The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill has now received Royal Assent to become an Act of Parliament. The Act moves the decision-making on policing away from Government to communities, giving them the power to elect the much discussed and somewhat controversial Police and Crime Commissioners.
As a result, communities will now have a far greater say in licensing decisions, with tougher powers for local authorities to restrict problem premises selling alcohol during the hours of darkness.
“The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act is a landmark in the Government’s agenda to decentralise control and return power to the people,” explained policing minister Nick Herbert.
The minister added: “The election of Police and Crime Commissioners in England and Wales in November next year will give local people a strong voice in how their communities are policed, and provide a powerful boost in the fight against crime.”
Police and Crime Commissioners will make forces truly accountable to their communities by.
Other measures in the Act include:
Read the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act here
New Lords minister at the Home Office
Lord Henley is taking over the minister of state for crime prevention and anti-social behaviour reduction role at the Home Office due to the fact that Baroness Browning is leaving her post on health grounds.
Lord Henley is a Conservative peer and has joined the Home Office ministerial team from DEFRA. He entered the House of Lords in 1977, and has held a number of front bench positions both in Government (under Margaret Thatcher and John Major) as well as in Opposition.
In his new role as minister for crime prevention and anti-social behaviour reduction, Lord Henley’s brief will include the drugs strategy, licensing and community activism.
He will also lead on all Home Office business in the House of Lords.
Speaking about the appointment Home Secretary Theresa May said: “I want to thank Baroness Browning for her contribution to Government. In her time at the Home Office she has taken forward work to help prevent crime and reduce anti-social behaviour in our communities, and has played a vital role in taking our plans to reform policing and give greater accountability to the public through the Lords. I wish her the very best for the future.”
The Home Secretary added: “I’m pleased to welcome Lord Henley to the Home Office and look forward to working with him to deliver our key priorities.”
All other ministerial responsibilities at the Home Office remain the same.
BSIA welcomes Lord Henley to new Government role
Following the announcement that Baroness Browning has stepped down due to health reasons, the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) has wished her well, and welcomed the new appointment of Lord Henley to the post of crime prevention minister.
Baroness Browning was appointed at the Home Office in May this year after the reshuffle that saw Baroness Neville-Jones’ departure.
BSIA CEO James Kelly is keen to engage with Lord Henley at the earliest possible stage, with issues such as Cash-in-Transit robberies, police budget cuts and CCTV regulation high on the agenda.
“The BSIA has long been at the forefront of improving industry standards and working with key Government ministers,” said Kelly, “in addition to the police, the Home Office and industry bodies. This is crucial in our bid to ensure Best Practice within the private security industry.”
Kelly continued: “I look forward to meeting with Lord Henley in order to provide him with a useful initial briefing on the issues facing the private security industry in these challenging times.”
