New measures in government green paper welcomed

[18 July 2008]

Crimestoppers welcomes the government's green paper on policing – From the neighbourhood to the national' - announced today.

We are particularly supportive of the new measures which will involve local communities in shaping crime priorities for their area by giving them a strong voice at regular local meetings. We hope that by closely linking local residents with policing that we will start to see a steady decline in crimes affecting areas of the UK, especially around gun and knife crime. We also support the new Police Pledge which will bring clarity to local and neighbourhood policing.

Launching the Policing Green Paper, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "We are determined to keep our streets safe - taking knives off the streets, dealing with wider issues of youth crime, the continuing challenges of drugs and organised crime, and of course the fight against terrorism.

“But we should not lose sight of the fact that over the last decade, overall crime is down by a third - thanks in large part to the hard work, dedication and courage of the police - with over 10,000 more officers in addition to new community support officers, and every area of the country since April now having its own neighbourhood police team.

“We are determined to build on this achievement.

“Today's proposals will cut red tape and top-down targets, freeing the police to focus on the most serious crime and on local issues. At the same time we are setting out for the first time clear minimum standards for what people can expect from their local police teams; and giving them more information on crime and what is being done to tackle it at local level, and a stronger voice in working with the police to decide local priorities.

“This is a vital part of this government's commitment to build a fairer safer Britain."

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said: “Our Green Paper is setting out a new deal for the public and the police. I am grateful for the hard work of our police colleagues and others in helping draw together these proposals. We all want to see a police force that delivers for the public, with everyone receiving the same high standards wherever they live. The public are the best weapon to help tackle crime. They need to be clear about what they can expect from the police and that is why I'm putting them at the forefront of setting priorities.

“I want to help the police to continue to cut crime, drive up confidence and deliver for the public. Today's plans give greater freedom for the police matched by more power to the public.”