Police Now officers tackling crime and anti-social behaviour across Merseyside
Thursday 20 May 2021
Nearly 9,000 fewer anti-social behaviour incidents in areas with Police Now officers – equivalent to 27% fall
Substantial decrease in burglary, criminal damage & arson and shoplifting amongst other crimes
Police Now attracts and develops the most diverse group of officers in policing
Police Now officers are playing a vital role in tackling crime and anti-social behaviour in Merseyside.
Communities where Police Now officers have been posted for the last 22-months across the force area have seen 8,726 fewer incidents of anti-social behaviour compared to the same time period from October 2016 – equivalent to a 27 per cent drop.
Officers on Police Now’s National Graduate Leadership Programme have been working alongside their colleagues within their local neighbourhood teams.
As well as the drop in anti-social behaviour, communities have also seen 2,520 fewer incidents of burglary – a fall of nearly a third (29 per cent). There were 2,032 fewer incidents of criminal damage & arson – a fall of 16 per cent – and 1,303 fewer incidents of shoplifting, equivalent to a 22 per cent fall.
Police Sergeant Rebecca Hodgson helped launch an initiative to tackle a number of robberies in Liverpool city centre.
Operation Miami was a collaborative approach between local policing teams, CID and partner agencies including shopping centre security. A combination of plain clothes officers and high visibility policing tactics were used to identify offenders. A number of warrants were obtained to recover property and several arrests were made. So far, seven suspects have been charged with a number of robbery offences.
She said: “Serving the community on a personal level as someone who the community can relate to helps build up a rapport and takes a personable approach to policing.”
Police Now’s mission is to transform communities by recruiting, developing and inspiring diverse leaders in policing.
Officers on Police Now’s programmes develop skills in leadership and problem-solving. They share a commitment to public service, fighting crime and inspiring social change alongside their colleagues.
Police Now has recruited a total of 1,830 officers across 33 forces in the UK, including Merseyside Police where 15 police constables have joined the force via this route.
Police Now consistently recruits more officers who are women or from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds compared to any other entry route into policing. Of those starting on Police Now’s programmes in Merseyside in 2018, 17 per cent of the Police Now recruits identify as coming from a black, Asian or minority ethnic background.
“We’re incredibly proud of the positive impact our participants continue to have within their local communities, and their commitment to driving positive change with their colleagues so that everyone in our society, including the most vulnerable, have a chance to thrive”.
David Spencer
Co-founder of Police Now and former Detective Chief Inspector
Impact in the community
Q&A with Police Constable Rebecca Hodgson
Neighbourhood Police Officer
Merseyside Police
National Graduate Leadership Programme Participant
Police Now is trying to increase diversity in the force. Do you think having a force that better reflects the community it serves helps to bring down crimes like anti-social behaviour and why?
Yes. Serving the community on a personal level, as someone that the community can relate to, helps build up a rapport and a personable approach to policing. Having people that are from the area and or aware of the cultures and religious beliefs in the area helps tailor policing to that area so we get better engagement.
What was the most important lesson you took from your training with Police Now that has enabled you to deal with crime / support your community?
Try to think outside the box. Don’t just think policing practices but consider wider agencies and think long term solutions to problems.
Have you implemented any new initiatives to reduce ASB or burglary crimes, or build confidence in policing in your community?
I implemented Operation Miami, which saw a collaborative approach between Local Policing Teams and CID and wider partner agencies such as Shopping Centre security. Following a number of robberies in Liverpool City Centre, the op was implemented which saw a combination of plain clothes and high visibility policing tactics being used. A number of offenders were identified and after liaising with CID officers, a number of were arrests made, warrants obtained to recover property and a total of 7 offenders were charged with robbery offences.
What has been the moment that you have been most proud of professionally in the last 22 months?
Passing the Sergeants exam and starting my new posting as Sgt in Local Policing.
Data references
Using data taken from Police Recorded Crime Statistics, the independently peer-reviewed figures compare the 22-month period from October 2016 to July 2018 before any Police Now officers had joined their local communities to the period when they joined from October 2018 to July 2020.
The data presented here is subject to limitations with Police Recorded Crime Statistics and methodology. More details on this are available at the bottom of the following Police Now webpage.
