§ Mark TamiTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he gives to individual police forces regarding priorities in law enforcement. [70410]
§ Mr. DenhamUnder the Police Act 1996 the Home Secretary sets strategic objectives for the police. These are commonly known as the Ministerial Priorities. For the current year, 2002–03, these are
To help create safe communities by reducing crime, anti-social behaviour and disorder through effective partnership working, including reducing the availability and use of Class A drugs.671WTo reduce the fear of crime in all sections of the community and in particular to increase the trust and confidence in policing amongst minority ethnic communities.To increase the number of offences for which offenders, and particularly persistent offenders, are caught and brought to justice, in partnership with other criminal justice agencies.Guidance on how best to achieve these priorities is not issued by the Home Office. It is for each Chief Officer, in consultation with their police authority, to determine the allocation of resources in a way which ensures that the Ministerial Priorities are complied with.