Gathering information from the general public

This can include regular appeals for information using a range of response method, either proactive or reactive. Methods can include: -

• Adverts in local papers

•  Local leafleting

• Public meetings

• Radio phone ins

• Questionnaire distribution 

There are many ways of gathering this. Without any advertising at all, a good community oriented force approach will yield spontaneous information to beat officers. By building the right image and approach at local level with community groups and associations, trust will result in data supply. This needs time and effort and resources. It will also need to be supported by effective witness protection and support procedures.

The guide to disrupting crack markets contains a good deal of specific information about working with black communities. www.gov.uk/ReportsandPublications/Communities/1051178536/DisruptingCrackMarketLINKED.pdf

Crimestoppers and RAT on a RAT style campaigns have proved very popular with many forces. These are expensive, but should be seen as loss leaders to attract those people who want to be anonymous. These schemes also require the kind of capacity to deal with it – analysts capable of sifting the data supplied and adding it to the police data picture. These campaigns can be angled to target middle information on middle market dealers too. The ‘Dob in a Dealer’ campaign is a good example of this. http://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/new/pressreleases/dec-mar2003/kirkleesdobindealer.htm