Community safety toolkit

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) awarded South Cambs Community Safety Partnership, funding, to create a Community Engagement Toolkit, to assist residents to create their own Community Group to galvanise local residents and volunteers to improve safety and cohesion, tackle local issues such as crime prevention, youth engagement, loneliness and isolation, environmental issues and road related concerns.

Evidence has shown that community engagement and action create a sense of belonging and place for its residents and that there is immense power when a group of people with similar interests come together to work towards the same goal. The toolkits aim is to provide communities with knowledge and skills to tackle concerns themselves, as Communities have a clearer understanding of their own requirements and needs.

See below resources that offer advice on how to encourage participation from fellow residents, how to poll your idea via surveys, who else to contact as well as some case studies and ideas from Community groups in other parishes to build this resilience.

What concerns do you have in your community? 

• Preventing anti-social behaviour
• Crime prevention in your community
• Reaching your community
• Combating loneliness and social isolation
• Tackling road related concerns
• Making the environment feel safer and greener

How do I get funding for my community group?

Many funds are available from County Council, District Council and charities to support local community groups and projects.

• Community Safety Partnership microgrant
• Cambridgeshire Community Foundation
• The Supporting Cambridgeshire website has a grant finder available
• Cambridgeshire County Council: innovate and cultivate fund

How to engage your community