New sharing platform connects police forces and crime reduction agencies to help fight crime

Officers and police staff can now connect across forces and with crime reduction and community safety agencies to share ways to tackle all kinds of crime and safety issues using the new practice bank, which has been created by the College of Policing.  

The practice bank has been created on the College of Policing website to share tactics, knowledge and advice to help reduce crime and keep our communities safe. 

It’s been specifically designed to be publicly accessible and easy to navigate, so those outside of policing, but who we work with to reduce crime such as other public services, charities and government bodies, can also access and submit examples of new and original practice. 

As the practice bank grows, examples will continue to be added, creating a resource that is relevant for all types of crimes and offending, but also wider community safety and efficiency, covering topics from knife crime and dangerous driving to anti-social behaviour, leadership, VAWG and homicide prevention. Each example shared on the practice bank includes key details, the aim of the intervention and any evaluation that took place. 

As well as examples of practice that are showing positive results, the practice bank includes examples of what didn’t seem to work to help share knowledge with those facing similar challenges. Any organisations with an interest in policing and reducing crime can share examples on the practice bank via an online form. 

Policing’s inspectorate body HMICFRS will be adding to the practice bank by identifying promising, new and original practice as they carry out inspections. The examples they pick up will be added to the practice bank so others can easily access what inspectors flag.  

Rachel Tuffin, Director at the College of Policing, said: “This is an opportunity for everyone working to reduce crime and keep people safe to share their practice in one place. The Practice Bank will include examples and ideas from across crime, policing and community safety and will expand to cover leadership and organisational change.  

“The bank will include promising, new and original ideas as well as practice that didn’t seem to work so people can learn from each other and save time, money and better protect the public.  

Andy Cooke, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary, said: “Every day, police forces across the country are testing new ways of preventing and tackling crime and supporting victims. The new practice bank will act as a one-stop shop for police forces to learn from each other, while also making it easier for us to share the positive practice we find during our inspections. We urge all forces to play their part by sharing their experiences through the bank.”