§ Gregory BarkerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many policing plan targets were(a) set and (b) achieved by each police force in England in 2002–03; and if he will make a statement.[120806]
§ Ms BlearsTargets are set by police authorities in their annual policing and best value performance plans. In the financial year 2002–03, police authorities continued working towards targets for the reduction of vehicle crime and domestic burglary. In addition, the Metropolitan Police Authority and the police authorities for Greater Manchester, Merseyside, West Midlands and West Yorkshire set targets for the reduction of robbery. Police authorities may set targets in other areas according to locally determined priorities. In 2002–03, for the purposes of securing best value, police authorities were required to monitor the performance of their forces against 21 indicators. They can choose locally to set targets against these indicators. Police authorities must publish performance against any targets and indicators.
From April 2003, police authorities must also issue three-year strategy plans (two years in the first instance). These must take into account the National Policing Plan, and must express within them targets for the reduction of domestic burglary and vehicle crime and (in the areas covered by the street crime initiative) for robbery in line with Home Office Public Service Agreements. Information on all targets set locally and performance against them could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.