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The Home Office and the Ministry of Justice have just published guidance on the new duty for Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs) across England and Wales to reduce reoffending.

It's welcome news that CSPs are increasingly seen at vital in the reduction of crime and the fear of crime, particularly where there is prior knowledge and analysis about local crime hotspots.

The guidance also highlights some of the successful projects being carried out across the UK by CSPs in tackling reoffending. For example, Knowsley Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership's health screening programme and a project in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly focusing on housing issues and their impact on the cycle of crime.

From 1 April 2010, CSPs will have a new duty to formulate and implement a strategy to reduce reoffending by adults and young offenders. This guidance also extends to probation services, establishing them as the sixth statutory partner of CSPs.

The guidance, ‘Reducing reoffending, cutting crime, changing lives’ will support all partners to implement these changes. It includes a range of case studies which illustrate what some local partnerships are already doing to tackle reoffending.

The changes will enhance the key role CSPs can play in bringing together and co-ordinating the actions of housing providers, health services, local authorities and other key players, all of which have a vital role in cutting crime and reducing reoffending.

In addition, they will bring closer together the crime reduction and reducing reoffending agendas and deliver a seamless service to the public, making communities safer and building public confidence.

Download the guidance on the new duty for Community Safety Partnerships.

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