1 Introduction
1. On 22 July 2004 we announced our inquiry into
the Police Service, Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour in Wales.[1]
2. We decided that it was important to look at this
subject because of concerns in Wales that the new powers conferred
on the police to tackle anti-social behaviour-and in particular
Anti-Social Behaviour Orders-were not being used as effectively
as in England. The inquiry was also timely as the Government was
preparing the National Policing Plan for 2005 to 2008. That gave
us the opportunity to assess policing in Wales against that Plan.
The terms of reference for our inquiry were as follows:
The National Policing Plan and its relevance to Wales;
Tackling anti-social behaviour and reducing volume
crime;
Combating serious and organized crime;
The reassurance agenda;
Community Safety Partnerships;
The performance of the Welsh police forces (compared
to forces in England); and
The division of powers and the working relationship
between the UK Government and the National Assembly for Wales
on policing matters.
3. During the course of this inquiry we took oral
evidence from the four Chief Constables in Wales, and visited
the North Wales, South Wales, and Gwent police force areas. In
addition we met with representatives of the police and communities
of Dyfed-Powys. We also visited Holland and Belgium, two countries
that have been at the forefront of community policing and which
have well-established and sophisticated multi-agency solutions
to policing anti-social behaviour.
4. In addition to the oral evidence we received from
the four Chief Constables, we took evidence from the Police Authorities
of Wales, the Welsh Local Criminal Justice Boards, a number of
Community Safety Partnerships, Nacro Cymru, Victim Support Wales,
Home Office Officials, Welsh Assembly Government Officials and
Hazel Blears MP, Minister of State at the Home Office for Crime
Reduction, Policing, Community Safety, Counter-Terrorism and Resilience.
5. We also received a large amount of written evidence
from individuals and organisations. We thank all who contributed
to our inquiry. We are also grateful for the expert advice we
received from our advisers Professor Mike Maguire and Professor
Michael Levi from Cardiff University and Glynn Alger, retired
Superintendent of Surrey police.
6. Policing remains a non-devolved issue. However,
the National Assembly for Wales has an important role to play
in this area as it has responsibility for the implementation of
crime reduction programmes, anti-social behaviour and combating
drugs misuse. It also has powers over the associated services
of health, housing and education. The working relationship between
the two tiers of government, and the current structure and funding
mechanisms are therefore crucial in the successful delivery of
police services in Wales, and in reducing crime and anti-social
behaviour. Therefore, we were disappointed that Edwina Hart, Minister
for Social Justice and Regeneration, Welsh Assembly Government,
did not give oral evidence during this inquiry.
1 See press notice 18 of Session 2003-04 Back
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