Responses to policing consultation show widespread support for cutting police red tape.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said, ‘On visits up and down the country I have seen first hand the positive impact of neighbourhood policing and the growing involvement of communities in the fight against crime.'

She added, ‘The public are our strongest weapon in tackling crime and I passionately believe that empowering them to get a good deal through the policing pledge will play a powerful role in driving up the quality of policing for our citizens and in our communities.’

The Neighbourhood and Home Watch Network (NHWN) was launched across the nation with a brief to keep an eye on crime and crime fighting on our home front.

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Christmas shoppers in Leicester city centre are being given purse bells and chains to try and prevent thefts from handbags over the festive period.

The chain can be used to attach a purse to a handbag to make it more difficult to steal. Meanwhile the bells will alert shoppers if someone is tampering with their handbag.