Purpose

The audit should:

• provide an evidence-based, problem solving approach to local problems, in order to

• help deliver local crime and disorder reduction through the setting and successful implementation of a local strategy

To effectively achieve this, the Audit must:

• be as inclusive as possible by using multi-agency sources of information and the local community

Many local agencies have specific roles statutory, voluntary or private in the community. The initial stages of the auditing process is about finding out what information is or could be available from these sources. It may be difficult to target your audit process effectively until you are aware of relevant information available.

• ensure compatibility with complementary strategies set by individual partner agencies and other local group

Police and local authorities area required to produce annual best value performance plans. In addition, agencies such as local Youth Offender Teams (YOTs), Drug Action Teams (DATs), Health Action Zones and Education Zones. have access to information and a strategic structure which should feed into the crime and disorder partnership audit and strategy process. These are essential elements in that process.

• enable the identification of appropriate action to deal effectively with local problems

The audit process is not just number crunching. It does require identification of the scale of the problem but it must also provide detail on the patterns of crime and disorder and an analysis of the nature and scope of the problem. It should inform sufficiently to enable a targeted approach in terms of activity and resources to deal with identified problems.

• help identify barriers to successful crime reduction and paths to overcome these.

There will be occasions when the audit identifies problems but is unable to provide sufficient depth to help formulate strategic solutions. However, it should highlight the steps needed to access those solutions and how and when they can be implemented.

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