13.09.13
LGA calls for cross-Whitehall approach to crime
A new Crime Reduction Board, with ministers from all Government departments, could increase coordination across Whitehall and drive down crime.
The LGA called for the creation of such a board in evidence to the Justice Select Committee inquiry into the Government’s policy on crime reduction. Confusion over policy at a national level can hamper efforts to tackle crime and cut reoffending, the association warned.
Their evidence also highlighted a lack of engagement from some departments which are failing to recognise their role in crime reduction.
Ahead of giving evidence to the Committee, Cllr Joanna Spicer, Vice-Chair of the LGA's Safer and Stronger Communities Board, said: “One of the key successes in tackling crime in recent years has been multi-agency working at a local level between councils, the police and health services. Local government is playing its part in ensuring our communities are safe and secure and it is time for central government to replicate our successful formula.
“Whitehall has already recognised the importance of this joined-up approach in areas such as tackling gang violence, troubled families and domestic violence. But in order to successfully break the cycle of crime and re-offending, there needs to be a genuine commitment to this cross-working approach across the whole of Whitehall. That is the only way communities will see the real benefits.
“That is why we are recommending the creation of a ministerial level Crime Reduction Board. It would be able to provide proper challenges to new proposals and ongoing work and ensure there is better coordination between departments as a matter of course.”
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