Home Office publishes internal progress report

Falling crime, record police numbers and stronger border controls are among the "key achievements" highlighted in the Home Office Annual Report, published today.

The report also sets out the department's plans for the coming year with work to promote social inclusion and active citizenship against a background of effective enforcement of law and order and protecting the security of our borders.

Home Secretary David Blunkett said: "The past year has seen the laying of some very important foundations for the successful delivery of this agenda.

"We have enacted major reforms to the police service in this country to enable police to fight crime more effectively. We now have record numbers of police patrolling the streets and they are supported by more than a thousand community support officers.

"We have also introduced new legislation to enable communities to tackle anti-social behaviour and fundamental reforms to our criminal justice system.

"Recent months have seen the Home Office geared up for the major delivery challenges that it faces. We have made big strides forward, but there is still a long way to go. Over the coming year, we will be investing additional time, effort and resources in achieving excellence across the board."

Among measures Mr Blunkett viewed as successful, he highlighted: an increase in police numbers to a record 131,548, with 1,222 community support officers; producing a reduction in robbery of 25% over the six months to September 2002 in the 10 street crime initiative areas; reversing the previous decline in the number of offences brought to justice - 1.046 million offences were brought to justice in the year to September 2002; and strengthening border controls, including the installation of high-tech detection equipment to stop the illegal trade in people smuggling.

The Annual Report also calls for continued efforts to drive down volume crime by promoting better policing and more effective partnerships to tackle performances. Also, sustaining the momentum of the Street Crime Initiative, which has achieved a 16% reduction in the six months to September last year, through a campaign to tackle mobile phone theft and youth exclusion.

(GMcG)