HOME OFFICE News
Release (121/2007) issued by The Government News Network on 19 July 2007
A new era of
simple, accessible local crime information for all is at the heart
of the Government's new crime strategy, unveiled today by
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith.
From July next year, everyone will have access to a
straightforward, street-by-street story of crime in their area
from local police crime data posted on the World Wide Web.
The strategy, Cutting Crime: a new partnership 2008-11, also
signals a renewed focus on tackling serious violence whilst
maintaining a tight grip on anti-social behaviour.
The strategy is published after a decade of falling crime. Since
1997, overall crime has fallen by a third: car crime has halved;
and the chances of being burgled have halved as well.
The new approach builds on these achievements but also addresses
new crime challenges that have emerged as society and technology
has evolved.
Other key elements of the strategy include:
* Less top-down Government. Local partners working to reduce
crime, including the police, local authorities and others, will
have fewer central targets to meet and less red tape. A new target
based on public confidence will encourage them instead to focus on
the issues that matter most to their local communities.
* Designing out crime. A new Design and Technology Alliance of
independent experts in design, consumer affairs and crime will
raise the profile of how good design can tackle crime. Founding
members Sebastian Conran and John Sorrell will work with the Home
Office to promote innovation, identify incentives for business to
design-out crime and advise on what consumers want.
* A focus on young people. This group, contrary to common public
perception, are often the group most concerned about crime and are
frequently victims. The strategy builds on reforms to youth
justice and children's services and focuses on early
intervention, including forging ever closer links between schools
and the police.
* More joined-up Government. A streamlined approach to policy
delivery across Whitehall will be overseen by a newly created
National Crime Reduction Board.
The Home Secretary said:
"The reductions in crime we have seen over the past ten
years are as much a tribute to the tens of thousands of dedicated
people across the country who have worked tirelessly to make
neighbourhoods safer as they are to the efforts that this
Government has made to support crime fighting partners, reduce
unemployment and tackle drugs use.
"But it is right that we lead the way on tackling serious
crime, violence and organised crime. In particular, I want to see
those who threaten and frighten people with knives facing
appropriate sanctions. Over the coming months I will do all I can
to ensure this happens."
Deputy Chief Executive of the Design Council Harry Rich said:
"Our work with businesses and the Home Office has shown
beyond doubt that if crime is considered from the start in the
design of new products and services, it can reduce the
opportunities for crime and so reduce the impact of crime and the
fear of crime.
"Cheap and simple design solutions in recent years include
beer glasses that can't be used as lethal weapons because
they shatter on impact like a car windscreen and well-lit,
transparent bus shelters that protect travellers from ambush as
well as making them feel safer.
"We warmly welcome the creation of a Design and Technology
Alliance to make use of design in all parts of the fight against
crime and we look forward to working with consumers, business,
designers and the police in designing out crime."
Graham Robb, interim Chair of the Youth Justice Board, said:
"The Youth Justice Board supports the aims and objectives of
the strategy and is particularly keen to see such a strong focus
on prevention and restorative work.
"There is now an established framework for delivering
effective prevention programmes across the youth justice system
and we welcome this renewed focus, which it is hoped will support
continuing success.
"The Youth Justice Board has worked hard to encourage
collaboration between communities and partners, which it
recognises is central to tackling youth crime - another area given
fresh emphasis in the crime strategy.
"The youth justice system will continue to work with young
people who offend to address the causes of their behaviour and to
make them face up to the consequences of their actions. It is also
important to recognise that this group are often victims too, and
they need help to turn their lives around in order to make a
positive contribution to our communities."
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. Simple to use crime information is already posted on some
police force websites. The South Yorkshire Police site http://www.beatcrime.info/
is a good example.
2. The Design and Technology Alliance comprises a group of
independent experts in design, consumer affairs and crime,
including designers Sebastian Conran and John Sorrell. The
Alliance will work with Government to raise the profile of the
role that design can play in combating crime and anti-social
behaviour with both business and consumers.
3. For case studies of positive design solutions which have
helped tackle crime see the Design Council evidence booklet
(January 2002) - http://www.designcouncil.org.uk/en/Design-Council/3/Publications/?PageNum=3
4. The crime strategy will be available on the Home Office
website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk