PCC Spotlight 4: Early Intervention and Prevention
This is the fourth in a series of spotlights about promising strategies, schemes and approaches developed by Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) on key issues. It provides examples of early intervention and prevention, drawing together lessons about how working in partnership can reduce demand. In an era of falling public spending, prevention and early intervention are a growing focus for policymakers. With significant cuts to their budgets, police leaders have also needed to think about how they can move ‘upstream’ to reduce demand.
A strong case has been made for a preventative focus on young people and young adults to divert them away from crime. Intervening earlier with vulnerable adults is also key, given the significant health and social care needs of many who come into contact with the police,
Relatively small numbers of individuals with complex needs place high levels of repeat demand on the police. A significant amount of police time is spent responding to vulnerable people who have fallen through the gaps of community and health services. Partnership working is crucial to addressing these challenges, but local services are often not structured to work in a preventative way. Instead, they operate in silos, focusing on one problem at a time, and funding is provided to respond only once issues have escalated. Early intervention is not common.
With a responsibility to reduce crime and protect police budgets, PCCs have an interest in showing leadership on this agenda locally. Many are leading important work, but the levers for early intervention lie beyond the PCC’s powers. Close partnership with a range of community services is needed. The key themes that emerged included:
- Championing frontline integration and transforming local services
- Granting funding for community services
- Creating an evidence-based understanding of demand and responding to repeat demand
- Diverting young people and young adults from crime
- Developing strategic partnerships.
