The success of much crime prevention depends on the active co- operation of the public. People using entry phone systems, shop staff checking plastic cards, the willingness of ordinary people to go and help fellow citizens in trouble with crime or as victims of accidents, all these demonstrate that the involvement of citizens in helping to resist crime is essential. It is therefore vital for local partnerships to give some thought to how they inform and involve the public in their work. Strong and vigorous public support will clearly influence decision takers, policy makers and budget holders. Political backing, nationally and locally, is vital.
Political support is influenced by a number of factors.
First is the issue of public sentiment. Many argue that the growth in local partnerships in Britain has been spurred not only by consistent support from the Home Office for the notion but over the last two or three years by public opinion acting on locally elected members. Second, the influence of the media is considerable. Local partnerships should look at the possibility of having representatives from the media on their steering committees. Nothing influences the media more than being involved in the development of programmes so they can really learn about the problems and difficulties as well as the successes.