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Home Office

Answer

Mr. Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the proposal to introduce targeted policing in 20 specific areas; what arrangements will be made for maintaining policing levels in other areas; and if he will make a statement. [58462] Mr. Boateng: Research shows the value of targeted policing in addressing both complex community-wide problems, and specific repeated problems. Targeting policing effort at identified problems as part of a strategy to reduce crime and disorder enables chief officers to decide how to deploy their resources most effectively. The strategy should be based on an analysis of local crime and associated problems and the policing tactics adopted in the light of the analysis. The crime and disorder audits required by the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 support this approach. Equally, our approach is output-driven and we will expect careful evaluation to demonstrate how crime and disorder are effected as a result of any strategy and how that fits with the locally-agreed targets for crime reduction. To help forces develop this approach, we are making over £30 million available over the next three years for targeted policing projects as part of the crime reduction strategy. This funding is in addition to the extra £1.24 billion which will be available to police authorities in England and Wales over the next three years under the Government's spending plans announced in the summer. This settlement, along with savings from the 2 per cent. year on year efficiency improvements which police forces will be asked to achieve, will help to ensure that more resources are focused on the front line against crime. As experience around the country shows that targeted policing does not require additional police officers or other resources to be successful, there is no reason to believe that the work we are undertaking will adversely affect existing policing levels.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

58462; 319 c40-1W

Session

1997-98

Subjects

Crime prevention Neighbourhood policing Finance Police Research

Contains statistics

Yes