Policing needs local accountability, not foundation forces - Huhne

12.00.00am GMT Fri 20th Jun 2008

Commenting on ACPO President Ken Jones' call for some police forces to be given 'foundation' status, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Huhne said:

"Local policing for local priorities is the key to success, but there has to be accountability to elected people who understand the problems of tackling crime and disorder in their area.

"The Government's top-down target setting leads to counter-productive results.

"Foundation forces which earn independence from central government by meeting central government targets miss the whole point of local policing."