Almost 2,400 additional officers have been brought into neighbourhood police roles in the last six months.
In April last year, the government committed to put 3,000 neighbourhood officers into frontline positions within 12 months to drive down anti-social behaviour that is blighting town centres and residential areas. Data from the first six months of this period – up to the end of September 2025 – shows that this target is on course to be met, with 2,383 police officers and Community Support Officers now in neighbourhood roles.
The Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee includes a pledge to double police personnel into neighbourhood roles with an additional 13,000 officers. £18.4 billion investment across the country has been committed next year to restore neighbourhood policing and reduce crime.
The government is also introducing a Neighbourhood Policing Ringfence to move officers behind desks out into communities and fix the funding model. Currently, the Home Office has forced chiefs to maintain officer headcounts each year via the Officer Maintenance Grant. This led to forces hiring uniformed officers and then putting them in back-office roles, instead of being out in communities.
As a consequence of this, the number of trained police officers in desk-based support roles has increased by 40% to more than 12,600 in the last six years. While the total number of officers only increased by around 20% in the same period. Back-office roles filled by uniformed officers include HR and IT support.
The Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee means that dedicated teams are now spending their time out on the beat. Through increased police patrols in town centres and other hotspots, based on local needs and intelligence, they are tackling issues like anti-social behaviour, shop theft and vandalism.
Every neighbourhood now has named, contactable officers who residents can approach about individual crimes or patterns of anti-social behaviour. In addition, each police force also has a dedicated lead for anti-social behaviour, working closely with residents and businesses to help keep people safe.
Further legislative changes in the Crime and Policing Bill are expected to receive Royal Assent this year.
New Respect Orders will enable police and local councils to seek court orders placing tough restrictions on perpetrators of anti-social behaviour. This includes banning them from town centres or from drinking in public spots such as high streets and local parks. Failure to comply with a Respect Order will be an arrestable offence and subject to a range of penalties.
Police will also be given stronger powers to seize vehicles such as e-scooters used for anti-social behaviour. Officers will no longer be required to issue a warning before seizing the vehicles.