College of Policing Launches National Rollout of Neighbourhood Policing Training

The public will have neighbourhood officers specially trained to fight crime in their local communities across England and Wales, it was announced today. For the first time in British policing, neighbourhood officers will receive dedicated additional training, in line with other specialist areas, as part of the College of Policing’s Neighbourhood Policing Programme (NPP). 

Whether in a small rural village or a busy town centre, the programme means the public will benefit from having neighbourhood officers specially trained to a high, nationally consistent standard, wherever they are.  

The public will start to see the benefits straight away with officers who, thanks to the training, are equipped with the specialist skills needed for effective neighbourhood policing, including tackling and preventing the crime and anti-social behaviour problems that matter most to their communities. 

The number of dedicated neighbourhood officers has decreased in recent years, and in many police forces those designated neighbourhood officers often find themselves being abstracted to other areas, such as emergency responses, reducing the time they have available to spend time in their role within their local community. 

Separately, public trust and confidence in policing is at some of its lowest levels across the United Kingdom. Yet there is substantial evidence that, when delivered effectively, community-based policing approaches can be an integral part in improving the public’s trust and confidence in the police. 

The NPP is the first dedicated training pathway for neighbourhood police officers and PCSOs, and has been designed to further professionalise neighbourhood policing and create a consistent standard across all police forces throughout England and Wales. 

Officers who complete the training will gain certifications, establishing neighbourhood policing as a recognised specialism akin to detective work. It forms a key part of the government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee within the government’s Safer Streets mission, and is being rolled out nationally after a successful year-long pilot.  

Today (Thursday), the College of Policing will welcome the policing minister, Dame Diana Johnson, to their headquarters in Ryton-on-Dunsmore, alongside a visit to Warwickshire Police, one of the many forces who have this week got access to the new training.   

Around 1,100 officers from 11 forces took part in the initial pilot, with evaluations showing positive results: around three quarters of participants found the online training relevant to their role, and 80% felt confident applying knowledge obtained throughout. 

With the pilot now complete, the College is launching the training to all remaining Home Office police forces throughout England and Wales. The first phase of the national rollout begins this week with the release of a 20-part online training series, followed by classroom-based modules later in the year. 

Chief Constable Sir Andy Marsh, CEO of the College of Policing, said:  

“Whether it’s local stores being shoplifted, quadbikes tearing up the high street, persistent drug dealing, or even serious organised crime, we know the public want to see police dealing with these issues swiftly and robustly – and that’s exactly what this training will help them to do. 

“Effective, visible neighbourhood policing is something the public value very highly, and rightly so. In many ways it’s the lifeblood of the police service and is key in maintaining our social fabric. And it’s also something many people feel we have lost in recent years. 

“The Neighbourhood Policing Programme will support forces across the country to provide a consistent, high standard for their communities while still maintaining the strong local element that we know is so important. 

“Officers will be able to put the training into practice straight away. Whether it's knowing which powers to use to tackle persistent anti-social behaviour blighting a local community, or combatting organised crime through gathering valuable intelligence, this training ensures that all neighbourhood officers – not just those with many years of experience – have the skills and knowledge to help their communities. 

“We’re pleased to see the impact that the training has already had in the pilot forces, and we’re looking forward to delivering the training to all forces, starting right now.”  

Policing Minister, Dame Diana Johnson, said: 

"This Government’s Plan for Change puts neighbourhood policing at the heart of the action to tackle crime. It is vital that no matter where you live, your local neighbourhood officers are trained with the specialist skills to tackle the issues plaguing your communities. 

"This new programme from the College of Policing will deliver high standards across the country, end the postcode lottery in policing and restore neighbourhood officers. 

"With our Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, we will ensure officers have the tools they need to crack down on antisocial behaviour and make our streets safer.” 

ENDS