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Crime and Justice Blogs

What is the point of Police and Crime Commissioners?
Edward Boyd, Crime & Justice Research Fellow at Policy Exchange, argues that the incoming role of Police & Crime Commissioners should have been better communicated in the run up to the elections, but stresses that despite poor voter turnout, this is still an important opportunity for change in policing.

Police and Crime Commissioners are here to stay
Edward Boyd, Crime & Justice Research Fellow at Policy Exchange, sets out why PCCs are a good idea, advocating the fact that they remove control of police priorities from Whitehall and give the public a voice in setting police priorities.

A huge job – but also a huge opportunity
Rory Geoghegan, Crime & Justice Research Fellow at Policy Exchange, argues that newly elected Police & Crime Commissioners will face tough challenges when they take on the role, but stressed that talented candidates will have the potential to make a real difference to the lives of the public.

How the new Police Commissioners should spend their first 100 days
Nick Faith, Director of Communications at Policy Exchange, sets out the priorities for PCCs in their first 100 days in office. He argues that PCCs need to take the time to get to know their communities, put in place a proactive communications plan and try to set themselves two or three major priorities for their first term.

Chris Grayling should be tough on crime – and smart on tagging
Rory Geoghegan, Research Fellow for Crime & Justice at Policy Exchange, argues that the electronic monitoring of criminals is being undermined by the nature of the MOJ’s procurement contracts. Rory suggests that a localised system where multiple suppliers can offer local law enforcement agencies the technology they need could save the taxpayer hundreds of millions of pounds.

Tagging isn’t working – privatisation is no panacea
David Skelton, Deputy Director at Policy Exchange, argues that private monopolies will do little to drive up standards in public service delivery. He suggests that a competitive local market needs to be established in the area of electronic monitoring, especially with the electronic tagging of criminals as we explored in recent report Future of Corrections.

The public are keen to listen: it is up to PCC candidates to excite them with their vision for the fight against crime
Crime & Justice Research Fellow Edward Boyd points at findings from Policy Exchange PCC website policeelections.com which suggest there is public interest in the upcoming elections and calls on the candidates to work to get their message out and excite the public with their plans.

Don’t let apathy rob you of a say on how you are policed
Policy Exchange’s Head of Crime & Justice, Blair Gibbs, explains the importance of new Police & Crime Commissioners and introduces our new website – PoliceElections.com – which is designed to raise public awareness about the elections and those who are standing in them.

Foot patrol: the most secure foundation
Rory Geoghegan, Crime and Justice Research Fellow at Policy Exchange, blogs for the National Policing Improvement Agency on his experience of foot patrol as a Special Constable, stressing the importance of community foot patrol in building trust with the public and deterring crime.

Fewer police officers doesn’t necessarily mean a rise in crime
Head of Policy Exchange’s Crime and Justice unit Blair Gibbs writes in The Guardian that a fall in police numbers does not necessarily lead to an increase in crime. Findings from Cost of the Cops are used to support his case.