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• Further Information: Home Office

18 July 2000

SR2000/X4

TOUGH ON CRIME, TOUGH ON THE CAUSES OF CRIME

Significant new investment in police, courts and prisons, as well as in local crime reduction activity and action against illegal drugs, will be delivered over the next three years as a result of the Spending Review.

It follows recommendations from cross-departmental reviews of the Criminal Justice System, crime reduction and illegal drugs.

The Chancellor today announced:

• an extra £1.4 billion in 2001-02, rising to an extra £2.7 billion by 2003-04 to drive up performance across the criminal justice system, resulting in an increase in the proportion of recorded crimes for which an offender is brought to justice;

• spending of at least £160 million in each of the next three years on Home Office programmes for crime reduction, contributing to the planned reductions in vehicle crime by 30 per cent by 2004; domestic burglary by 25 per cent by 2005; and robbery in our principal cities by 14 per cent by 2005; and

• real increases of 10 per cent a year in funding to tackle the problems of drug misuse at its roots, centred around interventions that work, contributing to a reduction in the proportion of people under 25 reporting use of class A drugs by 25 per cent by 2005.

Extra money for the criminal justice system will fund new IT to streamline case management and contribute to reductions in the time taken for dealing with cases. Building on the recommendations of the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry report, there will be extra provision for victims and witnesses.

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Extra money for crime reduction will support the working of local Crime and Disorder Partnerships, and will be underpinned by measures by the Secretary of State for Education and Employment to reduce truancy; and measures by the Secretary of State for Health to tackle substance abuse, both drugs and alcohol.

Extra money for drugs will fund a new National Treatment Agency, ensuring that drug addicts get the help they need. To reduce the availability of drugs, there will be more effective arrangements for making the best use of intelligence in assessing the drugs threat.

Welcoming the Spending Review plans, Jack Straw, the Home Secretary said:

"Crime reduction is my overriding priority. I therefore welcome the outcome of these reviews. Offending is too often associated with abuse of drugs and alcohol, having truanted from school or having been in care. By getting Whitehall departments working together, we can win the war on crime."

David Blunkett, the Education Secretary said:

"There are clear links between crime, truancy and illiteracy. The we can do to cut failure at school, the more we will contribute to the fight against crime. That is why the Government is committed to raising standards across the board and for those at most risk."

Health Secretary, Alan Milburn, said:

"Crime is associated with substance abuse. Better health education for young people and effective treatment regimes can and will make a difference. My department is committed to playing its part in this cross-Government drive."

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. Crime Reduction was one of the 15 cross-cutting reviews established as part of the 2000 Spending Review.

2. Statistics from the Crime Reduction review show that:

• 40 per cent of crime happens in 10 per cent of areas; 
• 2 per cent of people suffer 41 per cent of property crimes; 
•  1 per cent of people suffer 59 per cent of violent crimes; 
•  43 per cent of violence against women is in the home; 
•  alcohol misuse is involved in 78 per cent of assaults and 88 per cent of criminal damage; 
• crime rates are up to 50 per cent lower on estates "secured by design"; 
•  40 per cent of young prisoners have been in care; 
•  42 per cent of young remand prisoners need mental health treatment;  30 per cent of prisoners played truant from age 11; and 
•  fewer than 50 per cent of offenders on probation have the literacy and numeracy skills needed for 80 per cent of jobs.

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 Baseline

£m

 2001/2

£m

 2002/3

£m

2003/04

£m 

* These figures are indicative relating only to the proactive spending identified by the Review.

3. For more details contact the Home Office press office 020 77273 4600 (Criminal Justice Desk); or 020 7273 4640 (Constitution and Community Relations Desk).

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1. Split between Departments will be finally decided after conclusions of Organised Crime study.

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Spending Review 2000 Press Notices Index