12 September 2007
A Citizens’ Jury has been held in Leicester to discuss the issues of law and order, crime-fighting and community policing.
Local police officers, community workers and around 100 people from across England and Wales were joined this morning by the Prime Minister and Home Secretary Jacqui Smith. Participants shared their views on neighbourhood policing, public engagement in law enforcement and awareness of crime-fighting beyond the work of the police.
Addressing the jury members, the PM said:
"There is no issue that is more important than the safety and security of families in their own homes, on their own streets, in their own neighbourhoods and in their own communities.
"Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, and I wanted to come here today to listen to what you have to say about how we deal with some of the problems of anti-social behaviour and some of the problems of law and order in our communities."
The Citizens’ Jury, which took place in the Walkers Stadium, home to Leicester City FC, was also attended by Sir Ronnie Flanagan. Sir Ronnie delivered his interim independent report on the future of policing to the Home Secretary today, with the full report due early next year.
The report’s key message was a call to reduce red tape and make better use of electronic data to help get more police officers out on the beat. A copy of his findings can be read on the Home Office website (new window).
The Citizens’ Jury initiative was announced by the PM in a speech on the future of politics on 3 September and is an attempt to feed public opinion into government policy. The first jury, on the subject of education, was attended by the Prime Minister in Bristol last week.
Image copyright: Reuters
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