Creating a safer Buckinghamshire for all

The Safer Bucks Strategy 2023-26 is the product of many months of work to identify the community safety issues that matter most to Buckinghamshire residents, working with partner agencies and analysing available data.

The five identified priorities are:

• Neighbourhood crime - raising awareness of fraud, scams and cybercrime; and undertaking multiagency problem solving to tackle crime hotspots
• Anti-social behaviour - Tackling repeat victimisation and encouraging reporting and working with partners to address concerns
• Serious Violence - Raising awareness of serious violence and supporting early intervention and prevention for young people at risk
• Violence Against Women and Girls - Raising awareness through education and training of professionals and increasing confidence in reporting
• Exploitation of Vulnerable People - Identifying vulnerable locations where exploitation is at risk of occurring and ensuring communities can recognise the signs and how to report exploitation

To help set the priorities, in September last year a public consultation was run to gain an understanding of how safe residents feel in Buckinghamshire. Some of the key findings included:

• Fraud and scams continue to be of most concern to respondents, followed by theft from a vehicle
• Anti-social behaviour continues to be a significant concern for residents
• There has been an increase in criminal damage and vandalism

The Safer Buckinghamshire Partnership Board is the multi-agency partnership responsible for tackling crime and disorder within Buckinghamshire. The central vision of the Safer Buckinghamshire Partnership is for Buckinghamshire to continue to be one of the safest places to grow up, raise a family, live, work and do business.

Steve Bowles, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities said: “We know that community safety is something that is of utmost importance to all our residents. Crimes occur here and in all communities across the country, but we want to do what we can to address the issues that are the biggest concern and cause the greatest harm to people in Buckinghamshire. Everyone wants to feel safe in their home, in their local area and as they go about their daily lives. Working together, we aim to address the areas that have been highlighted and to make a real difference.”

View the Safer Bucks Strategy.