Community Engagement in Criminal Justice (16/08/06)
The rhetoric and reality of community engagement is examined in the latest edition of Criminal Justice Matters, the quarterly magazine of the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies at King's College, London.
In a wide ranging interview the Metropolitan Police Chief, Sir Ian Blair, argues that in the capital the police have a genuine neighbourhood focus and so the government's proposed community call for action will be unnecessary. He says neighbourhood policing is resulting in dramatic changes, commenting that 'people are opening their doors, leaving them unlocked certainly in a way they haven't done for 25 years'. Sir Ian also says that BME communities 'do trust us' and that stories about discrimination or abuse are 'quite rare', stating that 'if you look over the last two or three years, you'd be pushed to find ten'.
Lee Jasper, the Mayor of London's Director for Equalities and Policing, says in a separate contribution that a 'great deal more needs to be done to ensure that community engagement is meaningful and comprehensive'. Highlighting that in some London boroughs young black people 'are staggeringly up to 13 -14 times more likely than their white counterparts to be stopped and searched' he says there is ' a direct and institutional racism towards black people within the justice system that is not being adequately addressed'.
Reflecting on his time as Home Secretary, David Blunkett, argues that the criminal justice system needs to provide a better outcome for the community. He also calls for a 'new understanding in the role of a democratically elected Parliament in determining the type and range of sentences, and the judiciary's role of passing sentences within that framework'.
In another article findings from research commissioned by the Home Office into the potential for initiatives that tackle anti-social behaviour and crime to effectively involve local communities are summarised. The researchers note that communities are reluctant to get involved. Based on a study in one metropolitan area they state that 'a poor quality of life, lack of trust in public agencies and a frequently expressed desire to move elsewhere, meant that there was little capacity for initiatives which put responsibility for action onto local citizens themselves'.
The magazine also includes an examination of the Neighbourhood Watch initiative, one of the longest running community based crime prevention schemes. It notes that the scheme has had an extremely limited impact on crime prevention 'having been tried and found wanting' yet despite this the government remains committed to it.
Copies of articles in the latest edition of CJM, are available from or on the CCJS website
Richard Garside, acting director of the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies which publishes Criminal Justice Matters, said:
'At a time of increased government focus on communities, the effect of crime and disorder upon them and the growing belief that it is communities that are best placed to deal with these problems, this issue of Criminal Justice Matters is particularly timely. Bringing together the separate strands that collectively have put 'community' at the centre of the government's criminal justice strategy will allow a better understanding of where this policy is heading and what it might achieve.'
For further information contact:
Chris Eades, Policy and Information Officer, the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies: 0207 848 1690/1688 or 07817 355 269
Richard Garside, Acting Director, the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies: 0207 848 1679.
Notes to Editors:
- Criminal Justice Matters is the quarterly magazine of the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, an independent charity based at King's College. The views expressed in the magazine do not necessarily represent those of the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies.
- The Centre for Crime and Justice Studies at King's College London is an independent charity that informs and educates about all aspects of crime and criminal justice. The Centre provides information, produces research and carries out policy analysis to encourage and facilitate an understanding of the complex nature of issues concerning crime.
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