Antony Hook is former MEP for South East England and serves as Kent County Councillor for Faversham in Kent.

Faversham is a small market town (population around 20,000) and like, in many respects, small towns all over England.  

Crime is a a real concern to local residents.  Police visibility is limited and public confidence in the police to take effective action is not what it should be.

Antony Hook is looking to commission a suitably qualified researcher to research on the question, "What can be done to prevent and detect in Faversham and other small town?" and to work with him to write a report on that subject.  The research should look at what can be done by actors other than the police, including local business, residents, the Town Council, principal local authorities and action that can reasonably be asked of the police.

The successful applicant will have previously experience of authoring policy related reports and using different research techniques.  They are likely to have some background, either academic or professional, in criminology, the criminal justice system, policing, community safety or a similar field. They must be a self-starter, generate their own ideas and direction and combine that creativity with a framework and objectives set by an elected officeholder. 

The timescale for completing the work will be brisk, probably a matter of months.

A body to fund the work has been identifed.  Exact level and duration of funding is subject to that body's approval and subject to discussion with applicants.

There is a real opportunity for the applicant to see the fruits of their research made into action.

The applicant could be based anywhere but will need to make visits to Faversham during their research.