First Generation: One Year On
This report examines how the new Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) are using their strategic role to coordinate and improve responses to key groups. Many PCCs show a clear ambition to reduce crime and improve wellbeing locally, and we make recommendations about how they could achieve this.
The report focuses on several key groups within society:
- those facing multiple and complex needs who come into repeated contact with the criminal justice system (the ‘revolving door’ group)
- young adults (18-24) – the most likely age group to come into contact with the police as both victims and offenders, who face a system that often fails to acknowledge their particular needs or their variable levels of maturity.
- those experiencing mental ill health and learning disability
- women in contact with the justice system
- BAME groups
- vulnerable people.
While not all PCCs have acknowledged these issues specifically in their plans, we identify a range of important initiatives in linked and cross-cutting areas. We see a more common emphasis on youth justice, crime prevention and reducing reoffending, all of which will impact on these groups. Many PCCs have also made commitments to work with health and other agencies to help address the underlying causes of offending and tackle these needs.
In this report, we identify potential gaps and make recommendations for PCCs’ consideration as they renew plans and budgets for the next year. We hope that this will help by highlighting potential gaps and pointing to areas of good practice. We also suggest how PCCs can use their position to drive local responses to some of the most complex issues in crime and justice. Many PCCs are shaping into important actors in their local environment, driving partnerships and supporting innovative solutions to some difficult and entrenched problems. They can learn a great deal from each other regarding effective responses to these problems and fulfilling the “and crime” part of their role.
