Their new generation of phones will link to your credit or debit account as part of a joint initiative with phone operators, banks and credit card companies.

On one estate it set up a youth club with free out-of-hours services and, in a joint initiative, the partnership provided a football kit for a local youth team.

Joint intelligence gathering has helped the police to target crime hotspots and joint initiatives have given priority to local community worries about anti-social behaviour, litter and vandalism.

This cooperation has resulted in several joint initiatives, including media events and government submissions.

It has also fostered partnerships with institutes of eminence for joint initiatives at curriculum development, academic research and training.