Reward communities for information leading to a conviction, says government adviser

The government’s Champion for Active Safer Communities has proposed that where information provided by the community leads to a conviction, then the community should be given a reward to spend on crime prevention work.

In a report published today (29 March), Our Vision for Safe and Active Communities, Baroness Newlove said a change of culture was needed so that that neighbourhoods no longer see crime, anti-social behaviour and disorder as “someone else’s problem”.

In addition to the Community Reward initiative, the report also recommends that:

• Money made from selling local drug dealers' assets should be handed back to the neighbourhood they blighted (dubbed “Bling Back”)
• Communities should be allowed to set their own local speed limits
• People should be able to use crime maps to report crime and ASB
• Agencies should be able to publish details of what action was taken against offenders
• A single point of contact should be given to the public through the roll out of the 101 number to report ASB
• Council tax rebates, or vouchers for local businesses and services, should be given to people who take part in activism
• Police and Crime Commissioners should be asked to commit at least 1% of their budget to grass roots community groups to use or have a say on
• Public servants should be encouraged to go out into communities, volunteering their time and expertise to support local groups
• Agencies' budgets should be pooled, giving communities a choice in how it is spent, and
• The '9 to 5' culture of local agencies should be changed “so they are there to respond when people need them most”.

Baroness Newlove said: "The difference in the quality of life between an active community that looks out for each other – especially the most vulnerable – and one that closes its front door and says it's someone else's problem, is enormous. For too long now too many people have either not known how to get involved, have not been listened to when they have tried to speak out, or simply felt that it wasn't worth it as nothing would ever change.

"This report sets out how we can change things by empowering local communities to reclaim their streets. Everyone has a role to play, communities must begin to take more responsibility and local agencies must begin to lessen their grip on the decision-making process and trust the people they serve to solve problems for themselves.”

Minister for Crime Prevention James Brokenshire said: "Since her appointment Baroness Newlove has been working tirelessly to inspire, challenge, support and learn from areas across the country. I look forward to seeing how her report will help to shape how we approach community activism in the future."