This plan aims to provide a framework for an effective partnership communications process to not only raise awareness of the BCSP and its priority areas, but also to increase community engagement and involvement in said areas.

A more collaborative communications approach from the BCSP is a fundamental (yet underused) tool at our disposal for tackling the BCSP priorities and countering the negative narrative and perception on these subjects. Moreover, an open and transparent information sharing process between partner agencies and crucially communities should be fostered and encouraged to promote mutual trust and confidence across all our named priorities.

An improved ability to deliver difficult change/message – developing ideas and proposals with partners and the public from the outset can increase our ability to manage risk and deliver difficult change messages more successfully.

We need to promote the successes of the partnership, ensuring that residents who are traditionally part of under reached/engaged cohorts; receive the consistent messages that the partnership are trying to promote (especially those most vulnerable in society).

Similarly, we need to reach those involved in criminality to try and challenge their behaviour, offering ways out of crime and show that there are alternatives to what is/could become an entrenched lifestyle.

For 2025 to 2029, one of the BCSP priorities has been named as ‘Community Reassurance’, this is in order to address perceptions of, raise awareness of and increase resilience around victim-based offences.