The Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 came into effect on April 2nd, 2025, mandating all Local Authorities to establish Local Community Safety Partnerships.

Under the Act, Local Community Safety Partnerships (LCSP) have replaced the Joint Policing Committees in each Local Authority area. 

Membership of the LCSP will consist of 30 members including representatives from state agencies (HSE, TUSLA, An Garda Síochána), local authority members, and community representatives. 

The Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration developed this Community Safety Policy based on a key principle from the 2018 report by the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland (CoFPI): that responsibility for community safety does not rest solely with An Garda Síochána. Instead, a collaborative, strategic partnership involving various service providers and the wider community is essential to effectively enhance people’s sense of safety and wellbeing.

This new approach to community safety extends beyond traditional policing. It calls for coordinated action by all relevant state agencies and voluntary organisations, working closely with local communities to identify and address local issues. By promoting active community involvement and shared responsibility, this partnership model aims to strengthen both the reality and perception of safety in communities across Ireland.

Guiding Principles of LCSP’s:

• Whole-of-Government Approach: Integrate national and local strategies focusing on prevention and early intervention.
• Collaboration and Partnership: Foster cooperation between community groups, government agencies, and local representatives.
• Harm Prevention: Address social, economic, and structural causes of crime proactively.
• Targeted Support for Disadvantaged Communities: Provide evidence-based support to socially and economically disadvantaged areas to promote safety and inclusion.
• Participative Approach: Ensure meaningful community consultation and inclusion in safety planning.
• Social Inclusion: Amplify the voices of marginalised groups in decision-making and partnership membership.
• Accountability: Hold service providers and communities responsible for delivering agreed safety actions.
• Evidence-Based Approach: Use data and community knowledge to guide decisions.
• Respect and Recognition: Value and leverage the experience and contributions of all partnership members.

The Partnership will operate county wide with the following key goals:

• Prioritise community identified safety concerns
• Improve multi-agency responses to safety issues
• Increase public confidence in service providers
• Provide a forum for open discussion on community safety
• Conduct public consultations to gather community input
• Develop and implement a 3 year Community Safety Plan for County Wicklow
• Monitor progress and ensure the actions of the Safety Plan are carried out
• Coordinate early intervention and prevention initiatives to reduce harmful behaviour