Crime and Disorder Act Review

Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships (CDRPs) and Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs) have changed substantially since they were created in 1998 and with the introduction of Local Area Agreements the changing role of local governments presents new challenges for CDRPs and CSPs.

A review was held of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (CDA) to ensure that CDRPs and CSPs were in a good position to adapt to the change that will be required of them. Representative bodies of all the agencies with responsible authority status in CDRPs/ CSP were involved in the review, which also included input via regional workshops from over 400 practitioners and other stakeholders. Representatives of other key central Government departments were also involved.

The proposals have been separated into five categories with a summary for each below. Full details of the proposals can be found at http://www.crimereduction.gov.uk/partnerships60.htm

Structures
·        In two-tier areas, the strategic role of CDRPs and CSPs will be split from their operational functions,     with the strategic functions sitting at county level through the Local Strategic Partnership.
·        Those attending partnership meeting should have the seniority to take decisions and commit resources on behalf of their organisation.
·        For CDRPs to be better equipped to deal with the rapidly changing partnership, the list of responsible authorities may be extended by means of secondary legislation.

Delivery
·        Intelligence led decision making lies at the heart of effective delivery. Every CDRP should undertake an intelligence led problem-solving and outcome orientated approach to community safety. The police National Intelligence Model (NIM) provides a good practice framework for routinely analysing data and intelligenge to inform strategic approach.
·        CDRPs will be required to undertake strategic intelligence assessments on a 6 monthly basis. These will replace the three year audits currently undertaken by CDRPs. The six monthly stragetic intelligence approach  will inform the new requirement to produce annual rolling three year communnity safety plans.
·        Section 115 of the CDA will be strengthened to place a duty on responsible authorities to share depersonalised data relevant for community safety purposes.

Governance and Accountability
·        It is important that CDRPs should make themselves more visible to the communities they serve and be more accountable to them.
·        Within the NIM framework CDRPs/CSPs will provide regular opportunities for local people to raise their concerns and provide valuable community intelligence.
·        The requirement for CDRPs to report annually to the Home Secretary will be replaced with regular bulletins to the community.
·        The powers of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee will be extended to encompass the work of CDRPs.
·        A mechanism will be introduced to trigger action where communities can secure a response from parties when they feel that a particular community safety issues has not been addressed adequately. The local ward councillor will play a key role.

Mainstreaming
·        The definition of section 17 will  be extended to include anti-social behaviour, environmental crime and substance misuse.

National Standards
·        National standards will be established to provide a consistent approach to partnership working across all CDRPs and CSPs in  England and Wales.
·        Consultation with stakeholders on adopting a new name for English Partnerships which better reflects the wider remit of their work will take place.

Any legislative changes required were included in the Police and Justice Bill, which is currently before Parliament.