What Is the Safer Neighbourhood Board?
The Safer Neighbourhood Board is part of the Birmingham Community Safety Partnership (BCSP), a city-wide network formed in response to the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. The BCSP brings together key organisations, like the police, council, health services, and others, to reduce crime, anti-social behaviour, and the harm caused by drugs and alcohol.
The BSN Board is one of the BCSP’s priority groups. It focuses specifically on neighbourhood-level safety, making sure local voices are heard and local problems are tackled with joined-up solutions.
What Does the Board Do?
The Safer Neighbourhoods Board meets monthly and is made up of senior representatives from Birmingham’s key public services. Key areas of focus include:
- Community Trigger Oversight: The board monitors and tracks the community trigger process, ensuring that residents’ concerns about persistent ASB are addressed effectively.
- Resilience Framework: A new framework is being introduced to help partners respond swiftly to emerging safety issues.
- Tension Monitoring: The board will implement a system to identify and respond to community tensions before they escalate.
- Local Partnership Support: The group will support and standardise the work of Local Community Safety Partnerships, ensuring consistent practices and quarterly reporting.
- Integrated ASB Model: we are developing a city-wide model that unites organisations in tackling ASB, aligned with the Home Office’s latest principles.
- Targeted Local Projects: The group provides oversight for key locality projects in Sparkbrook, Lozells, Erdington, and Stockland Green—areas identified for focused intervention.
- Community Safety Reference Group: A refreshed reference group will ensure diverse community voices are heard and represented.
- Strategic Communications: A new communication plan will help share priorities and updates across local partnerships.
- Community Engagement: All partnership work will uphold statutory duties to consult and engage with Birmingham’s communities.
Looking Ahead
The thematic board represents a bold step forward in Birmingham’s approach to community safety. By fostering collaboration, listening to residents, and acting decisively, the Safer Neighbourhoods board aims to build stronger, safer, and more resilient neighbourhoods across the city.
For more information or to get involved, please contact the Birmingham Community Safety Partnership.