NCJ Number
193457
Date Published
2002
Length
62 pages
Annotation
The 1998 Crime and Disorder Act (CDA) places an obligation on local authorities and police, in partnership with other agencies, to complete a specific cycle of activities every 3 years in England and Wales. The aim of this study was to describe how the partnerships approached these tasks and the difficulties encountered in meeting the requirements of the CDA.
Abstract
The Policing and Reducing Crime Unit undertook a study of the partnerships in three sites, focusing on the process involved in the following areas: producing an audit of local crime and disorder problems; consulting locally on the basis of the audit; determining priorities among the issues identified; and formulating a strategy for resolving these issues. The fieldwork involved a review of documentation, observation of a range of meetings, and interviews with partnership representatives. The case studies were located in three different regions in England: Collingbridge, Sanford, and Riverton. The fieldwork was done over a 10 month period. The research included a review of documentation, observation of a wide range of partnerships, and 49 in-depth interviews with partnership representatives. In reference to the partnership structures and ways of working, the study found that there were many similarities among the partnerships. For example, multi-agency groups existed in all three sites prior to CDA. Additional sites were created in two of the sites to meet statutory requirements; in addition, no agency was perceived as dominating the partnerships and the relations among agencies were seen in a positive light. In reference to auditing crime and disorder, all three partnerships invested time, effort, and resources in the production of the audit. There were problems in a number of areas including resources (audits were rushed), contracting (external consultants had less local knowledge of partner agencies), data (the data were inaccurate), and information sharing (despite protocols for the exchange of information, all three partnerships had problems). In the area of consultation, there were similarities and differences between the processes and outcomes undertaken by the partnerships; and the process of strategy development was problematic. A number of issues emerged during the research regarding the first stages of partnerships: all three partnerships met their statutory obligations; limited resources hindered various aspects of the work of the partnerships; and the unequal contribution made by various partners affected all stages of the process. Tables, references