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Plans for the most radical policing reform in 50 years

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Summary

‘Policing in the 21st Century: Reconnecting Police and the People’ (Cm. 7925) outlines Government plans to revolutionise the structure of the UK police force by introducing a community led system.

The main objective is to increase democratic accountability in policing by delegating responsibility to individuals who understand the main priorities for crime and anti-social behaviour in specific areas of the UK.

Key policy proposals:

  • To directly elect Police and Crime Commissioners to represent their communities.
  • Chief constables to be responsible for the day to day operations of their police force but accountable to the public via these individuals and not Whitehall.

Regular beat meetings to be held to allow people to challenge the police' performance and accessible street level crime data will shine a light on local crime trends and concerns.

Central targets will be abolished, and the police will be encouraged to use their professional judgment in performing their job. The Government will create a new National Crime Agency to lead the fight against organised crime, protect the borders and provide services best delivered at national level.

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Law-Making Explained

This is a Command paper (Cm. 7925, 2010-11). It is a Report from the HM Treasury.

Find out more about Command papers

How does it affect me?

If you intend to have an active role in line with the policing reform or are interested in how this will take effect, this affects you.

Further Reading

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