Blunkett to unveil policing reforms
Plans to make police more accountable to the communities they serve will be unveiled today.
Home Secretary David Blunkett is expected to set out plans to get local residents more involved in the way their communities are policed.
In a new white paper, he will outline a ten-point “customer commitment charter”, in which community support officers (CSOs) are likely to be handed an expanded remit.
The Home Office is expected to make the case for the further roll out of neighbourhood policing teams – comprised of one sergeant, two constables, three CSOs, and possibly special constables and neighbourhood wardens – across the whole of England and Wales.
The Home Office hopes to make “embedded” neighbourhood policing teams the first port of call for local residents concerned about their area.
Mr Blunkett’s department is keen to make modern, neighbourhood policing the “norm”.
The proposals today are also expected to include elected police authorities, specialised crime busting units and a new telephone number for non-emergency calls – possibly 333 or 888.
