Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews has added his support to a national charter pledging to root out anti-social behaviour and neighbourhood crime and make communities safer.
The Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Police and Crime Commissioner has signed up to the Neighbourhood Watch Community Safety Charter pledging bold and decisive action to make public spaces safer and more resilient to crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB).
The Community Safety Charter represents a key component in the Commissioner’s ongoing campaign to tackle anti-social behaviour. It aims to promote a culture that does not tolerate harmful language, ASB, hostility or harassment.
Across the force area, community groups, retailers, parish councils, community leaders, taxi firms and residents’ associations have signed up to the scheme, vowing to support the work underway to improve feelings of safety and encourage residents to take proactive action to report crime.
By signing the charter, the PCC will unlock new training opportunities to roll out with staff, volunteers and community organisations to help them recognise crime, increase their understanding of how to report it and develop their knowledge of the support systems available for victims of crime.
Mr Matthews said: “I have great pride in our city and two counties, and I am determined to do everything I can to protect to them. Supporting neighbourhood watch and other community-based action to tackle ASB is an important part of that.
“As I often say, community safety is a partnership effort. Every one of us has a role to play to keep Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland a safe, inclusive and resilient environment where people can live, work, study or visit without the threat or risk of harm.
“The Neighbourhood Watch Community Safety Charter supports a key theme in my Police and Crime Plan – preventing crime. I will be calling on our community safety partners and local people to unite to take stronger action against those who undermine their safety and quality of life. We are determined to reduce the number of residents who become victims of crime in the future.”
As part of his Police and Crime Plan priority to improve Community Policing, the Commissioner vowed to become one of the most accessible PCCs in the country, working together with the community to respond to their concerns and listen and learn from their experiences.
He also pledged to harness the support of local people to support the work of Leicestershire Police and improve communications and information sharing between the police and partners on quality-of-life issues while also helping to develop new ways of making safety schemes more impactful in their areas.
Through the new charter, the Commissioner will help communities identify and take an active stance to prevent harassment, ASB and intimidation and encourage and support others to report and share intelligence about these crimes.
A range of posters and promotional materials will be publicly displayed to raise awareness of the charter and its commitments.
A package of training materials for volunteers and staff covering a host of modules including street harassment, hate crime and dealing with confrontation will also be available to the PCC to share with volunteers and staff.
