that require sustained investment, resource, and dedication. While response officers play a critical role in responding to immediate threats or crises, neighbourhood policing focuses on solving problems at their root and delivering preventative, proactive action.  

This requires coordinated action across all local services and community organisations; while neighbourhood officers play a vital role, they cannot deliver this alone – especially when we know that policing resources are already stretched. That is why I continue to commission services and initiatives across Avon and Somerset that support preventative work and early intervention, including detached youth work, mentoring, school programmes, trauma-informed support, multi-agency research, and youth outreach.  

I know there is always more to do, and that ASB and local criminality remain pervasive issues for our communities. I hear your concerns, and I share them. As your Police and Crime Commissioner, I will continue to advocate for neighbourhood policing, focus resources where they are most needed, and work with partners to build safer communities.