Separated by a common goal: some problems of interagency working

The future of policing and crime reduction in England and Wales seems firmly set in the partnership arena. Reports of many successes in this area are frequently circulated and there is no doubt that properly organised partnerships can have a major effect in particular circumstances. However, relationships between partners can sometimes be less than cohesive, particularly at a functional level, leading to undesirable consequences. This paper considers the relationship between key partners in a particular local crime reduction partnership and examines the political problems that can sometimes occur and which frustrate policy makers and planning in this area.