Crime Reduction - Helping to Reduce Crime in Your Area

Abbreviation or Acronym

Full format of abbreviation or acronym

3 Line description

MCRG

Motorcycle Crime Reduction Group

Motorcycles and powered two wheelers - working group which is part of VCRAT

NACRO

National Association for the
Care and Resettlement of Offenders

Nacro is an independent voluntary organisation working to prevent crime. It works with ex-offenders, disadvantaged people and deprived communities to reduce offending. http://www.nacro.org.uk

NAFIS

National Automated Fingerprint Identification System

PITO funded system providing all forces in England and Wales with automated fingerprint services. http://www.pito.org.uk/what_we_do/identification/nafis.htm

NCB

National Children's Bureau

NCB promotes the voices, interests and well-being of all children and young people across every aspect of their lives. It provides essential information on policy, research and best practice for  members and other partners.

NCIS

National Criminal Intelligence Service

NCIS works on behalf of all the United Kingdom's law enforcement agencies. It provides a range of intelligence products and services to aid the fight against serious and organised crime.
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NCPE

National Centre for Policing Excellence

Working with ACPO, the APA, HMIC and the PSU, the NCPE will identify, develop and spread good practice in operational policing throughout the service. Where appropriate, good practice will be enshrined in codes of practice or regulations under the provisions of the Police Reform Act. http://www.centrex.police.uk/ncpe/

NCRS

National Crime Recording Standard

NCRS is an ACPO standard implemented across all forces in England and Wales by March 2002. It aims to move the crime counts for the 43 forces of England and Wales onto a more consistent national basis and to take a more victim-centred approach to crime recording.

NCRS

Owned by the insurance industry; gives ratings on the ability of new cars to withstand theft of the vehicle and theft from the vehicle. More information available at www.thatcham.org

NCS

National Crime Squad

NCS was established in April 1998 through the amalgamation of the six Regional Crime Squads, inheriting their staff, premises, equipment and workload. Its mission is to combat national and international serious and organised crime. http://www.nationalcrimesquad.police.uk

NCSN

National Community Safety Network

Launched in 1996, NCSN is a network which aims to promote crime related community safety as a key issue at national, regional and local level throughout the United Kingdom. It has registered charity status. http://www.community-safety.net

NDC

New Deal for Communities

NDC is a Government programme to tackle multiple deprivation in the most deprived neighbourhoods in the country. The aim is to bridge the gap between these neighbourhoods and the rest of England, tackling five key themes of: poor job prospects; high levels of crime; educational under-achievement; poor health; and problems with housing and the physical environment. 17 pathfinder partnerships were announced in 1998, followed by a second round of 22 partnerships in 1999. Approximately £2bn has been committed to the 39 partnerships. http://www.neighbourhood.gov.uk/ndcomms.asp?pageid=34

NDTMS

National Drug Treatment Monitoring System

NDTMS is used to obtain accurate, good quality, and timely information for reporting drug treatment activity.

NERA

National Economic Research Associates

Now called NERA Economic Consulting, a international firm of economists. http://www.nera.com

NHEG

National Health Education Group

The group works to improve the quality of health education, within an equal opportunities framework for young people.

NHTCU

National Hi-Tech Crime Unit

NHTCU was set up in April 2001 as part of the National Hi-Tech Crime Strategy. It aims to combat national and transnational serious and organised hi-tech crime within, or which impacts on the UK. http://www.nhtcu.org

NHSS

National Healthy Schools Standard

The National Healthy School Standard (NHSS) is jointly funded by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) and the Department of Health (DH). It is part of the government's drive to reduce health inequalities, promote social inclusion and raise educational standards.

NIM

National Intelligence Model

NCIS produced the National Intelligence Model (NIM) on behalf of the ACPO Crime Committee to professionalise the intelligence discipline within law enforcement. It is currently being implemented across all police forces in the UK. http://www.ncis.co.uk/nim.asp

NOMS

National Offender Management Service

The National Offender Management Service brings together the Prison and Probation Services to ensure offenders continue their good behaviour in the community, and don't re-offend.

NPD

National Probation Directorate

NPD exercises on behalf of the Home Secretary all responsibilities for the probation service in England and Wales.
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NPP

National Policing Plan

The National Policing Plan for England and Wales, published in 2002, sets out the Government's strategic priorities for the police service for 2003-2006. http://www.policereform.co.uk/natpoliceplan/index.html

NPT

National Police Training

From 1 April 2002, NPT became the Central Police Training and Development Authority (Centrex), a non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Home Office. http://www.centrex.police.uk/

NRU

Neighbourhood Renewal Unit

Part of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister ODPM charged with driving progress across government in line with the National Strategy Action Plan http://www.neighbourhood.gov.uk

NSPIS

National Strategy for Police Information Systems

NSPIS was developed jointly by the police, police authorities and the Home Office in 1994 to ensure that the police take full advantage of information technology and get best value for money in investment in this area. Delivery of NSPIS systems is managed through PITO.

NTA

National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse

NTA is a special health authority established by Government in 2001 to improve treatment services throughout England.

NTORS

National Treatment Outcome Research Study

NTORS is the largest longitudinal cohort study of treatment outcome for drug misusers in the UK. Between March-July 1995, 1075 clients were recruited by 54 participating treatment programmes and the study monitors the progress of clients in one of four treatment modalities. http://www.doh.gov.uk/ntors.htm

NUS

National Union of Students

Body representing the interests of students in the UK http://www.nus.org.uk

NW

Neighbourhood Wardens

Neighbourhood Wardens are a uniformed semi-official presence in residential areas with the aim of improving the environment, quality of life and safety. They work closely with the police and local authorities to tackle deprivation and anti-social behaviour at grass roots level. Street wardens are similar but with more emphasis on caring for the physical appearance of an area. The Neighbourhood Wardens Team (ODPM) Adminsters a programme of grants for NW http://www.neighbourhood.gov.uk/nswardens.asp

ODPM

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

ODPM was created as a central department in its own right in May 2002. It is responsible for policy on housing, planning, devolution, regional and local government and the fire service. It also takes responsibility for the Social Exclusion Unit, the Neighbourhood Renewal Unit and the Government Offices for the Regions. http://www.odpm.gov.uk

OFSTED

Schools Inspectorate

Is responsible for inspecting all schools in England. Its role also includes the inspection of local education authorities, teacher training institutions and youth work.

ONS

Office for National Statistics

ONS analyses and reports on the UK's changing economy.

PA

Police Authority

Police authorities are the means of local accountability for police forces throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland.  Their consultations with local people provide an important and transparent link between the police and the public they serve. See also APA. >> more detail

PADA

Parents Against Drug Abuse

These groups offer support to parents of drug users and a range of services, from education in schools, parent education, prison visiting and much more.

PAT

Problem Analysis Triangle

Simple tool used in crime reduction problem solving. See http://www.crimereduction.gov.uk/learningzone/RAT.htm for an explanation.

PAT

Policy Action Team

18 Policy Action Teams were set up by the Social Exclusion Unit to look at major policy areas. These have led to some major changes and targets now being implemented by government departments or cross-department units. http://www.socialexclusion.gov.uk/page.asp?id=212

PBA

Probation Boards Association

Represents and supports the 42 local probation boards in England & Wales, succeeding ACPO and the Central Probation Council.
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PCRAT

Property Crime Reduction Action Team

PCRAT was established by the Government to reduce property crime through partnership involving central and local government, police, fire service and other commercial organisations. PCRAT covered burglary, vandalism and arson both in residential and commercial property. It no longer exists.

PCRG

Policing and Crime Reduction Group (Home Office)

Now the Crime Reduction and Community Safety Group within the Home Office

PCT

Primary Care Trusts

A responsible authority under the Crime and Disorder Act (CDA) 1998 as amended by the Police Reform Act 2002. PCT's are local organisations that will work with local authorities and other agencies that provide health and social care. They are now at the centre of the NHS and will get 75% of the NHS budget.
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PITO

Police Information Technology Organisation

PITO supports the UK police and other criminal justice organisations by providing information and communication technology solutions, either directly or through contracts with suppliers. http://www.pito.org.uk

PMDU

Prime Ministers' Delivery Unit

The Unit works in partnership with the Treasury, No. 10, other parts of the Cabinet Office and stakeholder departments, to assess delivery and provide performance management for the Governments top public priorities.

PNC

Police National Computer

Police intelligence tool which holds data on criminals, vehicles and property. It began in 1974 with stolen vehicle information and is accessed through a secure network by police and other criminal justice agencies.

POCIU

Public Order and Crime Issues Unit

Unit includes youth crime & information sharing, business crime, firearms licensing, gun crime, domestic violence, and public order. http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/inside/org/dob/direct/index.html

POOLED BUDGETS

Funds young people’s substance misuse services

POP

Problem Oriented Policing

A proactive strategy that involves police-community collaboration in the identification and resolution of community problems. See also SARA.

POSITIVE FUTURES

Home Office targeted drugs programme.

PPAF

Policing Performance Assessment Framework

The PPAF Programme aims to deliver a suite of performance measures that span the full remit of police work. PSU is leading development as set out in the National Policing Plan and PPAF is expected to be implemented in April 2004.

PRCRU

Property and Road Crime Reduction Unit

See POCIU - for domestic burglary see CRDT

PRCU

Policing and Reducing Crime Unit

See C&PG - part of HO Research Development and Statistics Directorate

PSA

Public Service Agreement

PSAs set out each government departments' aim, objectives and key outcome-based targets. They form an integral part of the spending plans set out in the Spending Review. Public service performance - supporting documents 

PSDB

Police Scientific Development Branch

Part of the Home Office CRCSG

PSHE

Personal, Social, and Health Education

Provides pupils with learning opportunities to be taught the knowledge, skills and understanding to take responsibility for themselves, show respect for others and to develop the self awareness and confidence needed for life.

PSMU

Performance and Strategic Management Unit

Part of the Home Office CRCSG

PSU

Part of the HO CRCSG responsible for delivering Government commitment to raise standards and operational performance in the police and crime reduction generally. >> more detail

PTAG

Plant Theft Action Group

Construction plant and agricultural machinery - working group which is part of VCRAT

PTW

Powered Two Wheeler Action Group

Smaller sub group of MCRG set up to look at specific issues and suggest action plans - part of VCRAT