Community Engagement Strategy and Action Plan

In April 2004, West Yorkshire Police Authority approved a new Consultation Strategy which documented how the Authority intended to engage with communities and individuals served by West Yorkshire Police. In April 2005 this evolved into a Community Engagement Strategy, to complement the Neighbourhood Policing model being rolled out by West Yorkshire Police. The new Strategy has additional aims to improve awareness of the relevant agencies and the work being done to reduce crime and disorder, to increase participation by communities and to improve trust and confidence in the police.

Community Engagement will enable the Police Authority to gather perceptions of how far the service presently being delivered meets the needs of these communities and individuals, and ways in which the service can be improved. Feedback is a vital part of this, so that people can see how their views feed into the various management processes. Effective two-way dialogue will lead to greater transparency and help manage expectations.

The Strategy focusses on the need for the Police Authority to engage with a greater number of individuals and groups so that views obtained reflect the diverse population of West Yorkshire. It emphasises a partnership approach to consultation, through joint working and engaging with community and voluntary organisations. It also recognises the need to go to where people are, rather than holding open meetings.

Click here to download the Strategy (PDF 103kb)

The accompanying action plan, which is revised and approved annually, lists the topics that the Police Authority must consult on to satisfy its statutory obligations. The action plan also includes additional topics that the Authority plans to consult on during the year.

The Community Engagement Action Plan for 2010/11 is presently under review, as a result of the in-year cuts to the Police Authority budget and further cuts to future budgets as a result of the Comprehensive Spending Review.

Click here to view the Community Engagement Action Plan for 2012 (PDF 29kb)