Menu
09/11/2004
Reforms for customer-focused neighbourhood policing unveiled
New police reform proposals designed to increase neighbourhood policing, ensure that the police service has a stronger customer focus, and increase the visibility, accessibility and accountability of officers have been published today.
The policy paper, 'Building Communities, Beating Crime', sets out plans for a new neighbourhood policing fund to support the development of dedicated neighbourhood policing teams across the country.
It is envisaged that community-focused teams of police officers, backed up by police community support officers (PCSOs) and police support staff, will use community-based intelligence to tackle local crime.
Officers will be embedded in their local community, tackling the issues of concern to local people and being held to account by those local people, with the community getting new powers to 'trigger' action where their police force, local authority or other community safety partners are not delivering, the Home Office said.
The paper also introduces 10 key commitments to ensure high standards of customer service, and sets out a number of measures to sharpen the customer focus of the police service - including a new national three-digit non-emergency telephone number to be in place by the end of 2006, national minimum standards for call handling and more information for victims and the wider community.
Home Secretary David Blunkett said reform was essential if the police service hopes to continue to cut crime and protect law-abiding citizens and communities.
"Key to this vision is bringing in dedicated neighbourhood policing teams across the country. They will be supported by continued substantial investment that will maintain record officer numbers and also provide 25,000 community support officers and wardens," he added.
"We will also improve the way the police deal with the public by embedding a genuinely responsive customer service culture and making the police more accessible, visible and accountable. A new improvement agency will ensure that policing is driven by intelligence and good performance information."
(gmcg)
The policy paper, 'Building Communities, Beating Crime', sets out plans for a new neighbourhood policing fund to support the development of dedicated neighbourhood policing teams across the country.
It is envisaged that community-focused teams of police officers, backed up by police community support officers (PCSOs) and police support staff, will use community-based intelligence to tackle local crime.
Officers will be embedded in their local community, tackling the issues of concern to local people and being held to account by those local people, with the community getting new powers to 'trigger' action where their police force, local authority or other community safety partners are not delivering, the Home Office said.
The paper also introduces 10 key commitments to ensure high standards of customer service, and sets out a number of measures to sharpen the customer focus of the police service - including a new national three-digit non-emergency telephone number to be in place by the end of 2006, national minimum standards for call handling and more information for victims and the wider community.
Home Secretary David Blunkett said reform was essential if the police service hopes to continue to cut crime and protect law-abiding citizens and communities.
"Key to this vision is bringing in dedicated neighbourhood policing teams across the country. They will be supported by continued substantial investment that will maintain record officer numbers and also provide 25,000 community support officers and wardens," he added.
"We will also improve the way the police deal with the public by embedding a genuinely responsive customer service culture and making the police more accessible, visible and accountable. A new improvement agency will ensure that policing is driven by intelligence and good performance information."
(gmcg)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
14 May 2003
UK sends policing advisors to assist in Iraq
Policing experts are traveling to Iraq today to advise on the stabilisation of the security situation and to participate in a review on how to rebuild the Iraqi police service. The team of four will be led by Chief Constable of Hampshire - and Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) international portfolio holder - Paul Kernaghan.
UK sends policing advisors to assist in Iraq
Policing experts are traveling to Iraq today to advise on the stabilisation of the security situation and to participate in a review on how to rebuild the Iraqi police service. The team of four will be led by Chief Constable of Hampshire - and Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) international portfolio holder - Paul Kernaghan.
05 December 2006
Community police officer remains critically ill
A police community support officer remains in a critical condition in a Greater Manchester hospital after being stabbed in the neck. Greater Manchester Police said that Gary Etchells, 47, had twice undergone surgery at Tameside General Hospital and was now back in intensive care.
Community police officer remains critically ill
A police community support officer remains in a critical condition in a Greater Manchester hospital after being stabbed in the neck. Greater Manchester Police said that Gary Etchells, 47, had twice undergone surgery at Tameside General Hospital and was now back in intensive care.
18 April 2011
'Crime Feedback' Promised By NI Cops
Northern Ireland's police are making a set of promises this week that may prove to be hard to keep in practice. In a ground-breajing initiative, a new set of commitments has been put forward by PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott to help increase accountability.
'Crime Feedback' Promised By NI Cops
Northern Ireland's police are making a set of promises this week that may prove to be hard to keep in practice. In a ground-breajing initiative, a new set of commitments has been put forward by PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott to help increase accountability.
25 July 2005
Police numbers reach record levels
Police numbers in England and Wales have reached record high levels of more than 141,000, the Home Office has reported. The number of police officers has increased by more than 2,000 since March 2004 to 141,230.
Police numbers reach record levels
Police numbers in England and Wales have reached record high levels of more than 141,000, the Home Office has reported. The number of police officers has increased by more than 2,000 since March 2004 to 141,230.
30 September 2010
Police Recruits 'Could Be Unpaid'
In a bid to save money, the Metropolitan Police Authority are considering whether potential police officers should work as unpaid volunteers for 18 months before employment. Regardless of previous qualifications and experience, police recruits currently receive 25 weeks of training, earning £23,000 during their first two years.
Police Recruits 'Could Be Unpaid'
In a bid to save money, the Metropolitan Police Authority are considering whether potential police officers should work as unpaid volunteers for 18 months before employment. Regardless of previous qualifications and experience, police recruits currently receive 25 weeks of training, earning £23,000 during their first two years.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Mostly cloudy with showery outbreaks of rain reaching parts of Antrim and Down later this evening, The showers will extend westwards overnight, clearing from most places by morning. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
