Neighbourhood Watch Schemes Policy Statement and Equality Impact Assessment Version 1.0 Summary

Transcription

1 Freedom of Information Act Publication Scheme Protective Marking Not Protectively Marked Publication Scheme Y/N Yes Title Neighbourhood Watch Schemes Policy Statement and Equality Impact Assessment Version 1.0 Summary This policy describes the police support for the Neighbourhood Watch Schemes (B)OCU or Unit, Directorate TP Capability & Business Support - Engagement Team Author TP Capability & Business Support - Engagement Team Review Date May 2019 Date Issued May 2015

2 Freedom of Information Publication Scheme Protective Marking: Not Protectively Marked Publication (Y/N): Y Title: Neighbourhood Watch Schemes Policy Statement and Equality Impact Assessment Summary: This policy describes the police support for the Neighbourhood Watch Schemes Branch / OCU: TP Capability & Business Support - Engagement Team Date created: May 2015 Review date: May 2019 Version: 1.0 Author: TP Capability & Business Support - Engagement Team Section A: Policy Statement Application When? This Policy applies with immediate effect. Who? All police officers and police staff, including the extended police family and those working voluntarily or under contract to the Mayor s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC), or the Commissioner, must be aware of, and are required to comply with, all relevant Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) policy and associated procedures. This Policy applies in particular to officers and staff in the following roles: (This list is not intended to be exhaustive.) o Borough Neighbourhood Watch Single Points of Contact (SPOC) o Capability and Business Support - Community Engagement Central Team o Partnership Chief Inspectors o Neighbourhood Teams Policy Principles The MPS will: Maintain a register on Neighbourhood Watch, which will include contact details of the borough coordinators, Single Points of Contact (SPOC), dates of meetings attended by the central team and any actions /results. This register will be filed on borough, to which the central team will have access. Provide advice to community members including any relevant information and good practice for dissemination to local Neighbourhood Watch schemes, via the borough SPOC. Link in with the local Crime Prevention Team for crime prevention advice and disseminate to Neighbourhood Watch members

3 Liaise with Neighbourhood Watch, Statutory and Non Statutory Agencies, such as Age UK and MOPAC, which seek to promote and develop the Neighbourhood Watch movement. Attend local selected Neighbourhood Watch meetings on an annual basis. Support and attend biannual meetings of the London Regional Watch Forum comprising representatives from each of the 32 London boroughs Purpose and Benefits This policy provides a framework to guide those involved with establishing and supporting Neighbourhood Watch schemes across the Metropolitan Police Service, with a view to ensuring that minimum standards are maintained. This policy relates only to the actions of Police officers and staff in respect of Neighbourhood Watch, which is a registered charity. It recognises that Neighbourhood Watch is a partnership activity between the police and the volunteers who make up the Neighbourhood Watch movement. The policy does not place any additional requirements on volunteers or on borough associations or on any group seeking to represent the views of Neighbourhood Watch. Associated Documents and Policies Neighbourhood Watch Toolkit Notices to be Cancelled / Amended Item 7 notices 48 of 24th November 2010

4 Section B: Equality Impact Assessment Policies are developed and reviewed using a consultative approach involving relevant internal and external stakeholders. Additionally, developers must consider what action needs to be taken to help overcome or minimise any disadvantages that people who share a protected characteristic will experience in compliance with the Equality Act Finally, the impact of the policy will be monitored to identify any emerging issues, learning and benefits post-delivery of the policy. The table below summarises the outcomes of these steps: Research and consultation Review of research No research was carried out. Internal consultation External Consultation MPS Legal services; Safety and Health Risk Management Team; Finance Business Partner; Information Assurance Team; Police Officers and Police Staff; Staff Associations Police Federation; National Neighbourhood Watch (NW) Association Chairs; MOPAC; Crimestoppers; Local Authorities Protected Characteristics (Equality Act 2010) Summary of Equality Impact Assessment Age Deaf/ disability Gender reassignment This policy toolkit ensures the MPS will not discriminate or treat members of NW schemes negatively when carrying out engagement and public information activities based on their Protected Characteristics, as covered in the Equality Act This policy encourages police officers and staff to attend and participate in NW schemes as an opportunity to engage and be accessible to all community members. This will help improve confidence and trust in the MPS, particularly amongst some who may have had a previous negative experience with the police. When working with the watch members from varying age groups, officers and staff should be mindful of any needs and issues such as considering different communication methods, such as the internet and , mobile phone apps, newsletters and leaflets could be considered. When working with the watch members who are Deaf and/or have a disability, officers and staff should support their needs. They may wish to consider for example providing large text crime prevention documents for visually impaired people, and identifying accessible venues when holding meetings. When working with a watch member who have or are undergoing gender reassignment, officers and staff will need to be ensure they apply the correct gender pronoun when

5 communicating with the individual. Marriage and Civil Partnership (for employment purposes only) Pregnancy and Maternity Race Religion or belief Sex Sexual Orientation Other issues for example: Low income groups, single parents, rough sleepers Not applicable. When working with the watch members from different races, officers and staff should consider actions to support their needs such as being mindful of cultural practices and providing crime prevention information material in other languages. When working with the watch members from different religions or beliefs, officers and staff should consider supporting them by ensuring meetings are not scheduled during religious festivals and holy days and being aware of cultural practices. Monitoring 12 month implementation plan This policy will be monitored up to 12 months with a series of exercises to ensure compliance and the systematic capturing and review of any issues, lessons and benefits. Some examples of the types of actions that will be carried out are: monitor and maintaining a borough and a central team register on Neighbourhood Watch, which will capture local issues and benefits especially any relating to diversity and equality; sharing good practice and learning, as well as crime prevention advice and guidance.