The Home Office National Policing Priorities

The Home Office national policing priorities are a set of key areas that the government wants all police forces in England and Wales to focus on. These were published by the Home Secretary in March 2021, to make policing more effective and to improve outcomes for communities.

What these priorities are

The national priorities cover the most serious and widespread types of crime. They are:

• Reduce murder and other homicide – prevent killings and make sure offenders are brought to justice.
• Reduce serious violence – focus on stopping serious violent crime before it happens.
• Disrupt drugs supply and county lines – tackle illegal drug networks and protect vulnerable people.
• Reduce neighbourhood crime – cut down on burglary, theft and other crimes affecting local communities.
• Tackle cyber crime – address online crime that targets individuals, businesses and organisations.
• Improve satisfaction among victims with a particular focus on victims of domestic abuse – make sure victims are supported and their experiences improve.

How it works in Cheshire

As part of the rules around these national priorities, the PCC must show how the police are contributing to improving the outcome in these areas.

The PCC publishes a quarterly statement that explains:

• How the force is performing against each priority.
• What actions are planned next to improve outcomes.
• Which priorities apply locally, and why some might not be as relevant in Cheshire’s context.

Read the statement on the National Crime and Policing Measures here.

Why this matters

These national priorities help make sure that:

• The police are focusing on serious threats to safety across the country.
• Local plans reflect both national expectations and what matters to Cheshire residents.
• There are regular public reporting and transparency about how well the police are doing against these priorities.