The National Rural Safety Forum was established, following stakeholder consultation between An Garda Síochána and key partners such as the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) and Muintir na Tire, to provide a platform for a collaborative partnership approach to support the delivery of a rural community policing service. The Forum held its inaugural meeting on 17th April 2019.
Key Benefits:
- Enhanced Community Engagement in Rural Ireland
- A Communication Network potential in excess of 1 million people
- Criminal Deterrence and Recovery of Property by Property Marking Initiative
- Partnership Approach to Problem Solving in Rural Ireland
The following are the partners involved in the National Rural Safety Forum:
- An Garda Síochána
- ICSA (Irish Cattle & Sheep Farmers Association)
- AFI (Age Friendly Ireland)
- IFA (Irish Farmers Association)
- Foróige ICA (Irish Country Women’s Association
- Muintir Na Tire CCMA (City & County Managers Association)
- Department of Justice and Equality
- Active Retirement Ireland Department of Community & Rural Development NTA (National Transport Authority)
- GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association)
- Macra Na Feirme Neighbourhood Watch
- ESB Networks
The launch of the National Rural Safety Forum is scheduled to take place on the 18th of September 2019 at the National Ploughing Championships, in Co. Carlow at 12.30pm by Minister Flannagan.
The Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland Report recommended:
• "…consultation among agencies to determine how they can all work together to serve the best interest of people at risk and the community as a whole.”
• "Policing …. [is] not the responsibility of the police alone”.
• "At the local level, policing partnerships should include the business community, voluntary organisations, faith based groups, schools and others who can contribute to community safety”
The National Rural Safety Forum has four key objectives:
- Community Reassurance
- Information Sharing & Communication Network
- Increased Community Engagement
- Crime Prevention & Crime Opportunity Reduction
1. Community Reassurance
• To reduce the ‘Fear of Crime’ and increase public confidence by proactive and visible community policing initiatives.
• National reassurance by heads of organisations demonstrating commitment to working together in partnership in supporting the delivery of a rural community policing service.
This will be achieved by the public demonstration of a partnership approach from An Garda Síochána and community organisations to identify and respond to the policing needs of communities. The Forum also provides an opportunity for community partners to consistently contribute to and support the efforts of An Garda Síochána in community policing.
2. Information Sharing & Communication Network
• Enhance the information sharing between An Garda Síochána and community organisation in support of rural policing initiatives, crime prevention and public safety.
• To maximise the potential communication reach for crime prevention advice in a timely and environmentally friendly manner.
This will be achieved by the collaborative sharing of information via email, text, social media applications, public meetings, community notices and personal engagement with people from all age groups in twenty six county rural Ireland, whether farming, business or otherwise engaged. The current Forum capacity is information dissemination (crime prevention advice/leaflet) nationally within forty-eight hours to over one million people.
3. Increased Community Engagement
• Enhanced engagement between community groups/organisations, An Garda Síochána and State Agencies.
• Enhanced Community Policing engagement with all communities in rural Ireland.
• National Community Engagement Day to be held on 22 November 2019 at designated community venues nationwide to facilitate ‘Community Garda Meet n Greet’, positive engagement with all groups, delivery of crime prevention advice and public safety reassurance.
4. Crime Prevention & Crime Opportunity Reduction
• Delivery of Crime Prevention Advice via communication network.
• Identify & Encourage Specific Crime Prevention Practices. Examples in 2019 are:
§ Property Marking
§ Property Recording
§ Property Identification & Return
§ Community Property Marked Zones
The Forum will, through individual and collective efforts, strive to significantly increase the level of property marking and property recording nationally. This will act as a deterrence to criminals and prevent the commission of crime. It will help to identify property recovered, return it to its relevant owner, and increase criminal prosecution in respected of recovered stolen property.
Quote from Assistant Commissioner Orla McPartlin, Garda Community Relations Bureau:
"An Garda Síochána is pleased to work in partnership with key groups and organisations to reassure the communities in Rural Ireland that we are committed to enhancing community engagement, improving our communication network and delivering crime prevention measures which will make Rural Ireland a safer place to live, work and visit”
