Crime is an issue that is once again on the rise, and from our experiences, is an issue that is coming up more and more on the doorstep.
As part of our campaigning advice, we are relaunching an updated campaigning on crime pack today with suggested advice on what you should be campaigning on locally over the next few months.
This month we are suggesting two simple things to do around crime:
- Meet with your local police officers
- Report back on your survey
Meet with your local police officers
If you are a councillor, a regular catch up with local police officers and PCSOs is a must. It’s worth asking them a few key things about your area:
- What are the latest crime issues in your area/crime stats
- If there is a rise in any particular crimes, ask why and what is being done?
- Share with them any casework you have received
- What are the latest neighbourhood policing priorities and how are they performing?
- Is there anything you can raise at the town hall or with anyone else?
- Share with them any community events that they might attend
Another effective tip is to arrange meetings between the police and members of the public. Cllr Lisa Smart held such a meeting and said: “Over 70 in total came to the public meeting on anti-social behaviour in the local area. We made sure to invite the police, local school headteachers, neighbourhood watch, the youth offending team, Stockport Homes, Mossbank, Restorative Communities CIC. It gave residents an opportunity to raise concerns and for the police to advise what action was being taken.”
Make sure you also share any local police drop-ins with residents via your website and your social media channels. Here are a few examples:
- Steve Galloway shares police event on MyCouncillor
- Cllr Amanda Taylor updates residents on police action on Motorcycles
Report back
As ALDC members know, keeping in touch with local residents all year round runs hand in hand with effective representation of our communities as well as being a cornerstone of our electoral success when we achieve it.
One way to ensure residents know what you campaigned on and the results of your survey is to produce a report back. Here are two templates for you to use:
We are really keen to have your feedback on the pack. Please let Claire Halliwell know if you have used it and if there’s any pack ideas or topics that you’d like to see for future publications. You can email me directly at claire.halliwell@aldc.org.
Ruth Wilkinson says
A useful thing to do is to become a registered SCAM awareness champion. I am offering SCAM awareness sessions to folk in elderly care homes in the area and they are very appreciative of all advice. Contact Trading Standards to see when the next training event will be held.