A new four-year strategy aimed at making Barking and Dagenham safer, stronger and more resilient has been approved by the council’s Cabinet and full council.

The Community Safety Partnership Strategy 2026-2030 sets out how the council, police, fire service, health partners, probation and community organisations will work together to tackle crime, anti-social behaviour and the issues that matter most to residents.

The strategy has been shaped by local crime data, evidence and extensive engagement with residents, young people, community groups and those most affected by crime. It identifies a number of key priorities, including tackling serious youth violence, violence against women and girls, robbery, burglary, anti-social behaviour, environmental crime, substance misuse, reoffending, hate crime and preventing radicalisation.

Prevention and early intervention are central to the strategy, recognising that many issues affecting communities cannot be solved through enforcement alone. Partners will work together to address the root causes of crime and support vulnerable individuals before problems escalate.

Residents will continue to play an important role in shaping community safety, with a renewed focus on ongoing engagement, community forums, surveys and co-design opportunities. The Partnership will also provide greater transparency around its work through regular updates and public reporting on progress.

Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety, said: "Everyone deserves to feel safe in the place they call home. This strategy sets out how the council and its partners will work together over the next four years to tackle crime, anti-social behaviour and the issues that matter most to residents.

"By focusing on prevention, early intervention and partnership working, we can build safer, stronger and more resilient communities, while ensuring residents continue to play a key role in shaping community safety across the borough."

The Community Safety Partnership will continue to work closely with residents, businesses and community organisations to deliver the strategy over the next four years.