A round table has been held with leaders from Mosques in Northamptonshire to discuss how Police can increase trust and confidence and remove barriers to community engagement.

Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone, Deputy Commissioner Marianne Kimani and Chief Constable Ivan Balhatchet met with representatives of the Muslim community at Darby House in Wellingborough on Tuesday (May 6).

It follows on from a similar round table with church leaders that was held back in March.

Mosque leaders spoke about the need for improved communications channels with senior leaders in the Police and about concerns they had on community tensions and hate crime.

Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone said: “We have now held round table discussions with local church leaders as well as our Mosque leaders. The Chief Constable and I know there is a lot to do to increase trust and confidence. So we are open to speaking with any faith or community groups so we can further strengthen the partnerships we have across the whole county.”

Chief Constable Ivan Balhatchet, from Northamptonshire Police, said: “We want to reach a point where the Muslim community trust that their concerns are being dealt with, and that they see a Force in which they feel truly represented. I will do everything in my power to achieve that.”

And Alaa Abouzanad, chairman of Northamptonshire Council of Mosques, added: “This was the first time that all our Muslim leaders in Northamptonshire have met with the Commissioner and Chief Constable. We hope this is the first step in helping to improve the relationship we have with the Police, so that together we can tackle problems in our communities.”

Read more about the round table meeting here: Round table held with Mosque leaders to discuss confidence in policing and removing barriers - Northamptonshire Police & Fire Commissioner