Crime and Disorder Act 1998

6 Formulation and implementation of strategies.E+W

(1)The responsible authorities for a local government area shall, in accordance with the provisions of section 5 above and this section, formulate and implement, for each relevant period,

[F1(a)in the case of an area in England—

(i)a strategy for the reduction of crime and disorder in the area; and

(ii)a strategy for combatting the misuse of drugs in the area;

and

(b)in the case of an area in Wales—

(i)a strategy for the reduction of crime and disorder in the area; and

(ii)a strategy for combatting substance misuse in the area.]

[F2(1A)In determining what matters to include or not to include in their strategy for combatting substance misuse, the responsible authorities for an area in Wales shall have regard to any guidance issued for the purposes of this section by the National Assembly for Wales.]

(2)Before formulating a strategy, the responsible authorities shall—

[F3(a)carry out, taking due account of the knowledge and experience of persons in the area, a review—

(i)in the case of an area in England, of the levels and patterns of crime and disorder in the area and of the level and patterns of the misuse of drugs in the area; and

(ii)in the case of an area in Wales, of the levels and patterns of crime and disorder in the area and of the level and patterns of substance misuse in the area;]

(b)prepare an analysis of the results of that review;

(c)publish in the area a report of that analysis; and

(d)obtain the views on that report of persons or bodies in the area (including those of a description prescribed by order under section 5(3) above), whether by holding public meetings or otherwise.

(3)In formulating a strategy, the responsible authorities shall have regard to the analysis prepared under subsection (2)(b) above and the views obtained under subsection (2)(d) above.

(4)A strategy shall include—

(a)objectives to be pursued by the responsible authorities, by co-operating persons or bodies or, under agreements with the responsible authorities, by other persons or bodies; and

(b)long-term and short-term performance targets for measuring the extent to which such objectives are achieved.

(5)After formulating a strategy, the responsible authorities shall publish in the area a document which includes details of—

(a)co-operating persons and bodies;

(b)the review carried out under subsection (2)(a) above;

(c)the report published under subsection (2)(c) above; and

(d)the strategy, including in particular—

(i)the objectives mentioned in subsection (4)(a) above and, in each case, the authorities, persons or bodies by whom they are to be pursued; and

(ii)the performance targets mentioned in subsection (4)(b) above.

(6)While implementing a strategy, the responsible authorities shall keep it under review with a view to monitoring its effectiveness and making any changes to it that appear necessary or expedient.

[F4(6A)Within one month of the end of each reporting period, the responsible authorities shall submit a report on the implementation of their strategies during that period—

(a)in the case of a report relating to the strategies for an area in England, to the Secretary of State; and

(b)in the case of a report relating to the strategies for an area in Wales, to the Secretary of State and to the National Assembly for Wales.]

(7)In this section—

• “co-operating persons or bodies” means persons or bodies co-operating in the exercise of the responsible authorities’ functions under this section;

• “relevant period” means—

  (a)

  the period of three years beginning with such day as the Secretary of State may by order appoint; and

  (b)

  each subsequent period of three years.

• [F5“reporting period” means every period of one year which falls within a relevant period and which begins—

  (a)

  in the case of the first reporting period in the relevant period, with the day on which the relevant period begins; and

  (b)

  in any other case, with the day after the day on which the previous reporting period ends;

• “substance misuse” includes the misuse of drugs or alcohol.]