May: A radical reform for policing
Home secretary Theresa May comments on the launch of the Home Office’s consultation on policing in the 21st century:
“For too long, people have been faced with crime levels that are too high and a police service that has been too focused on Whitehall targets to really get to grips with what matters locally.
“Today, I am starting an ambitious programme of reform for policing in the 21st century. At the strategic level, this includes a new National Crime Agency to strengthen the fight against organised crime and toughen policing at the border.
“On a local level, it will put local people at the heart of policing by giving them the power to elect police and crime commissioners.
“I am also setting out how we will ensure police forces work more efficiently to strengthen the fight against crime while providing taxpayers with better value for money in these tough economic times.”