CRIME REDUCTION INITIATIVES
Bethan Page-Jones, head of the cost effectiveness programme at the National Policing Improvement Agency, discusses cutting crime at the right cost.
ties share the same passion – to ensure the public receive the best policing service pos- sible.
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Both work to assist forces in making sure crime is prevented and detected and de- mand for service is managed in the most effi cient and effective way possible. This is especially important in the current eco- nomic climate where the police service is facing signifi cant fi nancial pressures.
The police funding settlement provided some clarity in a time of uncertainty. Police authorities and forces will have to work together in tackling the 20% reduction in police funding by 2014-15 (14% on aver- age once council precepts are taken into account).
The Minister of State for Policing, Nick Herbert, acknowledged the reductions will be challenging but made it clear; forces can make the necessary savings while protect- ing the frontline.
44 | public sector executive Mar/Apr 11
he National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) and police authori-
The Government will play its part, the minister says, “by reducing bureaucracy, driving more effi cient procurement, and working with forces to ensure that the sav- ings of over £1bn a year identifi ed by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary are delivered”.
The NPIA provides a valuable link between the Government, authorities and forces, assisting many of the changes the minister mentions above. The agency, with a team of subject matter experts and access to pri- vate sector suppliers, is able to work with forces and authorities to identify improve- ment opportunities in areas such as busi- ness processes, workforce planning and collaboration. The team, working in part- nership with forces at a local level, provide bespoke solutions for reducing costs safely, while maintaining and improving frontline services to reduce risk to the public.
The HMIC report ‘Police Governance in Austerity’ found there are a number of im- mediate actions that police authorities can take. The report advises that a convincing
and affordable long-term direction is set, with many authorities needing to shift their position and take a more pilot-like stance on strategic direction and value for money. They believe for some, this may mean re- evaluating the nature of the relationship with the force.
The NPIA is working with police authori- ties in developing this ‘pilot-like stance’, collaborating with all partners, such as the APA, Local Government Improvement and Development (formerly IDeA) and the Police Authority Treasurers’ Society (PATS), to ensure support is joined up, im- pactive and cost effective.
The agency has also completed a number of regional ‘Can you manage it?’ courses for police authorities, providing members and offi cers with a basic toolkit to help in understanding police performance reports and subsequently challenging the perform- ance.
In addition, two advanced specialist cours- es are available. One examines the statis-
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