Crime Reduction Programme

This circular provides guidance on the Basic Command Unit fund. It covers the fund's outcomes and objectives and the allocation of funds. The purpose is to allow BCUs to agree spending plans with Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships and commence activity by 1 April 2003.

Administrative guidance, including on technical and accounting issues, has been provided under a separate addendum. This addendum sets out the mechanisms for drawing down grant and monitoring arrangements.

The fund is provided to BCUs to:

• Help the frontline to deliver crime and disorder reduction locally.

• Promote Partnership working.

The funding recognises the significant contribution that the Police have made to the work of Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships that were set up under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. The intention is that the funding should help the Police play a full and active role in the delivery of Partnerships' strategies. Accordingly BCU fund activity will need to be fully aligned with Partnerships' strategies and other funding streams including Neighbourhood Renewal.

To facilitate this, BCU Commanders must agree their spending plans with Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships (or the new partnerships that will integrate the responsibilities of DATs and CDRPs). Copies of the plans should be sent to the Crime Reduction Team in the regional Government Office, and the National Assembly for Wales, by 5 March.

The funding will be allocated to all Basic Command Units on the basis of a funding formula comprising share of recorded crime (85%) and an even split (15%). The allocations are set out in a separate document. BCU Commanders can expect to receive at least the same again in 2004 - 2005 and 2005 - 2006 depending on performance, including spend.

BCU Commanders may spend the money on:

A. Crime and Disorder interventions

The funding is not restricted to direct police activity and operations but may be used on a wide range of crime and disorder interventions including target hardening activity focusing on repeat victims, tackling anti-social behaviour through interventions such as pub watch schemes, youth inclusion work including support programmes for young people and CCTV. The interventions might also include anti-drugs work.

The interventions funded will vary depending on Partnerships' strategies, the outcomes identified and a structured analysis of the problems. Interventions should be based on a problem solving approach and a knowledge of what works in crime reduction. Interventions funded by the BCU fund should be part of a coherent strategy for delivering the Partnership's strategy. The interventions should also be in line with police force area priorities.

B. Partnership Capacity

The BCU fund is there to promote partnership working. As such the funding can be spent to improve Partnership capacity. The capacity requirements of each Partnership will differ depending on what is already in place and forthcoming demands including implementation of strategies. Examples of Partnership capacity that might be funded include programme and project management support staff, analytical support and training.

The BCU fund can be spent on capital or revenue items.

In considering priorities for spend, BCU Commanders should also take into account delivery at the local level of the four key policing priorities set out in the National Policing Plan 2003 - 2006:

• Tackling anti-social behaviour and disorder.

• Reducing volume, street, drugs related, violent and gun crime in line with local and national targets.

• Combating serious and organised crime operating across force boundaries.

• Increasing the number of offences brought to justice.

Basic Command Units' boundaries change from time-to-time. Should this occur, BCU Commanders should contact the Crime Reduction Team in the Government Office for advice including on how the funding should be reallocated if that is necessary.

Further information can be obtained from Helena Pawson (helena.pawson@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk) on 0207 035 5222.