How can Community Safety Partnerships make better use of data and evidence?
This 2021 research explored how evidence is currently used in community safety planning — and what evidence-informed practice could look like in the future.
Key findings include:
- While 70% of respondents said their work is "fully or mostly evidence-based", only around half reported having data analysis skills available locally
- Information sharing has stalled in many areas, with uncertainties around GDPR contributing to increased risk aversion
- Access to dedicated analyst resource varies significantly — only around a fifth of partnerships have dedicated capacity
- There are examples of good practice, including intelligence-led prevention initiatives and refreshed data sharing protocols
The report makes recommendations for improving data access, strengthening analytical skills, involving communities in data generation, and potentially establishing a data hub for community safety.
Read the full report: Evidence-Informed Planning (PDF)
This report is part of our Community Safety Research 2021 series, commissioned in partnership with MainStreet Consulting.
Recent Posts
