Ministers must take Flanagan review to heart

2.58.55pm GMT Wed 6th Feb 2008

Commenting ahead of tomorrow's expected publication of Sir Ronnie Flanagan's review of policing, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Huhne said:

"Too many police officers are tied up with useless work, not just because of bureaucracy but because of the Government's obsession with new criminal offences - 3,400 since 1997 - and centralised targets.

"Ministers need to take Sir Ronnie's recommendations to heart without removing necessary safeguards on stop and search which are vital for maintaining the confidence of minority communities."

ENDS