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See other news storiesCutting crime - two years on
12 May 2009
Speaking at the first conference for crime and disorder reduction partnerships (CDRPs), the Prime Minister unveiled the updated crime strategy and outlined the government's commitment to tackling the new crime challenges the country faces.
The strategy – Cutting Crime: Two years on (new window) gives communities more say in how justice is done in their neighbourhoods. It will also help police, probation and local authorities tackle crime.
The strategy will:
- introduce a new programme to tackle serious property-related crimes such as burglary, robbery and car theft. This will include putting £3m towards Operation Vigilance - a pilot scheme to help police, probation and local authorities learn from what works and how to use more proactive methods to target and catch offenders
- give police more powers to seize the assets of criminals
- introduce more intensive community payback schemes over the coming year.
The public will also be able to choose how £4m seized from criminals will be spent in their area. The money will be available for local projects, and hose it is spent will be decided by communities via websites, neighbourhood policing meetings or citizens’ panels.
Virtual courts
The strategy also introduces the first ‘virtual court’ pilot, where cases can be heard in court via a secure video link from the police station within four hours of a defendant being charged. If found guilty, they could be sentenced on the same day. This could save £10m per year by freeing up police and the courts’ time, as well as improving the service for victims and witnesses.
'We will keep taking action'
The Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said, ‘We are now facing tougher economic times and I am determined, when people are feeling less secure financially, we will do everything in our power to protect their safety and security.’
‘That is why we're publishing an updated crime strategy to address those new challenges and to show the army of police and partners across the country that we keep listening and taking action.’
