Crime Reduction - Helping to Reduce Crime in Your Area

Crime & Crime & Disorder Act Review

Findings

A review of the partnership provisions of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (CDA) was carried out by the Home Office, the Local Government Association (LGA), the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and the Association of Police Authorities (APA) between November 2004 and January 2005. Over 450 key stakeholders and practitioners attended four regional seminars held towards the end of 2004, and many more contributed through e-questionnaires and submissions. Representatives of key central Government departments were also involved. A report of the review's findings is now available.

Title: Review of the partnership provisions of the Crime & Disorder Act 1998 - Report of findings
Author: Home Office
Number of pages: 27
Date published: January 2006
Availability: Download full report Word 186Kb

The Government’s overall objective in carrying out the review was to strengthen the visibility, responsiveness, membership and role of local partnerships. The aim is to make them the most effective possible vehicle for tackling crime, anti-social behaviour, behaviour adversely affecting the environment and substance misuse at a local level.

Proposals from the review fell within 5 main headings and are summarised as follows:

  1. Structures
    • The strategic functions of Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships (CDRPs)/Community Safety Partnerships in Wales (CSPs) should be separated from the operational functions so to sharpen the roles and responsibilities between and within key agencies.
    • The list of responsible authorities under the 1998 Act can be extended by secondary rather than primary legislation
  2. Delivery
    • Adapt a National Intelligence Model (NIM) for partnerships and require its use in the strategic and operational functions of community safety
    • CDRPs/CSPs should undertake at least six-monthly strategic assessments
    • The requirement for triennial audits and strategies to be replaced with annual rolling three year community safety plans
    • Strengthen section 115 (data sharing) of the CDA and place a duty on responsible authorities to share depersonalised data which is relevant for community safety purposes and which is already held in a depersonalised format.
    • List of agencies to which section 115 applies can be extended by secondary rather than primary legislation
  3. Governance & Accountability
    • Ensure that CDRPs/CSPs consult and engage with their communities on a regular and ongoing basis
    • CDRPs/CSPs to produce regular reports to their communities
    • Repeal the requirement for CDRPs/CSPs to report on annual performance to the Home Secretary
    • Extend the powers of local authority Overview and Scrutiny Committees to encompass the work of CDRPs/CSPs
  4. Mainstreaming
    • Broaden the definition of section 17 (mainstreaming crime reduction) so that agencies take account of anti-social behaviour, behaviour adversely affecting the environment and substance misuse
    • The list of agencies to which section 17 applies can be extended by secondary rather than primary legislation
  5. National Standards
    • A set of national standards for partnership working will be put in place
    • Consultation with stakeholders on adopting a new name for English partnerships that better reflects this wider remit

The Police & Justice Bill was published on 25 January 2006, and this contains the legislative changes needed to deliver the review's proposals. The legislative timetable will mean that Royal Assent is likely to be sought in the autumn of 2006, with implementation of the measures following thereafter.

The Home Office will be working closely with stakeholders to finalise the details in the coming months. Find out how you can get more involved.

Getting a copy

Download Review of the partnership provisions of the Crime & Disorder Act 1998 - Report of findings Word 186Kb

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