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| Police 'bogged down by red tape' | Police 'bogged down by red tape' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Police officers in England and Wales are bogged down in red tape and afraid to use their own judgement, the chief inspector of constabulary has said. | Police officers in England and Wales are bogged down in red tape and afraid to use their own judgement, the chief inspector of constabulary has said. |
| In an interim report, Sir Ronnie Flanagan said forces would "over-record and under-deliver" for fear of missing something or being criticised. | In an interim report, Sir Ronnie Flanagan said forces would "over-record and under-deliver" for fear of missing something or being criticised. |
| And he said "excess bureaucracy" must be cut to free up police time. | And he said "excess bureaucracy" must be cut to free up police time. |
| Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said changes were needed to make police "more effective" at fighting crime. | Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said changes were needed to make police "more effective" at fighting crime. |
| She told BBC News that Sir Ronnie had come forward with some "very clear and practical steps". | She told BBC News that Sir Ronnie had come forward with some "very clear and practical steps". |
| "There's lots of positive things that have happened in the last few years, more police officers, community support officers and real progress in cutting crime," she said. | "There's lots of positive things that have happened in the last few years, more police officers, community support officers and real progress in cutting crime," she said. |
| "But I'm determined that those police officers who come into the service to make a difference, we are constantly vigilant about making sure they can concentrate on frontline policing." | "But I'm determined that those police officers who come into the service to make a difference, we are constantly vigilant about making sure they can concentrate on frontline policing." |
| 'Risk-averse' | 'Risk-averse' |
| Sir Ronnie did praise the strategy of Neighbourhood Policing in England and Wales which he said was delivering results. | Sir Ronnie did praise the strategy of Neighbourhood Policing in England and Wales which he said was delivering results. |
| We risk diverting officers' priorities to recording crimes rather than getting out on the streets solving them and preventing them Sir Ronnie Flanagan class="" href="/1/hi/uk/6990858.stm">Profile: Sir Ronnie Flanagan | |
| But he said local police must work more closely with councils, schools and other bodies to really make a difference. | But he said local police must work more closely with councils, schools and other bodies to really make a difference. |
| In the interim report, Sir Ronnie sets out his ideas for a "cultural change" within the police. | In the interim report, Sir Ronnie sets out his ideas for a "cultural change" within the police. |
| "A more risk-averse society has led to a more risk-averse police service, which will at times over-record and under-deliver for fear of missing something or being vulnerable to criticism," he says. | "A more risk-averse society has led to a more risk-averse police service, which will at times over-record and under-deliver for fear of missing something or being vulnerable to criticism," he says. |
| Among his recommendations are: | Among his recommendations are: |
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| Sir Ronnie added: "We risk diverting officers' priorities to recording crimes rather than getting out on the streets, solving them and preventing them." | Sir Ronnie added: "We risk diverting officers' priorities to recording crimes rather than getting out on the streets, solving them and preventing them." |
| The interim report also suggested that greater use should be made of technology to free up police time. | The interim report also suggested that greater use should be made of technology to free up police time. |
| Form cuts | Form cuts |
| The home secretary said: "Sir Ronnie has identified several measures through which we can cut bureaucracy. | The home secretary said: "Sir Ronnie has identified several measures through which we can cut bureaucracy. |
| "Just from his proposal on case file management, we could save 400,000 hours of police time - that is the equivalent of 200 officers." | "Just from his proposal on case file management, we could save 400,000 hours of police time - that is the equivalent of 200 officers." |
| Regrettably, without the cash and political will needed, many of these recommendations will fail to become a reality Jan Berry, Police Federation chairman Shadow police minister David Ruffley said there had been too many broken promises from the government. | |
| "We've heard from ministers in the last year that 9,000 forms have been cut," he said. "The police don't believe that and ministers can't tell us which forms have been cut. | "We've heard from ministers in the last year that 9,000 forms have been cut," he said. "The police don't believe that and ministers can't tell us which forms have been cut. |
| "Our police are form writers now, not crime fighters. Less than a fifth of their time is spent on the beat - and that's got to change." | "Our police are form writers now, not crime fighters. Less than a fifth of their time is spent on the beat - and that's got to change." |
| Chairman of the Police Federation Jan Berry said it agreed with many of Sir Ronnie's recommendations, but that many had been made before. | Chairman of the Police Federation Jan Berry said it agreed with many of Sir Ronnie's recommendations, but that many had been made before. |
| "In 2002 a predecessor of Sir Ronnie's chaired a bureaucracy task force that made many similar proposals. | "In 2002 a predecessor of Sir Ronnie's chaired a bureaucracy task force that made many similar proposals. |
| "Regrettably, without the cash and political will needed, many of these recommendations will fail to become a reality." | "Regrettably, without the cash and political will needed, many of these recommendations will fail to become a reality." |
| Sir Ronnie was asked to conduct his independent review in his capacity as the home secretary's senior professional adviser on policing. | Sir Ronnie was asked to conduct his independent review in his capacity as the home secretary's senior professional adviser on policing. |
| Are you a police officer, or have you a particular experience of dealing with the police? What is your reaction to this story? Send us your comments by filling out the form below. | Are you a police officer, or have you a particular experience of dealing with the police? What is your reaction to this story? Send us your comments by filling out the form below. |