Humberside Safer Future Communities Network Launch On 30 July 2012, the Humberside Safer Future Communities Network officially launched with an event held to bring prospective Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) candidates together with local partners and representatives from the voluntary and community sector.
Paula Grant, Chief Officer of VANEL
The event was opened by Paula Grant, Chief Officer for Voluntary Action North East Lincolnshire and the Humberside Safer Future Communities Network Coordinator, who arranged and hosted the event. Paula introduced the purpose of the event and handed over to Kevin Sharp, Chief Executive of Humberside Police Authority. The three candidates that have so far declared for the role of Police and Crime Commissioner introduced themselves and three questions were put to each of
them in turn. This was followed by a presentation to the audience and candidates showcasing the work of voluntary and community groups, charities, and social enterprises across Humberside in tackling crime related issues. The Humberside Safer Future Communities Network was then officially launched by Paula Grant who explained the ‘offer’ from the voluntary and community sector to work with the incoming Police and Crime Commissioner when elected. Paula Grant said, “Election candidates need to reach out to our voluntary organisations as they play a crucial role in community safety. Some of our voluntary organisations and community groups work day in, day out with the victims of crime, whose voices need to be heard in the run up to the elections. In all areas of community safety, the people working and volunteering in our community groups have valuable experience of what works and does not work – November’s elections are an opportunity to tap into their experience to find local solutions for local issues.”
Summer 2012 Police & Crime Commissioner Special Edition
What is the Safer Future Communities Network? The network comprises a diverse range of voluntary organisations, community groups and social enterprises. Voluntary Action North East Lincolnshire (VANEL) has been commissioned to lead on the network in this area, in partnership with the four Community Safety Partnerships in the Humber sub region and the three other community and voluntary sector organisations in North Lincolnshire, the East Riding of Yorkshire and Hull. The development of this network will enable voluntary and community sector groups to be fully briefed about the emerging role of Police and Crime Commissioners and assist them to contribute to the development work alongside the Humberside Police Authority and the four community safety partnerships.
What is the ‘offer’ made by the Humberside Safer Future Communities Network? An ‘offer’ was made at the launch from the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector to the declared candidates. The VCSE sector offers to work with the Police and Crime Commissioner candidates as a partner and a critical friend to help identify local crime issues, as well as effective solutions. The VCSE sector is well placed to make this offer due to its unique position within the local area: It has the right relationships, working together with the police, community safety partnerships, and other agencies (including the private sector) that have an effect on crime and community safety. It knows what works due to its long history of providing activities and services that help cut crime. It provides value for money because it is independent and so can be flexible and responsive in a way that other organisations may find difficult. It has strong community links because it is based within communities, it has a unique
insight into what local people think about crime in their neighbourhoods. It involves local people in change and its experience makes it well placed to know how communities can best work with the police to keep themselves safe. It represents people outside the mainstream as its community roots mean that it links with a diverse range of people including those who can find it difficult to advocate for themselves. It understands what works with victims as well as offenders; some of its most successful work involves bringing victims and offenders together which can result in significant benefits for both parties. This is currently a national offer but, in time, a Humberside offer will be refined and presented. For more information see http://vanel.org.uk/sfc/wpcontent/uploads/2012/08/V CSE-Sector-offerfinal_eng.pdf
National Project Overview In November 2012 the public will elect Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs). The PCC will be accountable for the way crime is tackled in their police force area and will be responsible for community safety budgets. Safer Future Communities will support the Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Sector to engage with and influence the forthcoming PCCs and the new commissioning landscape in which they will operate. It will support the VCSE Sector during the run up to the PCC elections in November 2012 and in the period from November 2012 – April 2013 when the PCCs will be formulating their crime and policing plans. For information about the Network please contact Paula Grant on 01472 231123 or at paula@vanel.org.uk.