Steve Ladyman MP supports Labour's Policing Pledge

Steve Ladyman, Labour MP for South Thanet, is joining forces with Labour’s Home Secretary Jacqui Smith to raise awareness of the policing pledge.

Now Steve Ladyman MP is supporting a new public information campaign launched today by Jacqui Smith to raise awareness of the level of service people should expect from the police.

The Pledge, which was rolled out nationally in December 2008, gives local people an unprecedented say over how their communities are policed and the opportunity to hold the police to account – to ensure they are getting the service they want. It also means people can be confident that the police are delivering the same set of national service standards throughout the country while still delivering action on their local priorities.

The Pledge is just one part of the Policing Green Paper, published last summer, which signalled a fundamental shift in police acountability and reporting. The focus is now on police reporting and responding to local communities rather than central government as well as on individual police officers having the responsibility and the discretion to tackle the issues that matter locally.

Steve Ladyman Labour MP for South Thanet said:

 "I know how important it is for people to feel like they can access the police when they need them and the pledge is about empowering people to know what service level they can expect.

"It is also about ensuring all police forces across the country are offering the same high level of service.  Thanks to Labour’s investment the focus now is on police responding to local communities and individual police officers being able to tackle the issues that matter locally. It is important that we let people know what they can expect.

"Since Labour came to power we have been committed to raising the levels of community policing with our introduction of dedicated Neighbourhood beat teams for every area.

"This is compared to the Tories whose £160 million Home Office budget cuts could see more than 3,500 police cuts across England and Wales meaning 93 less police officers in Kent."

Jacqui Smith MP, Labour’s Home Secretary said:

"I am determined to give people a louder voice in how crime is tackled in their communities so we can continue to drive down crime and drive up public confidence.

"The public are our strongest weapon in tackling crime and the Policing Pledge is a clear deal about what you can expect from the police. I passionately believe that building confidence by giving you more local crime information, listening to your concerns and making your priorities our priorities we will drive up the quality of policing for communities everywhere.

"I want people to be empowered and take advantage of the new deal policing pledge and that is why this new campaign is crucial in ensuring that you know the minimum standard of service you should receive and that you have a greater say and influence over how your streets are policed."