Building trust, inspiring safety: connecting communities through strategic communications support
The role of the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) is to be the voice of local people in policing and to hold the Chief Constable to account. The aim of all PCCs is to ensure the delivery of an effective and efficient police service within their force area. PCCs are responsible for the ‘totality of policing’ (all of policing, not just some parts of it) but it is important that they enable the police service and Chief Constable to operate independently.
Key challenges
We were tasked with raising awareness and communicating the work of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset (OPCC).
All comms materials needed to be accessible, insightful and engage communities in meaningful conversations about policing. A key challenge was reaching and mobilising underrepresented groups to actively participate in scrutiny panels that help shape police practices.
The work
Developed and delivered a multi-channel communications strategy designed to empower individuals and amplify diverse voices.
Daily content provided critical updates, educational resources and community-driven storytelling.
Our strategy prioritised:
Inclusive messaging – ensuring accessibility and engagement for all audiences, avoiding jargon, and using clear, action-driven language.
Targeted outreach – using social media, hyperlocal community channels, and direct engagement in public spaces to connect with a diverse audience.
Knowledge-sharing – amplifying the insights of existing volunteers through blog content, interviews, and social video, positioning them as changemakers.
We designed the campaign: "Empower Your Community", to recruit volunteers for police scrutiny panels. The campaign centered on the need for diverse perspectives in decision-making, particularly encouraging applications from younger people, women, and racially minoritised communities.
The impact
This campaign won a PRCA award receiving recognition for its innovative approach to inclusivity in public engagement.
Coverage secured across BBC Online, Bristol and regional media, reinforcing the importance of public participation in policing decisions.
This campaign successfully mobilised individuals passionate about advocacy, fairness, and systemic change, reflecting our ability to drive action through values-led communication.
