ACS

By April, Labour will have delivered a neighbourhood policing team of police officers and police community support officers in every community in England and Wales.

The new plans announced include A Name in Every Neighbourhood campaign run by the police over the coming weeks to highlight how people can contact their own local team.

There are also plans for a new national website which will enable the public to get the names and contact details for their local team and the police will work with the public to develop ‘local contracts’ to ensure the police are listening to local people, addressing their concerns and communicating their progress.

The Prime Minister said: "We know people want more say about their community and a visible and accessible police service that deals with local problems and anti-social behaviour. Whilst crime is falling, too many people have a real fear about their communities and feel detached from their police service.

"That is why we have been working with the police on a new style of policing to address local priorities, improve public confidence and make neighbourhoods safer.

"Neighbourhood policing is about giving local people power over how their streets are policed. It is a major step towards a new kind of policing - one in which in the citizen has real influence."
Jacqui Smith added: "April will mark the start of a new kind of relationship between the police service and the public. Every household will hear from, be able to contact and be able to influence their local team.

"We want everyone to have the opportunity to shape their team's priorities. I congratulate the police for their progress."