NCJ Number
231321
Journal
Crime Prevention and Community Safety Volume: 12 Issue: 3 Dated: July 2010 Pages: 156-175
Date Published
July 2010
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This article examines the policy history of Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships (CDRPs) in England and the debates surrounding direct elections and the local governance of crime in the United Kingdome and findings from interviews on the challenges that surround the introduction of direct elections.
Abstract
In the latter half of 2008, proposals emerged from the Home Office for the creation of a completely new elected office in England and Wales, the Crime and Policing Representative. These were to be directly elected and would chair Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships (CDRPs) in England and Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs) in Wales, as well as automatically become members of the police authority. However, before the proposals were even debated in parliament they were dropped because of concerns extremist parties may win them. This article presents findings from interviews with a range of councilors, police officers, and other officials working with or for CDRPs/CSPs in a representative mix of authorities. It shows that although extremist parties winning were a concern there were many more compelling reasons to reject this policy. The article ends with a brief discussion of alternative proposals that could be considered. Tables and references (Published Abstract)