Islington leads the way in engaging with the police - Islington Community Safety Board

25/05
24 May 2005

The Metropolitan Police Authority has established a new and innovative model of community police consultation in Islington to engage local people on issues of public safety, crime and disorder in their borough.

The Islington Community Safety Board holds its first public meeting this evening (24 May), focussing on the issues of anti-social behaviour, young people, and the fear of crime.

The Board, comprising representatives from the borough's diverse communities, will make it possible for people to engage with Islington police, the council and the MPA in constructive discussion about crime, community safety issues and local responses.

Jennette Arnold, MPA link member for Islington, said:

"The Islington Community Safety Board has been established as a new way for people in the borough to understand, influence, challenge and support the policing decisions that affect the quality of our everyday lives.

"One of the MPA's priorities is to transform community engagement to help Londoners secure more responsive policing at a local level - exactly what the Islington Community Safety Board has been designed to achieve.

"The MPA is committed to enabling Londoners to have their say in policing. It is our duty to ensure they have this opportunity to contribute to police planning at a strategic level.

"I'd encourage everyone in Islington who can to come along and participate and am looking forward to seeing many people at this and future public meetings."

Councillor Jyoti Vaja, Islington's executive member for housing and community safety said:

"Crime affects us all in one way or another and we are looking forward to working with the police on issues that are important to people here in Islington.

"The Islington Community Safety Board has been set up so that we can work more closely with the police, so I'd encourage residents to come along to the meeting and have a say in the policing of your community."

Mark Terry, Islington Borough Commander, said:

"I am keen to be part of the Islington Community Safety Board; to be visible, open, honest and approachable; to be able to explain the why and the how; to be able to show the Islington community how hard Islington police work for the benefit of all. This is a great opportunity for the police, MPA and the local authority; and a great opportunity for the Islington community."

Notes to editors

1. The Islington Community Safety Board is made up of 35 representatives from the borough's diverse communities and is attended by the borough police commander, the lead councillor for community safety and the Metropolitan Police Authority link member.

2. Islington is the first borough in London to get a Community Safety Board, but a number of other boroughs have already expressed interest in this approach and some of the capital's existing Community Police Consultative Groups are looking to adapt and restructure themselves along similar lines.

3. Islington Community Safety Board will hold themed public meetings one evening every two months. Dates of future meetings are:

• Monday 18 July 2005
• Thursday 22 September 2005
• Thursday 17 November 2005
• Tuesday 17 January 2006
• Thursday 16 March 2006
• Thursday 18 May 2006

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