Whatever you think about the recent riots, one theme has emerged strongly. There is little connection between the police and local communities. This seems to apply just as strongly to ordinary people who were frustrated by the police’s initial lack of response as to the rioters themselves. Most members of the public only have contact with the police when they are reporting a crime, asking directions or being pulled over for speeding. In theory, local people should have considerable, and increasing, influence on local policing priorities. Safer Neighbourhood Teams were established in 2004/5 with small dedicated units (typically one sergeant, two PCs and three PCSOs) to be permanently responsible for policing a small geographical area normally equivalent to a local authority ward. There is a broad consensus that SNTs have been successful both in tackling local issues of crime and
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