In this second part of a three-part Policing TV series, Deputy Chief Constable Catherine Akehurst reflects on what she has learned from working across multiple police forces and explains why neighbourhood policing remains central to public trust and confidence. Drawing on experience in Greater Manchester, Hertfordshire, Hampshire, Thames Valley and national roles, Catherine discusses how forces can look very different structurally while still facing many of the same operational pressures.
The conversation then focuses on the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, including the planned increase of 13,000 neighbourhood officers, staff and volunteers by 2029. Catherine explains why the guarantee is about much more than numbers: it is about rebuilding local relationships, making sure communities know their officers, giving police time to listen, and ensuring local concerns help shape policing priorities.
The conversation continues on 15th October, with Part Three exploring ‘how the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee may fit into wider police reform’. Be sure to tune in.
Key takeaways
- Catherine says police forces can feel very different, but their core role and public purpose remain largely the same.
- Smaller forces often have to make different decisions about how limited resources are deployed.
- Operational collaboration between forces can work well when command structures, standards and responsibilities are clear.
- Organisational collaboration can be harder when forces have different priorities, governance and staff terms and conditions.
- The Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee includes plans for 13,000 additional neighbourhood officers, staff and volunteers by 2029.
- Catherine says the guarantee is fundamentally about rebuilding trust, confidence and connection with local communities.
- Neighbourhood policing has been squeezed by austerity, rising demand, complex investigations and pressure on emergency response teams.
- The future challenge is to rebuild visible local policing while forces continue dealing with increasingly complex national and international crime.
Chapters
00:30 – What different police forces can teach you
04:55 – Working across three police forces
06:26 – Why police collaboration can be difficult
09:47 – What is the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee?
13:00 – Rebuilding trust with local communities
14:11 – Why policing by consent still matters
15:14 – How neighbourhood policing became squeezed
17:33 – Why forces want neighbourhood policing back
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