Crime Reduction - Helping to Reduce Crime in Your Area

Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) in England became responsible authorities under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, amended by the Police Reform Act 2002, on 30th April 2004. This means that now PCTs have a statutory responsibility to work in partnership with other responsible authorities, namely the police, fire and local authorities and co-operating bodies to tackle crime, disorder and the misuse of drugs. This document provides guidance on how to fulfil these new responsibilities

Title: Guidance For Partnerships and Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) Commencement of PCTs as Responsible Authorities from 30 April 2004
Authors: Department of Health & Home Office
Number of pages: 31
Date published: August 2004

The cost of crime has a major impact on the NHS:

• 116,000 NHS staff were the victims of violence and aggression in 2002-03

• Bed days related to crime and disorder costs the NHS between £1.1 and £2.3 billion per year

• Property damage, risk, liability or injury to staff costs between £300 million and £678 million per annum

• The cost of Domestic Violence to the NHS for physical injuries is around £1.2 billion a year..

New Legislation

The Crime and Disorder Act 1998, amended by the Police Reform Act 2002, on 30th April 2004 places a duty on PCTs to:

• participate in an audit of crime and disorder, anti-social behaviour and drug misuse for the Crime and Disorder Partnership (CDRP) area or areas in which they fall

• contribute to the development of local strategies that effectively deal with the issues which are identified.

The first audit in which PCTs should participate needs to be completed by the end of September 2004 and after consultation with local communities the local CDRP must publish their strategy by April 2005. The strategy will last for three years.

The extent to which the PCT is involved in the delivery of the strategy is not specified. In practice this will be determined through local negotiation and it is likely to be greatest in areas where the delivery of action on drugs and crime and disorder makes a significant contribution to the PCTs own national or local priorities.

Action in support of the local Crime and Disorder Strategies may impact positively on a range of national NHS priorities including:

• Reducing health inequalities.

• Positive patient satisfaction surveys.

• Positive staff satisfaction surveys.

• Improvement in the life chances for children.

• Increasing the participation of problem drug users in treatment.

• Implementation of the National Service Framework for Mental Health.

• Reductions in waiting times.

Getting a copy

Download Guidance For Partnerships and Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) Commencement of PCTs as Responsible Authorities from 30 April 2004 PDF 155Kb.