National Community Safety Network Conference 2013

1. National Community Safety Network Conference 2013 18 September 2013 Middlesex University Nick Payne

2. RURAL SERVICES NETWORK • Representing the case for a better deal for rural service provision • Exchanging useful and relevant information • Developing and sharing best practice

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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?

10. What might it look like?

11. 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

12. 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

13. RURAL SERVICES NETWORK David Inman nick.payne@sparse.gov.uk 07432 599167 www.rsnonline.org.uk