The need to tackle inequality, school exclusion and social disadvantage as part of efforts to prevent crime was highlighted at a Luton Council conference.
Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner John Tizard told the council’s Fairness Task Group Conference that social justice, community safety and community activism were essential to creating stronger communities and reducing offending.
He argued that criminal justice could not be considered in isolation from the wider social issues affecting people’s lives, calling for greater emphasis on preventing crime by addressing its underlying causes.
“Social justice shapes criminal justice and community activism lies at the heart of both. Crime and social justice are rooted in power, policy and lived experience. We cannot talk about safer communities without also talking about equality, opportunity and fairness,” he told delegates.
Mr Tizard set out six priorities for tackling these challenges: promoting equality and equity, practising anti-racism, making communities safer, strengthening community activism and empowerment, listening and working collaboratively, and ensuring resources are directed towards those goals.
He also outlined his ‘Triangle of Hope’, a framework connecting social justice, criminal justice and human rights, which he said needed to be supported by strong community cohesion, good governance, democratic accountability and effective use of public money.
While stressing that offenders must be brought to justice, the PCC said preventing crime should play a much greater role in public policy and the delivery of services.
He called for a public health approach to crime reduction, with early intervention to address factors such as family stress, educational disadvantage, social isolation, mental ill-health and substance misuse.
School exclusion was highlighted as a particular concern.
“More than 60 per cent of people in prison have experienced long-term or repeated short-term school exclusion. When a child is excluded, we need to ask what more could have been done earlier to support that child and their family. We must identify risk at the earliest possible stage and intervene before problems become entrenched,” Mr Tizard said.
The conference also heard about the role of community groups and volunteers in preventing crime, reducing isolation and strengthening neighbourhoods.
Mr Tizard revealed that his office will shortly announce £100,000 in grants for 20 community organisations working to tackle racism and promote community cohesion across Bedfordshire.
The funding will build on previous grants awarded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner to projects focused on preventing crime, reducing harm and making communities safer.
“Crime prevention cannot be left solely to the police, local authorities or other public bodies. Communities themselves have a critical role to play. Community groups and volunteers help reduce isolation, build resilience and strengthen neighbourhoods. They are often best placed to understand local challenges and develop local solutions,” he said.
Mr Tizard welcomed Luton Council’s commitment to supporting community resilience and urged other public bodies to invest in grassroots organisations and community-led initiatives.
Concluding his address, he called on residents, community leaders and public services to work together to turn shared ambitions for fairness, justice and safety into action.
“Today is an opportunity to recommit ourselves to social justice, criminal justice, community safety and community activism. Together we can learn from one another, build alliances and turn ideas into action. By working together, we can create stronger, fairer and safer communities for everyone.”
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