Learn about the Crime & Disorder Act Review

Crime &
Crime & Disorder Act Review

Findings

A review of the partnership provisions of the Crime and Disorder
Act 1998 (CDA) was carried out by the Home Office, the Local Government
Association (LGA), the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and the
Association of Police Authorities (APA) between November 2004 and January
2005. Over 450 key stakeholders and practitioners attended four
regional seminars held towards the end of 2004, and many more
contributed through e-questionnaires and submissions.
Representatives of key central Government departments were also
involved. A report of
the review’s findings is now available.

Title: Review
of the partnership provisions of the Crime & Disorder Act 1998 –
Report of findings
Author:
Home Office
Number of pages:
27
Date published:
January 2006
Availability:
Download full report
Word 186Kb

The Government�s overall objective in carrying out the review was
to strengthen the visibility, responsiveness, membership and role of
local partnerships. The aim is to make them the most effective
possible vehicle for tackling crime, anti-social behaviour,
behaviour adversely affecting the environment and
substance misuse at a local level.

Proposals from the review fell within 5 main headings and are
summarised as follows:

  1. Structures
    • The strategic functions of Crime and Disorder Reduction
      Partnerships (CDRPs)/Community Safety Partnerships in Wales (CSPs)
      should be separated from the operational functions so to sharpen
      the roles and responsibilities between and within key agencies.
    • The list of responsible authorities under the 1998 Act can
      be extended by secondary rather than primary legislation
  2. Delivery
    • Adapt a National Intelligence Model (NIM) for partnerships
      and require its use in the strategic and operational functions
      of community safety
    • CDRPs/CSPs should undertake at least six-monthly strategic
      assessments
    • The requirement for triennial audits and strategies to be
      replaced with annual rolling three year community safety plans
    • Strengthen section 115 (data sharing) of the CDA and place a
      duty on responsible authorities to share depersonalised data
      which is relevant for community safety purposes and which is
      already held in a depersonalised format.
    • List of agencies to which section 115 applies can be
      extended by secondary rather than primary legislation
  3. Governance & Accountability
    • Ensure that CDRPs/CSPs consult and engage with their
      communities on a regular and ongoing basis
    • CDRPs/CSPs to produce regular reports to their communities
    • Repeal the requirement for CDRPs/CSPs to report on annual
      performance to the Home Secretary
    • Extend the powers of local authority Overview and Scrutiny
      Committees to encompass the work of CDRPs/CSPs
  4. Mainstreaming
    • Broaden the definition of section 17 (mainstreaming crime
      reduction) so that agencies take account of anti-social
      behaviour, behaviour adversely affecting the environment and substance misuse
    • The list of agencies to which section 17 applies can be
      extended by secondary rather than primary legislation
  5. National Standards
    • A set of national standards for partnership working will be
      put in place
    • Consultation with stakeholders on adopting a new name for
      English partnerships that better reflects this wider remit

The Police & Justice Bill was published on 25 January 2006, and this
contains the legislative changes needed to deliver the review’s
proposals. The legislative
timetable will mean that Royal Assent is likely to be sought in the
autumn of 2006, with implementation of the measures following
thereafter.

The Home Office will be working closely with stakeholders to finalise the
details in the coming months. Find out how
you can get more involved
.

Getting a copy

Download Review of the partnership
provisions of the Crime & Disorder Act 1998 – Report of findings

Word 186Kb

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