Clause 36 - Community safety accreditation schemes
Police Reform Bill [Lords]
10:45 am
Ms Annette Brooke (Mid Dorset and North Poole, Liberal Democrat)
The three amendments strengthen the whole concept by tying the police authority into the tripartite system—or the whole picture.
Although amendment No. 144 is crucial, I shall specifically talk about amendment No. 145. The hon. Member for Surrey Heath (Mr. Hawkins) said that one can consult too much, and there is some truth in that. However, the scheme's objective is to establish neighbourhood policing, which is about involving all of the relevant authorities. It is about everybody working together to look at the whole picture, so that the reasons behind, for example, antisocial behaviour can be understood. It is isolationist to have individual wardens chasing litter without any communication about how that problem can be solved; the requirement to consult strengthens local crime and disorder partnerships. The key to success is to change behaviour, as well as to stop it. That is why consultation is helpful.