Appendix F: Crime and Disorder Act Review
The Government announced a review of the partnership provisions of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, as amended by the Police Reform Act 2002, in the police reform White Paper – Building Communities, Beating Crime – in November 2004. The review was conducted jointly by the representative bodies of all the agencies with responsible authority status on partnerships, and included input via regional workshops from well over 400 practitioners and other stakeholders. Representatives of other key central Government departments were also involved.
The partnership landscape had changed substantially since partnerships were first created in 1998, with the introduction of Local Area Agreements and the changing role of local government presenting new challenges for partnerships. Changes in the Criminal Justice System and the delivery of the police reform agenda also affected how partnerships did business. The review, therefore, was a timely piece of work that would help ensure all partnerships were in a good position to adapt to a changing delivery landscape and take on any new challenges.
The overall objective of the review was to strengthen the visibility, responsiveness, accountability, membership and role of local partnerships. The aim is to make them the most effective possible vehicle for tackling crime, anti-social behaviour and substance misuse.
The Home Office, the Local Government Association, the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Association of Police Authorities worked together on the review between November 2004 and January 2005. Over 450 key stakeholders and practitioners were consulted through four regional seminars and many contributed through e-questionnaires and submissions.
The report of the review findings was published in January 2006 (http://crimereduction.homeoffice.gov. uk/partnerships60.htm) and led to the legislative changes in the Police and Justice Act 2006.
The Government Offices and the Home Office jointly arranged ten stakeholder consultation events around the country, followed by another two events arranged with the Welsh Assembly Government in Wales. These events sought views and information on the implementation of the review findings and, specifically, what should be included in new legislation for partnerships.
