People Zones Research Project

People Zones is an initiative that was created by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) in 2018. People Zones are geographical locations across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) which have been identified through crime, public health and census data - (boundary maps for all locations can be found in appendix A).

People Zones aim to provide communities with an opportunity to shape and become involved in work designed to build stronger, safer and more resilient communities.

The main aims of the People Zones are:

Local people and residents feel safer in their communities

People Zone areas are cohesive communities where local people and residents are more resilient and less reliant on services

There are significant reductions in anti-social behaviour and crime within the local area

Currently, there are three People Zones within LLR:

New Parks (City)

Bell Foundry (Charnwood)

Thringstone & Whitwick (North West Leicestershire).

The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) is passionate about 'relaunching' People Zones following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on communities, and recognises the importance of adopting a co-production approach. To ensure that People Zones are as relevant, responsive and effective as possible, the OPCC is seeking to widen the involvement of communities and partners in the identification of local strengths, assets and issues within their local area.

To inform the direction of this work, the OPCC is looking to commission one provider to undertake community consultation and research into the People Zone areas by adopting an Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) approach, focusing on people and place assets within the communities. We would expect the successful provider to consult with community members, residents, key stakeholders and community-based organisations to identify, connect and mobilise assets within the People Zones.