The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 places a duty on the local authority, police, police authority, fire brigade, health authority and other public sector organisations to work in partnership with the private and voluntary sector to reduce crime and the fear of crime.

This legislation gives the local authority a statutory responsibility for delivering community safety and led to the formation of Swindon Community Safety Partnership. The Partnership comprises:

• Swindon Borough Council
• Swindon Primary Care Trust
• Wiltshire Police
• Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service
• Wiltshire Probation Area
• Wilstshire Police Authority

Swindon Community Safety Partnership Executive Board

The board provides a mechanism for strategic partners (including Swindon Borough Council) to come together to reduce crime and the fear of crime in Swindon. They take strategic responsibility for the "Safer and Stronger” outcomes of the Local Area Agreement, local implementation of the National Drug Strategy and the implementation of the local Crime and Disorder Strategy, approve plans and the strategic allocation of resources, and monitor delivery of services to ensure integration with other local, regional and national plans and strategies.

Operational Board

The operational Board develops and delivers in partnership responses for all aspects of community safety including tackling drug and alcohol misuse, reducing crime and fear of crime, tackling anti-social behaviour and addressing domestic violence.

Joint Commissioning Group

The Group reports to the partnership’s Executive Board and is responsible for the identification, commissioning and quality assurance of provider services. A similar group addresses the needs of young people.