Restoring Neighbourhood Policing in the UK: An Overview of the Government's Plan

Strategic Insights -

The UK Government's Plan for Change focuses on restoring neighbourhood policing, with a commitment to provide named and contactable officers dedicated to addressing local issues in every community by July. The Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee aims to prevent and respond to crime by building trust, gathering intelligence, and maintaining a visible presence in communities. Additionally, the Government is strengthening powers to tackle anti-social behaviour, and enhancing police powers to seize nuisance vehicles without warning.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UK Government has outlined the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, which will provide named and contactable officers dedicated to addressing local issues in every community by July.
  • The Guarantee will ensure that neighbourhood policing teams hold regular local beat meetings where residents and businesses can raise concerns and shape local policing priorities.
  • The Crime and Policing Bill will strengthen powers to tackle anti-social behaviour, including introducing new Respect Orders, increasing the maximum exclusion period for dispersal directions, and enhancing police powers to seize nuisance vehicles.
  • The Government has made £200 million available in FY 25/26 to support the delivery of 13,000 more neighbourhood personnel across England and Wales, including up to 3,000 additional neighbourhood officers by 31 March 2026.
  • The Government is committed to maintaining a visible presence in communities through the deployment of neighbourhood policing teams.
  • The Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee will focus on building trust with local residents through regular beat meetings and dedicated officers.
  • The Crime and Policing Bill will enhance police powers to tackle nuisance vehicles and anti-social behaviour, using measures such as Respect Orders and increased exclusion periods.

Statistics:

  • £200 million will be made available in FY 25/26 to support the delivery of 13,000 more neighbourhood personnel across England and Wales.
  • Up to 3,000 additional neighbourhood officers will be deployed by 31 March 2026.
  • The Crime and Policing Bill will introduce Respect Orders to tackle persistent adult ASB offenders.
  • The maximum exclusion period for dispersal directions will be extended from 48 to 72 hours.
  • The upper limit for a fixed penalty notice for breaches of a Public Spaces Protection Order or a Community Protection Notice will be increased from £100 to £500.

Sources:

  • UK Parliament. (2025, July 4). Written answer. Restoring neighbourhood policing is at the heart of the Government's Plan for Change. In Democracy Live.