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Police to focus on violent crimes Police to focus on violent crimes
(about 3 hours later)
Police in England and Wales are to have targets on minor offences relaxed to allow them to focus on combating violent crime, it is understood.Police in England and Wales are to have targets on minor offences relaxed to allow them to focus on combating violent crime, it is understood.
Jacqui Smith is to unveil the Tackling Violence Action Plan on Monday.Jacqui Smith is to unveil the Tackling Violence Action Plan on Monday.
The government plan will include hundreds of metal-detecting arches and search wands for communities, aimed at combating the carrying of knives.The government plan will include hundreds of metal-detecting arches and search wands for communities, aimed at combating the carrying of knives.
The plan will also focus on alcohol use, which is factor in almost half of all violent incidents. The plan will also focus on alcohol use, which is a factor in almost half of all violent incidents.
A £1m awareness campaign will seek to convince young people that carrying a knife actually increases their risk of being a victim of violence.A £1m awareness campaign will seek to convince young people that carrying a knife actually increases their risk of being a victim of violence.
Ms Smith will announce new resources for hundreds of metal-detecting arches and search wands for local communities.Ms Smith will announce new resources for hundreds of metal-detecting arches and search wands for local communities.
The equipment is thought to be portable enough to go in the back of a police car and be taken to pubs, clubs, schools.The equipment is thought to be portable enough to go in the back of a police car and be taken to pubs, clubs, schools.
Knives were linked to 258 deaths in 2006-7 compared with 219 the previous year.Knives were linked to 258 deaths in 2006-7 compared with 219 the previous year.
'Greatest concern''Greatest concern'
The plan also aims to build on a recent drive to clamp down on the sale of alcohol to under-18s.The plan also aims to build on a recent drive to clamp down on the sale of alcohol to under-18s.
The Home Office said that although just 1% of crime involves serious violence, alcohol is a factor in almost half of all violent incidents.The Home Office said that although just 1% of crime involves serious violence, alcohol is a factor in almost half of all violent incidents.
The BBC's political correspondent, Guto Harri, said that despite violent crime making up a low proportion of recorded offences, the government has recognised it is the cause of greatest concern among the public.The BBC's political correspondent, Guto Harri, said that despite violent crime making up a low proportion of recorded offences, the government has recognised it is the cause of greatest concern among the public.
Police will also be urged to work more closely with other agencies such as social services and councils to spot people who may be likely to turn to crime.Police will also be urged to work more closely with other agencies such as social services and councils to spot people who may be likely to turn to crime.
Ms Smith has also announced trials of a scheme allowing parents to check whether people with unsupervised contact with their children have paedophile convictions.Ms Smith has also announced trials of a scheme allowing parents to check whether people with unsupervised contact with their children have paedophile convictions.