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| Smith sets out 'policing pledge' | Smith sets out 'policing pledge' |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| A "policing pledge" outlining standards for police in England and Wales has been launched by the home secretary. | A "policing pledge" outlining standards for police in England and Wales has been launched by the home secretary. |
| Jacqui Smith said forces would have to meet minimum targets in areas such as call-handling and dealing with victims. | Jacqui Smith said forces would have to meet minimum targets in areas such as call-handling and dealing with victims. |
| It follows a report from the Chief Inspector of Constabulary, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, who called for the service to become more "customer-focused". | It follows a report from the Chief Inspector of Constabulary, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, who called for the service to become more "customer-focused". |
| Ministers have also confirmed that the national neighbourhood policing roll-out has been completed. | Ministers have also confirmed that the national neighbourhood policing roll-out has been completed. |
| It means teams of fully-sworn police officers and community support staff are now permanently deployed in every community. | It means teams of fully-sworn police officers and community support staff are now permanently deployed in every community. |
| In his report, published in February, Sir Ronnie found that confidence in the police increased when they treated people with courtesy and gave them better information. | In his report, published in February, Sir Ronnie found that confidence in the police increased when they treated people with courtesy and gave them better information. |
| Under the policing pledge, police will be expected to meet national standards to ensure they answer phone calls promptly, give people up-to-date details about local crimes, and improve their treatment of witnesses and victims. | Under the policing pledge, police will be expected to meet national standards to ensure they answer phone calls promptly, give people up-to-date details about local crimes, and improve their treatment of witnesses and victims. |
| Home Office report | Home Office report |
| Ms Smith told BBC Radio 5 Live it would set out the expectations so people who report a crime know how the police should keep them informed about progress. | Ms Smith told BBC Radio 5 Live it would set out the expectations so people who report a crime know how the police should keep them informed about progress. |
| But Ms Smith denied that the new pledge would result in more central targets and paperwork for police. | But Ms Smith denied that the new pledge would result in more central targets and paperwork for police. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY Police efficiency and public confidence will only increase when the government takes the police seriously Pete, LondonSend us your comments | |
| She said local residents would have a greater say in setting policing priorities in their communities, particularly on issues such as anti-social behaviour and drug-dealing. | She said local residents would have a greater say in setting policing priorities in their communities, particularly on issues such as anti-social behaviour and drug-dealing. |
| The priorities will be agreed by residents, in conjunction with their new neighbourhood policing teams. | The priorities will be agreed by residents, in conjunction with their new neighbourhood policing teams. |
| There are now 3,600 teams in place - consisting of 13,500 police officers and 16,000 police community support officers. | There are now 3,600 teams in place - consisting of 13,500 police officers and 16,000 police community support officers. |
| However, Home Office research into the effectiveness of neighbourhood policing concluded that it was "too early" to reach any firm conclusions about its impact. | However, Home Office research into the effectiveness of neighbourhood policing concluded that it was "too early" to reach any firm conclusions about its impact. |
| The study, published in February, looked at the first year of the three-year neighbourhood policing scheme, while it was still being implemented. | The study, published in February, looked at the first year of the three-year neighbourhood policing scheme, while it was still being implemented. |
| It said forces faced significant challenges in rolling out neighbourhood policing and in making a positive impact in solving problems and establishing effective community engagement. | It said forces faced significant challenges in rolling out neighbourhood policing and in making a positive impact in solving problems and establishing effective community engagement. |
| The report said increasing foot patrols in local areas was not enough to improve confidence in the police. | The report said increasing foot patrols in local areas was not enough to improve confidence in the police. |