Website of the UK government

From today, every household across the country will have a dedicated neighbourhood policing team to solve local problems - contactable by phone or through community meetings. Details are also available through a new website.

The new policing pledge, to be introduced later this year, will set out a national standard of what people can expect from their neighbourhood policing team. The standards could include arranging to visit you at a convenient time, regular reporting on the progress of detecting a crime, how a victim of crime is treated and supported, and how and when local crime information is provided to the public.

Neighbourhood policing teams will also be working with communities to set local priorities - whether it's tackling anti-social behaviour, drugs or alcohol- related crime for example. By drawing up local policing pledges, local people will have a real say over how their streets are policed.

This new approach is part of the Government's wider reform of policing and coincides with the start of new Public Service Agreements which set out the Government's clear commitment to focus policing around local priorities, as well as continuing to tackle serious crime.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "Every community now has a visible, contactable, and accountable policing team, working with local people to keep their neighbourhood safe.

"I'm determined that every person has access to the same level of support and service when it comes to policing. That is why we are launching a new policing pledge to give everyone the opportunity to be involved in setting priorities in their area. I encourage everyone to get involved and have a say about how their streets are policed."

Further information

You can find contact details for your neighbourhood policing team on Directgov.

• Neighbourhood Policing