The National Policing Context

In developing our priorities for 2008-11 we have taken into account partnership priorities and national influences including: the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review, the Home Office Crime Reduction Strategy 2008-11, the Government’s Criminal Justice Strategy 2008-11, Public Service Agreements for 2008-11, the Home Secretary’s Strategic policing priorities and key actions for the police service 2008/09, the Government’s three year plan for tackling violence “Saving Lives, Reducing Harm, Protecting the Public” and the report of the National Review of Policing by HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary.

Public Service Agreements (PSAs)

As part of its 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) the Government has set out the top national priorities for community safety for the next three financial years. Those that relate directly to the police service are:

• Make communities safer (PSA 23)
• Deliver a more effective, transparent and responsive criminal justice system for victims and the public (PSA 24)
• Reduce the harm caused by alcohol and drugs (PSA 25)
• Reduce the risk to the UK and its interests overseas from international terrorism (PSA 26)

Home Secretary’s Strategic Policing Priorities for the Police Service in 2008/09

• Reduce crime in line with the national PSAs (23 and 25), including focusing on more serious violence (particularly involving the use of firearms and other weapons), serious acquisitive crime (particularly prolific and other priority offenders and drug-misusing offenders), alcohol-related crime and disorder, and anti-social behaviour.
• Increase public confidence in and satisfaction with the police through an emphasis on the quality of service provided to the public.
• In line with PSA 24, work in partnership to deliver a more effective, transparent and responsive Criminal Justice System for victims and the public.
• Work jointly to ensure that adequate capability and capacity exists across England and Wales to deliver effective policing to tackle serious and organised crime and to provide other protective services.
• In respect of counter-terrorism and violent extremism in line with CONTEST and the counter-terrorism PSA, work with and through local communities as appropriate to disrupt terrorists and their operations; protect key sites and people going about their daily lives; deter those who facilitate terrorism; stop people from becoming or supporting terrorists or violent extremists; and be prepared to respond to a terrorist attack and its consequences.
• The tougher financial settlement for the CSR period requires both Police Authorities and Forces to make the best use of resources, with a continuing commitment to achieving significant cashable improvements in efficiency and productivity. The Police Service should see resource management as a core responsibility of delivering sustainable improvement.

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