Links with Neighbourhood policing

We have been asked to write an article for the Neighbourhood policing magazine in August 2007.

The article is published here:

Redeeming Our Communities is about seeing community transformation through prayer and policing in partnership, a partnership where Christians and Police Officers work together to see this aim realized.  We want to see a reduction in crime and disorder, the fear of crime diminished and confidence in our police forces strengthened.

The initiative of Redeeming Our Communities originated in Manchester in 1998 with the simple step of encouraging Christians to say “thank you” to Police Officers for the work they were doing on our behalf in our communities.  We recognized the commitment and effort that every Officer gives to their job in working with some of the most broken and chaotic people in our communities.  From this first step, the Churches in Manchester continued to join together to pray for the Police, and crime reduction.    

 In September 2004 we launched Redeeming Our Communities in the North West with over 2000 Christians from across the region attending.  We were joined by Police Officers, MP’s and Council Leaders and we pledged to see crime radically reduced in the twelve months ahead through prayer and action.

 Someone once said “prayer is a powerful first step” and this proved to be the case when we read in the Metro News 12 months later that violent crime in Greater Manchester had been cut by 11.5%.

 We followed the regional launch with a National Launch in May 2006 where over 7000 Christians and Police Officers attended.  We heard powerful stories from ex-criminals and police officers alike, including Matt Baggott, Chief Constable of Leicestershire Police.  One of themes of the day included looking at the causes of crime like drug and alcohol addiction, debt, poor education and we considered ways in which the church can tackle these issues.

Redeeming Our Communities is now aiming to work with churches and groups from around the UK in order to develop a co-ordinated and effective strategy of partnership, crime reduction and community transformation.  What we have seen across the country is that Churches are keen to be involved in communities but often do not know the best way of doing this.  We are working hard to resource this need.

 We have a long term goal to see churches working with the police and local council towards a better and safer community.  In order to do this we have developed clear and professional guidelines for churches and groups to work towards.  In these guidelines we outline the kinds of things that we would encourage the churches to be involved in and the importance of confidentiality and following good practice.  For instance, we encourage churches to get to know their Neighbourhood Policing and Community Support Officers so that we pray specifically for particular crime hot spots or situations.  We also encourage them to offer their facilities as tea stops and venues for internal Police team meetings!

We have also produced a document for Police Officers about Redeeming Our Communities so that you know how you can work with a local agency like the Church.

 In June I was representing Redeeming Our Communities on a speaking tour in the South West.  Over 350 people gathered for a city-wide prayer meeting at The Grosvenor Centre in Barnstaple.  The meeting was attended by local police officer Roger Bartlett and by Tony Melville, Deputy Chief of Police for Devon and Cornwall.  Tony Melville told us that crime had fallen by 6% since the churches had been gathering to pray & violent crime had fallen by one third! He commended the local police force and the churches. 
 

I also spoke at three meetings in Plymouth with Churches Together in Plymouth

 at the invitation of the new chair Chris Clewes.  We gathered at mid-day in

 Abbey Hall where around 60 church leaders came together and in the evening at Mutley Baptist for a city-wide prayer celebration which was also attended by Sergeant Roger Bartlett.  The leaders are now planning an away day in November to consider their strategy for the next few years in Plymouth and are very excited about new links with the police!     
 

We would like to encourage you to see Churches as an active partner in the Neighbourhood Policing project as we work together in a common aim to see crime and disorder reduced and our communities transformed. 
 

 Throughout 2008 we are partnering with Hope 08, a National initiative involving churches of all denominations, to see a real increase in community transformation projects of all kinds. Redeeming Our Communities will specifically focus on partnering with the police towards crime reduction, as part of the Hope 08 initiative, during 2008 and beyond.

Debra Green 
Director, Redeeming Our Communities

Debra Green, Director Redeeming Our Communities

Tony Melville, Deputy Chief Constable of Devon & Cornwall Police

Sergeant Roger Bartlett, Barnstaple Police