About us
See other news storiesChanging the way police work
17 July 2008
Radical plans to cut red tape and give the police more time to get on with the job of reducing crime were included in a new Home Office consultation.
The policing green paper, From the Neighbourhood to the National (new window), explains how the government will work with police to prevent crime, improve public confidence, and give people more information about crime and policing where they live and work.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, in a statement to Parliament, said the country 'stands at a crossroads in the future of policing', after a decade of record investment helped to create a bigger and more flexible workforce.
But the service also faces unprecedented challenges.
'These range from new forms of criminal activity and terrorism, to new ways of working in partnership locally – the service’s scope has never been so broad. And nor have the public’s expectations been so high.'
Policing pledge
Among the proposals she announced was a a set of nationally agreed rights, in the form of a policing pledge (new window), that will clarify what everyone can expect from the police, and ensure the public’s voice is heard by their local force.
The Home Secretary said, 'The police are committed to minimum service standards everywhere, which mean that, for example, in addition to their excellent performance on getting to emergencies when we need them to, the police will now offer appointments for non-urgent calls at a time convenient to the individual concerned and within 48 hours.'
A stronger voice for local people
The plan calls for the public to be more involved with police through elected crime and policing representatives.
'They will form the majority on police authorities, and will be responsible for ensuring that the police are tackling the priorities that concern us most,' she said.
In addition police will provide the public with:
- regular information about crime in their region
- maps showing where crimes have occurred
- updates about actions taken to tackle crime
- access to regular meetings to discuss local priorities with police
Working hard to cut crime further
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said that, while serious challenges must be met, police forces are doing a demanding job well.
'To help them maintain those high standards, today's proposals will cut red tape and targets at all levels of the police, allowing them to bear down on crime even further. We will also give the public more say over policing priorities in their area.
'We will continue to build a fairer, safer Britain, by giving the police the funding and support they need to tackle crime in our communities.'
Other measures
Other measures announced include:
- a new enhanced role for Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC), giving it a greater role to robustly scrutinise police performance
- investment of an extra £25m in new technology to save police time, and reduce the need for officers to return to the station to do paperwork
- the appointment of Jan Berry as an independent bureaucracy champion to further cut red tape and free police hours
A 'new deal' for police and the public
The Home Secretary said the green paper sets out a new deal for the public and the police. '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.'
Jan Berry said, 'I was both surprised and flattered to be invited to undertake this important new role, which, having given careful consideration to, I am pleased to accept.
'I do not under-estimate the challenge this role presents and will not hesitate in drawing attention to unnecessary record keeping or demands on police, wherever they may come from.'
Responding to reviews
The green paper is the government’s substantive response to the independent review of policing by Sir Ronnie Flanagan (new window) and to Louise Casey’s review of crime and communities (new window).
Many of its measures are based on recommendations made in those reports.
Tell us what you think
We'd like to hear your opinions about the proposed changes to the police service.
