Crime Reduction - Helping to Reduce Crime in Your Area

The Police Reform Bill received Royal Assent on 25 July 2002, and the Act will support the police service in tackling crime and anti-social behaviour.

A comprehensive package of measures to disrupt criminal enterprises and deprive criminals of their financial lifeblood is contained in the Proceeds of Crime Act, which received Royal Assent on 24 July 2002.

The Proceeds of Crime Act establishes:

• an Assets Recovery Agency to investigate and recover wealth accumulated through criminal activity;

• consolidates and strengthens existing criminal confiscation powers;

• introduces a new power of civil recovery;

• extends investigation powers; and

• tightens up existing money laundering legislation.

The Police Reform Act contains measures to ensure that the most effective policing methods are used by all police forces, and so tackles the variations in performance between forces.

The Police Reform Act will:

• make Anti Social Behaviour Orders more flexible and widely available;

• enable trained civilians to execute some police powers, freeing the growing number of police officers from unnecessary duties and providing a presence in local communities; and

• enable the police to work closely with other agencies like neighbourhood and street wardens.

The Police Reform Act and Explanatory Notes will be published on The Stationery Office website.