Written question asked by Lord Harper (Conservative) on Thursday, 1 December 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 6 December 2005. It was answered by Hazel Blears (Labour) on Monday, 6 February 2006 on behalf of the Home Office.

Police

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the likely effects of the police force restructuring proposals on the recorded levels of crime in the year after they are introduced for each constabulary in England and Wales.

Answer: The Government's Spending Review 2004 Public Service Agreements set a target to reduce crime by 15 per cent., and further in high crime areas, by 2007–08. We remain committed to delivering those reductions in crime and any objectives beyond this period will arise out of the Comprehensive Spending Review 2007. Force restructuring is intended to improve the capacity and capability of forces in England and Wales to provide an effective service, to ensure that every force is well equipped to deliver effective protective services, as well as effective policing at the neighbourhood level.

Secondary information