Recommended Statement 2025-2026

Recommendation Statement from Collet Hunter

Enhancing Community-Police Partnership in Lewisham 

To: Lewisham Safer Neighbourhood Board Members and Affiliated Partners
Date: September 2025
Subject: Strategic Recommendations for Strengthening Community Safety Through Joint Police-Community Initiatives

Executive Summary

This recommendation statement outlines strategic initiatives to strengthen the partnership between Lewisham Safer Neighbourhood Board members and local policing teams. Given our accountability framework through MOPAC (Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime), enhanced collaboration in public safety initiatives will demonstrate transparency, build community trust, and improve local safety outcomes.

Terms of Reference Alignment

These recommendations directly support our core statutory responsibilities as outlined in our Terms of Reference:

  • Crime Prevention: Proactive community engagement and joint operations to prevent crime before it occurs

  • Joint Priority Setting: Collaborative establishment of local policing and crime priorities through direct police-community partnership

  • Ward Panel Coverage: Ensuring comprehensive coverage across all wards through coordinated volunteer engagement

  • Police Monitoring: Enhanced oversight through joint activities and regular reporting mechanisms

  • Independent Custody Visiting (ICV) Integration: Incorporating ICV reports and feedback into our community engagement strategies

  • Independent Advisory Group (IAG) Coordination: Utilising IAG insights to inform hotspot activities and community priorities

Key Recommendations

1. Joint Operational Activities

Community Oversight and Participation in Key Policing Activities:

  • Facial Recognition Deployment: Board members should participate in scrutiny sessions when facial recognition technology is deployed, ensuring community representation in decision-making processes

  • Stop and Search Monitoring: Establish regular joint patrols where board members observe stop and search procedures to ensure accountability and proper conduct

  • Public Safety Campaigns: Co-develop and co-deliver community safety messaging, ensuring campaigns reflect community priorities and concerns

  • Weapons Sweeps in Public Spaces: Coordinate joint activities in parks and public areas, combining police expertise with community knowledge of local hotspots

2. Enhanced Community Engagement

Public Event Participation: Regular attendance at community events, town halls, and local gatherings will:

  • Provide accessible platforms for residents to voice concerns directly

  • Demonstrate a visible partnership between police and community representatives

  • Create opportunities for informal relationship building

  • Gather real-time intelligence on community safety priorities

3. Trust-Building Through Visible Partnership

Side-by-Side Operations: Working directly alongside local police teams in visible activities will:

  • Demonstrate shared commitment to community safety

  • Break down barriers between the police and the community

  • Provide real-time oversight of policing activities

  • Model collaborative problem-solving approaches

5. Enhanced Reporting and Communication Systems

Colour-Coordinated Status Updates: Local police teams will provide regular updates to public meetings using a standardised colour-coordination system:

  • RED Status: High risk/immediate action required

    • Indicators: Recent increase in serious crime, community safety concerns, and ongoing incidents

    • Suggested Actions: Increased patrols, immediate community engagement, emergency response protocols

  • AMBER Status: Medium risk/monitoring required

    • Indicators: Stable crime levels with some concerns, seasonal variations, and emerging patterns

    • Suggested Actions: Enhanced visibility patrols, targeted community engagement, and preventative measures

  • GREEN Status: Low risk/satisfactory outcomes achieved

    • Indicators: Decreasing crime trends, positive community feedback, successful interventions

    • Suggested Actions: Maintain current approaches, community celebration of achievements, focus on prevention

This system will provide clear, accessible information to the public whilst enabling targeted resource allocation and community response.

6. Strategic Communication and Visibility

Lewisham Safer Neighbourhood Information Banners: Deploy informational banners in strategic high-visibility locations to:

  • Communicate key contact information

  • Promote upcoming community meetings and engagement opportunities

  • Establish consistent branding for Safer Neighbourhood Board initiatives

Strategic Placement Areas:

  • Community centres and libraries

  • Shopping areas and high footfall locations

  • Parks and recreational facilities

  • Outside schools and educational establishments

Monthly Volunteer Requirement:

Recommendation: All board members commit to a minimum of 2 hours per month of community engagement in identified hotspot areas, working directly with local policing teams.

Implementation Framework:

  • Priority Target Areas: Current hotspot areas include:

    • Bellingham Green

    • Catford Rushey Green

    • Deptford

    • Lewisham Shopping Centre

  • Activities: Door-to-door leafleting, community information sessions, and visibility patrols

  • Joint Approach: All activities to be conducted in partnership with designated police community support officers or local police teams

  • Documentation: Regular reporting on engagement outcomes and community feedback

Expected Outcomes:

  • Bridge the critical gap between community fear and police trust

  • Provide a direct channel for community concerns to reach both police and board members

  • Demonstrate tangible commitment to community safety beyond meeting attendance

  • Create a sustained presence in areas most requiring attention

Implementation Timeline

Phase 1 (Month 1-2):

  • Establish partnerships with local police teams and identify priority hotspot areas

  • Deploy initial information banners in strategic locations

  • Implement a colour-coordination reporting system for public meetings

Phase 2 (Month 3):

  • Launch joint activities and implement monthly volunteer commitments

  • Begin regular colour-coded status updates at public meetings

  • Evaluate initial banner effectiveness and community response

Phase 3 (Ongoing):

  • Regular review and assessment of impact, with quarterly reporting to MOPAC

  • Continuous monitoring of hotspot areas using a colour-coordination system

  • Rotation of banner locations based on current priorities

Accountability Measures

  • Monthly reporting on joint activities undertaken

  • Community feedback collection and analysis

  • Regular assessment of trust indicators through community surveys

  • Quarterly review meetings with MOPAC representatives

  • Annual impact assessment on crime reduction and community confidence levels

Conclusion

These recommendations represent a comprehensive approach to strengthening community-police relations in Lewisham. By working side-by-side with local policing teams and committing to regular community engagement, board members will demonstrate genuine partnership while maintaining the scrutiny and accountability functions required by our MOPAC affiliation.

The success of these initiatives will be measured not only in crime statistics but also in the strengthened trust between the community and the police— a fundamental foundation for effective public safety.

Prepared for consideration by the Lewisham Safer Neighbourhood Board

Best wishes

Collet Hunter

Executive Director

James Ross Hunter Youth Support CIC


https://calendly.com/jamesrosshunterfoundation/community-conversations-in-lewisham



"Today I was re-election as Vice-Chair of Lewisham Safer Neighbourhood Board.  An honor to be associated with a team that puts our local community concerns and identifying shared values first".  Chunter

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