Community Security

Community Safety or Community Security (CS) is, according to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), a concept that seeks to operationalize human security, human development and state-building paradigms at the local level.

Marginalisation and social division prevent communities from living in peace. We believe that people are best-placed for identifying and addressing their own security concerns. Our approach brings people together for peace – they define what security is, who it is for and how it is delivered in their communities.

Too often, security services and ‘solutions’ are disconnected from the needs of the people they are meant to help. London Night Shield works with communities to ensure that people take the lead in developing their own security solutions together with relevant authorities. We connect communities, local leaders (for example, religious leaders, clan leaders and elders), the media, informal security providers, police, authorities and government officials to find joint solutions. Often with opposing views, these groups work through conflict, overcome divisions, and build better relations between communities and authorities.