Community safety

The Safer Communities team works to promote the safety of local communities and support councils and fire authorities in achieving improvements in community safety. Our work covers a wide range of issues, including emergency planning, fire and rescue services, neighbourhood policing, anti-social behaviour, domestic violence and criminal justice. We deal with issues that really matter for both you and your residents. We achieved several notable lobbying successes with the previous government, including changes to the RIPA legislation and securing the role of councillors on police authorities. Keep up to date with our news by signing up to our Safer Communities Bulletin.

The team is steered by the Safer & Stronger Communities Programme Board and this year we will be:

• Lobbying on our member councils' behalf and representing their interests on the crime, community safety, re-offending, fire and emergency planning agendas
• Supporting councils on key reputational issues – public confidence in the ability of the council and police to address the crime and anti-social behaviour issues that matter locally and the capacity of emergency planning 
• Supporting improvement in the fire and rescue service
• Promoting the role of councillors in their local communities
• Improving working between the police, police authorities and local authorities
• Addressing issues of financial inclusion

Content marked with a red 'M' is only available to you if you are from a Local Government Association member council and have registered on the website. You will also be able to use your username and password on other Local Government Group websites. 

Latest news and analysis

• LG Group Annual Safer Communities Conference - 12-13 October

  Join us to look at the immediate issues facing the local authority community safety world, not least the significant reduction in public sector spending announced in the new government's budget. The scale of savings councils, the police and other partners will have to find means community safety activity can no longer be delivered in the same way. Book your place now.

  Added on: 10 May 2010
  

• Councils most cost effective solution to local police accountability

  Putting councils at the heart of holding the police to account locally is not only the most cost effective solution - it also ensures the public get a fair hearing.

  Added on: 15 July 2010
  

• Getting Closer to our Member Councils events

  Members of the LGA's Safer Communities Board are keen to improve our engagement with our member councils so that we have a good understanding of the community safety issues that are of real concern and interest to our Members as that will then inform our future work programme.

  Added on: 23 July 2010
  

• Local Government Group civil emergencies strategy 2010-2013

  This is the LG Group’s first civil emergencies strategy. We want to be better prepared and more effective in the way we help local government and fire and rescue authorities deal with emergencies.

  Added on: 12 July 2010
  

• Weathering the storm II: Improving UK resilience to severe winter weather

  Our new report examines the issue of winter weather and its effects and makes recommendations not only for local government but also central government, salt suppliers and others.

  Added on: 12 July 2010
  

• Safety first

  Chelmsford has been designated as the first international safe community in the UK. Averil Price, Chelmsford borough council's director of safer communities, explains how the borough achieved the recognition.

  Added on: 18 June 2010
  

• Dangerous dogs consultation

  Joint LGA and LACORS response to the Defra consultation looking at the key questions and activities affecting local councils and local communities.

  Added on: 10 August 2010
  

• Guidance on appointing police authority members

  The LGA and the Association of Police Authorities (APA) have jointly developed this guidance to help councils and joint committees of councils in appointing elected members to police authorities in light of the new regulations which came into force on the 17 March 2010.

  Added on: 18 May 2010
  

• Anti-social behaviour tools and powers - Information pack for councillors

  The LGA, the Home Office, the Youth Crime Justice Board and ACPO have collaborated to provide this guide for councillors on the tools and powers available to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB).

  Added on: 30 March 2010
  

• Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000

  In April this year, LGA member Authorities were asked to feed in their comments on the Home Office consultation on the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000, with these comments forming the basis of the LGA response to the consultation.

  Added on: 17 May 2010
  

• The cost of violence against women - LGA briefing

  At the Safer Communities Board in September, Members asked for information on the financial consequences of violence against women, and to examine producing a best practice guide.

  Added on: 12 November 2009
  

• Anti-Social Behaviour Debate - 2nd November 2009 - LGA Briefing

  The Home Secretary recently announced new powers will be available for councils to deal with anti-social behaviour. Though councils are making full use of the powers available to them, the government's additional emphasis on tackling breaches of ASBOs is helpful, while the greater support being made available to victims of anti-social behaviour is welcome.

  Added on: 17 May 2010
  

• Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership Survey 2009: A survey of local authorities in England and Wales

  This LGA survey of Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships (CDRPs) explores corporate priorities, the impact of the recession, community safety priorities, partnership working, neighbourhood policing and guidance and support of CDRPs.

  Added on: 19 October 2009
  

• Crimewatch - effective scrutiny of police and crime

  To ensure that the police focus on issues which matter to local people, councils can now extend their community leadership role, through the new scrutiny powers on crime and disorder. This provides an opportunity to hold public services to account, to review what is being done to tackle local problems, and to find better ways to reduce crime and disorder locally.

  Added on: 6 October 2009