Crime Reduction Strategy
Conclusion
This is an ambitious programme of work which will - if achieved - represent an unprecedented reduction in levels of recorded crime against the predicted scale.
It will deliver:
an additional £1.24 billion over three years for the police;
substantial investment in the DNA database and a modern radio communications service for the police;
a special fund to pay for the recruitment and training of more officers, beyond forces’ current recruitment plans;
establishing an effective performance management regime against which the performance of the crime & disorder reduction partnerships and the police can be measured – with clear targets for the main areas of crime;
support for the partnerships through a programme of training and seminars, publication of best practice and the development of a website;
a national crime reduction task force to promote best practice and spread standards, supported by enhanced teams in regional government offices headed by regional Crime Reduction Directors;
projects funded under the Crime Reduction Programme to tackle burglary;
a comprehensive package of measures to tackle vehicle crime;
measures to deal with disorder and anti-social behaviour and cross-governmental initiatives to create safe, stable communities;
new measures to deal with young offenders including comprehensive reform of the youth justice system;
Concerted action to deal more effectively with adult offenders, including continuing reform to the criminal justice system to ensure fast, effective justice when crime is committed; and reducing re-offending through appropriate penalties, targeted sentencing and a £226 million investment to improve prison regimes;
Measures to support victims of crime and witnesses, including those who are the subject of racially motivated crime and disorder.
2. The potential benefits of the measures taken in our crime reduction strategy, particularly in reducing the fear of crime, will be enhanced by effective communication with the public and involving them in the process. To deliver this involvement we are developing a fully integrated and comprehensive communications strategy. This strategy will encompass targeted, relevant information to the key audiences, as well as a long-term programme of publicity campaigns to communicate key messages. A sustained communications effort is an important contributor to building the confidence and momentum required, in order to achieve key crime reduction targets.
3. The strategy has the potential to make major inroads into levels of crime. The figures set out above in the strategy for individual measures are estimates, and must be treated with a degree of caution. Nevertheless, we will monitor and manage our programmes systematically and continue to discover ‘what works’. During the next Spending Review, we will be looking at the effectiveness of our crime reduction policies to ensure that they deliver the largest possible reduction in crime.
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The Government's Crime Reduction Strategy, Contents
Last update: 16 July 2001