§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what national standards exist on the local implementation and monitoring of community policing. [60634]
§ Mr. John DenhamThe Government is committed to ensuring that policing services meet the needs of the local community. Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and the Police Standards Unit monitor policing at a local as well as at force level. Police authorities are also required to publish information about their performance against a range of Best Value Performance Indicators (BVPIs), including those that address community issues such as police visibility and public satisfaction with the standards of service they receive from their local force.
The Police Reform Act 2002 contains a number of radical measures which will increase and enhance the police service's visibility in the community, including the introduction of Community Support Officers.