GUEST COLUMN
national tapestry aimed at safeguarding communities.
THE BURDEN ON NEIGHBOURHOOD OFFICERS Neighbourhood teams patrol diverse landscapes, from tranquil villages to dense urban areas fraught with hostility and violence. Their role is twofold: protect and prevent. Yet, the expectation placed upon these officers is immense. They must navigate the emotional toll of confronting human suffering daily while maintaining the clarity and resolve needed to enforce the law impartially. Professionalising the role through initiatives like the Neighbourhood Policing Pathway (NPP) fosters a sense of camaraderie, psychological support, and recognition within the police service. Acknowledging neighbourhood policing as a specialism enhances officers’ well-being and effectiveness, ensuring they are not just functional cogs in a bureaucratic machine but valued members of a cohesive team.
THE DIGITAL DIMENSION: A GROWING THREAT Online and technology-facilitated VAWG is the fastest-growing category of offences against women and girls. The Open University’s Landscape Review defines this digital violence as encompassing everything from image- based sexual abuse and deepfake pornography to cyberstalking, doxing, and online harassment.
Neighbourhood officers must adapt to this evolving landscape, recognising
that cybercrime is not a separate entity but an extension of traditional criminal behaviours into the digital realm. Training and resources are essential to equip officers with the skills needed to identify, investigate, and prevent technology- enabled abuse.
“They must navigate the
emotional toll of confronting human suffering daily while maintaining the clarity and resolve needed to enforce the law impartially.”
DATA, DISCLOSURE, AND THE PURSUIT OF JUSTICE The journey from victimisation to disclosure can span decades. Professor Alexis Jay OBE highlighted that the average duration of sexual abuse is four years, with an average disclosure period of 26 years. This delay underscores the importance of meticulous data collection and record-keeping through CILPM. By maintaining comprehensive, corroborated records, community officers can provide critical evidence for historical investigations. The recent government directive to review over 800 historic child sexual abuse cases exemplifies how past data, once deemed peripheral, can become pivotal in securing justice.
BUILDING TRUST, FOSTERING RESILIENCE Community-led policing hinges on trust. The SPR’s Pillar 2 advocates for a named, contactable officer in every neighbourhood, fostering rapport between law enforcement and the
public. This relationship is not merely transactional; it is the bedrock of effective policing. When residents feel heard and valued, they are more likely to share information that could prevent crimes or aid investigations. However, trust is fragile. It requires continuous nurturing through transparency, accountability, and genuine community engagement. Officers must not only be enforcers of the law but also compassionate listeners, advocates, and educators.
A CALL TO ACTION
The fight against VAWG is not confined to police stations or courtrooms. It unfolds in homes, schools, workplaces, and online spaces. Community intelligence-led methodology is a testament to the power of local knowledge, collective vigilance, and systemic support. As we navigate the complexities of the 21st century, the role of neighbourhood officers will only grow in significance. Their ability to detect, deter, and respond to VAWG hinges on robust training, inter- agency collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to justice. In the words of Laura Bates: “We have
wasted decades telling women and girls how to fix things. How to fix themselves. How to stay safe. It hasn’t worked. Because women were never the problem in the first place.” The system must change. Community
intelligence-led policing is a step towards that transformation—anchored in the belief that every piece of information matters, every voice deserves to be heard, and every life is worth protecting.
45 | POLICE | AUGUST | 2025
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